One World.
One Company.
One Tribe.
2020 ANNUAL REPORT
Despite the challenges in 2020
our tribe was, and continues to be,
committed to these tenets:
STABILIZE
SECURE
RESET
THRIVE
Garry’s Message
G’day fellow stockholders,
ONE WORLD. ONE COMPANY. ONE TRIBE. This has long
around the world had to adjust rapidly to volume declines,
been a mantra for WD-40 Company, but never has it been
and then a short time later they had to turn around and
truer than it was in 2020, a year that humanity will never
create capacity for skyrocketing demand. Our tribe members
forget. This unprecedented year is one that brought many
had to adapt to working in an entirely virtual world.
unexpected challenges that we weathered together and one
which will likely be remembered as the most challenging
fiscal year in the history of the Company. As we reflect
upon this year, it’s important for us to ask ourselves, what
did we learn during this time, and how has it impacted us?
While on many levels we can hope that we never have to
repeat such a year, in some ways, these challenges have
brought out the best in our tribe and our Company. True
character is often revealed during a crisis, and our tribe
members around the world together demonstrated that we
are exactly who we think we are—a global, connected tribe
whose members will not hesitate to go above and beyond
to live our values by supporting each other, our customers,
our end-users, our partners, and our stockholders. The
disruption from the global COVID-19 pandemic caused us
to rethink our processes, increase our digital IQ, perfect our
virtual communication, and draw on our collective resilience.
As a result, we are stronger today than we were a year ago.
STABILIZE, SECURE, RESET, AND THRIVE
Our last stage, thrive, involved applying what we had
learned during these unprecedented times and asking
ourselves what lessons have we learned? What do we need
to do differently or better? Where does our focus need to be?
THE FUTURE REMAINS CLEAR
Many things—the essential ones—haven’t changed.
Our values are our foundation. We are continuing to stay
the course and stay focused, with our vision still squarely
in sight. We continue to believe that we are traveling
down a road that will lead us to consolidated net sales of
approximately $700 million. When we originally shared
this probably wrong and roughly right revenue target with
you, we had a reasonable basis for our belief as to when
we might arrive at that destination. However, when the
pandemic hit, we were diverted off the road and put into
a parking lot. While we’ve been parked, we have taken
considerable time to stabilize, secure, and reset our
business so that we can thrive in the future. Our growth
aspirations continue to be to drive consolidated net sales
In the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression,
to approximately $700 million. However, because of the
our tribe worked tirelessly together across regions, functions,
uncertain global economy—and the traffic jams we expect
and time zones to respond to this year’s unique challenges
to encounter in the future due to the pandemic—the timing
caused by the pandemic, many of which none of us
as to when we will arrive at our destination remains less
had ever faced before. Our first order of business was to
clear to us.
stabilize and secure the business. This first stage required
reviewing our circumstances, financial position, resources,
and priorities to agree on how we would prevail under
constantly shifting conditions. Our priority was the safety
and well-being our tribe members and their families.
Once we were able to stabilize and secure our business, our
focus quickly expanded to resetting under the new realities
of the world. Our global leaders collaborated to ensure
cohesive and consistent responses to the weekly, even daily
changes in conditions. Our supply chain professionals
I have never been prouder to be the leader of the WD-40
Company tribe. Our continued progress this year against
all odds has proven once again that we are truly one world,
one company, one tribe.
Garry Ridge
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
WD-40 Company 2020 Annual Report
1
Steve’s Message
DEAR FELLOW STOCKHOLDERS,
We were somewhat challenged in EMEA and revenue
Fiscal year 2020 was an unprecedented year marked
by the resilience of our brands, our business model, and
our tribe. As Dr. Rebecca Homkes, a lecturer at London
Business School, has stated, “One of the essential
distinguishers of a high-growth company is learning
velocity: companies that learn faster, grow faster.” Fiscal
was down 3% overall in the fiscal year. Though we saw a
strong rebound in sales in our EMEA direct markets in the
last quarter of our fiscal year and sales in these markets
increased 2% year over year, sales in the distributor
markets in EMEA were significantly impacted by the
pandemic and decreased 13% this year.
year 2020 was certainly a year where we had to learn fast.
In Asia-Pacific we experienced extreme disruptions from
We had to learn to use virtual tools to be productive and
the pandemic and revenue was down 25% in the fiscal
connected, we had to learn to be agile with our supply
year. This decline was driven by disruptions in our Asia
chains around the world, and we had to learn to pivot
distributor markets and in China where extended closures,
frequently as required in response to an unpredictable
lockdowns, and restrictions required by local governmental
pandemic.
As a global business that sells products in more than
176 countries and territories around the world, each of
our locations was impacted differently by the pandemic
and therefore our sales results varied greatly between
geographies. For the full fiscal year 2020, we delivered
revenue of $408.5 million, down just 4% compared to
last fiscal year.
We saw starkly contrasting results in markets around the
world. In geographies where retail operations remained
open and where we were able to leverage our strong digital
presence, we saw sales growth. However, in markets with
strict movement restrictions in place or less developed
e-commerce adoption, our sales were challenged.
We had a solid year in the Americas, delivering 3% revenue
growth primarily driven by solid sales in the United States
and Canada. Much this growth came from a phenomenon
we experienced in the last quarter of our fiscal year which
we refer to as “isolation renovation.” It seems that the
more time people spend isolated in their homes due to the
pandemic, the more time and money they spend making
home improvements.
authorities to combat the pandemic negatively impacted
our ability to sell in many channels and geographies.
Our shining star in Asia-Pacific was Australia where we
delivered 6% revenue growth in the fiscal year driven by
isolation renovation trends down under as well as strong
demand for homecare and cleaning products due to the
pandemic.
Since we know that companies that learn faster will grow
faster, we spent a considerable amount of time this year
developing what we call our “Must-Win Battles.” These are
the primary tactics that will enable us to deliver against our
revenue growth aspirations.
MUST-WIN BATTLE #1: GEOGRAPHIC EXPANSION
Our largest opportunity, and first global Must-Win Battle,
is the geographic expansion of the blue and yellow can
with the little red top. WD-40® Multi-Use Product is one
of the most recognizable brands in the world and we are
proud that our products live in the hearts and minds of
end-users everywhere. We estimate the potential long-term
growth opportunity for WD-40 Multi-Use Product to be over
$1 billion. In support of this Must-Win Battle we launched
2
WD-40 Company 2020 Annual Report
our newest direct market in Mexico during fiscal year 2020,
MUST-WIN BATTLE #4: DIGITAL COMMERCE
This was the year that a global health crisis would transform
how people shop. In fiscal year 2020, we continued our
heightened focus in the areas of digital and e-commerce.
We expanded our low cost, high performing website model
to more than 90 countries around the world and our social
media and other digital marketing efforts put our brands in
front of more people online than ever before. This helped
to drive e-commerce sales growth of approximately 58%,
including strong growth across all three trade blocs. We
expect e-commerce will become an even more significant
growth channel for us in the future.
As we look toward opportunities on the horizon, we intend
to maintain our laser-like focus on our Must-Win Battles
moving into fiscal year 2021 and beyond.
Steve Brass
President and Chief Operating Officer
in the midst of a pandemic, and sales increased 10%
compared to sales in the country last year. We will remain
focused on our top 20 geographic growth opportunities in
order to continue to drive us toward this sizable opportunity.
MUST-WIN BATTLE #2: PREMIUMIZATION
The evolution of the blue and yellow can with the little
red top began 15 years ago. We listen to our end-users.
People in focus groups and ethnographies told us that
losing the straw that comes with each can of WD-40
Multi-Use Product was a major pain point for them. To
solve this problem, we introduced WD-40 Smart Straw®,
a new delivery system that permanently attaches the
red straw to the can. It is our most successful innovation
and has paved the way for other premium products like
WD-40 EZ-REACH® and Smart Straw Next Generation.
Premiumization of our products creates opportunities for
revenue growth and gross margin expansion. Our objective
is to grow Smart Straw penetration to 60% of WD-40
Multi-Use Product global sales.
MUST-WIN BATTLE #3: WD-40 SPECIALIST®
We debuted the global rebrand of WD-40 Specialist®
in fiscal year 2020. Now, for the first time ever, WD-40
Specialist is fully leveraging our most iconic asset, the blue
and yellow can with the little red top. This alignment will
help drive future revenue growth and leverage brand equity
in the future. We believe that WD-40 Specialist represents a
$100 million annual revenue opportunity. WD-40 Specialist
contributed $36.8 million in sales during fiscal year 2020,
up 4% from last year. This continues to move us towards
our revenue target for this initiative.
WD-40 Company 2020 Annual Report
3
Jay’s Message
DEAR FELLOW STOCKHOLDERS,
grow. Finally, our last measure, EBITDA, was also constant
We generated net sales of $408.5 million for the fiscal
year, a decrease of 4% compared to the previous fiscal
year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had an
unfavorable impact on our consolidated net sales for fiscal
year 2020. On a constant currency basis, net sales would
have declined just 2% over the previous fiscal year.
Although top-line growth was challenged this fiscal year due
to disruptions related to the pandemic caused by COVID-19,
our disciplined and focused approach to managing our
global business put us in an enviable position as we moved
through the stages required to stabilize, secure, and reset
our business during this highly unusual year.
Our net income for fiscal year 2020 was $60.7 million,
an increase of 9% compared to last year. This allowed us
to deliver diluted earnings per share of $4.40, compared
to $4.02 in the prior fiscal year. Net income and diluted
earnings per share were both up significantly in fiscal year
2020 because our net income and diluted earnings per
share were unfavorably impacted in the prior year due to
a reserve for an uncertain tax position which we recorded
in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019 in the amount of
$8.7 million.
at 21% of net sales compared to last year.
CREATING VALUE
The company’s financial condition and liquidity remains
strong. During fiscal year 2020, we took numerous steps
to further strengthen our balance sheet as we moved
through the stages required to stabilize, secure, and reset
our business as a result of the pandemic. At the end of
fiscal year 2020, our balance sheet remained solid, with
$56.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and a modest,
manageable level of debt.
When the pandemic began, we elected to suspend the
stock purchases we were making under our share buy-back
plan in order to conserve our cash while we monitored the
long-term impacts of the health crisis. That share buy-back
plan expired at the end of August 2020. We don’t anticipate
seeking board approval for additional share repurchases
until we begin to see a reduced level of uncertainty
regarding the pandemic’s impact. However, we continue
to return capital to our shareholders through regular
dividends. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2020, we
raised our quarterly dividend to $0.67 per share, resulting
in an annualized dividend of $2.68.
OUR 55/30/25 BUSINESS MODEL
In closing, I would like to thank our stockholders for their
Our discipline and diligence around our 55/30/25 business
model remain a top priority for us. The model targets a
gross margin of 55% of net sales, a cost of doing business
of 30% of net sales, and an EBITDA of 25% of net sales.
In fiscal year 2020, our gross margin fell slightly to
54.6% compared to 54.9% last year. Although our cost
of doing business percentage remained constant at 34%
of net sales compared to last year, we do expect to see
improvements to this measure over time as our revenues
4
WD-40 Company 2020 Annual Report
continued confidence in WD-40 Company. We look forward
to continuing to increase the value of the Company for all
our stakeholders.
Jay Rembolt
Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
FY 2020 RESULTS
15% 17%
RETURN
ON SALES1
RETURN
ON ASSETS2
1 Calculated as net income for
fiscal year 2020 divided by
net sales for 2020.
2 Calculated as net income for
fiscal year 2020 divided by total
assets at August 31, 2020.
32%
RETURN ON
INVESTED CAPITAL3
3 Calculated as net operating
profit after tax divided by average
total assets less cash and cash
equivalents, short-term investments
and non-interest bearing liabilities.
Gross Margin
(percent)
Sales Per Employee
(in millions)
Weighted Average
Shares Outstanding
(in millions)
56
56
55
55
55
0.86
0.85
0.85
0.86
0.78
14.4
14.1
14.0
13.8
13.7
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Net Sales
(in millions)
Earnings Per Share
(in dollars)
Net Income
(in millions)
380.7
380.5
408.5
423.4
408.5
4.64
4.40
4.02
65.2
60.7
55.9
52.6
52.9
3.64
3.72
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
WD-40 Company 2020 Annual Report
5
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company’s Common Shares to the yearly weighted cumulative return
of a peer group of companies, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index (“S&P 500”) and the Russell 2000 Composite Stock Index for the
five fiscal years ending August 31, 2020.
The Company uses the same peer group for the Company’s five-year performance graph as the peer group of companies used by the
Compensation Committee for purposes of benchmarking executive compensation.
During fiscal year 2020, two companies included in the peer group used by the Compensation Committee for fiscal year 2020 compensation
decisions, Cambrex Corporation and Innophos Holdings, Inc. were acquired by another company. As a result, these two companies were included
in the peer group used by the Compensation Committee for fiscal year 2020 compensation benchmarking, but they are not included in the
graph below.
The below comparison assumes $100 was invested on August 31, 2015 in the Company’s Common Shares and in each of the indices and
assumes reinvestment of dividends.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among WD-40 Company, the S&P 500 Index, the Russell 2000 Index, and a Peer Group
$300
$280
$260
$240
$220
$200
$180
$160
$140
$120
$100
$80
FY 2015
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
WD-40 Company
S&P 500
Russell 2000
Peer Group
FY 2015
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
WD-40 Company
S&P 500
Russell 2000
Peer Group (1)
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
143.60
112.55
108.59
114.35
134.59
130.82
124.79
121.23
222.76
156.55
156.54
158.13
232.07
161.12
136.36
126.13
263.90
196.47
144.57
126.19
*$100 invested on 8/31/15 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending August 31.
Copyright© 2020 Standard & Poor's, a division of S&P Global. All rights reserved.
Copyright© 2020 Russell Investment Group. All rights reserved.
(1) WD-40 Company’s peer group Index is comprised of the following 15 companies:
• American Vanguard Corporation
• Balchem Corporation
• Chase Corporation
• Dorman Products
• Flotek Industries Inc.
• Hawkins, Inc.
• Ingevity Corporation
• Innospec Inc.
• Landec Corporation
• Prestige Healthcare, Inc
• Quaker Chemical Corporation
• Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.
• Sensient Technologies Corporation
• Stoneridge Inc.
• USANA Health Sciences, Inc.
6
WD-40 Company 2020 Annual Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WD-40 Company Proxy Statement
WD-40 Company Annual Report on Form 10-K
WD-40 Company Corporate Information
WD-40 COMPANY
9715 Businesspark Avenue
San Diego, California 92131
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To the Stockholders:
The 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of WD-40 Company will be held via a live audio webcast at the following
virtual location and for the following purposes:
When:
Place:
Items of Business:
Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time
www.meetingcenter.io/283620136
1. To elect a Board of Directors for the ensuing year and until their successors are elected
and qualified;
2. To hold an advisory vote to approve executive compensation;
3. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2021; and
4. To vote on a shareholder proposal as described in the accompanying Proxy Statement
if properly presented at the meeting; and
5. To consider and act upon such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
Who Can Vote:
Only the stockholders of record at the close of business on October 12, 2020 are
entitled to vote at the meeting.
Attending the Virtual Annual
Meeting
As a result of the public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to prioritize the
health and well-being of meeting participants, this year’s annual meeting will be
conducted virtually via a live audio webcast, accessible at
www.meetingcenter.io/283620136.
Please see "How_can_I_participate in the virtual annual meeting?" beginning on page 3
for information about how to attend and participate in the virtual annual meeting, vote,
view the list of stockholders of record and submit questions pertinent to the meeting.
REVIEW YOUR PROXY STATEMENT AND VOTE IN ONE OF FOUR WAYS:
www.meetingcenter.io/283620136
VIA THE INTERNET
Visit the website listed on your proxy card
BY MAIL
Sign, date and return your proxy card in the enclosed
envelope
BY TELEPHONE
Call the telephone number on your proxy card
VIA LIVE VIRTUAL MEETING
Attend the Virtual Annual Meeting at
www.meetingcenter.io/283620136
By Order of the Board of Directors
Richard T. Clampitt
Corporate Secretary
San Diego, California
October 29, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
GENERAL INFORMATION
PRINCIPAL SECURITY HOLDERS
ITEM NO. 1: NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS AND SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
Director Independence
Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers
Nominees for Election as Directors
Board Leadership, Risk Oversight and Compensation-Related Risk
Board of Directors Meetings, Committees and Annual Meeting Attendance
Board of Directors Compensation
Director Compensation Table – Fiscal Year 2020
Equity Holding Requirement for Directors
Stockholder Communications with Board of Directors
Committees
INSIDER TRADING POLICY - PROHIBITED HEDGING TRANSACTIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL GOVERNANCE REPORT
ITEM NO. 2: ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Executive Summary of Compensation Decisions and Results
Governance of Executive Officer Compensation Program
Executive Compensation Philosophy and Framework
Executive Officer Compensation Decisions for Fiscal Year 2020
Other Compensation Policies
Accounting Considerations
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
Grants of Plan-Based Awards - Fiscal Year 2020
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2020 Fiscal Year End
Option Exercises and Stock Vested - Fiscal Year 2020
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation – Fiscal Year 2020
Supplemental Death Benefit Plans and Supplemental Insurance Benefits
Change of Control Severance Agreements
CEO Pay Ratio
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
ITEM NO.3: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Audit Fees
Audit-Related Fees
Tax Fees
All Other Fees
ITEM NO. 4: SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL TO ADOPT A POLICY TO INCLUDE NON-MANAGEMENT
EMPLOYEES AS PROSPECTIVE DIRECTOR CANDIDATES
Board of Directors' Statement in Opposition to Item No. 4
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Page
1
3
5
6
6
7
9
13
13
14
15
15
16
16
18
19
20
21
21
23
24
25
33
34
35
36
36
38
39
39
40
40
40
42
43
44
44
44
44
44
45
46
47
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
We provide below highlights of certain information in this Proxy Statement. As it is only a summary, please refer to the
complete Proxy Statement and 2020 Annual Report before you vote.
2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Date and Time:
December 8, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time
Record Date:
October 12, 2020
Place:
www.meetingcenter.io/283620136
Meeting Webcast:
Available on the Company’s investor relations website at
http:/investor.wd40company.com beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Pacific Standard Time on December 8, 2020
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Our Corporate Governance Policies Reflect Best Practices
• Annual election of all directors with majority voting
• Executive sessions of independent directors held at each
requirement
regularly scheduled board meeting
•
•
Governance guidelines for independent director leadership
and best governance practices
Annual performance evaluations for board, committees
and individual directors
•
•
Annual consideration of succession planning for the board,
the CEO, and senior management
Company policy prohibits pledging and hedging of WD-40
Company stock by directors
• All non-employee directors are independent
• All equity grants received by directors must be held until
board service is ended
VOTING MATTERS AND BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS
Management Proposals:
Board’s Recommendation
Page
Election of Directors (Item No. 1)
FOR all Director Nominees
Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
FOR
(Item No. 2)
Ratification of Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
FOR
as the Company’s Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm for Fiscal Year 2021 (Item No. 3)
Shareholder Proposal:
Board’s Recommendation
Proposal to Adopt a Policy to Include Non-Management
AGAINST
Employees as Prospective Director Candidates (Item No. 4)
6
20
44
Page
45
1
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND FRAMEWORK
Compensation Objectives
The Company’s executive compensation program is designed to achieve five primary objectives:
1. Attract, motivate, reward and retain high performing executives;
2. Align the interests and compensation of executives with the value created for stockholders;
3. Create a sense of motivation among executives to achieve both short- and long-term Company objectives;
4. Create a direct, meaningful link between business and team performance and individual accomplishment and rewards;
and
5. Ensure our compensation programs are appropriately competitive in the relevant labor markets.
Our Executive Compensation Programs Incorporate Strong Governance Features
• No Employment Agreements with Executive Officers
• Executive Officers are Subject to Stock Ownership
Guidelines
• No Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans for
• Executives are Prohibited from Hedging or Pledging
Executive Officers
Company Stock
• Long-Term Incentive Awards are Subject to Double-
• No Backdating or Re-pricing of Equity Awards
Trigger Vesting upon Change of Control
• Annual and Long-Term Incentive Programs Provide a
Balanced Mix of Goals for Profitability and Total
Stockholder Return Performance
• Financial Goals for Performance Awards Never Reset
Say-on-Pay Voting
Since 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized annual advisory votes for the stockholders to consider
and approve the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) as disclosed in the Company’s
Proxy Statement (“Say-On-Pay” votes).
In 2011, and again at the Company’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company’s stockholders were asked to
express their preference as to the frequency of Say-on-Pay votes. In each instance, the Company’s stockholders
expressed a preference to have Say-on-Pay votes every year.
The Say-on-Pay votes approving NEO compensation for 2011 through 2019 have been approved in each year by more
than 95% of the votes cast.
Please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement for a detailed description of our
executive compensation.
2
Q: Why am I receiving these proxy materials?
GENERAL INFORMATION
A: This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of WD-40
Company for use at its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, and at any
postponements or adjournments thereof. This Proxy Statement and enclosed form of proxy are first sent to stockholders on
or about October 29, 2020.
At the meeting, the stockholders of WD-40 Company will consider and vote upon (i) the election of the Board of Directors
for the ensuing year; (ii) an advisory vote to approve executive compensation; (iii) the ratification of the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2021; and
(iv) a shareholder proposal if properly presented at the meeting. Detailed information concerning these matters is set forth
below. Management knows of no other business to come before the meeting.
Q: When and where will the annual meeting be held?
A: As a result of the public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to prioritize the health and well-being of meeting
participants, this year’s annual meeting will be a virtual meeting of stockholders conducted exclusively via a live audio
webcast, accessible at www.meetingcenter.io/283620136. Although no physical in-person meeting will be held, we
designed the format of this year’s virtual annual meeting to ensure that our stockholders of record who attend the virtual
annual meeting will be afforded similar rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting.
The virtual annual meeting will begin promptly at10:00 a.m., Pacific Standard Time, on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. Online
access to the audio webcast will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the annual meeting. Stockholders are encouraged to
access the annual meeting prior to the start time and allow ample time to log into the audio webcast and test their computer
systems.
Q: How can I participate in the virtual annual meeting?
A:
Stockholders are encouraged to vote and submit proxies in advance of the meeting by internet, telephone or mail as early
as possible to avoid COVID-19 related processing delays. Anyone may enter the meeting as a guest in listen-only mode,
but only stockholders as of the record date and holders of valid proxies are entitled to vote or ask questions at the live
meeting. To participate in the annual meeting, you will need to review the information included on your notice, on your
proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.
Stockholders of Record
If you are a registered stockholder (that is, if you hold your shares through our transfer agent, Computershare), you do not
need to register to attend the virtual annual meeting. You can participate in the virtual annual meeting by accessing
www.meetingcenter.io/283620136. Enter the control number provided by Computershare. The password for the meeting is
WDFC2020. If you cannot locate your notice of internet availability or proxy card but would still like to attend the annual
meeting, you can join as a guest by selecting “I am a Guest.” Guest attendees will not be allowed to vote or submit questions
at the annual meeting.
Beneficial Owners
If you hold your shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker, you must register in advance to participate in
the virtual annual meeting. If you would like to attend the meeting and do not want to ask questions or vote you do not
have to complete the steps outlined below. You can join the meeting as a guest by selecting “I am a Guest.” Guest attendees
will not be allowed to vote or submit questions at the annual meeting. If you would like to vote or ask questions at the
annual meeting you will need to register online in advance. To register to participate in the virtual annual meeting you must
submit proof of your proxy power (legal proxy) reflecting your WD-40 Company (WDFC) holdings along with your name
and email address to Computershare. Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal Proxy” and be received no later
than 4:00 p.m., Central Time, on December 3, 2020, using one of the following methods:
• Email: Forward the email from your broker, or attach an image of your legal proxy, to
legalproxy@computershare.com.
• Mail: Send a copy of the email or correspondence from your broker, or include your legal proxy, to WD-40
Company Legal Proxy, P.O. Box 43001, Providence, RI 02940-3001
3
Upon receipt of your valid legal proxy, Computershare will provide you with a control number by email. Once provided,
you can attend and participate in the virtual annual meeting by accessing www.meetingcenter.io/283620136. Enter the
control number provided by Computershare. The password for the meeting is WDFC2020.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy using the methods described the
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials we have sent to you, or by following the instructions at
www.envisionreports.com/WDFC.
Our virtual meeting procedures are intended to authenticate stockholders’ identities, allow stockholders to give their voting
instructions, confirm that stockholders’ instructions have been recorded properly, and comport with applicable legal
requirements.
Q: What constitutes a quorum in order to hold and transact business at the Annual Meeting?
A: The close of business on October 12, 2020 is the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of WD-40 Company. On October 12, 2020, WD-40 Company had outstanding 13,664,786 shares
of $.001 par value common stock. Stockholders of record entitled to vote at the meeting will have one vote for each share
so held on the matters to be voted upon. If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, you
must instruct the broker how to vote your shares. If you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will not be voted
on any proposal on which the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. This is called a “broker non-vote.” A
majority of the outstanding shares will constitute a quorum at the meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted
for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum. Broker non-votes are shares that are held of record by a
bank or broker as to which the bank or broker has not received instructions from the beneficial owner as to how the shares
are to be voted.
Q:
If I hold my shares through a broker, how do I vote?
A:
If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, you must instruct the broker how to vote your
shares. If you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which the broker does
not have discretionary authority to vote. If you hold your shares through a broker, it is important that you cast your vote if
you want it to count in the election of directors, in the advisory vote to approve executive compensation, for ratification of
the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal
year 2021, and on the shareholder proposal. Your broker will only be permitted to exercise its discretionary authority to
vote on your behalf as to the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’ independent
registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2021. You may have received a notice from the Company entitled
“Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on December 8, 2020”
with voting instructions or you may have received these proxy materials with separate voting instructions. Follow the
instructions to vote or to request further voting instructions as set forth on the materials you have received. For more
information on this topic, see the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Spotlight on Proxy Matters – The
Mechanics of Voting at https://www.sec.gov/spotlight/proxymatters/voting_mechanics.shtml.
Q: How will my vote be cast if I provide instructions or return my proxy and can I revoke my proxy?
A:
If the enclosed form of proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance
with the instructions specified thereon. If no specified instruction is given with respect to a particular matter on your form
of proxy, your shares will be voted by the proxy holder as set forth on the form of proxy. A proxy may be revoked by
attendance at the meeting or by filing a proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Company.
Q: How are the proxies solicited and what is the cost?
A: The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Solicitations other than by mail may be made by telephone or
in person by employees of the Company for which the expense will be nominal.
4
The following table sets forth information concerning those persons known to the Company to be the beneficial owners of more
than 5% of the common stock of the Company:
PRINCIPAL SECURITY HOLDERS
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Blackrock, Inc.
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
Vanguard Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 2600
Valley Forge, PA 19482
Neuberger Berman Group LLC
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10104
APG Asset Management N.V.
1082 MS
Amsterdam, P7 00000
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
October 12, 2020
Percent of Class
2,056,348 1
1,579,730 2
3
4
908,618
769,447
15.05%
11.56%
6.65%
5.63%
1 As of June 30, 2020, BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) filed a report on Form 13F with the Securities and Exchange Commission to report
beneficial ownership of a total of 2,056,348 shares managed by thirteen BlackRock investment management subsidiaries. BlackRock
disclaims investment discretion with respect to all shares reported as beneficially owned by its investment management subsidiaries.
BlackRock Fund Advisors holds sole investment discretion and sole voting authority with respect to 1,480,466 shares. BlackRock
Institutional Trust Company, N.A. reported sole investment discretion and sole voting authority with respect to 408,352 shares and sole
investment discretion and no voting authority with respect to 13,190 shares. Sole investment discretion and sole voting authority with
respect to shares is reported for the following BlackRock subsidiaries: BlackRock Investment Management, LLC as to 69,440 shares;
BlackRock Advisors LLC as to 35,765 shares; BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited as to 20,708 shares; and six other BlackRock
subsidiaries as to a total of 8,411 shares. BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. reported sole investment discretion and sole voting
authority with respect to 4,478 shares and sole investment discretion and no voting authority with respect to 4,709 shares. BlackRock
Investment Management (UK) Limited reported sole investment discretion and sole voting authority with respect to 3,222 shares and sole
investment discretion and no voting authority with respect to 7,607 shares. Beneficial ownership information for BlackRock, Inc. and its
investment management subsidiaries as of October 12, 2020 is unavailable.
2 As of June 30, 2020, Vanguard Group Inc. (“Vanguard”) filed a report on Form 13F with the Securities and Exchange Commission to
report beneficial ownership of 1,579,730 shares, including 27,198 shares held by Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Co., 12,471 shares held by
Vanguard Global Advisors, LLC, and 5,689 shares held by Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd. Vanguard reported sole investment
discretion and no voting authority with respect to 1,531,355 shares and sole investment discretion and sole voting authority with respect
to 3,017 shares. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Co. reported shared investment discretion and shared voting authority with respect to all 27,198
shares and Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd. reported shared investment and shared voting authority with respect to all 5,689 shares.
Beneficial ownership information as of October 12, 2020 is unavailable.
3 As of June 30, 2020, Neuberger Berman Group LLC (“Neuberger”) filed a report on Form 13F with the Securities and Exchange
Commission to report beneficial ownership of 908,618 shares. Neuberger reported shared investment discretion with respect to all shares,
sole voting authority with respect to 900,953 shares and no voting authority with respect to 7,665 shares. Beneficial ownership information
as of October 2, 2020 is unavailable
4 As of June 30, 2020, APG Asset Management N.V. (“APG”) filed a report on Form 13F reporting beneficial ownership of 769,447 shares.
APG reported shared investment discretion with two additional reporting managers as to all such shares. Beneficial ownership information
as of October 12, 2020 is unavailable.
5
ITEM NO. 1
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
AND SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
At the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the ten nominees named below under the heading, Nominees for Election
as Directors, will be presented for election as directors until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors
are elected or appointed. In the event any nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting,
any proxy granted to vote for such nominee will be voted for a nominee designated by the present Board of Directors to fill such
vacancy.
A nominee for election to the Board of Directors will be elected as a director if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed
the votes cast against such nominee’s election. Holders of common stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election
of directors. Withheld votes and broker non-votes are not counted as votes in favor of any nominee.
If an incumbent director nominee fails to receive more votes for his or her election as a director than votes against his or her
election, the incumbent director will continue to serve as a director until his or her successor is elected or appointed. However,
pursuant to governance guidelines adopted by the Board of Directors, such director nominee will be expected to tender his or her
resignation to the Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance Committee will
promptly consider such resignation and present a recommendation to the Board of Directors concerning the acceptance or
rejection of such resignation for formal action to be taken within 90 days following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Article III, Section 3.2 of the Bylaws of the Company, most recently amended and restated on August 15, 2018, provides that
the authorized number of directors of the Company shall not be less than seven nor more than twelve until changed by amendment
of the Certificate of Incorporation or by a bylaw duly adopted by the stockholders. The exact number of directors is to be fixed
from time to time by a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders.
On June 15, 2020, the Board of Directors voted to increase the number of directors from ten to eleven and elected Graciela I.
Monteagudo as a director. On June 15, 2020, the Board of Directors also voted to nominate Lara L. Lee as a director to be elected
at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Neal E. Schmale is retiring from the Board of Directors as of the date of the Annual
Meeting in accordance with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. On October 12, 2020, Daniel E. Pittard provided
notice of his intention not to stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting and the Board of Directors voted to reduce the number
of directors from eleven to ten effective as of the date of the Annual Meeting.
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The Board of Directors has determined that each director and nominee other than Garry O. Ridge is an independent director as
defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Marketplace Rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the “Nasdaq Rules”).
Information concerning the independence of directors serving on committees of the Board of Directors is provided below as to
each committee.
6
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following tables set forth certain information, including beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock, for the
current directors and director nominees, for the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table below, and for
all directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group:
Director/Nominee
Daniel T. Carter
Melissa Claassen
Age
64 Former CFO, BevMo! Inc.
48 Vice President Finance, Emerging Markets,
Principal Occupation
adidas Group
Eric P. Etchart
Lara L. Lee
(nominee director)
Trevor I. Mihalik
64 Former Senior Vice President,
The Manitowoc Company
57 Former business unit president,
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
54 Executive Vice President and CFO,
Sempra Energy
Graciela I. Monteagudo 54 Former President and CEO of Lala U.S., Inc.
61 Chief Administrative Officer, Global General
David B. Pendarvis
Counsel and Corporate Secretary, ResMed Inc.
Daniel E. Pittard
(retiring director)
Garry O. Ridge
Gregory A. Sandfort
Anne G. Saunders
Neal E. Schmale
(retiring director)
70 Former President and CEO,
Rubio's Restaurants, Inc.
64 CEO and Chairman of the Board, WD-40 Company
65 Lead Independent Director, WD-40 Company;
Former CEO, Tractor Supply Company
59 Former President, U.S., nakedwines.com
74 Former President and COO, Sempra Energy
Director
Since
2016
2015
2016
N/A
2019
2020
2017
2016
1997
2011
2019
2001
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
October 12, 20201
Number
3,705 2
4,845 3
4,136 4
-
938 5
370 6
2,304 7
4,150 8
101,202 9
16,926 10
764 11
27,973 12
Percent of
Class
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Less than one (1) percent.
*
1 All shares owned directly unless otherwise indicated.
2 Mr. Carter has the right to receive 3,705 shares upon settlement of vested restricted stock units upon termination of his service as a director
of the Company.
3 Ms. Claassen has the right to receive 4,845 shares upon settlement of vested restricted stock units upon termination of her service as a
director of the Company.
4 Mr. Etchart has the right to receive 3,136 shares upon settlement of vested restricted stock units upon termination of his service as a
director of the Company.
5 Mr. Mihalik has the right to receive 636 shares upon settlement of vested restricted stock units upon termination of his service as a director
of the Company.
6 Ms. Monteagudo has the right to receive 370 shares upon settlement of vested restricted stock units upon termination of her service as a
director of the Company.
7 Mr. Pendarvis has the right to receive 2,304 shares upon settlement of vested restricted stock units upon termination of his service as a
director of the Company.
8 Mr. Pittard has the right to receive 2,325 shares upon settlement of vested restricted stock units upon termination of his service as a director
of the Company.
9 Mr. Ridge has the right to receive 5,884 shares upon settlement of vested restricted stock units upon termination of employment, the right
to receive 967 shares upon settlement of vested deferred performance units upon termination of employment, the right to receive 4,242
shares upon settlement of restricted stock units upon vesting within 60 days, and the right to receive 8,868 shares within 60 days upon
settlement of vested market share units. Mr. Ridge also has voting and investment power over 1,285 shares held under the Company’s
401(k) plan.
10 Mr. Sandfort has the right to receive 11,572 shares upon settlement of vested restricted stock units upon termination of his service as a
director of the Company.
11 Ms. Saunders has the right to receive 764 shares upon settlement of vested restricted stock units upon termination of her service as a
director of the Company.
12 Mr. Schmale has the right to receive 17,206 shares upon settlement of vested restricted stock units upon termination of his service as a
director of the Company.
7
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (cont’d)
Executive Officer
Jay W. Rembolt
Age
69 Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and CFO,
Principal Occupation
WD-40 Company
Steven A. Brass
Richard T. Clampitt
54 President and COO, WD-40 Company
65 Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary,
WD-40 Company
Patricia Q. Olsem
All Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers as a Group
54 Division President, Americas, WD-40 Company
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
October 12, 2020 1
Number
42,101 2
6,541 3
8,677 4
2,985 5
254,937 6
Percent of
Class
*
*
*
*
1.85%
Less than one (1) percent.
*
1 All shares owned directly unless otherwise indicated.
2 Mr. Rembolt has the right to receive 310 shares upon settlement of vested deferred performance units upon termination of employment,
the right to receive 816 shares upon settlement of restricted stock units upon vesting within 60 days, and the right to receive 1,596 shares
within 60 days upon settlement of vested market share units. Mr. Rembolt also has voting and investment power over 6,539 shares held
under the Company’s 401(k) plan.
3 Mr. Brass has the right to receive 108 shares upon settlement of vested deferred performance units upon termination of employment, the
right to receive 1,082 shares upon settlement of restricted stock units upon vesting within 60 days, and the right to receive 1,728 shares
within 60 days upon settlement of vested market share units.
4 Mr. Clampitt has the right to receive 179 shares upon settlement of vested deferred performance units upon termination of employment,
the right to receive 582 shares upon settlement of restricted stock units upon vesting within 60 days, and the right to receive 1,330 shares
within 60 days upon settlement of vested market share units.
5
6
Ms. Olsem has the right to receive 89 shares upon settlement of vested deferred performance units upon termination of employment, the
right to receive 461 shares upon settlement of restricted stock units upon vesting within 60 days, and the right to receive 518 shares within
60 days upon settlement of vested market share units.
Total includes the rights of executive officers and directors to receive a total of 60,689 shares upon settlement of vested restricted stock
units upon termination of employment or service as a director of the Company, the rights of executive officers to receive 2,371 shares
upon settlement of vested deferred performance units upon termination of employment, the rights of executive officers to receive a total
of 8,621 shares upon settlement of restricted stock units upon vesting within 60 days, the rights of executive officers to receive a total of
16,765 shares within 60 days upon settlement of vested market share units, and a total of 8,877 shares held by executive officers under
the Company’s 401(k) plan.
8
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
DANIEL T. CARTER – Director
Daniel T. Carter was elected to the Board of Directors in 2016. Mr. Carter served as executive vice president and chief financial
officer of BevMo! Inc. from 2009 until June 2016. Mr. Carter served as chief financial officer of Semtek, Inc. from 2008 to 2009;
chief financial officer at Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc. from 1998 to 2007; and chief financial officer of Advanced Marketing
Services from 1997 to 1998. From 1986 to 1997 he was employed by Price Club and its follow-on entities, serving as senior vice
president for PriceCostco and chief financial officer for Price Enterprises. Mr. Carter began his career as an auditor with Ernst
& Young, and he is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive). Mr. Carter received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree
in accounting from the University of Oklahoma. Mr. Carter is recognized as a NACD Board Leadership Fellow and has earned
Harvard’s Corporate Director Certificate. Mr. Carter’s financial expertise, considerable knowledge of the retail industry and non-
profit company board experience provide the Board with a breadth of relevant skills and experience.
Skills and Expertise:
Former CFO with extensive finance and accounting expertise
•
In-depth knowledge of retail industry
•
• Considerable non-profit board experience
Committees:
• Audit (Chair)
Finance
•
MELISSA CLAASSEN – Director
Melissa Claassen was elected to the Board of Directors in 2015. Ms. Claassen is vice president finance, emerging markets –
adidas Group. She served as vice president, brand finance at adidas from 2018 to 2019 and as vice president, business unit finance
at adidas from 2015 to 2018. Ms. Claassen served as the chief financial officer of Taylor Made – adidas Golf from 2012 to 2015.
From 1996 until 2012 Ms. Claassen held positions at various adidas subsidiaries including chief financial officer of adidas Group
Hong Kong and Taiwan, controlling director at adidas Group China, head of marketing controlling, senior financial controller,
finance manager, SAP team lead, management accountant, and financial accountant. Ms. Claassen’s extensive knowledge and
expertise in the areas of collaboration, finance, accounting, and international business enhance the Board’s management oversight
capabilities.
Skills and Expertise:
•
•
International business experience
Finance and accounting expertise
Committees:
Finance (Chair)
•
• Compensation
ERIC P. ETCHART – Director
Eric P. Etchart was elected to the Board of Directors in 2016. Mr. Etchart served as senior vice president of The Manitowoc
Company, Inc. from 2007 until his retirement in January 2016. He served as senior vice president, business development, from
2015 to 2016 and as president and general manager of the Manitowoc Crane Group from 2007 to 2015. From 1983 to 2007, Mr.
Etchart held various sales, marketing and management positions at subsidiaries and predecessor companies of The Manitowoc
Company, Inc. Mr. Etchart is a French national, having held management positions in China, Singapore, Italy, France and the
United States. Mr. Etchart is recognized as a NACD Board Leadership Fellow. He presently serves as a director of Graco Inc.
and Alamo Group Inc. Mr. Etchart’s breadth of international finance, marketing and management experience provides important
perspective to the Board. His demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of board leadership strengthens the Board’s
commitment to good governance.
Skills and Expertise:
Strong management background in sales, marketing and finance
International business experience
•
•
• Board governance
Committees:
• Corporate Governance (Chair)
•
Finance
9
LARA L. LEE – Director Nominee
Lara L. Lee served as president of Orchard Supply Hardware, a subsidiary of Lowe’s Companies, Inc., from 2016 to 2018 and
as senior vice president of Lowe’s from 2013 to 2018. From 2011 to 2013 she served as chief innovation and operating officer
for Continuum, a global consultancy. She was also a partner at an innovation firm, Jump Associates, from 2007 to 2010. Ms.
Lee’s prior experience included fifteen years at Harley-Davidson Motor Company as vice president, business unit leader, and in
various European and Asian strategy and business development roles, and three years as a financial analyst at Otis Elevator
Company based in Singapore. She began her career with Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young) in Washington, D.C. and
Singapore. Ms. Lee’s diverse international and management experience, including expertise in strategic marketing and
innovation, will provide the Board with valuable insights.
Skills and Expertise:
• Strategic marketing expertise, including digital, e-commerce and channel marketing
• Diverse experience in innovation across industries and international markets
• Extensive international business and brand development experience
Committees:
• To be determined upon election to the Board
TREVOR I. MIHALIK – Director
Trevor I. Mihalik was elected to the Board of Directors in 2019. Mr. Mihalik has served as executive vice president and chief
financial officer of Sempra Energy since May 2018. Mr. Mihalik was senior vice president controller and chief accounting officer
of Sempra Energy from 2014 until 2018 and controller and chief accounting officer from 2012 to 2014. Prior to Sempra Energy,
Mr. Mihalik held roles as senior vice president – finance for Iberdrola Renewables and vice president and CFO for Chevron
Natural Gas. Mr. Mihalik’s current experience as director of SDG&E and SoCalGas as well as past experience as chairman of
the board of Luz del Sur and Chilquinta Energia and as a director of Infraestructura Energética Nova S.A.B. de C.V., and his
extensive senior management experience with Fortune 500 companies offers the Board valuable judgment and management
perspective.
Skills and Expertise:
Seasoned finance executive with accounting and public company financial reporting expertise
•
• Directorship experience for oversight of business management and strategic planning
•
Significant transactions experience
Committees:
• Audit
• Corporate Governance
GRACIELA I. MONTEAGUDO – Director
Graciela I. Monteagudo was elected to the Board of Directors on June 15, 2020. Ms. Monteagudo served as president and CEO
of Lala U.S., Inc. from 2017 to 2018. From 2015 to 2017 she served as president, Americas and global marketing for Mead
Johnson Nutrition and from 2012 to 2015 she held various leadership roles at Mead Johnson. From 2008 through 2012, she held
various leadership roles at Walmart Mexico, including senior vice president and business unit head for Sam’s Club stores in
Mexico. Ms. Monteagudo has dual Mexican and American citizenship and has held senior management positions in both Latin
America and the United States. Ms. Monteagudo is recognized as a NACD Board Leadership Fellow and she has been included
in the Women Inc. Magazine Most Influential Corporate Directors list. Ms. Monteagudo presently serves as a director of ACCO
Brands Corporation. Ms. Monteagudo’s significant leadership experience in Latin America, her extensive global/digital
marketing, e-commerce and consumer goods expertise will provide our board with a valuable perspective.
Skills and Expertise:
• Domestic and international business experience, particularly in Latin America
• Consumer products and retail marketing expertise
• Strong global, digital and e-commerce marketing expertise
Committees:
• Audit
• Corporate Governance
10
DAVID B. PENDARVIS – Director
David B. Pendarvis was elected to the Board of Directors in 2017. Mr. Pendarvis has served as chief administrative officer of
ResMed Inc. since 2011. From March through July 2017, he served as interim president, EMEA and Japan of ResMed Inc. He
joined ResMed Inc. in 2002 as global general counsel and he has served as secretary since 2003 and he also served as vice
president of organizational development from 2005 to 2011. From 2000 until 2002 Mr. Pendarvis was a partner at Gray Cary
Ware & Friedenrich (presently, DLA Piper). From 1986 until 2000 he was an associate (1986-1992) and a partner (1993-2000)
at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, and from 1984 until 1986 he served as a law clerk to United States District Court Judge, J. Lawrence
Irving in the United States District Court, San Diego. Mr. Pendarvis served as a director of Sequenom, Inc. from 2009 until its
acquisition by Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings in 2016. His legal expertise and experience as general counsel with
global responsibilities provides the Board of Directors with valuable perspective for risk oversight.
Skills and Expertise:
•
•
•
In depth experience in corporate governance, compliance, intellectual property and world-wide legal affairs
Strong focus on investor relations and corporate communications
International executive management experience
Committees:
• Compensation
Finance
•
GARRY O. RIDGE – CEO
Garry O. Ridge presently serves as CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors. He joined WD-40 Company in 1987 as managing
director, WD-40 Company (Australia) Pty. Limited and he was responsible for Company operations throughout the Pacific and
Asia. Mr. Ridge transferred to the corporate office in 1994 as director international operations and was elected vice
president - international in 1995. He was elected to the position of executive vice president/chief operating officer in 1996. He
was elected to the Board of Directors in 1997 and served as president and CEO from 1997 through June 2019. Prior to joining
WD-40 Company Mr. Ridge was managing director of Mermax Pacific Pty. Ltd. and held a number of senior management
positions with Hawker Pacific Pty. Ltd. (a Hawker Siddeley PLC Group Company) which was a licensee for WD-40® products
until 1988. As the CEO of the Company, Mr. Ridge offers the Board an important Company-based perspective. In addition, his
particular knowledge of the Company’s international markets and industry position provides the Board with valuable insight.
Skills and Expertise:
• CEO of the Company
• Leader with a passion for a strong culture, employee engagement and protecting and maximizing the return on the
Company’s brand assets
Particular expertise in driving a global business
•
GREGORY A. SANDFORT – Lead Independent Director
Gregory A. Sandfort was elected to the Board of Directors in 2011. He was designated as lead independent director on
October 12, 2020. Mr. Sandfort served as chief executive officer of Tractor Supply Company from December 2012 until his
retirement in February 2020. He held the office of president of Tractor Supply Company from 2009 through 2015. Prior to 2013,
Mr. Sandfort served as president and chief operating officer in 2012 and as president and chief merchandising officer from 2009
to 2012. Mr. Sandfort served as executive vice president-chief merchandising officer of Tractor Supply Company from 2007 to
2009. Mr. Sandfort previously served as president and chief operating officer at Michael’s Stores, Inc. from 2006 to 2007, and
as executive vice president-general merchandise manager at Michaels Stores, Inc. from 2004 to 2006. He is recognized as a
NACD Board Leadership Fellow. Mr. Sandfort brings a retail industry perspective to the Board. The Board also values Mr.
Sandfort’s extensive management experience in the retail industry.
Skills and Expertise:
Former CEO in a channel that distributes the Company’s products
•
• Brings a retail industry perspective
• Long-standing connection with consumers of the Company’s products
Committees:
• Compensation (Chair)
•
Finance
11
ANNE G. SAUNDERS – Director
Anne G. Saunders was elected to the Board of Directors in 2019. Ms. Saunders served as president, U.S. of nakedwines.com
from 2016 through 2017. From 2014 through 2016, she was president, U.S. of FTD Companies, Inc., and from 2012 through
2014 she served as president of Redbox Automated Retail, LLC. From 1990 to 2012, Ms. Saunders held various senior executive
level positions at Starbucks, Bank of America, Knowledge Universe (now known as KinderCare Education), eSociety and AT&T.
Ms. Saunders is a director of Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Inc. and Nautilus, Inc. Ms. Saunders’ functional expertise in
brand management, leadership and marketing strategy, as well as her extensive public company board experience, provide
valuable experience to the Board.
Skills and Expertise:
• Significant consumer and retail markets experience
• Diverse digital and e-commerce marketing expertise
• Product innovation and development experience
Committees:
• Audit
• Corporate Governance
12
BOARD LEADERSHIP, RISK OVERSIGHT AND COMPENSATION-RELATED RISK
Corporate Governance Guidelines adopted by the Board of Directors provide, under appropriate circumstances, for the
designation of the CEO to serve as board chair and for the designation of a lead independent director to assure the most effective
board governance when the CEO is also serving as board chair. On December 10, 2019, Mr. Ridge was designated as board chair
and Mr. Schmale was designated to serve as lead independent director. On October 12, 2020, in anticipation of Mr. Schmale’s
retirement from the Board as of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Board designated Mr. Sandfort to serve as lead
independent director.
The Board believes that board oversight of and attention to the Company’s current strategic initiatives are best served at this time
by having Mr. Ridge provide primary leadership at meetings of the Board, while assuring independent director oversight of
management of the Board through the designation of a lead director. The Board’s determination as to whether having the CEO
serve as board chair is in the best interests of the Company is subject to annual review.
The lead director has the following responsibilities and authority:
• To preside at meetings of the Board when the CEO is not present;
• To serve as leader of the independent directors and as a liaison between the CEO and the independent directors;
• To coordinate feedback to the CEO regarding issues discussed in executive sessions;
• To consult with the CEO and the Corporate Secretary regarding meeting materials and other information sent to
the Board;
• To review Board meeting agendas in consultation with the CEO;
• To meet periodically with the Board committee chairs to discuss their respective work plans;
• To approve meeting schedules to assure that there is sufficient time for Board consideration of all agenda items;
• To call meetings of the independent directors.
Risk oversight is undertaken by the Board of Directors as a whole, but various Board Committees are charged with responsibility
to review and report on business and management risks included within the purview of each Committee’s responsibilities. The
Compensation Committee considers risks associated with the Company’s compensation policies and practices, with particular
focus on the cash incentive compensation and equity awards offered to the Company’s executive officers. The Audit Committee
considers risks associated with financial reporting and internal control, including ethics and compliance program risks. The
Audit Committee also reviews the appropriateness of the Company’s insurance programs. The Finance Committee considers
risks associated with the Company’s financial management and investment activities, acquisition-related risks and Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 plan oversight. The Board and the Committees receive periodic reports from
management employees having responsibility for the management of particular areas of risk, including risks related to systems
integrity and disaster recovery of primary information technology systems, and supply chain risks associated with disruptive
events. The CEO is responsible for overall risk management and provides input to the Board of Directors with respect to the
Company’s enterprise risk management program and is responsive to the Board in carrying out its risk oversight role.
With respect to compensation-related risk, the Company’s management has undertaken an annual assessment of the Company’s
compensation policies and practices and strategic business initiatives to determine whether any of these policies or practices, as
well as any compensation plan design features, including those applicable to the executive officers, are reasonably likely to have
a material adverse effect on the Company. Based on this review, management has concluded that the Company’s compensation
policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. This conclusion is based
primarily on the fact that the incentives underlying the Company’s compensation plan design features provide a balance between
increased profitability and longer-term stockholder returns. Management has discussed these findings with the Compensation
Committee.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS, COMMITTEES AND ANNUAL MEETING ATTENDANCE
The Board of Directors is charged by the stockholders with managing or directing the management of the business affairs and
exercising the corporate power of the Company. The Board of Directors relies on the following standing committees to assist in
carrying out the Board of Directors’ responsibilities: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Corporate
Governance Committee, and the Finance Committee. Each of the committees has a written charter approved by the Board of
Directors and such charters can be found on WD-40 Company’s website at http://investor.wd40company.com within the
“Corporate Governance” section. There were five meetings of the Board of Directors during the last fiscal year. Each director
serving for the full fiscal year attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board and of
all committees on which the director served. The Board of Directors holds an annual organizational meeting on the date of the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting. At the last Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, all of the prior year nominee directors were present.
13
BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMPENSATION
Director compensation is set by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee. The
Corporate Governance Committee conducts an annual review of non-employee director compensation, including consideration
of a survey of director compensation for the same peer group of companies used by the Compensation Committee for the
assessment of executive compensation. For fiscal year 2020, non-employee directors received compensation for services as
directors pursuant to the Directors’ Compensation Policy and Election Plan (the “Director Compensation Policy”) adopted by
the Board of Directors on October 7, 2019. Pursuant to the Director Compensation Policy, non-employee directors received a
base annual fee of $54,000 for services provided from January 1, 2020 through the date of the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders. The lead independent director received an additional annual fee of $22,000. Non-employee directors received
additional cash compensation for service on various Board Committees. The Chair of the Audit Committee received $16,000 and
each other member of the Audit Committee received $8,000. The Chair of the Compensation Committee received $10,000 and
each other member of the Compensation Committee received $4,000. Each Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee and
the Finance Committee received $8,000 and each other member of those committees received $4,000. All such annual fees were
paid in March 2020, with the exception of fees paid to Ms. Monteagudo. As a newly elected director, as of June 15, 2020, Ms.
Monteagudo received a base annual fee of $40,500 and the sum of $4,000 in fees for service on the Audit Committee and the
sum of $2,000 in fees for service on the Corporate Governance Committee through the date of the Company’s 2020 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders.
At the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company’s stockholders approved the WD-40 Company 2016
Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”) to authorize the issuance of stock-based compensation awards to employees
as well as to directors and consultants. For services provided for the period from the date of the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to the next annual meeting, the Director Compensation Policy provided for the grant of restricted stock unit
(“RSU”) awards having a grant date value of $70,000 to each non-employee director. Each RSU represents the right to receive
one share of the Company’s common stock. On December 10, 2019, each non-employee director other than Ms. Monteagudo
received a non-elective RSU award covering 359 shares of the Company’s common stock. On June 15, 2020, Ms. Monteagudo
received an RSU award covering 370 shares of the Company’s common stock. Additional information regarding the RSU awards
is provided in a footnote to the Director Compensation table below.
Each non-employee director was also permitted to elect to receive an RSU award in lieu of all or a portion of his or her base
annual fee for service as a director as specified above. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock subject to each
such RSU award granted to the non-employee directors equaled the elective portion of his or her base annual fee payable in
RSUs divided by the fair market value of the Company’s common stock as of the date of grant.
RSU awards granted to non-employee directors pursuant to the Director Compensation Policy are subject to Award Agreements
under the Stock Incentive Plan. All RSU awards granted to non-employee directors are fully vested and are settled in shares of
the Company’s common stock upon termination of the director’s service as a director of the Company.
The Company also maintains a Director Contributions Fund from which each incumbent non-employee director has the right, at
a specified time each fiscal year, to designate $6,000 in charitable contributions to be made by the Company to properly qualified
(under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)) charitable organizations.
14
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE - FISCAL YEAR 2020
The following Director Compensation table provides information concerning director compensation earned by each non-
employee director for services rendered in fiscal year 2020. Since the annual base fee and fees for service on Committees are
payable for services provided to the Company from January 1st of the fiscal year until the next annual meeting of stockholders,
such compensation is reported for purposes of the Director Compensation table on a weighted basis. For fiscal year 2020, one
third of the reported compensation earned or paid in cash is based on the Director Compensation Policy in effect for calendar
year 2019 and two thirds of the reported compensation earned or paid in cash is based on the Director Compensation Policy in
effect for calendar year 2020. Amounts earned and reported in the Director Compensation table for Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
for the fiscal year for each director are dependent upon the various committees on which each director served as a member or as
chair during the fiscal year.
Name
Daniel T. Carter
Melissa Claassen
Eric P. Etchart
Trevor I. Mihalik
Graciela I. Monteagudo
David B. Pendarvis
Daniel E. Pittard
Gregory A. Sandfort
Anne G. Saunders
Neal E. Schmale
Fees Earned or Paid in
Cash
($)1
$ 74,000
$ 66,000
$ 66,000
$ 45,333
$ 24,500
$ 62,000
$ 66,000
$ 68,000
$ 66,000
$ 92,000
Stock Awards
($)2
$ 69,919
$ 69,919
$ 69,919
$ 69,919
$ 69,949
$ 69,919
$ 69,919
$ 69,919
$ 69,919
$ 69,919
All Other
Compensation
($)3
$ 6,000
$ 6,000
$ 6,000
$ 6,000
$ 6,000
$ 6,000
$ 6,000
$ 6,000
$ 6,000
$ 6,000
Total
($)
$ 149,919
$ 141,919
$ 141,919
$ 121,252
$ 100,449
$ 137,919
$ 141,919
$ 143,919
$ 141,919
$ 167,919
1
For services rendered during fiscal year 2020, directors received RSU awards pursuant to elections made in 2018 (not applicable to Messrs.
Mihalik, Pittard and Schmale and Mses. Monteagudo and Saunders) and 2019 (not applicable to Messrs. Carter, Pittard, Schmale and
Mses. Monteagudo and Saunders) under the Director Compensation Policy with respect to their services as directors in calendar years
2019 and 2020, respectively, in each case in lieu of all or part of their base annual fees for such calendar year (as described in the narrative
preceding the Director Compensation table). The value of such elective RSU awards received by Ms. Claassen and Messrs. Etchart,
Pendarvis and Sandfort for services rendered during fiscal year 2020 was $53,927. The value of elective RSU awards received by Messrs.
Carter and Mihalik for services rendered during fiscal year 2020 were $17,961 and $35,966, respectively. Messrs. Pittard and Schmale
and Ms. Saunders elected to receive all of their base annual fees in cash. The number of shares underlying each director’s RSU award is
rounded down to the nearest whole share.
2 Amounts included in the Stock Awards column represent the grant date fair value for non-elective RSU awards granted to all non-employee
directors pursuant to the Director Compensation Policy. On December 10, 2019, each director other than Ms. Monteagudo received a non-
elective RSU award covering 359 shares of the Company’s common stock. Each RSU award granted on December 10, 2019 has a grant
date fair value equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on that date in the amount of $194.76 per share multiplied by
the number of shares underlying the RSU award. On June 15, 2020 Ms. Monteagudo received a non-elective RSU award covering 370
shares of the Company’s common stock having a grant date fair value equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on that
date in the amount of $189.05 per share multiplied by the number of shares underlying the RSU award. The number of shares underlying
each director’s RSU award is rounded down to the nearest whole share. Outstanding RSUs held by each director as of October 12, 2020
are reported above in footnotes to the table under the heading, Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers. The RSUs vest
immediately upon grant but are settled in stock only upon termination of service as a director. The RSUs provide for the payment of
dividend equivalent compensation in amounts equal to dividends declared and paid on the Company’s common stock.
3 Amounts represent charitable contributions to be made by the Company in fiscal year 2021 as designated by non-employee directors
pursuant to the Company’s Director Contribution Fund.
EQUITY HOLDING REQUIREMENT FOR DIRECTORS
All RSU awards to non-employee directors, including both non-elective grants and RSU awards granted pursuant to the annual
elections of the directors to receive RSUs in lieu of all or part of their base annual fee, provide for immediate vesting but will not
be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock until termination of each director’s service as a director. The number of
shares to be issued to each non-employee director upon termination of service is disclosed in the footnotes to the table under the
heading, Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers.
15
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stockholders may send communications to the Board of Directors by submitting a letter addressed to: WD-40 Company,
Corporate Secretary, 9715 Businesspark Avenue, San Diego, CA 92131.
The Board of Directors has instructed the Corporate Secretary to forward such communications to the Board Chair. The Board
of Directors has also instructed the Corporate Secretary to review such correspondence and, at the Corporate Secretary’s
discretion, to not forward correspondence which is deemed of a commercial or frivolous nature or inappropriate for consideration
by the Board of Directors. The Corporate Secretary may also forward the stockholder communication within the Company to
another department to facilitate an appropriate response.
COMMITTEES (membership as of October 12, 2020)
s
Director
Daniel T. Carter
Melissa Claassen
Eric P. Etchart
Graciela I. Monteagudo
Trevor I. Mihalik
David B. Pendarvis
Daniel E. Pittard
Gregory A. Sandfort
Anne G. Saunders
Neal E. Schmale
Number of Meetings Held in Fiscal Year 2020
Audit
Chair
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
5
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
NOMINATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Corporate
Governance
Compensation
✓
Chair
✓
✓
✓
5
✓
Chair
✓
✓
3
Finance
✓
✓
✓
Chair
✓
✓
✓
5
The Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Eric P. Etchart (Chair), Graciela I. Monteagudo, Trevor I. Mihalik and
Daniel E. Pittard. The Corporate Governance Committee also functions as the Company’s nominating committee and is
comprised exclusively of independent directors as defined in the Nasdaq Rules. The Corporate Governance Committee met five
times during the last fiscal year.
The Corporate Governance Committee acts in conjunction with the Board of Directors to ensure that a regular evaluation is
conducted of succession plans, performance, independence, and of the qualifications and integrity of the Board of Directors. The
Corporate Governance Committee also reviews the applicable skills and characteristics required of nominees for election as
directors. The objective is to balance the composition of the Board of Directors to achieve a combination of individuals of
different backgrounds and experiences as describe more fully below. The Board of Directors has not established any specific
diversity criteria for the selection of nominees other than the general composition criteria noted below. The Corporate
Governance Committee also oversees an annual process of self-evaluation conducted by each committee of the Board and for
the Board as a whole, which includes a board evaluation, individual self-evaluations and peer evaluations.
In determining whether to recommend a director for re-election, the Corporate Governance Committee considers the director’s
past attendance at meetings, results of evaluations and the director’s participation in and anticipated future contributions to the
Board of Directors. A director who will have reached the age of 72 prior to the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders
will be expected to retire from the Board. However, the Board may re-nominate any director for up to three additional years if
relevant circumstances warrant continued service.
The Corporate Governance Committee reviews new Board of Director nominees through a series of internal discussions,
reviewing available information, and interviewing selected candidates. Generally, candidates for nomination to the Board of
Directors have been identified and compiled in a database through director networking resources and professional organizations
or suggested by individual directors or employees. The Company does not currently employ a search firm or third party in
connection with seeking or evaluating candidates.
The Corporate Governance Committee considers director recruitment and succession planning for the Board at each quarterly
meeting. This review entails consideration of various factors that the Committee believes to be relevant to assurance that the
Board maintains a level of diversity and experience that is appropriate for its oversight and governance responsibilities. In
addition to age and the tenure of each director on the WD-40 Company Board, the committee considers the extent of each
16
director’s experience in management and as directors on other public company boards, if applicable, including service on
committees and as committee or board chairs. In addition to a baseline expectation that directors and director candidates will
share WD-40 Company values and have demonstrated an ability to promote and sustain a strong corporate culture, the Board
endeavors to assure that the mix of skills among existing directors is appropriate for the evolving business of the Company. The
following list of specific skills are presently included among the areas of expertise and experience that the Committee believes
will best serve the Company. The list is updated from time to time and each director’s skills in these areas are graded on a scale
to assess the level of competence in each area that is available to the Board as a whole.
• Financial Expertise
• Legal Expertise
• Organizational Development Expertise
• Compensation Design Expertise
• Consumer or Retail Market Expertise
• Business-to-Business Sales and Marketing Expertise
• Digital/Internet/E-Commerce Expertise
• Experience in Americas Markets and Cultures (Canada and Latin America)
• Experience in EMEA Markets and Cultures (Europe, India, Middle East and Africa)
• Experience in Asia-Pacific Markets and Cultures (Australia, China and other countries in the Asia region)
•
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management Expertise
• Manufacturing Expertise
•
Innovation Expertise
• Mergers and Acquisitions Expertise
IT or Cybersecurity Expertise
The Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by security holders under the same criteria
as other candidates described above. Nominations may be submitted by letter addressed to: WD-40 Company Corporate
Governance Committee, Corporate Secretary, 9715 Businesspark Avenue, San Diego, California 92131. Nominations by security
holders must be submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Company’s Bylaws, including submission of such
nominations within the time required for submission of shareholder proposals as set forth below under the heading, Shareholder
Proposals.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS REVIEW AND OVERSIGHT
The Audit Committee is comprised of Daniel T. Carter (Chair), Trevor I. Mihalik, Graciela I. Monteagudo, Daniel E. Pittard,
Anne G. Saunders and Neal E. Schmale. Five meetings of the Audit Committee were held during the last fiscal year to review
quarterly financial reports, to consider the annual audit and other audit services, to review the audit with the independent
registered public accounting firm after its completion and to fulfill other responsibilities provided for in the Audit Committee’s
Charter. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Carter is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by regulations
adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr. Carter and each of the other members of the Audit Committee are
independent directors as defined in the Nasdaq Rules. Each member of the Audit Committee also satisfies the requirements for
service on the Audit Committee as set forth in Rule 5605(c)(2) of the Nasdaq Rules.
The Audit Committee has responsibility for review and oversight of related party transactions for potential conflicts of interest.
Related party transactions include any independent business dealings between the Company and related parties who consist of,
or are related to, the Company’s executive officers, directors, director nominees and holders of more than 5% of the Company’s
shares. Such transactions include business dealings with parties in which any related party has a material direct or indirect interest.
The Audit Committee has adopted a written policy to provide for its review and oversight of related party transactions. Executive
officers and directors are required to notify the Secretary of the Company of any proposed or existing related party transactions
in which they have an interest. The Secretary and the Audit Committee also rely upon the Company’s disclosure controls and
procedures adopted pursuant to Exchange Act rules for the purpose of assuring that matters requiring disclosure, including
transactions that may involve a related party or may otherwise involve the potential for conflicts of interests, are brought to the
attention of management and the Audit Committee on a timely basis. Certain related party transactions do not require Audit
Committee review and approval. Such transactions are considered pre-approved. Pre-approved transactions include:
•
•
compensation arrangements approved by the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors and expense
reimbursements consistent with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy;
transactions in which the related party’s interest is derived solely from the fact that he or she serves as a director of another
corporation that is a party to the transaction;
17
•
•
transactions in which the related party’s interest is derived solely from his or her ownership (combined with the ownership
interests of all other related parties) of not more than a 5% beneficial interest (but excluding any interest as a general partner
of a partnership) in an entity that is a party to the transaction; and
transactions available to all employees of the Company generally.
If a related party transaction is proposed or if an existing transaction is identified, the Audit Committee has authority to
disapprove, approve or ratify the transaction and to impose such restrictions or other limitations on the transaction as the
Committee may consider necessary to best assure that the interests of the Company are protected and that the related party
involved is not in a position to receive an improper benefit. In making such determination, the Audit Committee considers such
factors as it deems appropriate, including without limitation (i) the benefits to the Company of the transaction; (ii) the commercial
reasonableness of the terms of the transaction; (iii) the dollar value of the transaction and its materiality to the Company and to
the related party; (iv) the nature and extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction; (v) if applicable, the impact of the
transaction on a non-employee director’s independence; and (vi) the actual or apparent conflict of interest of the related party
participating in the transaction.
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, there were no transactions required to be reported pursuant to the requirements
of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act that did not require review and approval by the Audit Committee.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee is comprised of Trevor I. Mihalik (Chair), Daniel T. Carter, Melissa Claassen, Eric P. Etchart, David B.
Pendarvis, Gregory A. Sandfort and Neal E. Schmale. Five meetings of the Finance Committee were held during the last fiscal
year. The Finance Committee is appointed by the Board for the primary purpose of assisting the Board in overseeing financial
matters of importance to the Company, including matters relating to acquisitions, investment policy, capital structure, and
dividend policy. The Finance Committee also reviews the Company’s annual and long-term financial strategies and objectives.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee is comprised of Gregory A. Sandfort (Chair), Melissa Claassen, David B. Pendarvis, Anne G.
Saunders and Neal E. Schmale, all of whom are independent directors as defined under the Nasdaq Rules. The Compensation
Committee met three times during the last fiscal year. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, there were no compensation
committee interlock relationships with respect to members of the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee as
described in Item 407(e)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act.
INSIDER TRADING POLICY - PROHIBITED HEDGING TRANSACTIONS
The Company maintains an insider trading policy, including transaction pre-approval requirements, applicable to its officers and
directors required to report changes in beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock under Section 16 of the Exchange
Act as well as certain other employees who have significant management or financial reporting responsibilities and can be
expected to have access to material non-public information concerning the Company. The Company’s insider trading policy also
requires pre-approval of all trading plans adopted pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act. To avoid the
potential for abuse, the Company’s policy with respect to such trading plans is that, once adopted, trading plans are not subject
to change or cancellation. Any such change or cancellation of an approved trading plan by an executive officer, director or
employee covered by the Company’s insider trading policy in violation of the policy will result in the Company’s refusal to
approve future trading plan requests for that person.
The insider trading policy also includes a prohibition on certain hedging and transactions involving the potential for abuse.
Pursuant to the insider trading policy, covered officers, directors and employees may not engage in the following transactions
involving the Company’s publicly traded securities:
• Short sale transactions
• Transactions in publicly traded options or derivatives
• Hedging transactions
• Pledges or margin account borrowing
18
ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL GOVERNANCE REPORT
WD-40 Company believes that taking an integrated approach to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues creates
long-term stockholder value.
The Company is committed to operating in a sustainable manner and being a responsible corporate citizen for the benefit of
customers, end users, investors, tribe members, the environment and the communities in which we live and work.
While the Company has for decades followed its values – the first and most important one being, “We value doing the right
thing” – the Company has not formally catalogued its activities across environmental and social factors.
In fiscal year 2018, the Company established a cross-regional, cross-functional ESG Project Team to formally address
environmental and social topics in order to provide recommendations to management. In that year, the ESG Project team
completed a comprehensive analysis documenting the Company’s many activities and guiding structures that fall under the
umbrella of ESG topics.
In fiscal year 2019, the ESG Project Team completed an ESG Materiality Assessment to identify best practices and to determine
the range of importance for ESG topics as viewed by all of our stakeholders. To do so, the ESG Project Team engaged the
guidance of Sustainability Partners, led by Drs. Mary and Brian Nattrass, well-known and respected experts in sustainability
programs for businesses, non-profits and governments.
In fiscal year 2020, the ESG Project Team pursued the objectives of 1) completing a Life Cycle Assessment screening for the
Company’s flagship product, WD-40 Multi-Use Product, to identify the largest contributors of the product’s impact on the
environment, and 2) completing the first ESG report for the Company.
The Company’s inaugural ESG report has been published contemporaneously with the filing of this Proxy Statement and can be
found at https://www.wd40company.com/our-company/corporate-responsibility/.
19
ITEM NO. 2
ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Exchange Act, the Company’s stockholders are being asked to cast
an advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) identified in the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement. This vote is commonly referred to as a “Say-on-Pay”
vote.
At the Company’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company’s stockholders were asked, by a non-binding advisory
vote, to express their preference as to the frequency of future Say-on-Pay votes and the Board of Directors recommended annual
Say-on-Pay voting. The Company’s stockholders expressed a preference to have Say-on-Pay votes every year.
The following resolution will be presented for approval by the Company’s stockholders at the 2020 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders:
“RESOLVED, that the stockholders of WD-40 Company (the “Company”) hereby approve the compensation of the Company’s
Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of the Company’s proxy statement
for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and in the accompanying compensation tables and narrative disclosures.”
The advisory vote to approve executive compensation is a non-binding vote on the compensation of the Company’s NEOs. This
Proxy Statement contains a description of the compensation provided to the NEOs as required by Item 402 of Regulation S-K
promulgated under the Exchange Act.
Stockholders are encouraged to carefully consider the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, accompanying compensation
tables and related narrative discussion in this Proxy Statement in considering this advisory vote. The Board of Directors believes
that the compensation provided to the Company’s NEOs offers a competitive pay package with a proper balance of current and
long-term incentives aligned with the interests of the Company’s stockholders.
This is an advisory vote and will not affect compensation previously paid or awarded to the NEOs. While a vote disapproving
the NEOs’ executive compensation will not be binding on the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, the
Compensation Committee will consider the results of the advisory vote in making future executive compensation decisions.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders is required to approve this advisory vote on executive compensation.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR”
ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE
COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
20
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
WD-40 Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis addresses the executive compensation philosophy and the processes
and decisions of the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”) with respect to the
compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers (the “NEOs”). For fiscal year 2020, the Company’s NEOs were:
Jay W. Rembolt, our Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”);
Steven A. Brass, our President and Chief Operating Officer;
• Garry O. Ridge, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board (“CEO”);
•
•
• Richard T. Clampitt, our Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; and
•
Patricia Q. Olsem, our Division President, Americas.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DECISIONS AND RESULTS
The compensation structure for the NEOs is comprised of three elements: base salary, retention-related equity compensation and
performance-related cash and equity compensation. Through the application of these elements, a significant portion of NEO
realized compensation is directly tied to Company performance measured by increased earnings and total stockholder return
(“TSR”). Performance-based compensation tied to earnings is based on earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation (in
operating departments) and amortization (“EBITDA”), not earnings per share.
Retention-related equity compensation includes restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards that vest over a period of three years after
grant, subject to earlier vesting upon the effective date of retirement under certain conditions. Retention-related equity
compensation features are also reflected in our performance-based market share unit (“MSU”) awards that may be earned over
a market return-based vesting period of three years, subject to pro-rata vesting at the end of the applicable measurement period
in the event of earlier retirement under certain conditions.
Performance-related compensation includes (i) an annual cash payment opportunity that is tied to current fiscal year financial
results (“Incentive Compensation”); (ii) MSU awards that are tied to a measure of TSR; and (iii) deferred performance unit
(“DPU”) awards that are tied to current fiscal year financial results that exceed levels required for maximum payment of that
portion of the cash Incentive Compensation opportunity that is tied to global EBITDA.
For purposes of measuring performance based on the Company’s EBITDA, the Company uses EBITDA before deduction of the
stock-based compensation expense for vested DPU awards, if any, and excluding other non-operating income and expense
amounts (“Adjusted EBITDA”).
FISCAL YEAR 2020 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH COMPENSATION AWARD
For fiscal year 2020, due to the extreme variability of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s local market
and regional results, and to recognize the outstanding cross-regional and cross-functional efforts that allowed the Company to
manage its business successfully through the year, compensation for all employees, including the NEOs, was supplemented by
a separate cash compensation award. Additional cash compensation was paid to each employee to the extent that the regular
Incentive Compensation amount determined as described below under the heading, Performance Incentive Program, did not
provide a baseline level of compensation equal to 25% of the employee’s Incentive Compensation opportunity. The Company
maintains transparent and well-defined compensation arrangements for all employees, including the NEOs. This unprecedented
supplemental cash compensation award has been granted to recognize employee efforts in an extraordinary year in which the
regular compensation arrangements resulted in differences in rewards that did not properly reflect the contributions all made to
achieve the results of the company as a whole.
The foregoing compensation structure elements are fully described later in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
In establishing the framework for overall NEO compensation and in assessing such compensation for each NEO in light of
individual and overall Company performance, the Committee considers actual and target levels of compensation with reference
to both short-term and long-term performance periods as well as labor market data and peer group executive compensation. The
Committee seeks to align individual NEO performance incentives with both short-term and long-term Company objectives. The
Committee assesses the effectiveness of the established framework for NEO compensation through a review of each of the
principal elements of NEO compensation. The Committee considers measures of Company performance, specifically including
regional and global measures based on the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA, and also relative Company performance as compared
to an established peer group of companies and a comparable market index. Additionally, the Committee also considers the relative
achievement of longer term strategic objectives as to which each NEO is accountable. Information regarding NEO strategic
objectives is provided in the Executive Officer Compensation Decisions section below under the heading, Base Salary: Process.
The Committee believes that a review of NEO compensation and relative company performance over multi-year periods
demonstrates the effectiveness of the Company’s established framework for NEO compensation.
21
THREE YEAR PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION REVIEW
For fiscal year 2020, the Company’s overall financial performance resulted in highly variable achievement of performance
measure goals for regional Adjusted EBITDA under the Company’s Incentive Compensation program (the “Performance
Incentive Program”) as described below. Depending on local market impacts resulting from efforts to slow the spread of
COVID-19, most local market results for the Company were either quite strong or very poor. Due to this variability, a modest
portion of the first level performance measure goal for the Americas region was achieved, a small portion of the first level
performance goal for the EMEA region was achieved, and no portion of the first level performance goal for the Asia-Pacific
region was achieved. As a result, a small portion of the first level goal for global Adjusted EBITDA was achieved and none of
the second level goal for global Adjusted EBITDA was achieved. For fiscal year 2020, each of the NEOs identified for fiscal
year 2020 other than Ms. Olsem earned Incentive Compensation equal to approximately 10% of their Incentive Compensation
opportunity and Ms. Olsem earned Incentive Compensation equal to approximately 35% of her Incentive Compensation
opportunity. Due to the extreme variability of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s financial results across
local markets and the regions, the Company awarded additional cash compensation to all employees, including the NEOs, who
did not receive at least 25% of their Incentive Compensation opportunity. As a result, each of the NEOs other than Ms. Olsem
(who received more than 25% of her Incentive Compensation opportunity) received a supplemental cash compensation award
for fiscal year 2020 in an amount equal to approximately 15% of their Incentive Compensation opportunity. Amounts received
by each of the NEOs for fiscal year 2020 as earned Incentive Compensation and for the supplemental cash compensation awards
are set forth below under the headings, Performance Incentive Program and Supplemental Cash Compensation Award for Fiscal
Year 2020, respectively.
For fiscal year 2019, the Company’s overall financial performance resulted in partial achievement of performance measure goals
for regional and global Adjusted EBITDA under the Company’s Performance Incentive Program. The maximum first level
performance measure goals for the EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions were achieved, but only a modest portion of the first level
performance goal for the Americas region was achieved. Due to the strong performance of the EMEA and Asia-Pacific segments
and modest achievement of goals for the Americas segment, the maximum first level goal for global Adjusted EBITDA was
achieved and approximately 35.6% of the second level for global Adjusted EBITDA was achieved. As a result, for fiscal year
2019, each of the NEOs other than Mr. Brass earned Incentive Compensation equal to 68% of their Incentive Compensation
opportunity and Mr. Brass earned Incentive Compensation equal to 26% of his Incentive Compensation opportunity for fiscal
year 2019.
For fiscal year 2018, the Company’s overall financial performance resulted in partial achievement of performance measure goals
for regional and global Adjusted EBITDA under the Company’s Performance Incentive Program. The maximum first level
performance measure goals for the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions were achieved, but no portion of the first level performance
goal for the EMEA region was achieved. Due to the strong performance of the Americas and Asia-Pacific segments, the
maximum first level goal for global Adjusted EBITDA was achieved and approximately 26.6% of the second level goal for
global Adjusted EBITDA was achieved. As a result, for fiscal year 2018 each of the NEOs identified for fiscal year 2018
disclosures earned Incentive Compensation equal to 63% of their Incentive Compensation opportunity for fiscal year 2018.
For the three fiscal years ended August 31, 2020, the TSR for the Company’s shares exceeded, by an absolute percentage point
difference, the return for the Russell 2000 Index (the “Index”) by 79.2%. As a result, MSUs awarded to the NEOs in October
2017 provided vested shares of the Company’s common stock to the NEOs at 200% of the target number of award shares.
For the three fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, the TSR for the Company’s shares exceeded, by an absolute percentage point
difference, the return for the Index by 22.4%. As a result, MSUs awarded to the NEOs in October 2016 provided vested shares
of the Company’s common stock to the NEOs, other than Mr. Brass, at 200% of the target number of award shares. Mr. Brass
earned 150% of the target number of award shares for the MSUs awarded to him in October 2016.
For the three fiscal years ended August 31, 2018, the TSR for the Company’s shares exceeded, by an absolute percentage point
difference, the return for the Index by 48.45%. As a result, MSUs awarded in October 2015 to the NEOs identified for fiscal year
2018 disclosures provided vested shares of the Company’s common stock to those NEOs, other than Mr. Brass, at the maximum
amount of 200% of the target number of award shares. Mr. Brass earned 150% of the target number of award shares for the
MSUs awarded to him in October 2015.
FISCAL YEAR 2020 COMPENSATION DECISIONS
Compensation decisions for fiscal year 2020 were made in October 2019 based on individual and Company performance during
fiscal year 2019 and a market survey conducted by the Committee’s compensation consultant. The position relative to the market
median of total compensation for each of the NEOs for fiscal year 2020 is based on peer group and survey data which is discussed
below under the heading, Overall Reasonableness of Compensation.
22
The following is a summary of the decisions made by the Committee for NEO compensation for fiscal year 2020:
•
For fiscal year 2020, base salaries for the NEOs other than Mr. Brass and Ms. Olsem were increased by 2.0%. The base
salary for Mr. Brass was increased by 11.0% in October 2019, and the base salary for Ms. Olsem was increased by 12.5%
in October 2019. Base salaries for the NEOs were assessed in relation to labor market information. For fiscal year 2020,
consideration was given to the appropriate relative mix of salary, annual Incentive Compensation and equity awards.
• Annual Incentive Compensation is awarded to the NEOs under the Company’s Performance Incentive Compensation Plan
as described below under the heading Performance Incentive Program. For purposes of the Performance Incentive Program,
goals for regional and global Adjusted EBITDA were established at the beginning of the fiscal year. The Company’s
performance as measured against these goals is described in detail below.
•
•
In October 2019, the NEOs received annual RSU awards providing for the issuance of a total of 7,910 shares of the
Company’s common stock to be earned by continued employment by the Company over a vesting period of three years,
subject to earlier vesting upon the effective date of retirement under certain conditions1. These awards serve a retention
purpose together with an incentive to maximize long term stockholder value through share price appreciation.
In October 2019, the NEOs received MSU awards subject to performance vesting covering a target number of shares of the
Company’s common stock equal to 7,910 shares. If the Company’s TSR over the three-year vesting period matches the
median return for the Index, the target number of shares of the Company’s common stock would be issued to the NEOs. The
actual number of shares to be issued to the NEOs will be from 0% to 200% of the target number of shares depending upon
the Company’s TSR as compared to the return for the Index2. In October 2019, the NEOs received DPU awards that provided
an opportunity to receive up to an aggregate maximum of 7,715 additional shares of the Company’s common stock upon
termination of employment. The DPU awards provided for vesting as of the end of fiscal year 2020 if the Company were
to achieve a level of global Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year in excess of the maximum goal for global Adjusted EBITDA
established for the Performance Incentive Program3. Since the Company’s global Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2020 did
not exceed the maximum goal for global EBITDA established for the Performance Incentive Program, the DPU awards for
fiscal year 2020 did not vest and they have lapsed without value to the NEOs.
• RSU, MSU and DPU award amounts for fiscal year 2020 varied among the NEOs based on labor market compensation
practices specific to the region of employment, relative achievement of individual performance measures and goals
established for each NEO, as well as Company performance for fiscal year 2019 in areas over which each NEO had direct
influence.
• The Company’s stockholders have provided advisory votes to approve executive compensation required by Section 14A of
the Exchange Act (the “Say-on-Pay” votes) at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders for fiscal years 2017, 2018
and 2019. In each instance, at least 95% of the votes cast in the Say-on-Pay votes approved the compensation of the NEOs
as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of the Company’s Proxy Statements for those fiscal years
and in the accompanying compensation tables and narrative disclosures. The Committee has considered the results of these
advisory Say-on-Pay votes in its decision-making for executive compensation of the NEOs and has concluded that no
significant changes in executive compensation decisions and policies are warranted.
GOVERNANCE OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION PROGRAM
The purpose of the Committee is to establish and administer the compensation arrangements for our CEO and the other executive
officers of the Company, including the other NEOs, on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Committee is responsible for
developing the Company’s overall executive compensation strategy, with support from management and the Committee’s
independent compensation consulting firm. For fiscal year 2020 compensation decisions, the Committee’s compensation
consulting firm was Board Advisory, LLC. In March 2020 the Committee selected a new compensation consulting firm,
ClearBridge Compensation Group, LLC. The Committee also has responsibilities in connection with administration of the
Company’s equity compensation plans.
The Committee operates pursuant to a Charter which outlines its responsibilities, including the Committee’s responsibilities with
respect to performance reviews and approval of annual compensation arrangements for the Company’s executive officers. A
copy of the Compensation Committee Charter can be found on WD-40 Company’s website at http://investor.wd40company.com
within the “Corporate Governance” section.
1 For a more complete description of the RSU Awards, refer to the Executive Officer Compensation Decisions section below under the heading, Restricted
Stock Unit Awards.
2 For a more complete description of the MSU Awards, refer to the Executive Officer Compensation Decisions section below under the heading, Market Share
Unit Awards.
3 For a more complete description of the DPU awards, refer to the Executive Officer Compensation Decisions section below under the heading, Deferred
Performance Unit Awards.
23
PROCESS FOR EVALUATING EXECUTIVE OFFICER PERFORMANCE AND COMPENSATION
In accordance with its Charter, the Committee works with the Company’s Human Resources function in carrying out its
responsibilities. The Vice President of Global Organization Development is management’s liaison with the Committee. The
Committee’s independent compensation consulting firm provides advice and information relating to executive compensation.
For fiscal year 2020, the compensation consulting firm assisted the Committee in the evaluation of executive base salary,
Incentive Compensation opportunities, equity incentive design and award levels, and the specific pay recommendation for our
CEO. The Committee’s compensation consulting firm reports directly to the Committee and provides no additional services for
management.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND FRAMEWORK
COMPENSATION OBJECTIVES
The Company’s executive compensation program is designed to achieve five primary objectives:
1. Attract, motivate, reward and retain high performing executives;
2. Align the interests and compensation of executives with the value created for stockholders;
3. Create a sense of motivation among executives to achieve both short- and long-term Company objectives;
4. Create a direct, meaningful link between business and team performance and individual accomplishment and rewards; and
5. Ensure our compensation programs are appropriately competitive in the relevant labor markets.
TARGET PAY POSITION/MIX OF PAY
The Company’s compensation program consists primarily of base salary, annual cash incentives, and long-term oriented equity
awards. Each of these components is discussed in greater detail in the Executive Officer Compensation Decisions section below.
The Committee has established a target for executive officer total compensation (defined as base salary, plus target Incentive
Compensation, plus the value of RSU and MSU equity awards) at the median market level of compensation for each position
(details on the use of peer group and survey data to establish the median market level are provided below). Actual pay may vary,
based on Company and/or individual performance, length of time within the position, and anticipated contribution. The
Committee does not adhere to specific guidelines regarding the percentage of total compensation that should be represented by
each compensation component but monitors market competitiveness. A review of total compensation for each NEO relative to
the target market percentile is provided in the Executive Officer Compensation Decisions section below under the heading,
Overall Reasonableness of Compensation.
The mix of pay for executive officers is intended to provide significant incentives to drive overall company performance and
increased stockholder value. The mix of pay consists of Salary and All Other Compensation amounts as reported in the Summary
Compensation Table below, maximum possible values for Stock Awards (RSUs, MSUs and DPUs) as reported in the table in
footnote 1 to the Summary Compensation Table, and maximum possible Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (Incentive
Compensation) amounts as reported in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below. The sum total of these maximum possible
compensation amounts for each NEO is referred to as the NEO’s “Total Compensation Opportunity.” For purposes of the charts
below, the Total Compensation Opportunity for the CEO, and for all other NEOs in the aggregate, has been divided among
elements of compensation that are considered at risk (MSUs, tied to longer term relative stockholder return, and DPUs and
Incentive Compensation, tied to current fiscal year financial performance), and those elements that are not performance-based
and not considered at risk (Salary, All Other Compensation and RSUs). Approximately 72% of the CEO’s Total Compensation
Opportunity for fiscal year 2020 was at risk while approximately 62%, in the aggregate, of the Total Compensation Opportunity
for fiscal year 2020 for all of the other NEOs was at risk. As reported in more detail below, for fiscal year 2020, each of the
NEOs other than Ms. Olsem earned 25% of their maximum Incentive Compensation amounts (inclusive of the supplemental cash
compensation award described above under the heading, Three Year Performance-Based Compensation Review, and Ms. Olsem
earned approximately 35% of her maximum Incentive Compensation amount, and each NEO earned maximum MSU award
values (for the MSU award granted in October 2017), and no portion of their DPU awards.
24
COMPENSATION BENCHMARKING
For purposes of its fiscal year 2020 compensation decisions, the Committee examined the executive compensation practices of
a peer group of seventeen companies to assess the competitiveness of the Company’s executive compensation. Peer group
companies were selected from a list of U.S. headquartered companies having revenues and earnings reasonably comparable to
the Company and doing business in the specialty chemical industry or within specific consumer products categories. In addition
to the peer group data, the Committee considered general industry company survey data provided by Korn Ferry Hay Group, a
global management consulting firm. These data sources are applied by the Committee to establish the market median level of
compensation for each executive officer position. The companies used in the peer group analysis for fiscal year 2020
compensation decisions were as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
American Vanguard Corporation
Balchem Corporation
Cambrex Corporation
Chase Corporation
Dorman Products
Flotek Industries Inc.
Hawkins, Inc.
Ingevity Corporation
Innophos Holdings, Inc.
Innospec Inc.
•
• Landec Corporation
• Prestige Healthcare, Inc
• Quaker Chemical Corporation
• Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.
• Sensient Technologies Corporation
• Stoneridge Inc.
• USANA Health Sciences, Inc.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION DECISIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
BASE SALARY: PROCESS
Base salaries for all executive officers, including the NEOs, are approved by the Committee effective for the beginning of each
fiscal year. In setting base salaries, the Committee considers the salary range prepared by its compensation advisor based on each
NEO’s job responsibilities and the market 50th percentile target pay position. Salary adjustments, if any, are based on factors
such as individual performance, position, current pay relative to the market, future anticipated contribution and the Company-
wide merit increase budget. Assessment of individual performance follows a rigorous evaluation process, including self-
evaluation and the establishment of annual goals for each executive officer and an assessment of the achievement thereof.
25
Individual performance elements considered in this process included individual and Company performance goals and
achievements in such areas as growth, leadership, earnings and governance for Mr. Ridge; governance and risk, compliance,
forecasting and financial reporting for Mr. Rembolt; growth, leadership, innovation, brand development, earnings and customer
relations for Mr. Brass; brand protection, corporate governance, legal services and risk management, and compliance for Mr.
Clampitt; and business unit performance, teamwork, execution and growth for Ms. Olsem.
BASE SALARY: FISCAL YEAR 2020
In October 2019, the Committee reviewed the market competitiveness of executive officer base salaries relative to peer group
market data presented by the Committee’s compensation advisor. Based on its review of the peer group market data and the
general industry company survey data, the Committee approved a 2.0% increase in the CEO’s base salary for fiscal year 2020
and increases in base salary ranging from 2.0% to 12.5% for the other NEOs.
PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM
The Company uses its Performance Incentive Program to tie executive officer compensation to the Company’s financial
performance. All Company employees participate in the same Performance Incentive Program as described below. The
Performance Incentive Program is offered to the executive officers pursuant to the WD-40 Company Performance Incentive
Compensation Plan most recently approved by the stockholders at the Company’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Performance Incentive Program provides direct incentives to all Company employees, including executive officers, to affect
regional financial performance and, for the Company as a whole, to promote sales at increasing levels of profitability. Specific
performance measures tied to regional financial results are used in the Performance Incentive Program formulas as applied to
each employee according to his or her particular area of responsibility.
For the NEOs, Incentive Compensation opportunity awards for fiscal year 2020 were based on pre-established goals for the
following corporate performance measures: (i) the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA computed for each of the Company’s relevant
financial reporting segments (“Regional EBITDA”); and (ii) Adjusted EBITDA computed on a consolidated basis (“Global
EBITDA”). The calculations of attainment of these performance measures for the NEOs are substantially the same as the
calculations for all other employees for whom such performance measures were applicable.
For purposes of computing the actual financial results to be measured against the goals established for the Regional EBITDA
and Global EBITDA performance measures, the Company may exclude certain expenditures as approved by the Committee. For
fiscal year 2020, the Committee approved the exclusion of certain expenses in the amount of approximately $1,493,000
associated with the Company’s investment in IT infrastructure.
The Company’s Incentive Compensation Program, as applied to all of its employees, is designed with the intent to fund the
Incentive Compensation payout to all employees, including the NEOs, from increased earnings over the prior fiscal year. If the
Company does not realize an increase in Global EBITDA over the prior year, it is possible that Ms. Olsem will earn some
Incentive Compensation because the performance measure for a portion of the Incentive Compensation opportunity payable to
her is based on Regional EBITDA.
Depending upon actual performance results, the Incentive Compensation opportunities for fiscal year 2020 range from 0% up to
200% of base salary for Mr. Ridge, from 0% up to 100% of base salary for Mr. Rembolt, from 0% up to 160% of base salary for
Mr. Brass, from 0% up to 90% of base salary for Mr. Clampitt, and from 0% up to 100% of base salary for Ms. Olsem.
The maximum Incentive Compensation potential for employees under the Performance Incentive Program is referred to herein
as the employee’s “Annual Opportunity.” For each of the NEOs, the Performance Incentive Program for fiscal year 2020 provided
two performance measure levels (“Levels A and C”) for determination of earned Incentive Compensation; each level represented
50% of the Annual Opportunity. The Performance Incentive Program is consistently applied for all employees of the Company
except that there are three performance measure levels (“Levels A, B and C”) for all employees other than the NEOs and certain
other executive officers and management employees. The maximum Incentive Compensation payout for Ms. Olsem required
achievement of specified segment goals for Regional EBITDA (Level A) and Company performance that equaled the maximum
goal amount for Global EBITDA as described below (Level C). For Messrs. Ridge, Rembolt, Brass and Clampitt (each of whom
has global rather than regional responsibilities), the maximum Incentive Compensation payouts required achievement of
specified goals for Global EBITDA for each of Levels A and C.
Only two of the three performance measure goals are applied for the NEOs and certain other executive officers and management
employees for purposes of calculating earned Incentive Compensation in order to provide an increased incentive to those
employees to achieve the maximum level of Global EBITDA results for the benefit of stockholders. Level B performance
measure goals for other employees are more directed to achievement of goals tied to areas over which they have more direct
26
influence. For such other employees, Level A represented 50% of the Annual Opportunity, Level B represented 30% of the
Annual Opportunity and Level C represented 20% of the Annual Opportunity.
Target and maximum payout amounts for each of the NEOs for the fiscal year 2020 Performance Incentive Program are disclosed
below in the table under the heading, Grants of Plan-Based Awards - Fiscal Year 2020.
The following table sets forth the fiscal year 2020 Performance Incentive Program payout weightings and the minimum and
maximum goals for the performance measures applicable to each of the NEOs. The minimum and maximum Level A goals for
Regional and Global EBITDA were based on earnings before deduction of any Incentive Compensation amounts. The minimum
and maximum Level C goals for Global EBITDA were based on earnings after deduction of an estimate of the maximum possible
Incentive Compensation amounts for Levels A and B, but before deduction of Incentive Compensation amounts for Level C.
Level
A
A
C
Performance Measure
Regional EBITDA (Americas)
Global EBITDA
Global EBITDA
Garry O. Ridge
Jay W. Rembolt
Steven A. Brass
Richard T. Clampitt
N/A
50%
50%
Patricia Q. Olsem
50%
N/A
50%
Minimum Goal
FY 2020
($ thousands)
Maximum Goal
FY 2020
($ thousands)
$ 56,517 $ 60,359
$ 88,917 $ 102,713
$ 93,363 $ 100,954
The following table sets forth the actual fiscal year 2020 performance results and percentage achievement for each of the
performance measures under the Performance Incentive Program formulas applicable to the NEOs. Actual earnings results for
measurement against the Regional and Global EBITDA goals were adjusted to exclude (a) Incentive Compensation amounts
consistent with the manner in which the minimum and maximum performance measure goals are determined as described with
reference to the table above and (b) certain Company expenditures as approved by the Committee, as described above.
Level
A
A
C
Performance Measure
Regional EBITDA (Americas)
Global EBITDA
Global EBITDA
Actual
FY 2020
($ thousands)
$ 59,200
$ 91,793
$ 86,519
% Achievement
69.8%
20.8%
0.0%
Achievement of the maximum goals for Regional EBITDA and Global EBITDA is intended to be attainable through the
concerted efforts of all management teams working in their own regions and areas of responsibility and for the Company as a
whole.
Based on the Company’s fiscal year 2020 performance and the Committee’s certification of the relative attainment of each of the
performance measures under the Performance Incentive Program, the payouts for our executive officers, including the NEOs,
were calculated. On October 12, 2020, the Committee approved payment of the following Incentive Compensation amounts to
the NEOs for fiscal year 2020 performance:
Executive Officer
Garry O. Ridge
Jay W. Rembolt
Steven A. Brass
Richard T. Clampitt
Patricia Q. Olsem
Title
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
of the Board
Vice President, Finance, Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer
President and Chief Operating Officer
Vice President, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary
Division President, Americas
FY 2020
Annual
Opportunity
(As % of
Base Salary)
200%
FY 2020
Incentive
Compensation
Paid ($)
$ 140,647
100%
$ 34,037
160%
90%
$ 74,161
$ 26,874
100%
$ 104,419
FY 2020
Actual Incentive
Compensation
(As % of
Opportunity)
10%
10%
10%
10%
35%
27
As an example of the operation of the Performance Incentive Program, Ms. Olsem’s Incentive Compensation payout for fiscal
year 2020 was computed as follows:
Incentive Compensation Annual Opportunity = 100% X Eligible Earnings ($299,091) = $299,091.
•
• Level A (Regional EBITDA) = 50% of Annual Opportunity = $149,546.
— Level A Incentive Compensation = Level A Achievement (69.824%) X Level A Annual Opportunity = $104,419.
• Level C (Global EBITDA) = 50% of Annual Opportunity = $149,546.
— Level C Incentive Compensation = Level C Achievement (0%) X Level C Annual Opportunity = $0.
Ms. Olsem’s aggregate Incentive Compensation payout was the sum of the payouts under Levels A and C of the Performance
Incentive Program, or $104,419.
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH COMPENSATION AWARD FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
As discussed above under the headings, Fiscal Year 2020 Supplemental Cash Compensation Award and Three Year
Performance-Based Compensation Review, the Company paid a supplemental cash award to all employees, including the NEOs,
so that all employees received at least 25% of their Incentive Compensation opportunity. Accordingly, the following
supplemental cash compensation amounts were awarded to the NEOs for fiscal year 2020:
Executive Officer
Garry O. Ridge
Jay W. Rembolt
Steven A. Brass
Richard T. Clampitt
Patricia Q. Olsem
EQUITY COMPENSATION
Supplemental Cash
Compensation Amount
$ 196,718
$ 47,634
$ 103,727
$ 37,588
-
Equity compensation is a critical component of the Company’s efforts to attract and retain executives and key employees,
encourage employee ownership in the Company, link pay with performance and align the interests of executive officers with
those of stockholders. To provide appropriately directed incentives to our executive officers, the Committee has provided awards
of time-vesting restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards as well as performance-vesting market share unit (“MSU”) awards and
deferred performance unit (“DPU”) awards. Equity awards for fiscal year 2020 were granted to the NEOs pursuant to the
Company’s 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”) approved by the stockholders at the 2016 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
The Company’s MSU awards are tied to a measure of total stockholder return (“TSR”) that is determined by reference to a change
in the value of the Company’s common stock with reinvestment of dividends. In October 2019, the Committee granted primary
equity allocations of RSU and MSU awards for fiscal year 2020. The authorized awards were divided equally between the two
types of awards for each NEO. MSU awards provide for vesting after a three-year performance vesting period based on a
comparison of the Company’s TSR against the Russell 2000 Index (the “Index”) as described in more detail below. In addition
to the RSU and MSU awards, the NEOs also received DPU awards in October 2019. As compared to the retention and long-term
performance-based attributes of the RSU and MSU awards, the DPU awards provide a near-term incentive reward for achieving
Global EBITDA results for the fiscal year in excess of the amount of Global EBITDA required for maximum payout of Incentive
Compensation under Level C of the Performance Incentive Program as described above. DPU awards provide for vesting at the
end of the fiscal year for which they are granted. All RSU, MSU and DPU awards are subject to terms and conditions set forth
in an applicable award agreement (the “Award Agreement”).
The principal attributes and benefits of the RSU, MSU and DPU awards for executive officers are as follows:
• RSU awards provide for vesting in relatively equal portions over a period of three years from the grant date, subject to earlier
vesting upon the effective date of retirement under certain conditions.
• MSU awards provide for performance-based vesting tied to the Company’s TSR over a performance measurement period
of three fiscal years beginning with the fiscal year in which the awards are granted and ending on August 31st of the third
year.
• DPU awards provide for performance-based vesting tied to the Company’s Global EBITDA achievement for the fiscal year
in which the awards are granted in excess of the maximum goal for Global EBITDA under Level C of the Company’s
Performance Incentive Program.
28
• RSU and MSU awards provide for the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock upon vesting.
• Vested DPU awards provide for the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock only upon termination of
employment. Until issuance of the shares for vested DPU awards, the holders of the vested DPU awards are entitled to
receive dividend equivalent payments with respect to their vested DPU awards, payable in cash as and when dividends are
declared upon shares of the Company’s common stock.
• A mix of RSU, MSU and DPU awards is appropriate as compared to RSU awards alone or other equity awards, such as
stock options, for the following reasons: i) MSU awards granted annually provide a more direct performance-based incentive
aligned directly with longer term stockholder interests; ii) RSU awards have a greater perceived value to recipients than
stock options; iii) DPU awards offer a reward for exceeding the highest goal for near-term financial results for the Company;
iv) RSU, MSU and DPU awards have a less dilutive impact on a share count basis than stock options; and v) the issuance of
shares of the Company’s common stock upon vesting of RSUs and MSUs, and the deferred issuance of shares following
vesting of DPU awards encourages long-term stock ownership, promotes retention objectives and facilitates the achievement
of the Company’s stock ownership guidelines (as described below in the Other Compensation Policies section, under the
heading, Executive Officer Stock Ownership Guidelines).
The Board recognizes the potentially dilutive impact of equity awards. The Company’s equity award practices are designed to
balance the impact of dilution and the Company’s need to remain competitive by recruiting, retaining and providing incentives
for high-performing employees.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
RSU awards provide for the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock to the award recipient upon vesting provided
that the recipient remains employed with the Company through each vesting date except as noted below with respect to vesting
upon retirement. Shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the portion of the RSU award that has vested are issued
promptly upon the vesting date. RSU awards provide for vesting over a period of three years from the grant date. 34% of the
RSU award will vest on the first vesting date and 33% of the RSU award will vest on each of the second and third vesting dates.
The vesting date each year is the third business day following the Company’s public release of its annual earnings for the
preceding fiscal year, but not later than November 15 of the vesting year.
RSU Award Agreements provide that, for RSU award recipients who retire from the Company after reaching age 65, or for RSU
award recipients who retire from the Company after reaching age 55 and have been employed by the Company for at least 10
years, all RSUs will be vested upon the effective date of retirement and shares will be issued within 30 days after the effective
date of retirement, except for executive officers whose RSU shares will be issued 6 months after the effective date of retirement.
Payment of required withholding taxes due with respect to the vesting of the RSU awards, if any, will be covered through
withholding of shares by the Company. The Company will issue a net number of shares to the recipient for a vested RSU award
after withholding shares having a value as of the vesting date, or as of the date of issuance in the case of the issuance of RSU
shares following retirement, equal to the required tax withholding obligation.
Market Share Unit Awards
MSU awards provide for performance-based vesting over a performance measurement period of three fiscal years commencing
with the fiscal year in which the MSU awards are granted (the “Measurement Period”). Except as noted below with respect to
vesting upon retirement, the recipient must remain employed with the Company for vesting purposes until the date on which the
Committee certifies achievement of the requisite performance provided for in the MSU Award Agreement. A number of shares
of the Company’s common stock equal to an “Applicable Percentage” of the “Target Number” of shares covered by the MSU
awards to the NEOs will be issued as of the “Settlement Date.” The Applicable Percentage is determined by reference to the
performance vesting provisions of the MSU Award Agreements as described below. The Settlement Date for an MSU award is
the third business day following the Company’s public release of its annual earnings for the third fiscal year of the Measurement
Period.
MSU Award Agreements provide for monthly pro-rata vesting of MSUs as of the end of the Measurement Period in the event of
the earlier termination of the award recipient’s employment due to death, disability, or retirement after reaching age 65, or
retirement after reaching age 55 with at least 10 years of employment with the Company. For purposes of calculating the number
of MSUs vested and the corresponding number of shares to be issued as of the Settlement Date, the Target Number of shares
covered by the MSU awards will be adjusted according to the pro-rata portion of the Measurement Period that has elapsed as of
the effective date of termination of employment. The Committee may also exercise its discretion to provide for monthly pro-rata
vesting of MSUs awarded to a recipient who resigns or is terminated by the Company for reasons other than good cause.
Payment of required withholding taxes due with respect to the settlement of an MSU award, if any, will be covered through
withholding of shares by the Company. The Company will issue a net number of shares to the recipient for a vested MSU award
after withholding shares having a value as of the Settlement Date equal to the required tax withholding obligation.
29
The performance vesting provisions of MSU awards are based on relative TSR for the Company over the Measurement Period
as compared to the total return (“Return”) for the Index as reported for total return (with dividends reinvested), as published by
Russell Investments. For purposes of computing the relative TSR for the Company as compared to the Return for the Index,
dividends paid with respect to the Shares will be treated as having been reinvested as of the ex-dividend date for each declared
dividend.
The Applicable Percentage of the Target Number of shares will be determined for each of the NEOs based on the absolute
percentage point difference between the TSR for the Company as compared to the Return for the Index (the “Relative TSR”) as
set forth in the table below:
Relative TSR
(absolute percentage point difference)
> 20%
20%
15%
10%
5%
Equal
-5%
-10%
>-10%
Applicable Percentage
200%*
200%*
175%*
150%
125%
100%
75%
50%
0%
* The MSU award granted to Ms. Olsem in fiscal year 2019 provides for a maximum Applicable Percentage of the Target
Number of shares of 150% if the Relative TSR is 10% or greater. Otherwise, the Applicable Percentage for the MSU awards
granted to Ms. Olsem will be calculated in the same manner as for the other NEOs.
The Applicable Percentage will be determined on a straight-line sliding scale from the minimum 50% Applicable Percentage
achievement level to the maximum 200% Applicable Percentage achievement level (150% for Ms. Olsem for the MSU award
granted in fiscal year 2019). For purposes of determining the TSR for the Company and the Return for the Index, the beginning
and ending values for each measure will be determined on an average basis over a period of all market trading days within the
ninety (90) calendar days prior to the beginning of the fiscal year for the beginning of the Measurement Period and over a period
of all market trading days within the ninety (90) calendar days prior to the end of the third fiscal year of the Measurement Period.
For purposes of determining relative achievement, actual results are to be rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent and rounded
up from the midpoint. The number of MSU Shares to be issued on the Settlement Date is to be rounded to the nearest whole
share and rounded upward from the midpoint.
In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan), the Measurement Period will end as of the effective
date of the Change in Control and the ending values for calculating the TSR for the Company and the Return for the Index will
be determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock and the value of the Index, respectively, immediately
prior to the effective date of the Change in Control. The Applicable Percentage will be applied to a proportionate amount of the
Target Number of MSUs based on the portion of the Measurement Period elapsed as of the effective date of the Change in
Control. The recipient NEO will receive RSUs for the portion of the Target Number of MSUs to which the Applicable Percentage
is not applied. Those RSUs will time vest, subject to rights under the NEO’s Change of Control Severance Agreement, as of the
Settlement Date.
Deferred Performance Unit Awards
DPU awards provide for performance-based vesting over a performance measurement period of the fiscal year in which the DPU
awards are granted (the “Measurement Year”). The DPU awards provide for vesting of a number of DPUs equal to an “Applicable
Percentage” of the “Maximum Number” of DPUs awarded to the NEOs following conclusion of the Measurement Year (“Vested
DPUs”). Except as noted below with respect to vesting upon retirement, the recipient must remain employed with the Company
for vesting purposes until August 31 of the Measurement Year. Except as noted below as to non-residents of the United States,
the Vested DPUs must be held until termination of employment. Following termination of employment, each Vested DPU will
be settled by issuance of one share of the Company’s common stock (a “DPU Share”). The Maximum Number of DPUs refers
to the maximum number of DPU Shares that may be issued with respect to a DPU award upon full achievement of the applicable
performance goal as described below. The Applicable Percentage is determined by reference to the performance vesting
provisions of the DPU Award Agreement as described below. For NEOs who are not residents of the United States, the
Compensation Committee has discretion to either defer settlement of each Vested DPU by issuance of a DPU Share following
termination of employment or settle each Vested DPU in cash by immediate payment of an amount equal to the closing price of
30
one share of the Company’s common stock as of the date of the Compensation Committee’s certification of achievement of the
performance measure applied in determination of the Applicable Percentage.
Each Vested DPU that is not settled in cash will include the right to receive a dividend equivalent payment in an amount equal
to the dividends declared with respect to the Company’s common stock for each Vested DPU. Such dividend equivalent payments
are to be paid in cash as ordinary compensation income as and when common stock dividends are paid by the Company, provided,
however, that the Company may elect to accumulate such dividend equivalent payments for later payment not less often than
annually.
DPU Award Agreements provide for monthly pro-rata vesting of DPUs as of the end of the Measurement Year in the event of
the earlier termination of the award recipient’s employment due to death, disability, or retirement after reaching age 65, or
retirement after reaching age 55 with at least 10 years of employment with the Company. For purposes of calculating the number
of Vested DPUs earned, the Maximum Number of shares covered by the DPU awards will be adjusted according to the pro-rata
portion of the Measurement Year that has elapsed as of the effective date of termination of employment.
Vested DPUs not otherwise settled in cash will be settled by issuance of the DPU Shares as of 6 months following termination
of employment (the “Settlement Date”). Payment of required withholding taxes due with respect to the settlement of a Vested
DPU award, if any, will be covered through withholding of shares by the Company. The Company will issue a net number of
shares to the recipient for a Vested DPU award after withholding shares having a value as of the Settlement Date equal to the
required tax withholding obligation.
The performance vesting provisions of the DPUs are based on relative achievement within an established performance measure
range of the Company’s EBITDA (before deduction of the stock-based compensation expense for the Vested DPUs and excluding
other non-operating income and expense amounts (“Adjusted Global EBITDA”) for the Measurement Year.
For fiscal year 2020, the performance vesting provisions for the DPUs were established as set forth in the table below:
Adjusted Global EBITDA1
> $101,109,000
$101,109,000
$96,284,000
< $96,284,000
$96,030,000*
* Implied zero percentage achievement level.
Applicable Percentage
100%
100%
5%
0%
0%
1
The calculation of Adjusted Global EBITDA for purposes of the performance vesting provisions of the DPUs accounts for full payment
of all Incentive Compensation earned for the fiscal year.
The Applicable Percentage will be determined on a straight-line sliding scale from the implied zero percentage achievement level
to the maximum 100% Applicable Percentage achievement level, but the Applicable Percentage shall not be less than 5%. For
purposes of determining the Applicable Percentage, the calculated percentage is to be rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent
and rounded upward from the midpoint. The number of Vested DPUs is to be rounded to the nearest whole unit and rounded
upward from the midpoint.
EQUITY AWARDS – FISCAL YEAR 2020
For fiscal year 2020, equity awards to our executive officers were granted to satisfy goals for executive officer retention, to
provide incentives for current and future performance, and to meet objectives for overall levels of compensation and pay mix.
RSU, MSU and DPU awards were granted to the NEOs by the Committee in October 2019. All of the equity awards are set forth
below in the table under the heading, Grants of Plan-Based Awards - Fiscal Year 2020. In establishing award levels for the NEOs
for fiscal year 2020, the Committee placed emphasis on long-term retention goals and desired incentives for current and future
contributions. The RSU and MSU awards to our CEO were, consistent with past practice, larger than the awards to the other
NEOs in recognition of his higher level of responsibility for overall Company performance and based upon market data that
supports a higher level of equity compensation for our CEO. The specific RSU award amounts and Target Number of shares
covered by MSU awards were determined for each NEO based on an assessment of the NEO’s achievement of individual
performance goals as well as Company performance for fiscal year 2019 in areas over which the NEO had particular influence.
The DPU award amounts were established by reference to each NEO’s Incentive Compensation opportunity amount based on
fiscal year 2019 base salary amounts and fiscal year 2020 maximum percentage opportunity for Incentive Compensation – the
share equivalent value of the DPUs awarded to each NEO as of the date of grant equals 50% of the NEO’s maximum Incentive
Compensation opportunity amount.
31
Market Share Unit Award Vesting for Three Fiscal Year Performance Achievement
On October 12, 2020, the Committee certified achievement of the performance measure applicable to MSU awards granted to
the NEOs in October 2017. The Committee certified the Company’s relative TSR as compared to the Return for the Index for
the performance Measurement Period ended August 31, 2020 for purposes of calculating the vested number of shares of the
Company’s common stock for those MSU awards. The relative TSR as compared to the Return for the Index (as an absolute
percentage point difference) over the three fiscal year Measurement Period ending August 31, 2020 was 79.2%. As a result,
based on the table above in the description of the MSU awards, the Applicable Percentage of the Target Number of shares
underlying the MSU awards granted in October 2017 was 200% for each of the NEOs other than Ms. Olsem, and 150% for Ms.
Olsem.
The following table sets forth the Target Number and vested number of shares underlying the MSU awards granted to each NEO
in October 2017:
Executive Officer
Garry O. Ridge
Jay W. Rembolt
Steven A. Brass
Richard T. Clampitt
Patricia Q. Olsem
Target Number
Vested Shares
4,434
798
864
665
345
8,868
1,596
1,728
1,330
518
Deferred Performance Unit Award Vesting for Fiscal Year 2020 Performance Achievement
DPU awards granted to the NEOs for fiscal year 2020 lapsed without value to the NEOs. Vesting of the DPUs would have
required a level of Adjusted Global EBITDA equal to or greater than $96,284,000 (the minimum Adjusted Global EBITDA goal
for DPU vesting as set forth in the table on the preceding page). Since the actual Adjusted Global EBITDA for fiscal year 2019
was less than $96,284,000, the DPUs did not vest and they have lapsed.
BENEFITS AND PERQUISITES
As is the case with most Company employees, the NEOs are provided with standard health and welfare benefits, and the
opportunity to participate in the WD-40 Company Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan serves to provide our
executive officers, including the eligible NEOs, with tax-advantaged retirement savings as an additional component of overall
compensation. Employees have the right to invest the Company’s contributions to the Plan in shares of the Company’s common
stock as an alternative to other investment choices available under the Plan.
The Company maintains individual Supplemental Death Benefit Plan agreements for both Mr. Ridge and Mr. Rembolt. The
Company’s Supplemental Death Benefit Plan agreement obligations are funded by life insurance policies owned by the
Company.
The Company also provides leased vehicles or a vehicle allowance to its executive officers. The costs associated with the
perquisites and other personal benefits provided to the NEOs are included in the Summary Compensation Table below and they
are separately identified for fiscal year 2020 in the footnote disclosure of such perquisites and other personal benefits included
with the Summary Compensation Table.
The Committee considers the cost of the foregoing health and welfare benefits and perquisites in connection with its approval of
the total compensation for each of our NEOs. All such costs are considered appropriate in support of the Committee’s objective
of attracting and retaining high quality executive officers because they are common forms of compensation for senior executives
and are expected by such executives when they consider competing compensation packages.
POST-EMPLOYMENT OBLIGATIONS
The Company has change of control severance agreements with each of the NEOs. The specific terms of the agreements are
described in detail below under the heading, Change of Control Severance Agreements. In establishing the terms and conditions
for the change of control severance agreements consideration was given to possible inclusion of severance compensation to be
paid to the executive officers in the event of their termination of employment without cause (or for good reason) without regard
to the existence of a change of control of the Company. No such provisions were included and severance compensation is payable
only following a termination of employment without “cause” or for “good reason” within two years following a “change of
control” of the Company (as the quoted terms are defined in the severance agreements).
32
The Committee believes that the change of control severance agreements help ensure the best interests of stockholders by
fostering continuous employment of key management personnel. As is the case in many public companies, the possibility of an
unsolicited change of control exists. The uncertainty among management that can arise from a possible change of control can
result in the untimely departure or distraction of key executive officers. Reasonable change of control severance agreements
reinforce continued attention and dedication of executive officers to their assigned duties and support the Committee’s objective
of retaining high quality executives.
OVERALL REASONABLENESS OF COMPENSATION
The Committee believes that the Company is achieving its compensation objectives and rewards executive officers for driving
operational success and stockholder value creation. Based on reviews of tally sheets and a “pay-for-performance” analysis by
the Committee, and in light of the Company’s compensation objectives, the Committee and the Board of Directors believe that
the pay mix and target pay position relative to market for each of the NEOs are reasonable and appropriate. The “pay-for-
performance” analysis includes a review of the individual components of executive officer compensation that are tied to Company
performance, as measured by identified financial performance metrics as well as the price of the Company’s common stock. In
particular, the Committee reviews executive officer Incentive Compensation to determine whether it appropriately rewards
achievement of specific financial performance goals and does not otherwise provide rewards in the absence of reasonable
measures of individual and Company success. Similarly, with respect to equity awards, the Committee considers the effectiveness
of such awards in providing a reasonable incentive to the executive officers to increase profits (as measured by Regional and
Global EBITDA) and total stockholder return without inappropriately rewarding the executive officers if performance targets are
not achieved over the long term.
The following table sets forth the total compensation for each of our NEOs (based on cash compensation received as base salary
and earned Incentive Compensation, plus the value of equity awards (other than the DPUs) at their date of grant per share values)
for fiscal year 2020, together with the relative position to market mid-point with 100% equaling market median for each NEO:
Executive Officer
Garry O. Ridge
Jay W. Rembolt
Steven A. Brass
Richard T. Clampitt
Patricia Q. Olsem
Base Salary
Other
Earned
Compensation1
Value of
Stock Awards2
Total
Compensation
$ 675,240 $ 337,365 $ 1,599,630 $ 2,612,235
$ 327,011 $ 81,671 $ 299,814 $ 708,496
$ 446,422 $ 177,888 $ 649,908 $ 1,274,218
$ 286,716 $ 64,462 $ 229,795 $ 580,973
$ 300,375 $ 104,419 $ 259,963 $ 664,757
Present Value of Total
Compensation
Received as a
Percentage of Market
Median
83%
89%
84%
76%
80%
1 Other Earned Compensation includes earned Incentive Compensation plus the supplemental cash compensation awards granted to NEOs
as described above under the heading, Supplemental Cash Compensation Award for Fiscal Year 2020.
2
For purposes of comparing total compensation for fiscal year 2020 to market median compensation levels for each NEO, the Committee
included the Value of Stock Awards (RSUs and MSUs) based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date for
those awards. The October 7, 2019 grant date closing price was $186.22. MSUs are valued based on the target number of shares of the
Company’s common stock to be issued upon achievement of the applicable performance measure. Information concerning all of the Stock
Awards (including DPUs) for fiscal year 2020 is set forth below in the table under the heading, Grants of Plan-Based Awards - Fiscal
Year 2020.
For fiscal year 2020, total compensation for our NEOs was assessed by the Committee’s compensation consulting firm as part
of the process for executive compensation decision-making for fiscal year 2021. As noted in the table above, total compensation
for the NEOs ranged from 72% to 85% of the market median compensation level for each position as determined by the
Committee’s compensation consulting firm. The levels of compensation are considered by the Committee to be under, but
appropriately in line with, target compensation levels for the NEOs in a year in which the Company’s performance was
considered by the Committee to be reasonably strong under circumstances of widespread global economic disruption brought on
by the global COVID-19 pandemic. These market position comparisons are based on an analysis from the Committee’s
compensation consultant that incorporates peer group proxy analysis and general industry survey data for current NEO roles.
OTHER COMPENSATION POLICIES
EXCHANGE ACT RULE 10b5-1 TRADING PLANS AND INSIDER TRADING GUIDELINES
A description of the Company’s insider trading policies applicable to our executive officers is included above in this Proxy
Statement under the heading, Insider Trading Policy – Prohibited Hedging Transactions.
33
EXECUTIVE OFFICER STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES
The Board of Directors has approved guidelines for executive officer ownership of the Company’s common stock. The guidelines
specify that each executive officer will be expected to attain, within a period of five years from the later of the date of election
of the executive officer or the date of adoption of the guidelines, and to maintain thereafter, equity ownership in the Company
valued at not less than one times his or her current base salary for executive officers other than our CEO and CFO, two times the
current base salary for our CFO, and five times the current base salary for our CEO. Valuation for purposes of the guidelines is
to be determined at the higher of cost or current fair market value for shares of the Company’s common stock held outright and
shares underlying vested RSUs, MSUs and DPUs then held.
The Board of Directors believes that the stock ownership guidelines serve to improve alignment of the interests of our executive
officers and the Company’s stockholders. At the present time, all NEOs have exceeded the expected level of stock ownership.
As noted above under the heading Equity Compensation, the NEOs receive both time-vesting RSU awards and performance-
based vesting MSU and DPU awards. As the RSU and MSU awards vest, shares of the Company’s common stock are issued to
the NEOs and these shares may then be sold or retained, subject to the stock ownership guidelines described above. Vested DPU
awards provide for deferred issuance of shares to the NEOs upon termination of employment. Outstanding unvested RSU and
MSU awards held as of August 31, 2020 by the NEOs are set forth in the table below under the heading, Outstanding Equity
Awards at 2020 Fiscal Year End. All NEOs hold Vested DPUs and Mr. Ridge holds vested RSU awards that must be retained
until termination of employment as noted above in the footnotes to the tables under the heading, Security Ownership of Directors
and Executive Officers.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) limits the deductibility of compensation payable in any tax
year to certain covered executive officers. Section 162(m) of the Code generally provides that a company covered by the statute
cannot deduct compensation paid to its most highly paid executive officers to the extent that such compensation exceeds $1
million per officer per taxable year. Under the law prior to the passage of the legislation known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
(the “Act”) compensation that is “performance-based” within the meaning of the Code did not count toward the $1 million limit.
The performance-based compensation exception to the deductibility limit was repealed by the Act. However, under a transition
rule provided for in the Act, the value of vested shares under MSU awards granted prior to November 2, 2017 is still expected to
qualify for deductibility under the performance-based compensation exception.
While the Compensation Committee will always seek to maximize the deductibility of compensation paid to the Company’s
executive officers, the Committee provides total compensation to the executive officers in line with competitive practice, the
Company’s compensation philosophy, and the interests of stockholders. Therefore, the Company presently pays some
compensation to its executive officers that may not be deductible under Section 162(m) and it is anticipated that the Company
will continue to do so.
ACCOUNTING CONSIDERATIONS
We follow Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“ASC Topic 718”) for our
stock-based compensation awards. ASC Topic 718 requires companies to measure the compensation expense for all share-
based payment awards made to employees and directors, including restricted stock awards and performance-based awards,
based on the grant date fair value of these awards. Depending upon the type of performance conditions applicable to
performance-based awards, ASC Topic 718 may require the recording of compensation expense over the service period for the
award (usually, the vesting period) based on the grant date value (such as for our MSUs) or compensation expense may be
recorded based on the expected probability of vesting over the vesting period, subject to adjustment as such probability may
vary from period to period (such as for our DPUs). This calculation is performed for accounting purposes and amounts reported
in the compensation tables below are based on the compensation expense expected to be recorded over the vesting periods for
the awards, determined as of the grant date for the awards. In the case of our MSUs, the grant date values fix the compensation
expense to be recorded over the vesting period. These amounts are reported in the tables below even though our executive
officers may realize more or less value from their MSU awards depending upon the actual level of achievement of the
applicable performance measure. In the case of our DPUs, no value is included in the Summary Compensation Table or in the
table under the heading, Grants of Plan-Based Awards – Fiscal Year 2020, because ASC Topic 718 requires that we assess the
probability of vesting of the DPUs as of the grant date. As of the grant date, we did not consider it probable that the DPUs
would become vested even though it was possible that our executive officers would receive Vested DPUs as of the end of the
fiscal year
34
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of WD-40 Company’s Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed with management of the
Company the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this Proxy Statement and the Company’s annual report on
Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020, and, based upon that review and discussion, recommended to the board that it
be so included.
Compensation Committee
Gregory A. Sandfort (Chair)
Melissa Claassen
David B. Pendarvis
Anne G. Saunders
Neal E. Schmale
35
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
None of our executive officers has an employment agreement or other arrangement, whether written or unwritten, providing for
a term of employment or compensation for services rendered other than under specific plans or programs described herein.
For fiscal year 2020, our executive officers received compensation benefits for services rendered in fiscal year 2020 as more
fully described and reported in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement and in the
compensation tables below. As a relative share of reported total compensation for fiscal year 2020, annual salary, bonus (the
supplemental cash award described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section), and earned Incentive Compensation
was 35% of total compensation for our CEO and from 43% to 51% of total compensation for the other NEOs.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table shows information for the three fiscal years ended August 31, 2020, August 31, 2019, and August 31, 2018,
concerning the compensation of our CEO, our CFO and the three most highly compensated executive officers other than the
CEO and CFO as of the end of fiscal year 2020 (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”):
Name and Principal Position
Garry O. Ridge
Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board
Year
2020
2019
2018
Salary
Bonus
Stock Awards1
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation2
All Other
Compensation3
Total
$ 675,240 $ 196,718 $ 1,775,853 $ 140,647 $ 119,403 $ 2,907,861
3,079,841
2,429,992
1,405,209
975,657
115,347
107,384
897,285
698,111
662,000
648,840
-
-
Jay W. Rembolt
Vice President, Finance,
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Steven A. Brass
President and Chief Operating Officer
Richard T. Clampitt
Vice President, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary
2020 $ 327,011 $ 47,634 $ 332,844 $ 34,037 $ 101,178 $ 842,704
2019
933,816
2018
779,843
217,275
198,874
297,297
175,592
320,599
314,313
98,645
91,064
-
-
2020 $ 446,422 $ 103,727 $ 721,505 $ 74,161 $ 96,810 $ 1,442,625
2019
769,884
2018
785,136
95,272
197,365
216,024
190,114
365,937
312,476
92,651
85,181
-
-
2020 $ 286,716 $ 37,588 $ 255,111 $ 26,874 $ 86,638 $ 692,927
2019
678,395
2018
636,601
152,401
139,060
161,842
146,327
281,094
275,582
83,058
75,632
-
-
Patricia Q. Olsem4
Division President, Americas
2020
2019
$ 300,375 $ - $ 288,602 $ 104,419 $ 96,630 $ 790,026
87,825 $ 462,251
105,589
249,533
19,304
-
1
Stock Awards other than DPUs for fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018 are reported at their grant date fair values. Grant date fair value
assumptions and related information is set forth in Note 15, Stock-based Compensation, to the Company’s financial statements included
in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on October 21, 2020. Stock Awards consisting of MSUs awarded in fiscal years 2020,
2019, and 2018 are included based on the value of 100% of the target number of shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued
upon achievement of the applicable performance measure. Stock Awards consisting of DPUs awarded in fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018
are reported as having no value under applicable disclosure rules and ASC Topic 718 due to the lack of any expected probability of vesting
of the DPUs as of the grant date, as discussed above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section under the heading, Accounting
Considerations. For achievement of the highest level of the applicable performance measure for the MSUs, the NEOs, other than Ms.
Olsem for awards granted in fiscal year 2019, will receive 200% of the target number of shares. For achievement of the highest level of
the applicable performance measure for the MSUs awarded to Ms. Olsem in fiscal year 2019, she will receive 150% of the target number
of shares. For achievement of the highest level of the applicable performance measure for the DPUs, NEOs would receive Vested DPUs
covering the maximum number of shares reported for purposes of the table under the heading, Grants of Plan-Based Awards – Fiscal
Year 2020 and as described above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section under the heading, Equity Compensation.
36
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE (footnote 1 continued)
The following table sets forth the amounts that would have been included for the Stock Awards for fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018 for
each of the NEOs if the grant date fair values for the MSUs had been based on the maximum number of shares to be received and if the
value of the DPUs were included at their grant date fair values based on the maximum number of shares covered by the DPUs:
Executive Officer
Garry O. Ridge
Jay W. Rembolt
Steven A. Brass
Richard T. Clampitt
Patricia Q. Olsem
Year
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
RSUs
MSUs
(Maximum)
DPUs
(Maximum)
Total Stock
Awards
$
776,364
$
1,998,979
$
652,585
$
$
$
$
630,133
480,424
145,512 $
133,316
86,463
315,426 $
96,871
93,614
111,529 $
72,574
72,053
1,550,151
990,467
$
374,663
327,961
178,257
639,395
535,878
157,913 $
154,757
151,369
238,306
193,000
153,955
142,739
287,164
$
124,678
$
178,535
148,548
108,570
96,487
$
126,170
$
324,863
$
131,472
$
52,853
79,182
53,724
3,427,928
2,819,679
2,006,769
678,088
616,034
416,089
489,132
429,353
523,371
359,679
317,088
582,505
185,759
812,158
$
317,112
$
1,444,696
2 Amounts reported as Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation represent Incentive Compensation payouts under the Company’s
Performance Incentive Program as described in the narrative preceding the Summary Compensation Table and in the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement. Threshold, target and maximum payouts for each of the NEOs for fiscal year
2020 are set forth below in the table under the heading, Grants of Plan-Based Awards - Fiscal Year 2020.
3 All Other Compensation for each of the NEOs includes the following items: (i) employer profit sharing and matching contributions to the
Company’s 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan for each of the NEOs (“Retirement Benefits”); (ii) dividend equivalent amounts paid to Mr. Ridge
with respect to RSUs held by him that are vested and that will not be settled in shares until termination of employment and dividend
equivalent amounts paid to each of the NEOs with respect to Vested DPUs that will not be settled in shares until termination of employment
(“Dividend Equivalents”); (iii) the value of supplemental life insurance benefits received by Messrs. Ridge and Rembolt described below
under the heading, Supplemental Death Benefit Plans and Supplemental Insurance Benefits (“Death Benefits”);(iv) perquisites and
benefits received by each of the NEOs include group life, medical, dental, vision, wellness and other insurance benefits (“Welfare
Benefits”); and (v) vehicle allowance costs which include lease or depreciation expense, fuel, maintenance and insurance costs for each
of the NEOs “Vehicle Allowance”).
The following table sets forth the separate amounts included in All Other Compensation for fiscal year 2020 for each of the NEOs:
Executive Officer
Garry O. Ridge
Jay W. Rembolt
Steven A. Brass
Retirement
Benefits
Dividend
Equivalents
Death Benefits
Welfare
Benefits
Vehicle
Allowance
Total All Other
Compensation
$ 47,223 $ 17,950 $ 6,131 $ 34,933 $ 13,166 $ 119,403
$ 47,223 $ 812
$ 6,115
$ 33,202
$ 13,826
$ 101,178
$ 47,223
$ 283
$ -
$ 31,730
$ 17,574
$ 96,810
Richard T. Clampitt
$ 47,223
$ 469
$ -
$ 20,600
$ 18,346
$ 86,638
Patricia Q. Olsem
$ 47,223 $ 233
$ -
$ 32,577
$ 16,597
$ 96,630
4 No compensation information is provided for Ms. Olsem for fiscal year 2018 because she was first designated as an executive officer in
fiscal year 2019.
37
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS - FISCAL YEAR 2020
In December 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved the WD-40 Company 2016 Stock Incentive Plan to authorize the
issuance of stock-based compensation awards to employees, directors and consultants. In addition to base salary and the
Performance Incentive Compensation, for fiscal year 2020 the executive officers were granted RSU, MSU and DPU awards
under the Company’s 2016 Stock Incentive Plan. Descriptions of the RSU, MSU and DPU awards are provided above in the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis section under the heading, Equity Compensation.
Information concerning the grant of RSU, MSU and DPU awards to the NEOs is provided in the following Grants of Plan-Based
Awards table. The table also contains information with respect to Performance Incentive Program opportunity awards for fiscal
year 2020 as described above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section under the heading, Performance Incentive
Program. The table provides threshold, target and maximum payout information relating to the Company’s fiscal year 2020
Performance Incentive Program.
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards1
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards2
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
$ 1 $ 675,240 $ 1,350,480
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units3
(#)
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and
Options
Awards4
($)
Name
Garry O. Ridge
Grant Date
10/7/2019
10/7/2019 (MSU)
10/7/2019 (RSU)
10/7/2019 (DPU)
Jay W. Rembolt
10/7/2019
$ 1 $ 163,506 $ 327,011
10/7/2019 (MSU)
10/7/2019 (RSU)
10/7/2019 (DPU)
Steven A. Brass
10/7/2019
$ 1 $ 287,478 $ 574,955
10/7/2019 (MSU)
10/7/2019 (RSU)
10/7/2019 (DPU)
Richard T. Clampitt
10/7/2019
$ 1 $ 129,022 $ 258,044
10/7/2019 (MSU)
10/7/2019 (RSU)
10/7/2019 (DPU)
Patricia Q. Olsem
10/7/2019
$ 1 $ 120,068 $ 240,136
10/7/2019 (MSU)
10/7/2019 (RSU)
10/7/2019 (DPU)
2,147
4,295
8,590
$ 999,489
177
3,554
$ -
4,295
$ 776,364
402
805
1,610
$ 187,332
43
860
$ -
805
$ 145,512
872
1,745
3,490
$ 406,079
86
1,727
$ -
1,745
$ 315,426
308
617
1,234
$ 143,582
33
679
$ -
617
$ 111,529
349
698
1,396
$ 162,432
35
716
$ -
698
$ 126,170
1
2
The Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards represent Threshold, Target and Maximum payouts under the
WD-40 Company Performance Incentive Compensation Plan for Incentive Compensation payable for fiscal year 2020 performance. The
Target amount represents fifty percent of the Maximum payout for each NEO. The Maximum amount represents the Incentive
Compensation opportunity for each NEO that assumes full achievement of the performance measures for Level A of the Performance
Incentive Program (as more fully discussed above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section under the heading, Performance
Incentive Program) and attainment by the Company of a level of Global EBITDA sufficient to maximize such payouts under Level C of
the Performance Incentive Program.
The Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards represent the Threshold, Target and Maximum number of shares to
be issued upon performance vesting of MSU and DPU awards as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section under
the heading, Equity Compensation. There is no applicable Target number of shares for DPU awards to be earned by the NEOs.
3 All Other Stock Awards represent RSUs described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section under the heading, Equity
Compensation.
4
Information relating to the amounts disclosed as the Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards is included in footnote 1 to the Summary
Compensation Table above.
38
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2020 FISCAL YEAR END
The following table provides detailed information concerning the RSU and MSU awards that were not vested as of the end of
the last fiscal year for each of the NEOs:
Stock Awards
Number of Shares or
Units of Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)1
Market Value of Shares
or Units of Stock That
Have Not Vested
($)2
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards: Number of
Unearned Shares, Units or
Other Rights That Have Not
Vested
(#)3
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards: Market or
Payout Value of
Unearned Shares, Units
or Other Rights That
Have Not Vested
($)4
8,394
1,624
2,434
1,138
1,031
$ 1,715,566
$ 331,913
$ 497,461
$ 232,584
$ 210,716
25,446
4,896
6,446
3,484
2,416
$ 5,200,653
$ 1,000,644
$ 1,317,433
$ 712,060
$ 493,782
Name
Garry O. Ridge
Jay W. Rembolt
Steven A. Brass
Richard T. Clampitt
Patricia Q. Olsem
1 Represents RSU awards to the NEOs that were not vested as of the fiscal year end.
2
The Market Value of the RSU awards that were not vested as of the fiscal year end was $204.38 per unit, determined by reference to the
closing price for the Company’s common stock as of August 31, 2020.
3 Represents the maximum number of shares to be issued with respect to MSU awards granted to the NEOs that were not vested as of the
fiscal year end. The maximum number of shares to be issued with respect to MSU awards equals the number of shares to be issued with
respect to the MSU awards upon achievement of the highest level of achievement for such MSU awards as described above in the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis section under the heading, Equity Compensation.
4
The Market Value of the maximum number of shares to be issued with respect to unvested MSU awards at fiscal year end was $204.38
per share, determined by reference to the closing price for the Company’s common stock as of August 31, 2020.
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED - FISCAL YEAR 2020
No shares of the Company’s common stock were acquired on exercise of stock options in the Company’s last fiscal year for the
NEOs. The following table sets forth the number of shares of the Company’s common stock acquired upon the vesting of RSU
and MSU awards in the Company’s last fiscal year and the aggregate dollar value realized with respect to such vested RSU and
MSU awards.
Executive Officer
Garry O. Ridge
Jay W. Rembolt
Steven A. Brass
Richard T. Clampitt
Patricia Q. Olsem
Stock Awards
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting1
(#)
Value Realized
on Vesting2
($)
12,723
2,374
1,928
1,940
647
$ 2,313,678
$ 431,712
$ 350,607
$ 352,789
$ 117,657
1
2
The Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting for each NEO includes shares of the Company’s common stock issued upon vesting of RSU
and MSU awards on October 22, 2019.
The Value Realized on Vesting for shares of the Company’s common stock issued on October 22, 2019 is calculated based on the number
of vested RSU and MSU awards multiplied by the closing price of $181.85 for the Company’s common stock as of that date.
39
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION – FISCAL YEAR 2020
The following table provides information concerning compensation received by the NEOs that is subject to deferral under
applicable RSU and DPU award agreements:
Executive Officer
Garry O. Ridge
Jay W. Rembolt
Steven A. Brass
Richard T. Clampitt
Patricia Q. Olsem
Aggregate
Earnings
in Last FY1
($)
$ 151,270
$ 6,845
$ 2,385
$ 3,952
$ 1,965
Aggregate
Balance
at Last FYE2
($)
$ 1,400,207
$ 63,358
$ 22,073
$ 36,584
$ 18,190
1
2
The Aggregate Earnings in Last FY represents the increase in value from August 31, 2019 to August 31, 2020 of the shares underlying
deferred settlement RSUs and Vested DPUs held by each NEO that will be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock following
termination of employment as disclosed in footnotes to the table under the heading, Security Ownership of Directors and Executive
Officers. The number of such deferred settlement RSUs and Vested DPUs for each NEO was multiplied by the difference in the closing
price of the Company’s common stock on August 31, 2020 of $204.38 and on August 31, 2019 of $182.30, an increase in value of $22.08
per share. Amounts included as the Aggregate Earnings in Last FY are not otherwise included as compensation in the Summary
Compensation Table for fiscal year 2020.
The Aggregate Balance at Last FYE represents the value as of August 31, 2020 of the deferred settlement RSUs and Vested DPUs held
by each NEO as noted in the footnote above. The value for each deferred settlement RSU and each Vested DPU is based on the closing
price of the Company’s common stock as of August 31, 2020 in the amount of $204.38 per share. The underlying deferred settlement
RSUs and Vested DPUs were included in prior disclosures for the NEOs to the extent that the NEOs were included in Summary
Compensation Table disclosures for the years in which such awards were first granted to the NEOs.
SUPPLEMENTAL DEATH BENEFIT PLANS AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE BENEFITS
The Company maintains Supplemental Death Benefit Plans for Messrs. Ridge and Rembolt. Under the death benefit plan
agreements, the NEO’s designated beneficiary or estate, as applicable, will receive a death benefit equal to the NEO’s then
current base salary in the event of his death prior to retirement from the Company. Each of the NEOs is also eligible to receive
life insurance benefits offered to all employees of the Company.
The death benefits under the Supplemental Death Benefit Plans are not formally funded but the Company has purchased key man
life insurance policies owned by the Company to cover its benefit obligations. Non-employee directors do not have death benefit
plan agreements.
Based upon their fiscal year 2020 base salaries, the supplemental death benefit to be provided to Messrs. Ridge and Rembolt as
of the end of fiscal year 2020 would have been as set forth in the following table:
Executive Officer
Garry O. Ridge
Jay W. Rembolt
Death Benefit
$ 675,240
$ 327,011
CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
Each executive officer serves at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Company has entered into Change of Control
Severance Agreements (“Severance Agreements”) with each of the NEOs. The Severance Agreements provide that each
executive officer will receive certain severance benefits if his or her employment is terminated without “Cause” or if he or she
resigns for “Good Reason”, as those terms are defined in the Severance Agreements, within two years after a “Change of Control”
as defined in the Severance Agreements and summarized below. If the executive officer’s employment is terminated during the
aforementioned two-year period by the Company without “Cause” or by the executive officer for “Good Reason”, the executive
officer will be entitled to a lump sum payment (subject to limits provided by reference to Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code which limits the deductibility of certain payments to executives upon a change in control) of twice the executive officer’s
40
salary, calculated based on the greater of the executive officer’s then current annual salary or a five-year average, plus twice the
executive officer’s earned Incentive Compensation, calculated based on the greater of the most recent annual earned Incentive
Compensation or a five-year average. Further, any of the executive officer’s outstanding equity incentive awards that are not
then fully vested (with the exception of DPU awards), will be accelerated and vested in full following such termination of
employment within such two-year period and the executive officer will be entitled to continuation of health and welfare benefits
under the Company’s then existing benefit plans or equivalent benefits for a period of up to two years from the date of termination
of employment. No employment rights or benefits other than the change of control severance benefits described in this paragraph
are provided by the Severance Agreements.
For purposes of the Severance Agreements and subject to the express provisions and limitations contained therein, a “Change of
Control” means a transaction or series of transactions by which a person or persons acting together acquire more than 30% of the
Company’s outstanding shares; a change in a majority of the incumbent members of the Company’s Board of Directors as
specified in the Severance Agreements, a reorganization, merger or consolidation as specified in the Severance Agreements or a
sale of substantially all of the assets or complete liquidation of the Company. As specified more particularly in the Severance
Agreements, a “Change of Control” does not include a reorganization, merger or consolidation or a sale or liquidation where a
majority of the incumbent members of the Company’s Board of Directors continue in office and more than 60% of the successor
company’s shares are owned by the Company’s pre-transaction stockholders.
The Severance Agreements have a term of two years, subject to automatic renewal for successive two-year periods unless notice
of non-renewal is provided by the Company’s Board of Directors not less than six months prior to the end of the current term.
The term of the Severance Agreements will be automatically extended for a term of two years following any “Change of Control.”
The following table sets forth the estimated amounts payable to each of the NEOs pursuant to their respective Severance
Agreements on the assumption that the employment of each NEO was terminated without “Cause” or otherwise for “Good
Reason” effective as of the end of fiscal year 2020 following a “Change of Control” as provided for in the Severance Agreements.
The table also includes the value, as of the end of the fiscal year, of all RSU and MSU awards that were not vested as of the end
of fiscal year 2020.
Executive Officer
Garry O. Ridge
Jay W. Rembolt
Steven A. Brass
Richard T. Clampitt
Patricia Q. Olsem
Severance Pay1
Welfare Benefits2
Accelerated Vesting of
RSUs and MSUs3
Total Change of
Control Severance
Benefits
$ 3,145,050 $ 63,145 $ 4,315,893 $ 7,524,088
$ 1,088,572 $ 62,745 $ 832,235 $ 1,983,552
$ 1,083,388 $ 58,745 $ 1,156,178 $ 2,298,311
$ 878,234 $ 37,919 $ 588,614 $ 1,504,767
$ 698,395 $ 61,745 $ 492,352 $ 1,252,492
1
2
For each NEO other than Ms. Olsem, Severance Pay includes two times the reported Salary for fiscal year 2020 plus two times the reported
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation for fiscal year 2019. For Ms. Olsem, Severance Pay includes two times the reported Salary for
fiscal year 2019 plus two times the average of reported Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation for the five years ended August 31,
2019.
For each NEO, Welfare Benefits includes an estimate of the Company’s cost to provide two years of continuation coverage under the
Company’s welfare benefit plans, which does not include life insurance or long-term disability insurance.
3 Acceleration of vesting of RSU and MSU awards is governed by applicable provisions of the Severance Agreements and the MSU Award
Agreements. The value included for accelerated vesting of RSU and MSU awards equals the value of the RSU and MSU awards that were
not vested at $204.38 for each RSU and MSU based on the closing price for the Company’s common stock as of August 31, 2020. MSUs
are valued for this purpose based upon the Target Number of shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued with respect to the
MSUs as described above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section under the heading, Equity Compensation.
41
CEO PAY RATIO
As required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the SEC pay ratio disclosure rule, we are
providing the ratio of the total annual compensation of our CEO, Mr. Ridge, to that of the Company’s “median employee” for
fiscal year 2020. For fiscal year 2020, the pay ratio of the CEO’s compensation to the median employee’s compensation was
approximately 29 to 1.
As authorized by applicable CEO pay ratio disclosures, we identified the Company’s median employee from all employees of
the Company (excluding the CEO) as of August 31, 2018. During the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2020 there were no
changes in the Company’s employee population or compensation practices that could reasonably result in a significant change
in the reported pay ratio disclosure. In identifying the Company’s median employee as of August 31, 2018, we included all
worldwide employees, including full-time, part-time and temporary employees. As of August 31, 2018, the Company employed
491 individuals located in 15 countries. As of August 31, 2020, the Company employed 522 individuals located in 15 countries.
For purposes of identifying the Company’s median employee as of August 31, 2018, we calculated total compensation for fiscal
year 2018 for each employee other than the CEO by including salary or regular hourly wages paid in the fiscal year, Incentive
Compensation paid during the fiscal year under the Company’s Performance Incentive Program, and the grant date value of
equity awards (RSUs and MSUs) granted to employees in the fiscal year. Compensation paid to employees who were hired after
the beginning of the fiscal year or who terminated prior to the end of the fiscal year was not annualized. For employees who
received compensation denominated in a foreign currency, such amounts were converted to U.S. dollars at average annual
exchange rates as of August 31, 2018.
To determine the CEO pay ratio, the total annual compensation for the median employee was calculated for fiscal year 2020 by
including all elements of compensation required to be included in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal year 2020 in the
same manner as such compensation was calculated for the CEO. The Company’s median employee is located in the United
States.
For fiscal year 2020, the total annual compensation of our CEO was $2,907,861 and the total annual compensation of our median
employee was $99,580. Accordingly, the ratio of the total annual compensation of our CEO to that of our median employee was
approximately 29 to 1.
42
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
In accordance with its Charter, the Audit Committee provides assistance to the Company’s Board of Directors in fulfilling its
oversight responsibilities relating to the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing, and reporting practices of the Company,
including assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. Each member of the Audit Committee
meets the independence criteria prescribed by applicable regulations and rules of the SEC for audit committee membership and
is an “independent director” within the meaning of applicable NASDAQ listing standards.
Management is responsible for preparing the Company’s financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and for establishing and maintaining internal control over financial reporting.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (“auditor”) is responsible for performing an integrated audit of
the Company’s financial statements and internal control over financial reporting and expressing opinions as to whether the
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and as to management’s assessment of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee reviewed the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020. The Audit
Committee discussed and reviewed with management the audited financial statements and management’s assessment of the
effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting. The Audit Committee discussed and reviewed with the Company’s
auditor the audited financial statements and the auditor’s attestation report regarding effectiveness of management’s internal
controls over financial reporting. The Audit Committee also discussed with the auditor those matters required to be discussed by
PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, which provides that certain matters related to
the conduct of the financial statement audit are to be communicated to the Audit Committee. In fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities, the Audit Committee met separately with management and separately with the Company’s auditor to discuss
results of audit examinations and evaluations of internal controls.
The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, retention, compensation, and oversight of the Company’s auditor. In
this regard, the Audit Committee discussed with the auditor their independence from management and the Company, including
matters in written documents and a letter received from the auditor as required by PCAOB Rule 3526, Communication with
Audit Committees Concerning Independence. In evaluating the auditor’s independence, the Audit Committee also considered
whether the auditor’s provision of any non-audit services impaired or compromised the firm’s independence.
The Audit Committee considered several factors in selecting PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s auditor, including
the firm’s independence and internal quality controls, the overall depth of talent, and their familiarity with the Company’s
businesses and internal controls over financial reporting. Further, in conjunction with the mandated rotation of auditing firm’s
coordinating partner, the Audit Committee and its chair oversee and are directly involved in the selection process for any change
in coordinating partners.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s
audited financial statements be included in its annual report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, and that
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
August 31, 2021.
Audit Committee
Daniel T. Carter, Chair
Trevor I. Mihalik
Graciela I. Monteagudo
Daniel E. Pittard
Anne G. Saunders
Neal E. Schmale
43
ITEM NO. 3
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public
accounting firm for the Company to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company for fiscal year 2021. Although
ratification by stockholders is not required by law, the Audit Committee has determined that it is desirable to request ratification
of this selection by the stockholders. Notwithstanding its selection, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may appoint a new
independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee believes that such a change
would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Audit Committee may reconsider its selection.
A majority of the votes of the common stock present or represented at the meeting is required for approval. Broker non-votes
will be voted in favor of approval. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP acted as the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm during the past fiscal year and, unless the Audit Committee appoints new independent accountants,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will continue to act in such capacity during the current fiscal year. It is anticipated that a
representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, will have an opportunity to make
a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit products and services provided by the
independent registered public accounting firm. These products and services may include audit services, audit-related services,
tax services, software and other products or services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval
is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The independent
accountants and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided
by the independent public accountants in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date. The
Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. The possible effect on the independence of
the public accountants is considered by the Audit Committee. There is no direct or indirect understanding or agreement that
places a limit on current or future years’ audit fees or permissible non-audit products and services.
AUDIT FEES
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has provided audit services to the Company for each of the past two fiscal years. Audit fees consist
of fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s consolidated annual financial statements, the review of
the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports and services that are normally provided by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. The aggregate fees billed to
the Company by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for audit services performed for the Company for the past two fiscal years were
$1,307,705 for the year ended August 31, 2020, and $1,301,862 for the year ended August 31, 2019.
AUDIT-RELATED FEES
Audit-related services consist of assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or
review of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” Audit-related services billed
to the Company by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were $64,820 for the year ended August 31, 2019. No such fees were billed to
the Company by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the year ended August 31, 2020. The fees for fiscal year 2019 were related to
discussions, review and testing of certain information related to the adoption of Accounting Standard Update No. 2016-02,
“Leases”, which the Company adopted in fiscal year 2020.
TAX FEES
Tax fees consist of tax compliance, tax advice, tax consulting or tax planning services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
to the Company. Tax fees billed to the Company by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were $202,200 for the year ended August 31,
2020 and $45,000 for the year ended August 31, 2019. The fees for fiscal year 2020 were associated with both tax compliance
and tax consulting services. Such fees for fiscal year 2019 were associated with tax consulting services.
ALL OTHER FEES
Other fees for services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 consisted of fees for access
provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to its online research reference and disclosure checklist materials. Other fees for fiscal
year 2019 also included fees associated with process evaluation advisory services. The aggregate fees billed to the Company by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for other services performed for the Company were $2,700 for the year ended August 31, 2020,
and $47,766 for the year ended August 31, 2019.
44
ITEM NO. 4
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL TO ADOPT A POLICY TO INCLUDE
NON-MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES AS PROSPECTIVE DIRECTOR CANDIDATES
James McRitchie, 9295 Yorkship Court, Elk Grove, CA 95758, owner of at least 30 shares of the Company’s common
stock, has given notice that he intends to submit the following proposal at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In
accordance with SEC rules, the following is the complete text of the pro posal exactly as submitted.
Proposal 4 - Increase Diversity of Director Nominees
Resolved: Shareholders of WD-40 Company urge the board to adopt a policy (the “Policy”) of promoting
significant representation of employee perspectives among corporate decision makers by requiring the initial list
of candidates from which new director nominees are chosen (the “Initial List”) by the Governance Committee
include (but need not be limited to) non-management employees. The Policy should provide that any third-party
consultant asked to furnish an Initial List will be requested to include such candidates.
Whereas: There is growing consensus, the presence of employees on corporate boards can contribute to long-term
corporate sustainability. Policymakers note, the status quo of having companies run exclusively for the benefit of
shareholders contributes to “stagnant wages, runaway executive compensation and underinvestment in research and
innovation.”1 Meanwhile, the Business Roundtable is repurposing corporations to align with stakeholders’ interests,
generating shared prosperity for business and society, including investing in employees.2
Research suggests that employee representation grows the long-term value of a company in several ways. According to
the National Bureau of Economic Research, giving workers formal control rights increases female board representation
and raises capital formation.3 In Germany, the “co-determination” model of shared governance has been lauded as an
excellent check and balance against short-termist capital allocation practices.4
The 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code calls on boards to establish a method for gathering the views of the workforce
such as a director appointed from the workforce, a formal workforce advisory panel or designating a director to liaise
with workers.5
Senators Baldwin and Warren have introduced legislation that codifies employee representation on corporate boards,
noting that modern corporate governance needs to be accountable to and inclusive of a wider array of interests, notably
employees.6 Additionally, polling demonstrates bipartisan public support (over 53%) for employee representation.7
Anticipated benefits include reduced turnover as employees are more impowered to make firm-specific investments,
better informed decision-making because employees have specialized knowledge, better monitoring of management
with increased information channels, and reduced shareholder myopia, since employees often take a longer-term view.8
While the current WD-40 Company board satisfies board independence requirements, it is lacking in representation from
non-management employees who understand daily operations thoroughly. Their diversity also better reflects the racial,
gender, and economic diversity of the company’s consumer base.
The Policy we propose resembles the Rooney Rule in the National Football League (NFL), which requires teams to
interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior operations openings. By adopting the Rooney Rule, the
NFL was able to increase diversity and set a precedent for other industries. Policies somewhat similar to the one
advanced by this Proposal have been adopted by Activision Blizzard, Inc., Dover Corporation, Expedia Group,
Fastenal Company, Genuine Parts Company, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Lamb Weston Holdings, L Brands,
MarketAxess Holdings, Nektar Therapeutics, Robert Half International, Ross Stores, UDR, and VeriSign.
Increase Long-Term Shareholder Value
Vote to Increase Diversity of Director Nominees – Proposal 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/06/opinion/warren-workers-boards.html
https://opportunity.businessroundtable.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/BRT-Statement-on-the-Purpose-of-a-Corporation-with-
Signatures.pdf
http://economics.mit.edu/files/17273
https://rooseveltinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Corp-Gov_FINAL.pdf
https://assets.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/uk/pdf/2018/07/designated-NED.pdf
https://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-shouldnt-be-accountable-onIy-to-shareholders-1534287687
https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2018/12/14/employee-governance
https://www.corpgov.net/2020/04/kokkinis-and-sergakis-employee-participation-in-uk-companies/
45
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM NO. 4
The Board has carefully considered this shareholder proposal and concluded that its adoption would not be in the best interests
of the Company or its stockholders.
The Board believes that the Corporate Governance Committee’s existing director selection process identifies the best and most
qualified director nominees. The Corporate Governance Committee reviews the applicable skills and characteristics required of
director nominees, with the objective of balancing the composition of the Board of Directors to achieve a combination of
individuals of different backgrounds and experiences directly relevant to the strategies and objectives of the Company. Director
candidates are expected to share WD-40 Company values and to have demonstrated an ability to promote and sustain a strong
corporate culture, while effectively guiding a complex, global company. The Board endeavors to assure that the mix of skills and
experiences among existing directors is appropriate for the evolving business of the Company. A list of specific skills presently
included among the areas of expertise and experience that the Committee believes will best serve the Company is set forth above
in this Proxy Statement under the heading, Corporate Governance Committee Nomination Policies and Procedures. The
Corporate Governance Committee also considers the candidate’s independence, reputation, integrity, range of experience and
background, the demands of other professional commitments, the ability to exercise sound judgment, and other relevant factors.
Candidates are screened to ensure that each has qualifications that complement the competencies of the Board. Finally, candidates
are selected for their demonstrated ability to understand the broad range of functions in a complex public company setting, how
to perform the role of director, and their capabilities to guide an organization through an evolving future. Through this director
selection process, the Corporate Governance Committee and Board are able select nominees with the skills and qualifications
that best serve the Company.
In addition, candidates for director typically have been suggested by the Company’s directors or employees. Stockholders also
can recommend prospective director candidates, including Company employees, for the Corporate Governance Committee’s
consideration. The Corporate Governance Committee considers recommendations by stockholders in the same manner as
nominees recommended by directors, members of management or other persons.
Further, the Board is committed to continually receiving input from employees regarding workforce concerns and to responding
to that input. As part of the Board’s oversight of human resource activities and business operations generally, directors attend
events where employees are invited to interact personally with the Board, both at our periodic Global Tribal Learning
Conferences and at ad hoc events specific to key elements of our engagement and inclusion efforts. We are clear to note in our
regular investor communications that employee engagement is a cornerstone of our success. The Company surveys employees
through a confidential biennial employee engagement survey. The results of the survey are shared with the Board to ensure that
directors are aware of workforce concerns. This is an ongoing process that includes the highest levels of the Company, so that
the Board and management are aware of workforce concerns and can act on those concerns.
The Board believes that the results of its employee engagement surveys show the Company’s commitment to a corporate culture
in which employee feedback is valued and acted upon. Overall, our engagement survey results for over ten years has yielded an
engagement level of 93%. Here is a sample of some of the responses from the most recent biennial survey:
•
•
•
•
94% of employees stated that they are excited about the Company’s future direction;
89% of employees agreed that the Company recognizes employees for their innovative ideas;
97% of employees strongly agreed that their opinions and values are a good fit with Company culture; and
91% of employees concurred that they have the freedom to decide how to accomplish their goals.
Given the Corporate Governance Committee’s existing director selection process and the Board’s extensive engagement with
management on sustaining corporate culture and in addressing workforce concerns, the Board believes that adoption of the policy
requested by the proposal is unnecessary and not in the best interests of our stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “AGAINST”
THIS PROPOSAL.
46
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholder proposals must be received by the Company no sooner than June 1, 2021 and not later than July 1, 2021 to be
included in the Proxy Statement and form of proxy for the next annual meeting. Any proposal submitted outside of these dates
will be considered untimely in order to be considered at the Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in accordance
with the Company’s Bylaws.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Richard T. Clampitt
Corporate Secretary
Dated: October 29, 2020
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. THEREFORE, STOCKHOLDERS ARE
URGED TO FILL IN, SIGN AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING FORM OR FORMS OF PROXY IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
47
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
For the transition period from to .
Commission File Number: 000-06936
Commission Company Name: WD 40 CO
WD-40 COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
9715 Businesspark Avenue, San Diego, California
(Address of principal executive offices)
95-1797918
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
92131
(Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (619) 275-1400
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share
Trading Symbol
WDFC
Name of exchange on which registered
NASDAQ
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of each class
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes No
Indicate by check mark if 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 for 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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the registrant was required to submit such files). 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, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated
filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange
Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes No
The aggregate market value (closing price) of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of February 29, 2020
was approximately $2,311,876,866.
As of October 16, 2020, there were 13,664,838 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
The Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of stockholders on December 8, 2020 is incorporated by reference into Part III,
Items 10 through 14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
WD-40 COMPANY
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Page
Business
Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 8.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14.
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Item 15.
Item 16.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary
PART IV
1
5
14
14
15
15
16
17
17
33
34
34
34
35
35
35
36
36
36
37
39
Forward-Looking Statements
PART I
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than those that are purely historical are forward-looking statements
which reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance.
These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, discussions about future financial and operating results,
including: growth expectations for maintenance products; expected levels of promotional and advertising spending; anticipated
input costs for manufacturing and the costs associated with distribution of our products; plans for and success of product
innovation, the impact of new product introductions on the growth of sales; anticipated results from product line extension sales;
expected tax rates and the impact of tax legislation and regulatory action; the length and severity of the current COVID-19
pandemic and its impact on the global economy and the Company’s financial results; and forecasted foreign currency exchange
rates and commodity prices. These forward-looking statements are generally identified with words such as “believe,” “expect,”
“intend,” “plan,” “could,” “may,” “aim,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate” and similar expressions. The Company undertakes no
obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements.
Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements due to various factors,
including, but not limited to, those identified in Item 1A of this report. As used in this report, the terms “we,” “our,” “us” and
“the Company” refer to WD-40 Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless the context suggests otherwise. Amounts
and percentages in tables and discussions may not total due to rounding.
Item 1. Business
Overview
WD-40 Company is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling
products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world. The Company was founded in 1953 and is
headquartered in San Diego, California.
For more than four decades, the Company sold only one product, WD-40® Multi-Use Product, a maintenance product which acts
as a lubricant, rust preventative, penetrant and moisture displacer. Over the last two decades, the Company has evolved and
expanded its product offerings through both research and development activities and through the acquisition of several brands
worldwide. As a result, the Company has built a family of brands and product lines that deliver high quality performance at a
good value to its end users.
The Company currently markets and sells its products in more than 176 countries and territories worldwide primarily through
warehouse club stores, hardware stores, automotive parts outlets, industrial distributors and suppliers, mass retail and home center
stores, value retailers, grocery stores, online retailers, farm supply, sport retailers, and independent bike dealers.
The Company’s sales come from its two product groups – maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products.
Maintenance products are sold worldwide in markets throughout North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the
Middle East and Africa. Homecare and cleaning products are sold primarily in North America, the United Kingdom (“U.K.”)
and Australia.
The Company’s strategic initiatives and the areas where it will continue to focus its time, talent and resources in future periods
include: (i) maximizing WD-40 Multi-Use Product sales through geographic expansion, increased market penetration and the
development of new and unique delivery systems; (ii) leveraging the WD-40 brand by growing the WD-40 Specialist product
line; (iii) leveraging the strengths of the Company through broadened product and revenue base; (iv) attracting, developing and
retaining talented people; and (v) operating with excellence.
The principal driver of the Company’s growth continues to be taking the Company’s flagship product, WD-40 Multi-Use Product,
the blue and yellow can with the red top, to new users in global markets. The Company is focused on and committed to innovation
and renovation of its products. The Company sees innovation and renovation as important factors to the long-term growth of its
brands and product lines, and it intends to continue to work on future products, product lines, product packaging, product delivery
systems and promotional innovations and renovations. The Company is also focused on expanding its current brands in existing
markets with new product development. The Company’s product development teams support new product development and
current product improvement for the Company’s brands. Over the years, the Company’s research and development team has
made an innovation impact on most of the Company’s brands. Key innovations for the Company’s products include, but are not
1
limited to, WD-40 EZ-Reach® Flexible Straw, WD-40 Smart Straw®, WD-40 Trigger Pro®, WD-40 Specialist®, WD-40 BIKE®,
3-IN-ONE RVcare® and 3-IN-ONE® Professional Garage Door Lube.
The Company’s homecare and cleaning products, particularly those in the U.S., are considered harvest brands which continue to
provide positive returns to the Company but are becoming a smaller part of the business as sales of the maintenance products
grow with the execution of the Company’s strategic initiatives. Although the Company has evaluated strategic alternatives for
certain of its homecare and cleaning products, particularly those in the U.S., it has continued to sell products within these brands
but with a reduced level of marketing investment.
Products
Maintenance Products
Included in the Company’s maintenance products are both multi-purpose maintenance products and specialty maintenance
products. These maintenance products are sold worldwide and they provide end users with a variety of product and delivery
system options.
The Company’s signature product is the WD-40 Multi-Use Product in the blue and yellow can with the red top, which is included
within the maintenance product category and it accounts for a significant majority of the Company’s sales. The Company has
various products and product lines which it currently sells under the WD-40 brand and they are as follows:
WD-40 Multi-Use Product - The WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a market leader in many countries among multi-purpose
maintenance products and is sold as an aerosol spray with various unique delivery systems, a non-aerosol trigger spray and in
liquid-bulk form through mass retail stores, hardware stores, warehouse club stores, automotive parts outlets, online retailers and
industrial distributors and suppliers. The WD-40 Multi-Use Product is sold worldwide in North, Central and South America,
Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The WD-40 Multi-Use Product has a wide variety of consumer uses in, for
example, household, marine, automotive, construction, repair, sporting goods and gardening applications, in addition to
numerous industrial applications.
WD-40 Specialist product line – WD-40 Specialist consists of a line of professional-grade specialty maintenance products that
include penetrants, degreasers, corrosion inhibitors, greases, lubricants and rust removers that are aimed at professionals and
consumer enthusiasts. The WD-40 Specialist product line is sold primarily in the U.S. and many countries in Europe, as well as
parts of Canada, Latin America, Australia and Asia. Within the WD-40 Specialist product line, the Company also sells bike-
specific products across all of its segments, motorbike-specific products in Europe, lawn and garden specific products in
Australia, and automotive specific products in Asia.
The Company also has the following additional brands which are included within its maintenance products group:
3-IN-ONE® - The 3-IN-ONE brand consists of multi-purpose drip oil, specialty drip oils, and spray lubricant products, as well
as other specialty maintenance products. The multi-purpose drip oil is a lubricant with unique spout options that allow for precise
applications to small mechanisms and assemblies, tool maintenance and threads on screws and bolts. 3-IN-ONE Oil is the market
share leader among drip oils for household consumers. It also has wide industrial applications in such areas as locksmithing,
HVAC, marine, farming and construction. In addition to the drip oil line of products, the 3-IN-ONE brand also includes
professional-grade aerosol maintenance products, such as 3-IN-ONE RVcare products, 3-IN-ONE Garage Door Lubricant and
3-IN-ONE Lock Dry Lube. The long legacy, brand awareness and high quality of the 3-IN-ONE brand and its established
distribution network have enabled these products to gain international acceptance. 3-IN-ONE products are sold primarily in the
U.S., Europe, Canada, Latin America, Australia and Asia.
GT85® - The GT85 brand is a multi-purpose bike maintenance product that consists of professional spray maintenance products
and lubricants which are sold primarily in the bike market through the automotive and industrial channels in the U.K. This brand
was acquired by the Company’s U.K. subsidiary in September 2014 and it has helped build upon the Company’s strategy to
develop new product categories for WD-40 Specialist and WD-40 BIKE.
Homecare and Cleaning Products
The Company sells its homecare and cleaning products in certain locations worldwide and they include a portfolio of well-known
brands as follows:
2000 Flushes® - The 2000 Flushes brand is a line of long-lasting automatic toilet bowl cleaners which includes a variety of
formulas. 2000 Flushes is sold primarily in the U.S. and Canada through grocery and mass retail channels as well as through
online retailers.
2
Spot Shot® - The Spot Shot brand is sold as an aerosol and a liquid trigger carpet stain and odor eliminator. The brand also
includes environmentally friendly products such as Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain & Odor Eliminator and Spot Shot Pet Instant
Carpet Stain & Odor Eliminator, which are non-toxic and biodegradable. Spot Shot products are sold primarily through grocery
and mass retail channels, online retailers, warehouse club stores and hardware and home center stores in the U.S., Canada and
the United Kingdom. Spot Shot products are sold in the U.K. under the 1001® brand name.
Carpet Fresh® - The Carpet Fresh brand is a line of room and rug deodorizers sold as powder and aerosol quick-dry foam products.
These products are sold primarily through grocery, mass, and value retail channels as well as through online retailers in the U.K.
and Australia. Although Carpet Fresh brand products are also sold in the U.S., they are sold by a third-party under a licensing
agreement with the Company. In the U.K., these products are sold under the 1001 brand name. In Australia, they are sold under
the no vac® brand name.
1001® - The 1001 brand includes carpet and household cleaners and rug and room deodorizers which are sold primarily through
mass retail, grocery and home center stores in the U.K.
Lava®/Solvol® - The Lava and Solvol brands consist of heavy-duty hand cleaner products which are sold in bar soap and liquid
form through hardware, grocery, industrial, automotive and mass retail channels as well as through online retailers. Lava is sold
primarily in the U.S., while Solvol is sold exclusively in Australia.
X-14® - The X-14 brand is a line of quality products designed for unique cleaning needs. X-14 is sold as a liquid mildew stain
remover and as an automatic toilet bowl cleaner. X-14 is sold primarily in the U.S. through grocery and mass retail channels as
well as through online retailers.
Sales and Marketing
The Company’s sales do not reflect any significant degree of seasonality. However, it is common for the Company’s sales to
fluctuate from period to period or year to year due to various factors including, but not limited to, new or lost distribution, the
number of product offerings carried by a customer and the level of promotional activities and programs being run at customer
locations. New or lost distribution occurs when the Company gains or loses customers, when it gains or loses store count for a
customer or when its products are added to new locations within a store or removed from existing locations. From time to time,
as part of new product offering launches, the Company may gain access to entirely new distribution channels. The number of
product offerings refers to the number of brands and/or the number of products within each of those brands that the Company’s
customers offer for sale to end user customers. The level of promotional activities and programs relates to the number of events
or volumes of purchases by customers in support of off-shelf or promotional display activities. Changes in any one of these three
factors or a combination of them can cause the Company’s sales levels to increase or decrease from period to period. It is also
common and/or possible that the Company could lose distribution or product offerings and experience a decrease in promotional
activities and programs in one period and subsequently regain this business in a future period. The Company is accustomed to
such fluctuations and manages this as part of its normal business activities.
Manufacturing
The Company outsources directly or through its marketing distributors the manufacturing of its finished products to various third-
party contract manufacturers. The Company or its marketing distributors use contract manufacturers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico,
Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, the U.K., Italy, Australia, China, South Korea and India. Although the Company has definitive
minimum purchase obligations included in the contract terms with certain of its contract manufacturers, when such obligations
have been included, they have either been immaterial or the minimum amounts have been such that they are well below the
volume of goods that the Company has historically purchased. Supply needs are communicated by the Company to its contract
manufacturers, and the Company is committed to purchase the products manufactured based on orders and short-term projections,
ranging from two to five months, provided to the contract manufacturers. The Company also formulates and manufactures
concentrate used in its WD-40 products at its own facilities and at third-party contract manufacturers.
In addition to the commitments to purchase products from contract manufacturers described above, the Company may also enter
into commitments with other manufacturers from time to time to purchase finished goods and components to support innovation
and renovation initiatives and/or supply chain initiatives.
3
Sources and Availability of Components and Raw Materials
The Company and its third-party contract manufacturers rely on a limited number of suppliers, including single or sole suppliers,
for certain of its raw materials, packaging, product components and other necessary supplies. The primary components and raw
materials for the Company’s products include petroleum-based specialty chemicals and aerosol cans, which are manufactured
from commodities that are subject to volatile price changes. The availability of these components and raw materials is affected
by a variety of supply and demand factors, including global market trends, plant capacity decisions and natural disasters. The
Company expects these components and raw materials to continue to be readily available in the future, although the Company
will continue to be exposed to volatile price changes.
Research and Development
The Company recognizes the importance of innovation and renovation to its long-term success and is focused on and committed
to research and new product development activities, primarily in its maintenance product group. The Company’s product
development team engages in consumer research, product development, current product improvement and testing activities. The
product development team also leverages its development capabilities by partnering with a network of outside resources including
the Company’s current and prospective outsource suppliers. In addition, the research and development team engages in activities
and product development efforts which are necessary to ensure that the Company meets all regulatory requirements for the
formulation of its products.
Order Backlog
Order backlog is not a significant factor in the Company’s business.
Competition
The markets for the Company’s products, particularly those related to its homecare and cleaning products, are highly
competitive. The Company’s products compete both within their own product classes as well as within product distribution
channels, competing with many other products for store placement and shelf space. Competition in international markets varies
by country. The Company is aware of many competing products, some of which sell for lower prices or are produced and
marketed by companies with greater financial resources than those of the Company. The Company relies on the awareness of
its brands among consumers, the value offered by those brands as perceived by consumers, product innovation and renovation
and its multiple channel distributions as its primary strategies. New products typically encounter intense competition, which
may require advertising and promotional support and activities. When or if a new product achieves consumer acceptance,
ongoing advertising and promotional support may be required in order to maintain its relative market position.
Trademarks and Patents
The Company owns a number of patents, but relies primarily upon its established trademarks, brand names and marketing efforts,
including advertising and sales promotions, to compete effectively. The WD-40 brand, 3-IN-ONE, Lava, Solvol, X-14, 2000
Flushes, Carpet Fresh and no vac, Spot Shot, GT85, and 1001 trademarks are registered or have pending registrations in various
countries throughout the world.
Employees
At August 31, 2020, the Company employed 522 people worldwide: 198 by the U.S. parent corporation; 224 by the U.K.
subsidiary; 58 by the China subsidiary; 20 by the Australia subsidiary; 15 by the Canada subsidiary; and 7 by the Malaysia
subsidiary.
Financial Information about Foreign and Domestic Operations
For detailed information about the Company’s foreign and domestic operations, including net sales by reportable segment and
long-lived assets by geography, refer to Note 17 - Business Segments and Foreign Operations of the consolidated financial
statements, included in Item 15 of this report.
Access to SEC Filings
The Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any
amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, are available through the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.wd40company.com. These reports can
be accessed free of charge from the Company’s website as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files
4
such materials with, or furnishes them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Information contained on the
Company’s website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this report. The SEC also maintains an internet
site (www.sec.gov) that contains the Company’s reports.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following risks and uncertainties, as well as other factors described elsewhere in this report or in other SEC filings by the
Company, could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Global economic conditions may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
A general weakening or decline in the global economy or a reduction in industrial outputs, business or consumer spending or
confidence could delay or significantly decrease purchases of the Company’s products by its customers and end users. Consumer
purchases of discretionary items, which could include the Company’s maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products,
may decline during periods where disposable income is reduced or there is economic uncertainty, and this may negatively impact
the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. During unfavorable or uncertain economic times, end users may
also increase purchases of lower-priced or non-branded products and the Company’s competitors may increase their level of
promotional activities to maintain sales volumes, both of which may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and
results of operations.
In addition, the Company’s sales and operating results may be affected by uncertain or changing economic and market conditions,
including inflation, deflation, prolonged weak consumer demand, political instability, public health crises or other changes that
may affect the principal markets, trade channels, and industrial segments in which the Company conducts its business. Public
health crises, including epidemics or pandemics, may affect the principal markets, trade channels, and industrial segments in
which the Company conducts its business. For example, the Company is monitoring the impact of the current COVID-19
pandemic, which has already caused a significant disruption to global financial markets and supply chains beginning in early
calendar year 2020. The significance of the operational and financial impact to the Company will depend on how long and
widespread this disruption proves to be. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Company’s results will depend
on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge
concerning the severity of the outbreak and the international actions that are being taken to contain and treat it. While the
Company currently expects this business disruption to be temporary, there is uncertainty around its duration and its broader
impact, and therefore the effects it will have on the Company’s financial results and operations. If economic or market conditions
in key global markets deteriorate, the Company may experience material adverse effects on its business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Adverse economic and market conditions could also harm the Company’s business by negatively affecting the parties with whom
it does business, including its customers, retailers, distributors and wholesalers, and third-party contract manufacturers and
suppliers. These conditions could impair the ability of the Company’s customers to pay for products they have purchased from
the Company. As a result, allowances for doubtful accounts and write-offs of accounts receivable from the Company’s customers
may increase. In addition, the Company’s third-party contract manufacturers and their suppliers may experience financial
difficulties or business disruptions that could negatively affect their operations and their ability to supply the Company with
finished goods and the raw materials, packaging, and components required for the Company’s products.
Global operations outside the U.S. expose the Company to uncertain conditions, foreign currency exchange rate risk and
other risks in international markets.
The Company’s sales outside of the U.S. were approximately 60% of consolidated net sales in fiscal year 2020. One of its
strategic initiatives includes maximizing the WD-40 Multi-Use Product through geographic expansion and market penetration.
As a result, the Company currently faces, and will continue to face, substantial risks associated with having increased global
operations outside the U.S., including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
economic or political instability in any of the Company’s global markets;
challenges associated with conducting business in foreign jurisdictions, including those related to the Company’s
understanding of and compliance with business laws and regulations in such foreign jurisdictions;
increasing tax complexity or changes in tax law associated with operating in multiple tax jurisdictions;
a dispersed employee base and requirements for compliance with varied employment regulations and labor laws,
including health and safety regulations and wage and hour laws, in countries outside the U.S.;
varying and complex privacy laws in foreign jurisdictions; and
the imposition of tariffs or trade restrictions and costs, burdens and restrictions associated with other governmental
actions.
5
These risks could have a significant impact on the Company’s ability to sell its products on a competitive basis in global markets
outside the United States. In addition, continued developments in the U.S. political climate have introduced greater uncertainty
with respect to tax policies, trade relations, tariffs and government regulations affecting trade between the U.S. and other
countries. These developments, as well as the risks outlined above, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Approximately 44% of the Company’s revenues in fiscal year 2020 were generated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar,
which is the reporting currency of the Company. In addition, all of the Company’s foreign operating subsidiaries have functional
currencies other than the U.S. Dollar and the Company’s largest subsidiary is located in the U.K. and generates significant sales
in Pound Sterling and Euro. As a result, the Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to its sales,
expenses, profits, cash and cash equivalents, other assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. In
particular, the Company’s financial results are negatively impacted when the foreign currencies in which its subsidiary offices
operate weaken relative to the U.S. Dollar. Although the Company uses instruments to hedge certain foreign currency risks,
primarily those associated with its U.K. subsidiary and net assets denominated in non-functional currencies, it is not fully
protected against foreign currency fluctuations and, therefore, the Company’s reported earnings may be affected by changes in
foreign currency exchange rates. Moreover, any favorable impacts to profit margins or financial results from fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates are likely to be unsustainable over time.
As a result of the June 2016 referendum by British voters to exit the European Union (“Brexit”), global markets and foreign
currencies were adversely impacted in the months following the vote. In particular, the value of the Pound Sterling sharply
declined as compared to the U.S. Dollar and other currencies in late fiscal year 2016 and early fiscal year 2017. Subsequently,
on March 29, 2017, the U.K. invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which provided for a two-year time period through March
2019 for the U.K. and the remaining EU countries to negotiate a withdrawal agreement. This time period was then extended
twice; first until October 31, 2019, with a second and final extension until January 31, 2020, at which point the U.K. officially
withdrew from the EU with transitional arrangements in place until December 31, 2020. Additional volatility in foreign currencies
has continued as a result of these developments and this volatility may continue as the U.K. negotiates and executes the
agreements that will replace current transitional arrangements with the European Union. A significantly weaker Pound Sterling
compared to the U.S. Dollar over a sustained period of time may have a significant negative effect on the Company’s reported
results of operations. In addition, the legal and regulatory framework that will apply to the U.K. and its future relationship with
the European Union may change the manner in which businesses operate in Europe, including how products and services are
imported and exported between countries in Europe, and this could adversely impact the Company’s financial condition and
results of operations. The outcomes of the negotiations between the U.K. and the European Union are currently unknown and
due to the lack of comparable precedent, the extent of any adverse consequences to the Company’s business is uncertain.
Additionally, the Company’s global operations outside the U.S. are subject to risks relating to appropriate compliance with legal
and regulatory requirements in local jurisdictions, potential difficulties in staffing and managing local operations, potentially
higher incidence of fraud or corruption, credit risk of local customers and distributors and potentially adverse tax consequences.
As the Company further develops and grows its business operations outside the U.S., the Company is exposed to additional
complexities and risks, particularly in China, Russia and other emerging markets. In many foreign countries, particularly in those
with developing economies, business practices that are prohibited by the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.K.
Bribery Act or other applicable anti-corruption laws and regulations may be prevalent. Evolving privacy laws and regulations in
Europe, the U.S. and other jurisdictions present additional risks. Any failure to comply with these laws, even if inadvertent, could
result in significant penalties or otherwise harm the Company’s reputation and business. Although the Company has
adopted policies and contract terms to mandate compliance with these laws, there can be no assurance that all of its employees,
contractors and agents will comply with the Company’s requirements. Violations of these laws could be costly and disrupt the
Company’s business, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s financial results could suffer if the Company is unable to implement and successfully manage its strategic
initiatives or if the Company’s strategic initiatives do not achieve the intended results.
There is no assurance that the Company will be able to implement and successfully manage its strategic initiatives, including its
five core strategic initiatives, or that the strategic initiatives will achieve the intended results. The Company’s five core strategic
initiatives include: (i) maximizing WD-40 Multi-Use Product sales through geographic expansion and increased market
penetration and the development of new and unique delivery systems; (ii) leveraging the WD-40 brand by growing the WD-40
Specialist product line; (iii) leveraging the strengths of the Company through broadened product and revenue base; (iv) attracting,
developing and retaining talented people; and (v) operating with excellence. An important part of the Company’s success depends
on its continuing ability to attract, retain and develop highly qualified people. The Company’s future performance depends in
significant part on maintaining high levels of employee engagement and nurturing the Company’s values and culture. In addition,
the Company’s success depends on the continued service of its executive officers, key employees and other talented people, as
well as effective succession planning. The loss of the services of key employees could have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s business and prospects. Competition for such talent is intense, and there can be no assurance that the Company can
6
retain its key employees or attract, assimilate and retain employees who are fully engaged in the future. If the Company is unable
to implement and successfully manage its strategic initiatives in accordance with its business plans, the Company’s business and
financial results could be adversely affected. Moreover, the Company cannot be certain that the implementation of its strategic
initiatives will necessarily advance its business or financial results as intended.
If the success and reputation of one or more of the Company’s leading brands erodes, the Company’s business, financial
condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted.
The financial success of the Company is directly dependent on the success and reputation of its brands, particularly its WD-40
Brand. The success and reputation of the Company’s brands can suffer if marketing plans or product development and
improvement initiatives, including the release of new products or innovative packaging, do not have the desired impact on the
brands’ image or do not attract customers as intended. The Company’s brands can also be adversely impacted due to the activities
and pressures placed on them by the Company’s competitors. Further, the Company’s business, financial condition and results
of operations could be negatively impacted if one of its leading brands suffers damage to its reputation due to real or perceived
quality or safety issues. Quality issues, which can lead to large scale recalls of the Company’s products, can be due to items such
as product contamination, regulatory non-compliance, packaging errors, incorrect ingredients or components in the Company’s
product or low-quality ingredients in the Company’s products due to suppliers delivering items that do not meet the Company’s
specifications. Product quality issues, which could include lower product efficacy due to formulation changes attributable to
regulatory requirements, could also result in decreased customer confidence in the Company’s brands and a decline in product
quality could result in product liability claims. In addition, the Company’s brand value depends on its ability to maintain a
positive consumer perception of its corporate integrity and brand culture. Negative claims or publicity involving the Company,
its products, or any of its key employees could seriously damage the Company’s reputation and brand image, regardless of
whether such claims are accurate. This risk is compounded by the increasing use of social and digital media by consumers and
the speed by which information and opinions are shared. If the Company is unable to anticipate and respond to sudden challenges
that it may face in the marketplace, trends in the market and changing consumer demands and sentiment, the Company’s financial
results may be negatively impacted. Although the Company makes every effort to prevent brand erosion and preserve its
reputation and the reputation of its brands, there can be no assurance that such efforts will be successful.
Reliance on a limited base of third-party contract manufacturers, logistics providers and suppliers of raw materials and
components may result in disruption to the Company’s business and this could adversely affect the Company’s financial
condition and results of operations.
The Company relies on a limited number of third-party contract manufacturers, logistics providers and suppliers, including single
or sole source suppliers for certain raw materials, packaging, product components and other necessary supplies. The Company
does not have direct control over the management or business of these third parties, except indirectly through terms negotiated
in service or supply contracts. As a result, the Company currently faces, and will continue to face, substantial risks associated
with its reliance on third-party manufacturers, suppliers, and/or logistics providers, including but not limited to the following
areas:
• Changes to the terms of doing business with these providers or the production capacity these providers dedicate to our
products;
• Disagreements or the inability to maintain good relationships with these providers;
• Financial difficulties experienced by these providers;
• Consolidation of third-party packagers, which could result in the acquiring company not being interested in
manufacturing our products; or
• Significant disruptions in the production or transportation of our products due to events having regional or global
impacts on economic activity, such as the COVID-19 pandemic
In addition, if the Company is unable to contract with third-party manufacturers or suppliers for the quantity and quality levels
needed for its business, the Company could experience disruptions in production and its financial results could be adversely
affected.
Sales unit volume growth may be difficult to achieve.
The Company’s ability to achieve sales volume growth will depend on its ability to (i) execute its strategic initiatives, (ii) drive
growth in new markets by making targeted end users aware of the Company’s products and making them easier to buy, (iii) drive
growth within its existing markets through innovation, renovation and enhanced merchandising and marketing of its established
brands, and (iv) capture market share from its competitors. It is more difficult for the Company to achieve sales volume growth
in developed markets where the Company’s products are widely used as compared to in developing or emerging markets where
the Company’s products have been newly introduced or are not as well known by consumers. In order to protect the Company’s
existing market share or capture additional market share from its competitors, the Company may need to increase its expenditures
related to promotions and advertising or introduce and establish new products or product lines. In past periods, the Company has
7
also increased sales prices on certain of its products in response to increased costs for components and raw materials. Sales price
increases may slow sales volume growth or create declines in volume in the short term as customers and end users adjust to sales
price increases. In addition, the continued prominence and growth of the online retail sales channel has presented both the
Company and its customers that sell the Company’s products online with the challenge of balancing online and physical store
retailing methods. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some sales are shifting more to these online retail sales channels, and
this may present a challenge in our markets where we have a less developed e-commerce business. Although the Company is
engaged in e-commerce with respect to its products, if it is not successful in expanding sales in such alternative retail channels
or it experiences challenges with operating in such channels, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations may
be negatively impacted. In addition, a change in the strategies of the Company’s existing customers, including shelf
simplification, the discontinuation of certain product offerings or the shift in shelf space to competitors’ products could reduce
the Company’s sales and potentially offset sales volume increases achieved as a result of other sales growth initiatives. If the
Company is unable to increase market share in its existing product lines by developing product improvements, investing
adequately in its existing brands, building usage among new customers, developing, acquiring or successfully launching new
products or product line extensions, or successfully penetrating emerging and developing markets and sales channels globally,
the Company may not achieve its sales volume growth objectives.
Cost increases or cost volatility in finished goods, components, raw materials, transportation and other necessary supplies
or services could harm or impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Increases in the cost of finished goods, components and raw materials and increases in the cost of transportation and other
necessary supplies or services may harm the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Petroleum-based specialty
chemicals and aerosol cans, which constitute a significant portion of the costs for many of the Company’s maintenance products,
have experienced significant price volatility in the past, and may continue to do so in the future. In particular, volatility in the
price of oil directly impacts the cost of petroleum-based specialty chemicals which are indexed to the price of crude oil.
Fluctuations in oil and diesel fuel prices have also historically impacted the Company’s cost of transporting its products,
compounded recently by increased regulations imposed on the freight industry and additional macroeconomic factors which have
resulted in increased freight costs. If there are significant increases in the costs of components, raw materials and other expenses,
and the Company is not able to increase the prices of its products or achieve cost savings to offset such cost increases, the
Company’s gross margins and operating results will be negatively impacted. In addition, if the Company increases its sales prices
in response to increases in the cost of such raw materials, and those raw material costs later decline significantly, the Company
may not be able to sustain its sales prices at these higher levels. As component and raw material costs are the principal contributors
to the cost of goods sold for all of the Company’s products, any significant fluctuation in the costs of components and raw
materials could have a material impact on the gross margins realized on the Company’s products. Sustained increases in the cost
of raw materials, components, transportation and other necessary supplies or services, or significant volatility in such costs, could
have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Government laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations, could result in material costs or otherwise
adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The manufacturing, chemical composition, packaging, storage, distribution and labeling of the Company’s products and the
manner in which the Company’s business operations are conducted must comply with an extensive array of federal, state and
foreign laws and regulations. If the Company is not successful in complying with the requirements of all such regulations, it
could be fined or other actions could be taken against the Company by the applicable governing body, including the possibility
of a required product recall. Any such regulatory action could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of
operations. It is also possible that governments and regulatory agencies will increase regulation, including the adoption of further
regulations relating to the transportation, storage or use of certain chemicals, to enhance homeland security or protect the
environment and such increased regulation could negatively impact the Company’s ability to obtain raw materials, components
and/or finished goods or could result in increased costs. In the event that such regulations result in increased product costs, the
Company may not be in a position to increase selling prices, and therefore an increase in costs could have a material adverse
effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Some of the Company’s products have chemical compositions that are controlled by various state, federal and international laws
and regulations that are subject to change. The Company is required to comply with these laws and regulations and it seeks to
anticipate regulatory developments that could impact the Company’s ability to continue to produce and market its products. The
Company invests in research and development to maintain product formulations that comply with such laws and regulations.
There can be no assurance that the Company will not be required to alter the chemical composition of one or more of the
Company’s products in a way that will have an adverse effect upon the product’s efficacy or marketability. A delay or other
inability of the Company to complete product research and development and successfully reformulate its products in response to
any such regulatory requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results
of operations.
8
The Company is subject to an SEC rule mandated by Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act that requires management to conduct annual due diligence to determine whether certain minerals and metals,
known as “conflict minerals”, are contained in the Company’s products and, if so, whether they originate from the Democratic
Republic of Congo (“DRC”) or adjoining countries. Although the Company has concluded that its current products do not contain
such conflict minerals in its annual evaluations to date, if the Company were to conclude that these materials exist within the
Company’s products in future periods, the Company may have difficulty verifying the origin of such materials for purposes of
disclosures required by the SEC rules.
The Company is also subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations that impose various environmental controls on its
business operations, including, among other things, the discharge of pollutants into the air and water, the handling, use, treatment,
storage and clean-up of solid and hazardous wastes and the investigation and remediation of soil and groundwater affected by
hazardous substances. Such laws and regulations may otherwise relate to various health and safety matters that impose burdens
upon the Company’s operations. These laws and regulations also impose strict, retroactive and joint and several liability for the
costs of, and damages resulting from, cleaning up current sites, past spills, disposals and other releases of hazardous substances.
The Company believes that its expenditures related to environmental matters have not had, and are not currently expected to
have, a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, the environmental laws
under which the Company operates are complicated, often become increasingly more stringent and may be applied retroactively.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will not be required to incur additional expenditures to remain in or to
achieve compliance with environmental laws in the future or that any such additional expenditures will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
In addition, certain countries and other jurisdictions in which the Company operates have data protection laws that impose strict
regulations on the Company. For instance, The European Commission approved the General Data Protection Regulation
(“GDPR”) which became effective for the Company beginning in May 2018. Non-compliance with GDPR would result in
significant penalties being imposed on the Company. In addition, other international and local governmental authorities are
considering similar types of legislative and regulatory requirements concerning protection of personal data.
Additional laws and regulations require that the Company carefully manage its supply chain for the production, distribution and
sale of goods. Failure by the Company to comply with any of these regulations or its inability to adequately predict the manner
in which these local regulations are interpreted and applied to the Company’s business by the applicable enforcement agencies
could have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to maximize or to successfully assert the Company’s intellectual property rights or infringement by the Company on
the intellectual property rights of others could impact its competitiveness or otherwise adversely affect the Company’s
financial condition and results of operations.
The Company relies on trademark, trade secret protection, patent and copyright laws to protect its intellectual property rights.
Although the Company maintains a global enforcement program to protect its intellectual property rights, there can be no
assurance that these intellectual property rights will be maximized or that they can be successfully asserted. If other companies
or entities infringe the Company’s intellectual property rights or take part in counterfeiting activities, they may dilute the value
of the Company’s brands in the marketplace, which could diminish the value that consumers associate with the Company’s
brands and harm its sales.
There is a risk that the Company will not be able to obtain and protect its own intellectual property rights or, where appropriate,
license intellectual property rights necessary to support new product introductions or product lines dependent upon such licensed
rights. The Company cannot be certain that these rights, if obtained, will not be withdrawn, invalidated, circumvented or
challenged in the future, and the Company could incur significant costs in connection with legal actions to defend and preserve
its intellectual property rights. In addition, even if such rights are obtained in the U.S., it may be that the laws of some of the
other countries in which the Company’s products are or may be sold do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent
as the laws of the United States, or they may be difficult to enforce. The failure of the Company to protect or successfully assert
its intellectual property rights or to protect its other proprietary information could make the Company less competitive and this
could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Trade secret protection, particularly for the Company’s most valuable product formulation for the WD-40 Multi-Use Product,
requires specific agreements, policies and procedures to assure the secrecy of information classified as a trade secret. If such
agreements, policies and procedures are not effective enough to maintain the secrecy of the Company’s trade secrets or if
chemical disclosure regulations do not allow for continued protection of essential elements of the Company’s trade secret
formulations, the loss of trade secret protection could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.
If the Company is found to have violated the trademark, copyright, patent or other intellectual property rights of others, such a
finding could result in the need to cease the use of a trademark, trade secret, copyrighted work or patented invention in the
9
Company’s business and an obligation to pay a substantial amount for past infringement. It could also be necessary to pay a
substantial amount in the future if the holders of such rights are willing to permit the Company to continue to use the intellectual
property rights. Either having to cease use or pay such amounts could make the Company less competitive and could have a
material adverse impact on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s operating results and financial performance may not meet expectations which could adversely affect the
Company’s stock price.
The Company cannot be sure that its operating results and financial performance, which include sales growth, net income,
earnings per common share, gross margin and cash flows, will meet expectations. If the Company’s assumptions and estimates
are incorrect or if the Company does not achieve all of its key goals or strategic initiatives, then the Company’s actual
performance could vary materially from its internal expectations and those of the market. Failure to meet or exceed these
expectations could cause the market price of the Company’s stock to decline. In addition, the trading market for the Company’s
common stock is influenced by the research and reports that securities analysts and industry analysts publish about the Company
or its business. The Company does not have any control over these reports or analysts. If securities or industry analysts adversely
change their recommendations regarding the Company’s common stock or if any of these analysts cease coverage of the
Company in their reports, the Company’s stock price and trading volume could decline. The Company’s operating results and
financial performance may be negatively influenced by a number of factors, many of which are discussed in this Item 1A “Risk
Factors”.
In addition, sales volume growth, whether due to acquisitions or internal growth, can place burdens on management resources
and financial controls that, in turn, can have a negative impact on the operating results and financial condition of the Company.
To some extent, the Company plans its expense levels in anticipation of future revenues. If actual revenues fall short of these
expectations, operating results may be adversely affected by reduced operating margins or operating profits due to actual expense
levels that are higher than might otherwise have been appropriate.
Malfunctions or implementation issues related to the critical information systems that the Company uses for the daily
operations of its business, cyberattacks and privacy breaches could adversely affect the Company’s ability to conduct business.
To conduct its business, the Company relies extensively on information technology systems, networks and services, many of
which are managed, hosted and provided by third-party service providers. The Company cannot guarantee that its security
measures will prevent cyberattacks resulting in breaches of the Company’s or its third-party service providers’ databases and
systems. Techniques used in these attacks change frequently and may be difficult to detect for periods of time. Although the
Company has policies and procedures in place governing (i) the timely investigation of cybersecurity incidents, (ii) the timely
disclosure of any related material nonpublic information resulting from a material cybersecurity incident, and (iii) the
safeguarding against insider trading of directors, officers, and other corporate insiders between the period of investigation and
the public disclosure of such an incident; cybersecurity incidents themselves, such as the release of sensitive data from the
Company’s databases and systems, could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The increasing number of information technology security threats and the development of more sophisticated cyberattacks,
including ransomware, pose a potential risk to the security of the Company’s information technology systems and networks, as
well as to the confidentiality, availability and integrity of the Company’s data. Further, such an incident could also materially
increase the costs that the Company already incurs to protect against such risks.
In addition, system failure, malfunction or loss of data that is housed in the Company’s or its third-party service providers’ critical
information systems could disrupt its ability to timely and accurately process transactions and produce key financial reports,
including information on the Company’s operating results, financial position and cash flows. The Company’s information
systems could be damaged or cease to function properly due to a number of other reasons as well, including catastrophic events
and power outages. Although the Company has certain business continuity plans in place to address such service interruptions,
there is no guarantee that these business continuity plans will provide alternative processes in a timely manner. As a result, the
Company may experience interruptions in its ability to manage its daily operations and this could adversely affect the Company’s
business, financial condition and results of operations.
The information system that the U.S. office uses for its business operations is a market specific application that is not widely
used by other companies. This system is also used by three other regional offices of the Company, its Canada, Australia and
Malaysia offices. The company that owns and supports this application may not be able to provide the same level of support as
that of larger information systems. If the company that owns and supports this application in the U.S. were to cease its operations
or were unable to provide continued support for this application, it could adversely affect the Company’s daily operations or its
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Management has determined that it is appropriate to implement a new information system that will be used at all of these offices.
We are currently in the initial stages of this implementation. This information system will be used to process all of the daily
10
transactions and to produce key financial reports for all of these offices. If the Company encounters difficulties in completing
this critical information system implementation, it may experience interruptions in its ability to manage its daily operations and
report financial results and this could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company faces competition in its markets which could lead to reduced sales and profitability.
The Company encounters competition from similar and alternative products, many of which are produced and marketed by major
national or multinational companies. In addition, the Company frequently discovers products in certain markets that are
counterfeit reproductions of the Company’s WD-40 products as well as products otherwise bearing an infringing trade dress. The
availability of counterfeits and other infringing products, particularly in China, Russia and other emerging markets, could
adversely impact the Company’s sales and potentially damage the value and reputation of its brands.
The Company’s products generally compete on the basis of product performance, brand recognition, price, quality or other
benefits to consumers and meeting end users’ needs. Advertising, promotions, merchandising and packaging also have a
significant impact on consumer purchasing decisions. A newly introduced consumer product, whether improved or recently
developed, usually encounters intense competition requiring substantial expenditures for advertising, sales and consumer
promotion. If a product gains consumer acceptance, it normally requires continued advertising, promotional support and product
improvements in order to maintain its relative market position.
Some of the competitors for the Company’s homecare and cleaning products are larger and have financial resources greater than
those of the Company. These competitors may be able to spend more aggressively on advertising and promotional activities,
introduce competing products more quickly and respond more effectively to changing business and economic conditions than
the Company.
Competitive activity may require the Company to increase its investment in marketing or reduce its sales prices and this may
lead to reduced profit margins, a loss of market share or loss of distribution, each of which could have a material adverse effect
on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to compete successfully against current and future competitors or that competitive pressures faced by the Company or the
infringement of its products and brands will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Dependence on key customers could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company sells its products through a network of domestic and international mass retail, trade supply and consumer retailers
as well as industrial distributors and suppliers. The retail industry has historically been the subject of consolidation, and as a
result, the development of large chain stores has taken place. Today, the retail channel is comprised of several of these large
chain stores that capture the bulk of the market share. Since many of the Company’s customers have been part of consolidations
in the retail industry, these limited customers account for a large percentage of the Company’s net sales. Although the Company
expects that a significant portion of its revenues will continue to be derived from this limited number of customers, there was no
individual customer that contributed to more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in fiscal year 2020. However,
changes in the strategies of the Company’s largest customers, including shelf simplification, a reduction in the number of brands
they carry or a shift in shelf space to “private label” or competitors’ products, may harm the Company’s sales. The loss of, or
reduction in, orders from any of the Company’s most significant customers could have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s brand values, business, financial condition and results of operations. Large customers may seek price reductions,
added support or promotional concessions. If the Company agrees to such customer demands and/or requests, it could negatively
impact the Company’s ability to maintain existing profit margins.
In addition, the Company’s business is based primarily upon individual sales orders, and the Company typically does not enter
into long-term contracts with its customers. Accordingly, these customers could reduce their purchasing levels or cease buying
products from the Company at any time and for any reason. The Company is also subject to changes in customer purchasing
patterns or the level of promotional activities. These types of changes may result from changes in the manner in which customers
purchase and manage inventory levels, or display and promote products within their stores. Other potential factors such as
customer disputes regarding shipments, fees, merchandise condition or related matters may also impact operating results. If the
Company ceases doing business with a significant customer or if sales of its products to a significant customer materially
decrease, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be harmed.
The Company may not successfully develop, introduce and/or establish new products and line extensions.
The Company’s future performance and growth depend, in part, on its ability to successfully develop, introduce and/or establish
new products as both brand extensions and/or line extensions. The Company cannot be certain that it will successfully achieve
those goals. The Company competes in several product categories where there are frequent introductions of new products and
11
line extensions and such product introductions often require significant investment and support. The ability of the Company to
understand end user needs and preferences is key to maintaining and improving the competitiveness of its product offerings. The
development and introduction of new products, as well as the renovation of current products and product lines, require substantial
and effective research, development and marketing expenditures, which the Company may be unable to recoup if the new or
renovated products do not gain widespread market acceptance. There are inherent risks associated with new product development
and marketing efforts, including product development or launch delays, product performance issues during development,
changing regulatory frameworks that affect the new products in development and the availability of key raw materials included
in such products. These inherent risks could result in the failure of new products and product line extensions to achieve anticipated
levels of market acceptance, additional costs resulting from failed product introductions and the Company not being first to
market. As the Company continues to focus on innovation and renovation of its products, the Company’s business, financial
condition or results of operations could be adversely affected in the event that the Company is not able to effectively develop
and introduce new or renovated products and line or brand extensions.
Changes in marketing distributor relationships that are not managed successfully by the Company could result in a disruption
in the affected markets.
The Company distributes its products throughout the world in one of two ways: the direct distribution model, in which products
are sold directly by the Company to wholesalers and retailers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, China, the U.K. and a
number of other countries, including those throughout Europe; and the marketing distributor model, in which products are sold
to marketing distributors who in turn sell to wholesalers and retailers. The marketing distributor model is generally used in
countries where the Company does not have direct Company-owned operations. Instead, the Company partners with local
companies who perform the sales, marketing and distribution functions. The Company invests time and resources into these
relationships. Should the Company’s relationship with a marketing distributor change or terminate, the Company’s sales within
such a marketing distributor’s territory could be adversely impacted until such time as a suitable replacement can be found and
the Company’s key marketing strategies are implemented. There is a risk that changes in such marketing distributor relationships,
including a change in key marketing distributor personnel or a transition to the direct distribution model, that if not managed
successfully, could result in a disruption in the affected markets and that such a disruption could have a material adverse effect
on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, in some countries, local laws may require
substantial payments to terminate existing marketing distributor relationships, which could also have a material adverse effect
on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Goodwill and intangible assets are subject to impairment risk.
In accordance with the authoritative accounting guidance on goodwill and intangibles, the Company assesses the potential
impairment of its existing goodwill during the second quarter of each fiscal year and otherwise when events or changes in
circumstances indicate that an impairment condition may exist. The Company also assesses its definite-lived intangible assets
for potential impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable
or its estimated remaining useful life may no longer be appropriate. Indicators such as underperformance relative to historical or
projected future operating results, changes in the Company’s strategy for its overall business or use of acquired assets, unexpected
negative industry or economic trends, decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period, decreased market capitalization
relative to net book values, unanticipated technological change or competitive activities, loss of key distribution, change in
consumer demand, loss of key personnel and acts by governments and courts may signal that an asset has become impaired.
The assessment for possible impairment of the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets requires management to make
judgments on a number of significant estimates and assumptions, including macroeconomic conditions, overall category growth
rates, sales growth rates, cost containment and margin expansion and expense levels for advertising and promotions and general
overhead, all of which must be developed from a market participant standpoint. The Company may be required to record a
significant charge in its consolidated financial statements during the period in which any impairment of its goodwill or intangible
assets is identified and this could negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Changes in
management estimates and assumptions as they relate to valuation of goodwill and intangible assets could affect the Company’s
financial condition or results of operations in the future. The Company’s review of events and circumstances during fiscal year
2020 included consideration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For additional information, see Part IV – Item 15, “Exhibits,
Financial Statement Schedules” Note 5 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, included in this report.
The Company may also divest of certain of its assets, businesses or brands that do not align with the Company’s strategic
initiatives. Any divestiture could negatively impact the profitability of the Company as a result of losses that may result from
such a sale, the loss of sales and operating income or a decrease in cash flows subsequent to the divestiture. The Company may
also be required to recognize impairment charges as a result of a divestiture.
12
Product liability claims and other litigation and/or regulatory action could adversely affect the Company’s sales and operating
results.
While the Company makes every effort to ensure that the products it develops and markets are safe for consumers and comply
with all applicable regulations, the use of the Company’s products may expose the Company to liability claims resulting from
such use and potential enforcement actions, including the risk of recall. Claims could be based on allegations that, among other
things, the Company’s products are improperly labeled, contain contaminants, provide inadequate instructions regarding their
use or inadequate warnings concerning their use or interactions with other substances. Product liability claims could result in
negative publicity that could harm the Company’s sales and operating results. The Company maintains product liability insurance
that it believes will be adequate to protect the Company from material loss attributable to such claims but the extent of such loss
could exceed available limits of insurance or could arise out of circumstances under which such insurance coverage would be
unavailable. Other business activities of the Company may also expose the Company to litigation risks, including risks that may
not be covered by insurance such as contract disputes. If successful claims are asserted by regulatory agencies or third parties
against the Company for non-compliance or uninsured liabilities or liabilities in excess of applicable limits of insurance coverage,
the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, if one of the
Company’s products was determined to be defective, the Company could be required to recall the product, which could result in
adverse publicity, loss of revenues and significant expenses.
Additionally, the Company’s products may be associated with competitor products or other products in the same category, which
may be alleged to have caused harm to consumers. As a result of this association, the Company may be named in unwarranted
legal actions. The potential costs to defend such claims may materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Resolution of income tax matters may impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Significant judgment is required in determining the Company’s effective income tax rate and in evaluating tax positions,
particularly those related to uncertain tax positions. The Company provides for uncertain tax positions when such tax positions
do not meet the recognition thresholds or measurement standards prescribed by the accounting standard for uncertain tax
positions. Changes in uncertain tax positions or other adjustments resulting from tax audits and settlements with taxing
authorities, including related interest and penalties, impact the Company’s effective tax rate. When particular tax matters arise,
a number of years may elapse before such matters are audited and finally resolved. Favorable resolution of such matters could
be recognized as a reduction to the Company’s effective tax rate in the year of resolution. Unfavorable resolution of any tax
matter could increase the Company’s effective tax rate. Any resolution of a tax matter may require the adjustment of tax assets
or tax liabilities or the use of cash in the year of resolution. For additional information on such matters, see Part IV – Item 15,
“Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” Note 14 – Income Taxes, included in this report.
Changes in tax rules may also materially affect, either adversely or favorably, the Company’s future financial results or the way
management conducts its business. For example, on December 22, 2017 the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the “Tax Act”) was signed
into law and became effective beginning January 1, 2018. The Tax Act significantly changed U.S. tax law and tax rates, as well
as mandated the application of a one-time “toll tax” on unremitted foreign earnings, among other things. In addition, the Company
is required to make assertions on whether its foreign subsidiaries will invest their undistributed earnings indefinitely and these
assertions are based on the capital needs of the foreign subsidiaries. Generally, unremitted earnings of the Company’s foreign
subsidiaries are not considered to be indefinitely reinvested. However, there are exceptions regarding the Company’s newly
formed subsidiary in Mexico as well as specific statutory remittance restrictions imposed on the Company’s China subsidiary.
Costs associated with repatriating unremitted foreign earnings, including U.S. state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes,
are immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. For additional information on income tax matters, see Part
IV—Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” Note 14 — Income Taxes, included in this report
Although many impacts of the Tax Act are favorable for the Company both in the near term and long term, the Tax Act also
authorizes the Treasury Department to issue regulations with respect to the new provisions. The Company cannot predict how
subsequent changes in the Tax Act, regulations, or other guidance issued under it, including conforming or non-conforming state
tax rules, might affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, there can be no
assurance that U.S. tax laws, including the corporate income tax rate, will not undergo significant additional changes in the near
future.
The Company’s business development activities may not be successful.
The Company may increase growth through business development activities such as acquisitions, joint ventures, licensing and/or
other strategic partnerships in the U.S. and internationally. However, if the Company is not able to identify, acquire and
successfully integrate acquired products or companies or successfully manage joint ventures or other strategic partnerships, the
Company may not be able to maximize these opportunities. The failure to properly manage business development activities
13
because of difficulties in the assimilation of operations and products, the diversion of management’s attention from other business
concerns, the loss of key employees or other factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial
condition and results of operations. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company’s business development activities
will be profitable at their inception or that they will achieve sales levels and profitability that justify the investments made.
Future acquisitions, joint ventures or strategic partnerships could also result in the incurrence of debt, potentially dilutive
issuances of equity securities, contingent liabilities, amortization expenses related to certain intangible assets, unanticipated
regulatory complications and/or increased operating expenses, all of which could adversely affect the Company’s results of
operations and financial condition. In addition, to the extent that the economic benefits associated with any of the Company’s
business development activities diminish in the future, the Company may be required to record impairments to goodwill,
intangible assets or other assets associated with such activities, which could also adversely affect the Company’s business,
financial condition and results of operations.
The Company may not have sufficient cash to service its indebtedness or to pay cash dividends.
The Company’s debt consists of fixed rate senior notes and a revolving credit facility. Prior to April 2020, management has used
the proceeds of the revolving credit facility primarily for stock repurchases. In order to service its debt, the Company is required
to use its income from operations to make interest and principal payments required by the terms of its borrowing agreements. In
addition, the Company’s borrowing agreements include covenants to maintain certain financial ratios and to comply with other
financial terms, conditions and covenants. Also, the Company has historically paid out a large part of its earnings to stockholders
in the form of regular quarterly cash dividends.
The Company may incur substantial debt in the future for acquisitions or other general business or business development
activities. In addition, the Company may continue to use available cash balances to execute share repurchases under approved
share buy-back plans. To the extent that the Company is required to seek additional financing to support certain of these activities,
such financing may not be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to the Company. If the Company is unable to
obtain such financing or to service its existing or future debt with its operating income, or if available cash balances are affected
by future business performance, unstable global economic conditions, liquidity, capital needs, alternative investment
opportunities or debt covenants, the Company could be required to reduce, suspend or eliminate its dividend payments to its
stockholders. The Company may also elect to suspend share repurchases depending on available cash balances or concerns that
it may have on future cash balances. For example, in April 2020, the Company elected to suspend repurchases under its share
buy-back plan, which subsequently expired on August 31, 2020, in order to preserve cash while it monitored the impacts of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
Americas
The Company owns and occupies an office located in San Diego, California which houses both corporate employees and
employees in the Company’s Americas segment. The Company also leases a regional sales office in Miami, Florida, a research
and development office in Pine Brook, New Jersey and office space in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Monterrey Nuevo Leon,
Mexico.
EMEA
The Company purchased a new office building and related land in February 2018, located in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.
The Company completed renovations to this building late in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 and relocated employees of the
Company’s EMEA segment who are located in the U.K. from its old office and plant facility, also in Milton Keynes, to this new
office building that is owned by the Company upon its completion. The Company will continue to use its old location in Milton
Keynes as a plant facility. In addition, the Company leases spaces for its branch offices in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal
and the Netherlands.
Asia-Pacific
The Company leases office space in Epping, New South Wales, Australia; Shanghai, China; and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
14
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in Item 15 of Part IV, “Exhibits,
Financial Statement Schedules” Note 13 — Commitments and Contingencies, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated
financial statements included in this report.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following table sets forth the names, ages, fiscal year elected to current position and current titles of the executive officers
of the Company as of August 31, 2020:
Title
Name, Age and Year Elected to Current Position
Garry O. Ridge
Steven A. Brass
Jay W. Rembolt
Patricia Q. Olsem
William B. Noble
Geoffrey J. Holdsworth
Stanley A. Sewitch
Richard T. Clampitt
64 1997 Chief Executive Officer
54 2019 President and Chief Operating Officer
69 2008 Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
53 2019 Division President, The Americas
62 1996 Managing Director, EMEA
58 1997 Managing Director, Asia-Pacific
67 2012 Vice President, Global Organization Development
65 2014 Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Mr. Ridge joined the Company’s Australian subsidiary, WD-40 Company (Australia) Pty. Limited, in 1987 as Managing
Director. He held several senior management positions prior to his election as Chief Executive Officer in 1997.
Mr. Brass joined the Company in 1991 as International Area Manager at the Company’s U.K. subsidiary and has since held
several management positions including Country Manager in Germany, Director of Continental Europe, European Sales Director,
and European Commercial Director. He then served as Division President, The Americas, from 2016 until 2019, when he was
promoted to his current position as President and Chief Operating Officer.
Mr. Rembolt joined the Company in 1997 as Manager of Financial Services. He was promoted to Controller in 1999 and to Vice
President, Finance/Controller in 2001. He was then named Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer in 2008.
Ms. Olsem joined the Company in 2005 and has held various senior management positions including, Vice President Americas
Innovation Development Group, Senior Vice President Marketing and Innovation of the Americas, and Senior Vice President
and General Manager of the United States. She was promoted to her current position as Division President, The Americas in
2019.
Mr. Noble joined the Company’s Australian subsidiary, WD-40 Company (Australia) Pty. Limited, in 1993 as International
Marketing Manager for the Asia Region. He was then promoted to his current position of Managing Director, EMEA and as a
Director of the Company’s U.K. subsidiary, WD-40 Company Limited, in 1996.
Mr. Holdsworth joined the Company’s Australian subsidiary, WD-40 Company (Australia) Pty. Limited, in 1996 as General
Manager and was promoted to his current position of Managing Director, Asia-Pacific and as a Director of WD-40 Company
(Australia) Pty. Limited in 1997.
Mr. Sewitch joined the Company in 2012 as Vice President, Global Organization Development. Prior to joining the Company,
Mr. Sewitch was a founder of four businesses, including a human resources and organizational consulting firm (HRG Inc.) which
he led from 1989 until joining the Company.
Mr. Clampitt was named as Corporate Secretary on October 15, 2013 and joined the Company in 2014 as Vice President, General
Counsel and Corporate Secretary. He has been licensed to practice law in the State of California since 1981. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Clampitt served as a partner at Gordon & Rees LLP from 2002 through 2013.
All executive officers hold office at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
15
PART II
Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol WDFC. On October 16,
2020, the last reported sales price of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $197.93 per
share, and there were 13,664,838 shares of common stock outstanding held by approximately 608 holders of record.
Dividends
The Company has historically paid regular quarterly cash dividends on its common stock. In December 2019, the Board of
Directors declared a 10% increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend, increasing it from $0.61 per share to $0.67 per share.
On October 5, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.67 per share payable on October 30, 2020
to shareholders of record on October 16, 2020.
The Board of Directors of the Company presently intends to continue the payment of regular quarterly cash dividends on the
Company’s common stock. The Company’s ability to pay dividends could be affected by future business performance, liquidity,
capital needs, alternative investment opportunities and debt covenants.
Purchases of Equity Securities By the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
On June 19, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share buy-back plan. Under the plan, which became effective
on September 1, 2018, the Company was authorized to acquire up to $75.0 million of its outstanding shares through August 31,
2020. The timing and amount of repurchases were based on terms and conditions that were acceptable to the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and in compliance with all laws and regulations applicable thereto. During the
period from September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 92,583 shares at a total cost of $16.8 million
under this $75.0 million plan.
On April 8, 2020, the Company elected to temporarily suspend repurchases under this share buy-back plan, which subsequently
expired on August 31, 2020. The Company made this election in order to preserve cash while it continued to monitor the impacts
of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, no repurchase transactions were made between April 8, 2020 and August 31, 2020.
16
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following data has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. The data should be read in
conjunction with such consolidated financial statements and other financial information included elsewhere in this report (in
thousands, except per share amounts):
Net sales
Cost of products sold
Gross profit
Operating expenses
Income from operations
Interest and other (expense) income, net
Income before income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income
Earnings per common share:
Basic
Diluted
Dividends per share
Weighted-average shares outstanding -
diluted
Total assets
Long-term obligations (1)
As of and for the Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2020
$ 408,498
185,481
223,017
145,797
77,220
(1,705)
75,515
14,805
60,710
$
2019
$ 423,350
191,010
232,340
149,958
82,382
(1,612)
80,770
24,862
55,908
$
2018
$ 408,518
183,255
225,263
146,659
78,604
(3,426)
75,178
9,963
65,215
$
$
$
$
4.41
4.40
2.62
$
$
$
4.03
4.02
2.37
$
$
$
4.65
4.64
2.11
13,719
$ 362,637
13,830
$ 302,662
13,962
$ 317,059
$ 142,208
$
82,597
$
75,667
2017
380,506
166,621
213,885
137,976
75,909
(1,287)
74,622
21,692
52,930
2016
$ 380,670
166,301
214,369
143,021
71,348
1,441
72,789
20,161
52,628
$
3.73
3.72
1.89
$
$
$
3.65
3.64
1.64
14,123
369,717
14,379
$ 339,668
154,907
$ 140,579
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(1) Long-term obligations include long-term debt, deferred tax liabilities, net, long-term lease liabilities and other long-term liabilities. Lease liabilities
were included beginning in fiscal year 2020 in accordance with ASC 842, which was adopted by the Company on September 1, 2020.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide the
reader of the Company’s financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management on the Company’s financial
condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect future results. This MD&A includes the
following sections: Overview, Highlights, Results of Operations, Performance Measures and Non-GAAP Reconciliations,
Liquidity and Capital Resources, Critical Accounting Policies, and Recently Issued Accounting Standards. The MD&A is
provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements
and the related notes included in Item 15 of this report.
In order to show the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our results of operations, we have included constant
currency disclosures, where necessary, in the Overview and Results of Operations sections which follow. Constant currency
disclosures represent the translation of our current fiscal year revenues and expenses from the functional currencies of our
subsidiaries to U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. We use results
on a constant currency basis as one of the measures to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in
comparison to prior periods. Results on a constant currency basis are not in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America (“non-GAAP”) and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results
prepared in accordance with GAAP.
17
Overview
The Company
WD-40 Company (“the Company”), based in San Diego, California, is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating
positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the
world. We market our maintenance products and our homecare and cleaning products under the following well-known brands:
WD-40, 3-IN-ONE, GT85, X-14, 2000 Flushes, Carpet Fresh, no vac, Spot Shot, 1001, Lava and Solvol. Currently included in
the WD-40 brand are the WD-40 Multi-Use Product and the WD-40 Specialist and WD-40 BIKE product lines.
Our brands are sold in various locations around the world. Maintenance products are sold worldwide in markets throughout
North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Homecare and cleaning products are
sold primarily in North America, the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and Australia. We sell our products primarily through warehouse
club stores, hardware stores, automotive parts outlets, industrial distributors and suppliers, mass retail and home center stores,
value retailers, grocery stores, online retailers, farm supply, sport retailers, and independent bike dealers.
Highlights
The following summarizes the financial and operational highlights for our business during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020:
• Consolidated net sales decreased $14.9 million, or 4%, for fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year. Changes
in foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact of $4.9 million on consolidated net sales for fiscal year
2020. Thus, on a constant currency basis, net sales would have decreased by $10.0 million, or 2%, for fiscal year 2020
compared to the prior fiscal year. This unfavorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates mainly
came from our EMEA segment, which accounted for 38% of our consolidated sales for the fiscal year ended August 31,
2020.
• Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 54.6% for fiscal year 2020 compared to 54.9% for the prior fiscal
year.
• Consolidated net income increased $4.8 million, or 9%, for fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year. Changes
in foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact of $1.8 million on consolidated net income for fiscal
year 2020. Thus, on a constant currency basis, net income would have increased by $6.6 million, or 12%, for fiscal year
2020 compared to the prior fiscal year. Net income in fiscal year 2019 was unfavorably impacted by a reserve for an
uncertain tax position of $8.7 million that was recorded during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019.
• Consolidated results for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
See Significant Developments section which follows for details.
• Diluted earnings per common share for fiscal year 2020 were $4.40 versus $4.02 in the prior fiscal year.
•
Share repurchases were executed under our current $75.0 million share buy-back plan, which was approved by the
Company’s Board of Directors in June 2018 and became effective on September 1, 2018. During the period from
September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 92,583 shares at an average price of $181.73
per share, for a total cost of $16.8 million. On April 8, 2020, the Company elected to temporarily suspend repurchases
under this plan, which subsequently expired on August 31, 2020. The Company elected this suspension in order to
preserve cash while it continued to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our strategic initiatives and the areas where we will continue to focus our time, talent and resources in future periods include: (i)
maximizing WD-40 Multi-Use Product sales through geographic expansion, increased market penetration and the development
of new and unique delivery systems; (ii) leveraging the WD-40 brand by growing the WD-40 Specialist product line; (iii)
leveraging the strengths of the Company through broadened product and revenue base; (iv) attracting, developing and retaining
talented people; and (v) operating with excellence.
18
Significant Developments
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, our financial results and operations were negatively impacted by the COVID-19
pandemic that began in early calendar year 2020 and as a result, our consolidated net sales decreased by $14.9 million or 4%
compared to the prior fiscal year. The pandemic was disruptive to our business in fiscal year 2020 as a result of the temporary
closures, lockdowns and restrictions mandated by various governmental authorities intended to combat the COVID-19 pandemic
at physical store retailers. We were able to reduce the adverse impact of these challenging times due to the strength of our brand,
the broad distribution of our products and our continued focus on our strategic initiatives. While we experienced significant
declines in sales levels in our markets where we do not have direct operations (distributor markets) and certain other markets
where closures and lockdown measures were severe and extended or where sales are somewhat dependent on the industrial
channel, sales in many of our direct markets and sales via ecommerce channels increased from period to period which helped to
offset some of this decline in the distributor markets. The direct markets in which we conduct business were not impacted as
much by the pandemic since the channels in which we sell our products in these markets were either not included in these closures
or the closures were only temporary in nature. In addition, increased sales of our homecare and cleaning products from period to
period due to the high demand for such products during the pandemic also helped to offset some of the sales declines of our
maintenance products in the distributor markets.
We have taken a variety of measures during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the availability and functioning of our critical
infrastructure, to promote the safety and security of our employees and to support the communities in which we operate. These
measures include requiring remote working arrangements for employees where practicable. We are following public and private
sector policies and initiatives to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, such as the imposition of travel restrictions, the promotion
of social distancing and the adoption of work-from-home arrangements. These policies and initiatives will continue to impact
how we operate for as long as they are in effect. We are in the process of determining and implementing safe and effective phased
office reentry plans for employees at all of our office locations globally. However, the timing and nature of these reentry plans,
some of which have already been launched, will vary by location and some of the specifics related to many of these plans are
still uncertain at this time. The safety of our employees and adherence to public and private sector policies related to COVID-19
will remain our top priorities as we have our employees return to working at our global office locations.
Due to the speed and fluidity with which the situation continues to develop and the uncertainty on whether recurring waves of
the COVID-19 pandemic will occur later in calendar year 2020 or early in 2021, it is very difficult for us to estimate with certainty
the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will impact our financial results and operations in future periods. We also cannot
predict when certain restrictions that are in place to protect our customers, retailers and our employees will be safely reduced or
will no longer be needed. These impacts could be material in all business segments during any future period affected either
directly or indirectly by this pandemic. We are actively managing and monitoring supply chain and transportation disruptions
that have arisen at our suppliers and other third-party distribution centers and manufacturers as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic. While we have been successful to date in managing such disruptions in our supply chain and we believe that we are
well-positioned to continue managing any disruptions that may occur in future periods in order to meet customer and end-user
demand, we are not able at this time to estimate the impact of future disruptions within our supply chain and we are continually
monitoring and managing this situation. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” included herein for information on risks associated with
pandemics in general and COVID-19 specifically.
On March 27, 2020, the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted in response
to the COVID-19 pandemic and the negative impacts that it is having on the global economy and U.S. companies. The CARES
Act includes various financial measures to assist companies, including temporary changes to income and non-income-based tax
laws. Although we will have the ability to defer the payment for the employer portion of social security taxes as part of the
CARES Act, we do not believe this assistance or any other assistance provided under the CARES Act will have a material impact
on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
19
Results of Operations
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2020 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2019
Operating Items
The following table summarizes operating data for our consolidated operations (in thousands, except percentages and per share
amounts):
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
Change from
Prior Year
2020
2019
Dollars
Percent
$
$
$
$
369,444
39,054
408,498
185,481
223,017
145,797
77,220
60,710
4.40
$
$
$
$
386,644
36,706
423,350
191,010
232,340
149,958
82,382
55,908
4.02
$
$
$
$
(17,200)
2,348
(14,852)
(5,529)
(9,323)
(4,161)
(5,162)
4,802
0.38
(4)%
6%
(4)%
(3)%
(4)%
(3)%
(6)%
9%
9%
Net sales:
Maintenance products
Homecare and cleaning products
Total net sales
Cost of products sold
Gross profit
Operating expenses
Income from operations
Net income
Earnings per common share - diluted
Net Sales by Segment
The following table summarizes net sales by segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Americas
EMEA
Asia-Pacific
Total
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
Change from
Prior Year
2020
2019
Dollars
Percent
$
200,493
$
193,972
$
156,241
51,764
408,498
$
160,615
68,763
423,350
$
$
6,521
(4,374)
(16,999)
(14,852)
3%
(3)%
(25)%
(4)%
20
Americas
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Americas segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
Maintenance products
Homecare and cleaning products
Total
% of consolidated net sales
$
$
2020
178,739
21,754
200,493
49%
$
$
2019
173,664
20,308
193,972
46%
Change from
Prior Year
Dollars
Percent
$
$
5,075
1,446
6,521
3%
7%
3%
Sales in the Americas segment, which includes the U.S., Canada and Latin America, increased to $200.5 million, up $6.5 million,
or 3%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates
had an unfavorable impact on sales for the Americas segment from period to period. Sales for the fiscal year ended August 31,
2020 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the prior fiscal year would have been $201.2 million in the Americas segment.
Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $7.3 million, or 4%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020
compared to the prior fiscal year.
Sales of maintenance products in the Americas segment increased $5.1 million, or 3%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020
compared to the prior fiscal year. This sales increase was mainly driven by higher sales of WD-40 Multi Use Product in the U.S.
and Canada, which were up $5.1 million and $0.8 million, or 5% and 11%, respectively, from period to period. Although the
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic weakened sales levels in the U.S. and Canada during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020,
these sales decreases were more than offset by successful promotional programs during the first six months of fiscal year 2020
and significantly increased sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020. The higher level of sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal
year 2020 of WD-40 Multi-Use Product in both the U.S. and Canada were partially due to increased demand for our product as
a result of a higher level of renovation and maintenance activities exhibited by our end-users during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, sales increased due to new distribution and successful promotional programs as well as increased sales through the
ecommerce channel in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. These sales increases of WD-40 Multi-Use Product in the U.S.
and Canada were partially offset by a decrease in sales of such products in Latin America of $1.6 million, primarily due to various
disruptions in the market related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic primarily included
decreased availability of our product in the market due to constraints on the distribution and sale of our products as a result of
the complete lockdown of many markets within the region, which started early in March 2020 and continued throughout the
fourth quarter. Although sales in Latin America decreased in total, sales in Mexico increased from period to period. During the
third quarter of fiscal year 2020, we shifted away from a distribution model for Mexico where we sold product through a large
wholesale customer who then supplied various retail customers, to one where we sell direct to retail customers at a higher margin.
This transition to a direct model resulted in higher sales in Mexico during the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2020. While we
anticipate a continued successful build of our direct customer base in Mexico in future periods under this new direct model, the
impact on sales in future periods resulting from this transition is uncertain at this time.
Sales of homecare and cleaning products in the Americas segment increased $1.4 million, or 7%, for the fiscal year ended August
31, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year. This sales increase was driven primarily by an increase in sales of the 2000 Flushes
brand products in the U.S., which were up $1.5 million or 27% from period to period. We experienced a significant increase in
sales of our homecare and cleaning products beginning in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 due to increased demand for such
products as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are not able at this time to estimate the duration of this unexpected increase
in the demand for these products and its impact on our financial results and operations in future periods. While each of our
homecare and cleaning products have continued to generate positive cash flows, we had experienced decreased or flat sales for
many of these products in recent years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the Americas segment, 82% of sales came from the U.S., and 18% of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined
for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year when 81% of sales came from the U.S., and 19%
of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined.
21
EMEA
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the EMEA segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
Maintenance products
Homecare and cleaning products
Total (1)
% of consolidated net sales
$
$
2020
146,540
9,701
156,241
38%
$
$
2019
151,112
9,503
160,615
38%
Change from
Prior Year
Dollars
Percent
$
$
(4,572)
198
(4,374)
(3)%
2%
(3)%
(1) While the Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar, the functional currency of our U.K. subsidiary, the entity in which the EMEA results are
generated, is Pound Sterling. Although the functional currency of this subsidiary is Pound Sterling, approximately 50% of its sales are generated in
Euro and 15-20% are generated in U.S. Dollar. As a result, the Pound Sterling sales and earnings for the EMEA segment can be negatively or
positively impacted from period to period upon translation from these currencies depending on whether the Euro and U.S. Dollar are weakening or
strengthening against the Pound Sterling.
Sales in the EMEA segment, which includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India, decreased to $156.2 million, down $4.4
million, or 3%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange
rates had an unfavorable impact on sales for the EMEA segment from period to period. Sales for the fiscal year ended August
31, 2020 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the prior fiscal year would have been $159.0 million in the EMEA segment.
Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have decreased by $1.7 million, or 1%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020
compared to the prior fiscal year.
The countries in Europe where we sell through a direct sales force include the U.K., Italy, France, Iberia (which includes Spain
and Portugal) and the Germanics sales region (which includes Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium and the
Netherlands). Sales in the direct markets increased $2.4 million, or 2%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 compared to
the prior fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in sales of the WD-40 BIKE and WD-40 Specialist product lines of $1.4 million
and $1.1 million, or 105% and 10%, respectively, throughout the direct markets. The increase in sales of WD-40 BIKE products
was primarily due to strong demand in countries where our end-users were following recommendations to exercise outdoors in
socially distanced settings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in sales of WD-40 Specialist was primarily due to
increased distribution across all direct markets and a higher level of sales in the ecommerce channel for this product line from
period to period. Sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product were relatively constant for fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior fiscal
year due to various disruptions in the direct markets during fiscal year 2020, primarily in the third quarter, related to the COVID-
19 pandemic. These disruptions included severe lockdowns measures during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 which limited
many retailers’ ability to participate in promotional activities and sell high volumes of certain products, such as our WD-40
Multi-Use Product. However, a significant rebound in sales volumes during the fourth quarter as a result of these lockdown
measures being reduced by governmental authorities and higher sales during the first half of fiscal year 2020 offset these negative
impacts and resulted in a slight increase in sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product across the direct markets for fiscal year 2020
compared to the prior fiscal year. Sales from direct markets accounted for 70% of the EMEA segment’s sales for the fiscal year
ended August 31, 2020 compared to 67% of the EMEA segment’s sales for the prior fiscal year.
The regions in the EMEA segment where we sell through local distributors include the Middle East, Africa, India, Eastern and
Northern Europe. Sales in the distributor markets decreased $6.7 million, or 13%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020
compared to the prior fiscal year, primarily due to lower sales of the WD-40 Multi-Use Product in Eastern Europe and the Middle
East, which were down 25% and 12%, respectively. This decrease in sales from period to period was primarily due to the
lockdowns that occurred in many of the distributor market countries in the second half of fiscal year 2020 due to the COVID-19
pandemic. Although sales in the EMEA direct markets rebounded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, the COVID-19
pandemic continued to negatively impact sales in the distributor markets in the fourth quarter as a result of the comprehensive
lockdown measures that continued to be in place in many of these markets. The distributor markets accounted for 30% of the
EMEA segment’s total sales for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, compared to 33% for the prior fiscal year.
22
Asia-Pacific
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Asia-Pacific segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
Change from
Prior Year
Maintenance products
Homecare and cleaning products
Total
% of consolidated net sales
2020
2019
Dollars
Percent
$
$
44,166
7,598
51,764
13%
$
$
61,868
6,895
68,763
16%
$
$
(17,702)
703
(16,999)
(29)%
10%
(25)%
Sales in the Asia-Pacific segment, which includes Australia, China and other countries in the Asia region, decreased to $51.8
million, down $17.0 million, or 25%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year. Changes in
foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on sales for the Asia-Pacific segment from period to period. Sales
for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the prior fiscal year would have been $53.2
million in the Asia-Pacific segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have decreased by $15.6 million, or 23%,
for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year.
Sales in Asia, which represented 65% of the total sales in the Asia-Pacific segment, decreased $18.0 million, or 35%, for the
fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year. Sales in the Asia distributor markets decreased $12.3 million,
or 38%. Sales in China decreased $5.7 million, or 30%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal
year. These decreases in sales were primarily due to various disruptions in these markets related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Extended closures, lockdowns and restrictions required by local governmental authorities to combat the COVID-19 pandemic
within the Asia market limited many physical store retailers’ ability to sell high volumes of our maintenance products. Although
China had a reduction of certain restrictions required by local governmental authorities beginning in the third quarter of fiscal
year 2020 in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hardware and industrial channels continued to be significantly impacted
by the COVID-19 pandemic through the remainder of fiscal year 2020 and this has resulted in reduced sales for China from
period to period. Overall, we have not yet experienced a sustained or significant rebound in sales in either the Asia distributor
markets or in China due to continuing market disruptions and comprehensive lockdown measures in these markets.
Sales in Australia increased $1.0 million, or 6%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on Australian sales. On a constant currency basis, sales
would have increased by $1.9 million, or 11%, due to a higher level of promotional activities as well as the continued growth of
our business from period to period. Sales in Australia increased primarily due to unprecedented demand for homecare and
cleaning products as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2020. In addition,
WD-40 Multi Use Product and WD-40 Specialist were up 3% and 12%, respectively, from period to period. Negative sales
impacts to Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been very limited in fiscal year 2020 compared to many other countries
since COVID-19 case numbers have remained relatively low in Australia and governmental authorities have adopted less severe
lockdown requirements. This has resulted in many of our key customers remaining open for business during the COVID-19
pandemic.
Gross Profit
Gross profit decreased to $223.0 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 compared to $232.3 million for the prior fiscal
year. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased to 54.6% for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 compared to 54.9%
for the prior fiscal year.
Gross margin was negatively impacted by 0.9 percentage points from period to period due to higher warehousing and in-bound
freight costs, primarily in the EMEA segment. Gross margin was also negatively impacted by 0.8 percentage points due to the
combined effects of increases in other miscellaneous costs and unfavorable sales mix changes from period to period in all three
segments. The unfavorable impacts in the Americas were primarily due to higher miscellaneous charges related to inventory
during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020. The unfavorable impacts in the EMEA segment were primarily due to changes in
sales mix changes, resulting from a larger proportion of sales to lower margin customers from period to period. The unfavorable
impacts in the Asia-Pacific segment were primarily due to market mix changes resulting from lower sales in China as a result of
the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertising, promotional, and other discounts that we give to our customers increased from period to
period in the Americas and Asia-Pacific segments, negatively impacting gross margin by 0.1 percentage points. In general, the
timing of advertising, promotional and other discounts may cause fluctuations in gross margin from period to period. The costs
23
associated with certain promotional activities are recorded as a reduction to sales while others are recorded as advertising and
sales promotion expenses. Advertising, promotional and other discounts that are given to our customers are recorded as a
reduction to sales, whereas advertising and sales promotional costs associated with promotional activities that we pay to third
parties are recorded as advertising and sales promotion expenses.
These unfavorable impacts to gross margin were significantly offset by favorable changes in the costs of petroleum-based
specialty chemicals in all three segments, positively impacting gross margin by 0.8 percentage points. There is often a delay of
one quarter or more before changes in raw material costs impact cost of products sold due to production and inventory life cycles.
The average cost of crude oil which flowed through our cost of goods sold was lower in the fiscal year 2020 compared to prior
fiscal year, thus resulting in favorable impacts to our gross margin from period to period. Due to the volatility of the price of
crude oil, it is uncertain the level to which gross margin will be impacted by such costs in future periods. Gross margin was also
positively affected by 0.6 percentage points from period to period due to sales price increases, primarily in the EMEA segment,
during fiscal year 2020. Favorable changes in the costs of aerosol cans in the Americas and EMEA segments also positively
affected gross margin by 0.1 percentage points.
Note that our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to those of other consumer product companies, since some
of these companies include all costs related to distribution of their products in cost of products sold, whereas we exclude the
portion associated with amounts paid to third parties for shipment to our customers from our distribution centers and contract
manufacturers and include these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs totaled $12.9 million and
$16.3 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 decreased $1.9 million to
$122.0 million from $123.9 million for the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased to 29.9%
for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 from 29.3% for the prior fiscal year. The decrease in SG&A expenses from period to
period was due to a variety of factors, but most significantly due to lower freight costs, decreased travel and meeting expenses
and the favorable impacts of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Freight costs associated with shipping products to our
customers decreased by $3.1 million, partially due to lower sales from period to period. Travel and meeting expenses decreased
by $3.0 million from period to period, primarily due to initiatives adopted by the Company during the third quarter of fiscal year
2020 to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, including the imposition of business travel restrictions for all employees and the
cancellation of all large meetings, such as regional sales meetings and global leadership meetings, in support of social distancing
requirements. Favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates also decreased SG&A expenses by $1.0 million from period
to period. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $3.3 million in employee-related costs due to increased
headcount, annual compensation increases and higher stock-based compensation from period to period, which were all partially
offset by lower earned incentive compensation. Professional services fees, including those associated with cloud-based software,
also increased by $1.7 million from period to period. In addition, other miscellaneous expenses increased by $0.2 million from
period to period.
We continued our research and development investment, the majority of which is associated with our maintenance products, in
support of our focus on innovation and renovation of our products. Research and development costs for the fiscal years ended
August 31, 2020 and 2019 were $6.0 million and $6.5 million, respectively. Our research and development team engages in
consumer research, product development, current product improvement and testing activities. This team leverages its
development capabilities by partnering with a network of outside resources including our current and prospective suppliers. The
level and types of expenses incurred within research and development can vary from period to period depending upon the types
of activities being performed.
Advertising and Sales Promotion Expenses
Advertising and sales promotion expenses for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 decreased $1.7 million to $21.6 million from
$23.3 million for the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses were 5.3% and 5.5% for the fiscal years ended
August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates did not have a significant impact on
advertising and sales promotion expenses for fiscal year 2020. The decreased level of advertising and sales promotion expenses
was primarily due to the reduction of promotional program spending in the EMEA and Asia-Pacific segments due to indirect
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic during the second half of fiscal year 2020, such as the cancellations of trade shows and fewer
opportunities for physical marketing and sampling activities. At this time, the Company is not able to estimate its investment in
global advertising and sales promotion expense for fiscal year 2021 due to the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
and its impact on our financial results and operations.
As a percentage of net sales, advertising and sales promotion expenses may fluctuate period to period based upon the type of
marketing activities we employ and the period in which the costs are incurred. Total promotional costs recorded as a reduction
24
to sales were $20.5 million and $18.9 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Therefore, our
total investment in advertising and sales promotion activities totaled $42.1 million and $42.2 million for the fiscal years ended
August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Amortization of Definite-lived Intangible Assets Expense
Amortization of our definite-lived intangible assets decreased $0.5 million to $2.2 million for the fiscal years ended August 31,
2020, compared to $2.7 million for the prior fiscal year. This decrease from period to period was primarily due to decreased
amortization associated with the 2000 Flushes trade name, which became fully amortized during the third quarter of fiscal year
2020.
Income from Operations by Segment
The following table summarizes income from operations by segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Americas
EMEA
Asia-Pacific
Unallocated corporate (1)
Total
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
Change from
Prior Year
2020
2019
Dollars
Percent
$
51,089
$
50,069
$
1,020
37,620
14,982
(26,471)
37,246
20,813
(25,746)
374
(5,831)
(725)
$
77,220
$
82,382
$
(5,162)
2%
1%
(28)%
3%
(6)%
(1) Unallocated corporate expenses are general corporate overhead expenses not directly attributable to any one of the business segments. These expenses
are reported separate from the Company’s identified segments and are included in Selling, General and Administrative expenses on the Company’s
consolidated statements of operations.
Americas
Income from operations for the Americas segment increased to $51.1 million, up $1.0 million, or 2%, for the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a $6.5 million increase in sales, significantly offset by higher
operating expenses and a lower gross margin. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit for the Americas segment decreased from
53.5% to 53.2% period over period primarily due to higher miscellaneous charges related to inventory during the fourth quarter
of fiscal year 2020 and higher discounts that were given to customers in fiscal year 2020. These unfavorable impacts to gross
margin were partially offset by the decreased costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals from period to period. Operating
expenses increased $1.7 million period over period, primarily due to higher earned incentive compensation and freight costs from
period to period. These increases in operating expenses were offset by lower travel and meeting expenses due to initiatives
adopted by the Company during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 in order to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased from 25.8% to 25.5% period over period.
EMEA
Income from operations for the EMEA segment increased to $37.6 million, up $0.4 million, or 1%, for the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year, primarily due to lower operating expenses of $3.2 million, significantly offset
by lower net sales of $4.4 million and a lower gross margin. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit for the EMEA segment
decreased from 56.6% to 56.4% period over period primarily due to increases in warehousing, distribution and freight costs as
well as unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates from period to period. These unfavorable impacts to gross margin
were significantly offset by sales price increases from period to period. In addition, declines in the costs of petroleum-based
specialty chemicals favorably impacted gross margin from period to period. The impacts of these declines in oil prices in future
periods is uncertain due to the volatility of the price of crude oil. Operating expenses decreased $3.2 million period over period,
primarily due to decreased outbound freight costs and lower earned incentive compensation. In addition, operating expenses
decreased due to lower travel and meeting expenses due to initiatives adopted by the Company during the third quarter of fiscal
year 2020 in order to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19, as well as a lower level of advertising and sales promotion
expenses from period to period. Operating income as a percentage of net sales increased from 23.2% to 24.1% period over period.
25
Asia-Pacific
Income from operations for the Asia-Pacific segment decreased to $15.0 million, down $5.8 million, or 28%, for the fiscal year
ended August 31, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a $17.0 million decrease in sales, which was partially
offset by lower cost of goods sold and operating expenses. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit for the Asia-Pacific segment
remained constant at 54.5% period over period. Gross margin was negatively impacted by increases to advertising, promotional,
and other discounts that we give to our customers from period to period. Increases in warehousing, distribution and freight costs
from period to period also negatively impacted gross margin. These unfavorable impacts to gross margin were completely offset
by favorable changes to the cost of petroleum-based specialty chemicals from period to period. The lower sales were accompanied
by a $3.5 million decrease in total operating expenses period over period, primarily due to a lower level of advertising and sales
promotion expense and lower outbound freight costs. In addition, operating expenses decreased due to lower accruals for earned
incentive compensation and lower miscellaneous expenses from period to period, as well as lower travel and meeting expenses
due to initiatives adopted by the Company during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased from 30.3% to 28.9% period over period.
Non-Operating Items
The following table summarizes non-operating income and expenses for our consolidated operations (in thousands):
Interest income
Interest expense
Other income (expense), net
Provision for income taxes
Interest Income
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2020
2019
Change
$
$
$
$
93
2,439
641
14,805
$
$
$
$
155
2,541
774
24,862
$
$
$
$
(62)
(102)
(133)
(10,057)
Interest income was not significant for both the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019.
Interest Expense
Interest expense remained relatively constant at $2.4 million and $2.5 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020 and
2019, respectively.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net decreased by an insignificant amount of $0.1 million to $0.6 million for the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2020.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was 19.6% of income before income taxes for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 compared
to 30.8% for the prior fiscal year. The decrease in the effective income tax rate from period to period was primarily due to an
uncertain tax position in the amount of $8.7 million associated with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act mandatory one-time “toll tax” on
unremitted foreign earnings that was recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019. This resulted in a significantly higher
fiscal year 2019 effective income tax rate compared to fiscal year 2020. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, the U.S. Treasury
released regulations related to a High-Tax Exception for those jurisdictions subject to the Global Intangible Low Taxed Income
(“GILTI”) tax. These newly released regulations resulted in an immaterial favorable impact to the fiscal year 2020 tax provision.
Net Income
Net income was $60.7 million, or $4.40 per common share on a fully diluted basis, for fiscal year 2020 compared to $55.9
million, or $4.02 per common share on a fully diluted basis, for the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates
year over year had an unfavorable impact of $1.8 million on net income for fiscal year 2020. Thus, on a constant currency basis,
net income for fiscal year 2020 would have been $62.5 million.
26
Results of Operations
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2019 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2018
For discussion related to changes in financial condition and the results of operations for fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal year
2018, refer to Part II - Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included
in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019, which was filed with the SEC on
October 22, 2019.
Performance Measures and Non-GAAP Reconciliations
In managing our business operations and assessing our financial performance, we supplement the information provided by our
financial statements with certain non-GAAP performance measures. These performance measures are part of our current
55/30/25 business model, which includes gross margin, cost of doing business, and earnings before interest, income taxes,
depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), the latter two of which are non-GAAP performance measures. Cost of doing business
is defined as total operating expenses less amortization of definite-lived intangible assets, impairment charges related to
intangible assets and depreciation in operating departments, and EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest, income
taxes, depreciation and amortization. We target our gross margin to be above 55% of net sales, our cost of doing business to be
at 30% of net sales, and our EBITDA to be above 25% of net sales. Results for these performance measures may vary from
period to period depending on various factors, including economic conditions and our level of investment in activities for the
future such as those related to quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property protection in order to safeguard
our WD-40 brand. The targets for these performance measures are long-term in nature, particularly those for cost of doing
business and EBITDA, and we expect to make progress towards achieving them over time as our revenues increase.
The following table summarizes the results of these performance measures:
Gross margin - GAAP
Cost of doing business as a percentage of net sales - non-GAAP
EBITDA as a percentage of net sales - non-GAAP (1)
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2020
2019
2018
55%
34%
21%
55%
34%
21%
55%
34%
21%
(1) Percentages may not aggregate to EBITDA percentage due to rounding and because amounts recorded in other income (expense), net on the
Company’s consolidated statement of operations are not included as an adjustment to earnings in the EBITDA calculation.
We use the performance measures above to establish financial goals and to gain an understanding of the comparative performance
of the Company from period to period. We believe that these measures provide our shareholders with additional insights into the
Company’s results of operations and how we run our business. The non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental in nature
and should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income, income from operations or other financial information
prepared in accordance with GAAP as indicators of the Company’s performance or operations. The use of any non-GAAP
measure may produce results that vary from the GAAP measure and may not be comparable to a similarly defined non-GAAP
measure used by other companies. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to our financial statements as prepared
in accordance with GAAP are as follows:
Cost of Doing Business (in thousands, except percentages):
Total operating expenses - GAAP
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets
Depreciation (in operating departments)
Cost of doing business - non-GAAP
Net sales
Cost of doing business as a percentage of net sales - non-GAAP
$
$
$
27
2020
145,797
(2,211)
(4,095)
139,491
408,498
34%
$
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2019
149,958
(2,706)
(3,829)
143,423
423,350
34%
$
$
$
$
$
2018
146,659
(2,951)
(3,725)
139,983
408,518
34%
EBITDA (in thousands, except percentages):
Net income - GAAP
Provision for income taxes
Interest income
Interest expense
Amortization of definite-lived
intangible assets
Depreciation
EBITDA
Net sales
EBITDA as a percentage of net sales - non-GAAP
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
2020
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2019
2018
$
$
$
60,710
14,805
(93)
2,439
2,211
5,490
85,562
408,498
21%
$
$
$
55,908
24,862
(155)
2,541
2,706
4,886
90,748
423,350
21%
$
$
$
65,215
9,963
(454)
4,219
2,951
4,849
86,743
408,518
21%
The Company’s financial condition and liquidity remain strong. Net cash provided by operations was $72.7 million for fiscal
year 2020 compared to $62.9 million for fiscal year 2019. Although there continues to be a certain level of uncertainty related to
the anticipated impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s future results, we believe our efficient business
model and the steps that we took during fiscal year 2020 leave us positioned to manage our business through this crisis as it
continues to unfold. We continue to manage all aspects of our business including, but not limited to, monitoring the financial
health of our customers, suppliers and other third-party relationships, implementing gross margin enhancement strategies and
developing new opportunities for growth.
Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash and cash equivalents, as well as cash generated from operations and cash
currently available from our existing unsecured Credit Agreement with Bank of America. We use proceeds of the revolving
credit facility primarily for our general working capital needs. The Company also holds borrowings under a Note Purchase and
Private Shelf Agreement. See Part IV—Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” Note 8 – Debt for additional
information on these agreements. Included in Note 8 – Debt is information on the Credit Agreement that we amended and restated
with Bank of America on March 16, 2020 which includes, among other amended provisions, an increase in the revolving
commitment from $100.0 million to $150.0 million. On September 30, 2020, we entered into the first amendment to the Credit
agreement and a third amendment to the Note Agreement and refinanced existing draws under our Credit Agreement in the
United States through the issuance of new notes under the Note Agreement in the amount of $52.0 million. See Part IV—Item
15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” Note 18 – Subsequent Events for additional information on these agreements.
The Company maintains a balance of outstanding draws in U.S. Dollars in the Americas segment, as well as in Euros and Pound
Sterling in the EMEA segment. Euro and Pound Sterling denominated draws will fluctuate in U.S. Dollars from period to period
due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, the Company drew an additional
$90.0 million in short-term borrowings in U.S. Dollars, which included $80.0 million that we drew in U.S. Dollars in March
2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we did not have any anticipated need for this additional liquidity, we
decided to draw this additional amount on our line of credit to ensure future liquidity given the recent significant impact on global
financial markets and the economy as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company repaid $55.0 million of these
outstanding draws in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 in anticipation of the changes that it made to its debt structure in
September 2020 to include more long-term debt. See Note 18 – Subsequent Events for additional information. We regularly
convert many of our draws on our line of credit to new draws with new maturity dates and interest rates. We have the ability to
refinance any draw under the line of credit with successive short-term borrowings through the March 16, 2025 maturity date.
Outstanding draws for which we have both the ability and intent to refinance with successive short-term borrowings for a period
of at least twelve months are classified as long-term. As of August 31, 2020, we had a $95.9 million balance of outstanding draws
on the revolving credit facility. This entire amount was classified as long-term as of August 31, 2020 based on our ability and
intent assessment as well as considerations related to debt structure changes and refinancing discussed in detail in Note 18 –
Subsequent Events. In addition, net repayments under the auto-borrow agreement in the United States were $0.4 million and we
paid $0.8 million in principal payments on our Series A Notes during fiscal year 2020. There are no other letters of credit
outstanding or restrictions on the amount available on this line of credit or the Series A Notes. Per the terms of both the Note
Agreement and the Credit Agreement, our consolidated leverage ratio cannot be greater than three to one and our consolidated
28
interest coverage ratio cannot be less than three to one. See Note 8 – Debt and Note 18 – Subsequent Events for additional
information on these financial covenants. At August 31, 2020, we were in compliance with all debt covenants. We continue to
monitor our compliance with all debt covenants. At the present time, we believe that the likelihood of being unable to satisfy
these covenants is remote.
We believe that our future cash from domestic and international operations, together with our access to funds available under our
unsecured revolving credit facility, will provide adequate resources to fund both short-term and long-term operating
requirements, capital expenditures, dividend payments, acquisitions, new business development activities and share repurchases.
On April 8, 2020 we temporarily suspended repurchases under our approved share buy-back plan, which subsequently expired
on August 31, 2020, in order to preserve cash while we continued to monitor the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. At August
31, 2020, we had a total of $56.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. We do not foresee any ongoing issues with repaying our
borrowings and we closely monitor the use of this credit facility.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows by category for the periods presented (in thousands):
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Operating Activities
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2020
72,664
(18,945)
(26,709)
2,219
29,229
$
$
2019
62,851
(12,680)
(69,009)
(2,795)
(21,633)
$
$
2018
64,822
71,207
(121,409)
(2,836)
11,784
$
$
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $9.8 million to $72.7 million for fiscal year 2020 from $62.9 million for
fiscal year 2019. Cash flows from operating activities depend heavily on operating performance and changes in working capital.
Our primary source of operating cash flows for fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 was net income of $60.7 million,
which increased $4.8 million from period to period. Changes in our working capital further increased net cash provided by
operating activities from period to period. This was primarily attributable to increases accounts payable and accrued liabilities
during fiscal year 2020 compared with decreases in these accounts during the prior fiscal year. In addition, higher planned
increases in inventory levels during fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal year 2020 when inventory levels only increased slightly
also impacted changes in working capital. These increases in working capital were partially offset by the increase in long-term
liabilities and income taxes payable in fiscal year 2019 due to an $8.7 million uncertain tax position that was recorded in the
fourth quarter related to the Tax Act. Such account balances only increased slightly in fiscal year 2020, resulting in a change in
working capital which decreased cash provided by operating activities from period to period.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $18.9 million for fiscal year 2020 compared to $12.7 million for fiscal year 2019. This
change was significantly due to an increase of $6.0 million in capital expenditures from period to period due to manufacturing-
related capital expenditures within the U.K. and the United States.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities decreased $42.3 million to $26.7 million for fiscal year 2020 from $69.0 million for fiscal
year 2019, primarily due to $29.6 million in net proceeds on the Company’s revolving line of credit during fiscal year 2020,
compared to $2.9 million in net repayments during fiscal year 2019. Also contributing to this decrease in total cash outflows was
the suspension of treasury stock repurchases beginning in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, which resulted in a decrease in
treasury stock repurchases of $12.8 million period over period. Offsetting these decreases in cash outflows was an increase in
dividends paid of $3.2 million during fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year.
29
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes
All of our foreign subsidiaries currently operate in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar and a significant portion of our
consolidated cash balance is denominated in these foreign functional currencies, particularly at our U.K. subsidiary which
operates in Pound Sterling. As a result, our cash and cash equivalents balances are subject to the effects of the fluctuations in
these functional currencies against the U.S. Dollar at the end of each reporting period. The net effect of exchange rate changes
on cash and cash equivalents, when expressed in U.S. Dollar terms was an increase in cash of $2.2 million in fiscal year 2020,
and a decrease in cash of $2.8 million for both fiscal years 2019 and 2018. These changes were primarily due to fluctuations in
various foreign currency exchange rates from period to period, but the majority is related to the fluctuations in the Pound Sterling
against the U.S. Dollar.
Cash Flows
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2019 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2018
For discussion related to changes in the consolidated statements of cash flows for fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal year 2018,
refer to Part II - Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019, which was filed with the SEC on October
22, 2019.
Share Repurchase Plans
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Part IV—Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement
Schedules” Note 8 — Share Repurchase Plans, included in this report.
Dividends
The Company has historically paid regular quarterly cash dividends on its common stock. In December 2019, the Board of
Directors declared a 10% increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend, increasing it from $0.61 per share to $0.67 per share.
On October 5, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.67 per share payable on October 30, 2020
to shareholders of record on October 16, 2020. Our ability to pay dividends could be affected by future business performance,
liquidity, capital needs, alternative investment opportunities and loan covenants.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.
Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth our best estimates as to the amounts and timing of minimum contractual payments for our most
significant contractual obligations and commitments as of August 31, 2020 for the next five years and thereafter (in thousands).
Future events could cause actual payments to differ significantly from these amounts.
Leases (1)
Short-term and long-term borrowings (2)
Minimum purchase obligations (3)
Total
1 year
2-3 years
4-5 years
Thereafter
$
9,402
$
2,073
$
2,867
$
2,041
$
2,421
113,898
17,008
800
4,494
1,600
7,740
97,498
14,000
4,774
-
Total
$ 140,308
$
7,367
$
12,207
$ 104,313
$
16,421
(1) We were committed under non-cancellable financing and operating leases at August 31, 2020. Our financing leases
were not significant as of August 31, 2020.
(2)
Includes anticipated cash payments for short and long-term borrowings not inclusive of estimated interest payments,
which are not expected to be material on an annual basis. For additional details on these borrowings, including ability
and intent assessment on the Company’s credit facility agreement with Bank of America and debt structure changes
30
subsequent to August 31, 2020, refer to the information set forth in Part IV—Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement
Schedules”, Note 8 – Debt and Note 18 – Subsequent Events. As described in Note 18, the Company amended its credit
facility agreement subsequent to August 31, 2020 and extended the maturity date of this facility from March 16, 2025
to September 30, 2025. In addition, the Company refinanced a portion of its draws on this credit facility through the
issuance of Series B and Series C senior notes which mature in November 2027 and November 2030, respectively. As
a result, $95.9 million of borrowings that were due within 4 and 5 years from August 31, 2020 were subsequently
amended or refinanced and are no longer due until a period of greater than 5 years after August 31, 2020. At this time,
we are not able to estimate additional amounts we expect to borrow during fiscal year 2021 due to the uncertainty caused
by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our financial results and operations.
(3) We have ongoing relationships with various third-party suppliers (contract manufacturers) that manufacture our
products and third-party distribution centers who warehouse and ship our products to customers. The contract
manufacturers maintain title and control of certain raw materials and components, materials utilized in finished products,
and of the finished products themselves until shipment to our customers or third-party distribution centers in accordance
with agreed upon shipment terms. The table above includes definitive minimum purchase obligations included in the
master agreements with certain of our contract manufacturers and distribution centers. In addition, in the ordinary course
of business, we communicate supply needs to our contract manufacturers based on orders and short-term projections,
ranging from two to six months. We are committed to purchase the products produced by the contract manufacturers
based on the projections provided and these commitments are not included in the table above. Upon the termination of
contracts with contract manufacturers, we obtain certain inventory control rights and are obligated to work with the
contract manufacturer to sell through all product held by or manufactured by the contract manufacturer on our behalf
during the termination notification period. If any inventory remains at the contract manufacturer at the termination date,
we are obligated to purchase such inventory which may include raw materials, components and finished goods. The
amounts for inventory purchased under termination commitments have been immaterial and these commitments are not
included in the table above.
At August 31, 2020, the liability recorded for uncertain tax positions, excluding associated interest and penalties, was
approximately $9.4 million. For additional details on our uncertain tax positions, refer to the information set forth in Part IV—
Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” Note 14 – Income Taxes. We have estimated that up to $0.4 million of
unrecognized tax benefits related to income tax positions may be affected by the resolution of tax examinations or expiring
statutes of limitation within the next twelve months.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our results of operations and financial condition, as reflected in our consolidated financial statements, have been prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Preparation of financial statements
requires us to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and
the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We use historical experience and other relevant factors when developing
estimates and assumptions and these estimates and assumptions are continually evaluated. Note 2 to our consolidated financial
statements included in Item 15 of this report includes a discussion of the Company’s significant accounting policies. The
accounting policies discussed below are the ones we consider to be most critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial
statements because their application places the most significant demands on our judgment. Our financial results may have varied
from those reported had different assumptions been used or other conditions prevailed.
Revenue Recognition
Sales are recognized as revenue at a point in time upon transferring control of the product to the customer. This typically occurs
when products are shipped or delivered, depending on when risks of loss and title have passed to the customer per the terms of
the contract. For certain of our sales we must make judgments and certain assumptions in order to determine when delivery has
occurred. Through an analysis of end-of-period shipments for these particular sales, we determine an average time of transit of
product to our customers, and this is used to estimate the time of delivery and whether revenue should be recognized during the
current reporting period for such shipments. Differences in judgments or estimates related to the lengthening or shortening of the
estimated delivery time used could result in material differences in the timing of revenue recognition.
Sales are recorded net of allowances for damaged goods and other sales returns, sales incentives, trade promotions and cash
discounts. We apply a five-step approach in determining the amount and timing of revenue to be recognized which includes the
following: (1) identifying the contract with a customer, (2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, (3)
determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (5)
recognizing revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied
31
In determining the transaction price, management evaluates whether the price is subject to refund or adjustment related to variable
consideration to determine the net consideration to which we expect to be entitled. We record estimates of variable consideration,
which primarily includes rebates/other discounts (cooperative marketing programs, volume-based discounts, shelf price
reductions and allowances for shelf space, charges from customers for services they provided to us related to the sale and
penalties/fines charged to us by our customers for failing to adhere to contractual obligations), coupon offers, cash discount
allowances, and sales returns, as a reduction of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. These estimates are based on
the expected value method considering all reasonably available information, including current and past trade promotion spending
patterns, status of trade promotion activities and the interpretation of historical spending trends by customer and category,
customer agreements and/or currently known factors that arise in the normal course of business. We review our assumptions and
adjust these estimates accordingly on a quarterly basis. Our consolidated financial statements could be materially impacted if the
actual promotion rates are different from the estimated rates. If our accrual estimates for sales incentives at August 31, 2020 were
to differ by 10%, the impact on net sales would be approximately $0.9 million.
Accounting for Income Taxes
Current income tax expense is the amount of income taxes expected to be payable for the current year. A deferred income tax
liability or asset is established for the expected future tax consequences resulting from the differences in financial reporting and
tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred
tax assets will not be realized. In addition to valuation allowances, we provide for uncertain tax positions when such tax positions
do not meet the recognition thresholds or measurement standards prescribed by the authoritative guidance on income taxes.
Amounts for uncertain tax positions are adjusted in periods when new information becomes available or when positions are
effectively settled. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax
expense.
The Company is required to make assertions on whether our foreign subsidiaries will invest their undistributed earnings
indefinitely and these assertions are based on the capital needs of the foreign subsidiaries. Generally, unremitted earnings of our
foreign subsidiaries are not considered to be indefinitely reinvested. However, there are exceptions regarding our newly formed
subsidiary in Mexico as well as specific statutory remittance restrictions imposed on our China subsidiary. Costs associated with
repatriating unremitted foreign earnings, including U.S. state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes, are immaterial to the
Company’s consolidated financial statements. For additional information on income tax matters, see Part IV—Item 15, “Exhibits,
Financial Statement Schedules” Note 14 — Income Taxes, included in this report.
Impairment of Definite-Lived Intangible Assets
We assess for potential impairments to our long-lived assets when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and/or its estimated remaining useful life may no longer be
appropriate. Any required impairment loss would be measured as the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its
fair value, which is the amount at which the asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing market
participants and would be recorded as a reduction in the carrying amount of the related asset and a charge to results of operations.
An impairment loss would be recognized when the sum of the expected future undiscounted net cash flows is less than the
carrying amount of the asset.
There were no indicators of potential impairment identified as a result of the Company’s review of events and circumstances
related to its existing definite-lived intangible assets for the periods ended August 31, 2020, 2019 or 2018. The Company’s
review of events and circumstances included consideration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Information on Recently Issued Accounting Standards that could potentially impact the Company’s consolidated financial
statements and related disclosures is incorporated by reference to Part IV—Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules”
Note 2 — Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, included in this report.
32
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Foreign Currency Risk
The Company is exposed to a variety of risks, including foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. In the normal course of
business, the Company employs established policies and procedures to manage its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency
values.
All of the Company’s international subsidiaries operate in functional currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. As a result, the
Company is exposed to foreign currency related risk when the financial statements of its international subsidiaries are translated
for consolidation purposes from functional currencies to U.S. Dollars. This foreign currency risk can affect sales, expenses and
profits as well as assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. The Company does not enter
into any hedging activities to mitigate this foreign currency translation risk.
The Company’s U.K. subsidiary, whose functional currency is Pound Sterling, utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to
limit its exposure to net asset balances held in non-functional currencies. The Company regularly monitors its foreign exchange
exposures to ensure the overall effectiveness of its foreign currency hedge positions. While the Company engages in foreign
currency hedging activity to reduce its risk, for accounting purposes, none of its foreign currency forward contracts are designated
as hedges.
Commodity Price Risk
Petroleum-based specialty chemicals and aerosol cans constitute a significant portion of the cost of many of the Company’s
maintenance products. Volatility in the price of oil directly impacts the cost of petroleum-based specialty chemicals which are
indexed to the price of crude oil. If there are significant increases in the costs of crude oil, the Company’s gross margins and
operating results will be negatively impacted. The Company does not currently have a strategy or policy to enter into transactions
to hedge crude oil price volatility, but the Company regularly reviews this policy based on market conditions and other factors.
Interest Rate Risk
As of August 31, 2020, the Company had a $95.9 million outstanding balance on its existing $150.0 million revolving credit
facility agreement with Bank of America. This $150.0 million revolving credit facility is subject to interest rate fluctuations.
Under the terms of the credit facility agreement, the Company may borrow loans in U.S. dollars or in foreign currencies from
time to time until March 16, 2025. In addition, the Company had $18.0 million in fixed rate borrowings consisting of senior notes
under its note purchase agreement as of August 31, 2020. On September 30, 2020, we entered into amendments to both the line
of credit and note agreement and refinanced existing draws under our credit facility in the United States through the issuance of
additional notes in the amount of $52.0 million. For additional details on the Company’s long-term borrowings as of August 31,
2020 and subsequent debt restructuring, refer to the information set forth in Part IV—Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement
Schedules”, Note 8 – Debt and Note 18 – Subsequent Events, respectively. Interest rates associated with this revolving credit
facility are based on Prime and LIBOR rates. Any significant increase in the bank’s Prime rate and/or LIBOR rate could have a
material effect on interest expense incurred on any borrowings outstanding under the credit facility. The U.K.’s Financial Conduct
Authority has announced the LIBOR benchmark will be phased out by a target date of December, 31, 2021. Although the
Company expects the contract on its revolving credit facility to be amended by this target date to include the incorporation of an
alternative reference rate, the Company does not believe this anticipated event represents a material increase to its interest rate
risk.
33
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The Company’s consolidated financial statements at August 31, 2020 and 2019 and for each of the three fiscal years in the period
ended August 31, 2020, and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are included in Item 15 of this report.
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly consolidated financial data (in thousands, except per share data):
Net sales
Gross profit
Net Income
Diluted earnings per common share
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2020
1st
98,556
53,543
12,194
0.88
$
$
$
$
2nd
$ 100,049
53,602
$
14,327
$
1.04
$
3rd
98,247
53,050
14,524
1.06
$
$
$
$
4th
$
$
$
$
111,646
62,822
19,665
1.42
Total
$ 408,498
$ 223,017
60,710
$
4.40
$
Net sales
Gross profit
Net Income (1)
Diluted earnings per common share (1)
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2019
1st
$ 101,282
55,831
$
$
$
13,279
0.95
2nd
$ 101,335
56,158
$
$
$
15,906
1.14
3rd
$ 113,989
62,083
$
$
$
18,139
1.30
4th
106,744
58,268
8,584
0.63
$
$
$
$
Total
$ 423,350
$ 232,340
$
$
55,908
4.02
(1) Net income and diluted earnings per common share were unfavorably impacted due to a $8.7 million uncertain tax position, inclusive of accrued
interest of approximately $0.4 million, recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019 related to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”).
For additional information, see Part IV – Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” Note 13 – Income Taxes, included in this report.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). The term disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other
procedures of a Company that are designed to ensure the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that
it files or submits under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s
rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed by a Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated
and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons
performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. The Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and
procedures as of August 31, 2020, the end of the period covered by this report (the Evaluation Date), and they have concluded
that, as of the Evaluation Date, such controls and procedures were effective at ensuring that required information will be disclosed
on a timely basis in the Company’s reports filed under the Exchange Act. Although management believes the Company’s existing
disclosure controls and procedures are adequate to enable the Company to comply with its disclosure obligations, management
continues to review and update such controls and procedures. The Company has a disclosure committee, which consists of certain
members of the Company’s senior management.
34
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is
defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting
based upon the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission in 2013. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that its internal control over financial
reporting is effective as of August 31, 2020.
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.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, who audited and reported on the consolidated
financial statements of WD-40 Company included in Item 15 of this report, has audited the effectiveness of WD-40 Company’s
internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2020, as stated in their report included in Item 15 of this report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most
recent fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2020, that materially affected, or would be reasonably likely to materially affect, the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Beginning September 1, 2019, the Company implemented the new lease guidance under ASC 842. In connection with the
adoption of this standard, the Company made enhancements to its internal controls over financial reporting and procedures related
to lease accounting, as well as the associated control activities within them. These enhancements included the development of
new policies based on the updated lease guidance, new training, ongoing contract review requirements and gathering of
information provided for disclosures.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
PART III
Certain information required by this item is set forth in sections under the headings “Security Ownership of Directors and
Executive Officers,” “Nominees for Election as Directors,” and “Audit Committee – Related Party Transactions Review and
Oversight” in the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the
2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on December 8, 2020 (“Proxy Statement”), which information is incorporated by reference
herein. Additional information concerning executive officers of the Registrant required by this item is included in this report
following Item 4 of Part I under the heading, "Executive Officers of the Registrant."
The Registrant has a code of ethics (as defined in Item 406 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) applicable to its principal
executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and persons performing similar functions.
The code of ethics is represented by the Registrant’s Code of Conduct applicable to all employees and directors. A copy of the
Code of Conduct may be found on the Registrant’s internet website on the Corporate Governance link from the Investors page
at www.wd40company.com.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to sections of the Proxy Statement under the headings “Board of
Directors Compensation” (and the table following such section), “Compensation Committee - Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Executive
Compensation” (and the compensation tables following such section), “Supplemental Death Benefit Plans and Supplemental
Insurance Benefits,” “Change of Control Severance Agreements” and “CEO Pay Ratio.”
35
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement under the headings “Principal
Security Holders” and “Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers.”
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information regarding shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for issuance under equity
compensation plans as of August 31, 2020:
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(a)
Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding options
warrants and rights
(b)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)
148,186 (1) $
n/a
148,186 (1) $
-
n/a
-
627,742
n/a
627,742
Plan category
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders
(1) Includes 86,154 securities to be issued pursuant to outstanding restricted stock units; 39,118 securities to be issued pursuant to outstanding market
share units (“MSUs”) based on 100% of the target number of MSU shares to be issued upon achievement of the applicable performance measure
specified for such MSUs; and 22,914 securities to be issued pursuant to outstanding deferred performance units (“DPUs”) based on 100% of the
maximum number of DPU shares to be issued upon achievement of the applicable performance measure specified for such DPUs.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement under the headings “Director
Independence” and “Audit Committee - Related Party Transactions Review and Oversight.”
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement under the heading “Ratification of
Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
36
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Documents filed as part of this report
(1) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
F-1
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-8
(2) Financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial
statements or notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits
Exhibit
No.
Description
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
3(a)
Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed October 22, 2018, Exhibit 3(a)
thereto.
3(b)
Amended and Restated Bylaws of WD-40 Company, incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed August
16, 2018, Exhibit 3.1 thereto.
Material Contracts.
Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements (Exhibits 10(a) through 10(s) are management contracts and compensatory
plans or arrangements required to be filed as exhibits pursuant to Item 15(b)).
10(a)
WD-40 Company 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed November
3, 2016, Appendix A thereto.
10(b)
WD-40 Directors’ Compensation Policy and Election Plan dated October 7, 2019, incorporated by reference from the
Registrant’s Form 10-K filed October 22, 2019, Exhibit 10(b) thereto.
10(c)
10(d)
10(e)
10(f)
10(g)
10(h)
10(i)
Form of Indemnity Agreement between the Registrant and its executive officers and directors, incorporated by reference from
the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed October 22, 2013, Exhibit 10(d) thereto.
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for grants of Restricted Stock Units to Executive Officers in fiscal years 2018, 2019
and 2020.
Form of Market Share Unit Award Agreement for grants of Market Share Units to Executive Officers in fiscal years 2018,
2019 and 2020.
Form of Deferred Performance Unit Award Agreement for grants of Deferred Performance Units to Executive Officers.
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for grants of Restricted Stock Units to Executive Officers in fiscal year 2021.
Form of Market Share Unit Award Agreement for grants of Market Share Units to Executive Officers in fiscal year 2021.
Form of Performance Share Unit Restricted Stock Award Agreement for grants of Performance Share Units to Executive
Officers in fiscal year 2021.
10(j)
WD-40 Company 2017 Performance Incentive Compensation Plan, incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy
Statement filed November 2, 2017, Appendix A thereto.
10(k)
10(l)
10(m)
Form of WD-40 Company Supplemental Death Benefit Plan applicable to certain executive officers of the Registrant,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed October 24, 2016, Exhibit 10(i) thereto.
Change of Control Severance Agreement between WD-40 Company and Jay W. Rembolt dated October 16, 2008, incorporated
by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed October 21, 2014, Exhibit 10(h) thereto.
Change of Control Severance Agreement between WD-40 Company and Richard T. Clampitt dated October 15, 2014,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed October 21, 2014, Exhibit 10(i) thereto.
37
10(n)
10(o)
10(p)
Change of Control Severance Agreement between WD-40 Company and Stanley A. Sewitch dated October 15, 2014,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed October 21, 2014, Exhibit 10(j) thereto.
Change of Control Severance Agreement between WD-40 Company and Garry O. Ridge dated February 14, 2006, incorporated
by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed October 23, 2017, Exhibit 10(p) thereto.
Change of Control Severance Agreement between WD-40 Company and Geoffrey J. Holdsworth dated February 14, 2006,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed October 23, 2017, Exhibit 10(r) thereto.
10(q)
Change of Control Severance Agreement between WD-40 Company and William B. Noble dated February 14, 2006,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed October 23, 2017, Exhibit 10(s) thereto.
10(r)
10(s)
10(t)
10(u)
10(v)
10(w)
10(x)
10(y)
10(z)
10(aa)
10(ab)
10(ac)
10(ad)
10(ae)
10(af)
10(ag)
10(ah)
10(ai)
Change of Control Severance Agreement between WD-40 Company and Steven Brass dated June 22, 2016, incorporated by
reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed January 9, 2017, Exhibit 10(c) thereto.
Change of Control Severance Agreement between WD-40 Company and Patricia Q. Olsem dated October 8, 2019, incorporated
by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed January 9, 2020, Exhibit 10(a) thereto.
Credit Agreement dated June 17, 2011 among WD-40 Company and Bank of America, N.A., incorporated by reference from
the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed October 23, 2017, Exhibit 10(u) thereto.
First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated January 7, 2013 among WD-40 Company and Bank of America, N.A.,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed January 9, 2013, Exhibit 10(b) thereto.
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated May 13, 2015 among WD-40 Company and Bank of America, N.A.,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K/A filed May 18, 2015, Exhibit 10(a) thereto.
Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 16, 2015 among WD-40 Company and Bank of America, N.A.,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed November 19, 2015, Exhibit 10(a) thereto.
Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated September 1, 2016 among WD-40 Company and Bank of America, N.A.,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed September 2, 2016, Exhibit 10(a) thereto.
Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 15, 2017 among WD-40 Company and Bank of America, N.A.,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed November 17, 2018, Exhibit 10(b) thereto.
Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated February 23, 2018 among WD-40 Company and Bank of America, N.A.,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 27, 2018, Exhibit 10(c) thereto.
Seventh Amendment to Credit Agreement dated January 22, 2019 among WD-40 Company and Bank of America, N.A.,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed January 25, 2019, Exhibit 10(a) thereto.
Credit Agreement dated March 16, 2020 among WD-40 Company and Bank of America, incorporated by reference from the
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 20, 2020, Exhibit 10(a) thereto.
Form of Acknowledgement Letter Agreement dated April 8, 2020 among WD-40 Company and Bank of America, incorporated
by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed April 9, 2020, Exhibit 10(d) thereto.
First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated September 30, 2020 among WD-40 Company and Bank of America, N.A.,
incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed October 6, 2020, Exhibit 10(a) thereto.
Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated November 15, 2017 among WD-40 Company and Prudential and certain
Note Purchasers, incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed November 17, 2017, Exhibit 10(a) thereto.
First Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement dated February 23, 2018 among WD-40 Company and Prudential and certain
Note Purchasers, incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 27, 2018, Exhibit 10(b) thereto.
Second Amendment to Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated March 16, 2020 among WD-40 Company and
Prudential and certain Note Purchasers, incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 20, 2020,
Exhibit 10(b) thereto.
Form of Limited Consent Letter Agreement dated April 8, 2020 among WD-40 Company and Prudential and certain Note
Purchasers, incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed April 9, 2020, Exhibit 10(e) thereto.
Third Amendment to Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated September 30, 2020 among WD-40 Company and
Prudential and certain Note Purchasers, incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed October 6, 2020,
Exhibit 10(e) thereto.
38
10(aj)
10(ak)
21
23
Series B Senior Notes dated September 30, 2020, incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed October 6,
2020, Exhibit 10(f) thereto.
Series C Senior Notes dated September 30, 2020, incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed October 6,
2020, Exhibit 10(g) thereto.
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated October 21, 2020.
31(a)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31(b)
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32(a)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32(b)
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101
104
The following materials from WD-40 Company’s Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020
formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statement of Operations, (ii) the
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, (iv) the Consolidated
Balance Sheet, (v) the Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity, and (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
The cover page from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, formatted in
iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
39
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this
annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
WD-40 COMPANY
Registrant
/s/ JAY W. REMBOLT
JAY W. REMBOLT
Vice President, Finance
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Date: October 21, 2020
/s/ RAE ANN PARTLO
RAE ANN PARTLO
Vice President and Corporate Controller
Principal Accounting Officer
Date: October 21, 2020
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons
on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ GARRY O. RIDGE
GARRY O. RIDGE
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: October 21, 2020
/s/ DANIEL T. CARTER
DANIEL T. CARTER, Director
Date: October 21, 2020
/s/ MELISSA CLAASSEN
MELISSA CLAASSEN, Director
Date: October 21, 2020
/s/ ERIC P. ETCHART
ERIC P. ETCHART, Director
Date: October 21, 2020
/s/ TREVOR I. MIHALIK
TREVOR I. MIHALIK, Director
Date: October 21, 2020
/s/ GRACIELA I. MONTEAGUDO
GRACIELA I. MONTEAGUDO, Director
Date: October 21, 2020
/s/ DAVID B. PENDARVIS
DAVID B. PENDARVIS, Director
Date: October 21, 2020
/s/ DANIEL E. PITTARD
DANIEL E. PITTARD, Director
Date: October 21, 2020
/s/ GREGORY A. SANDFORT
GREGORY A. SANDFORT, Director
Date: October 21, 2020
/s/ ANNE G. SAUNDERS
ANNE G. SAUNDERS, Director
Date: October 21, 2020
/s/ NEAL E. SCHMALE
NEAL E. SCHMALE, Director
Date: October 21, 2020
40
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of WD-40 Company
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of WD-40 Company and its subsidiaries as of August 31, 2020
and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 2020, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the
“consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of August
31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of the Company as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended August 31, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of
August 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Changes in Accounting Principles
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for leases
in 2020.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control
over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express
opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting
based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities
laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement,
whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement
of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.
Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,
as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. 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.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
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
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions
of the assets of the company; (ii) 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 (iii) provide
F-1
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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial
statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or
disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or
complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated
financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate
opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Rebates - Cooperative Marketing Program Accruals
As described in Notes 2 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements, sales are recorded net of allowances for damaged goods
and other sales returns, sales incentives, trade promotions and cash discounts. In determining the transaction price, management
evaluates whether the price is subject to refund or adjustment related to variable consideration to determine the net consideration
to which the Company expects to be entitled. The Company records estimates of variable consideration, which primarily includes
rebates/other discounts (cooperative marketing programs, volume-based discounts, shelf price reductions and allowances for
shelf space, charges from customers for services they provide to the Company related to the sale and penalties/fines charged to
the Company by customers associated with failing to adhere to contractual obligations), coupon offers, cash discount allowances,
and sales returns, as a reduction of sales in its consolidated statements of operations. These estimates are based on the expected
value method considering all reasonably available information, including current and past trade promotion spending patterns,
status of trade promotion activities, the interpretation of historical spending trends by customer and category, customer
agreements and/or currently known factors that arise in the normal course of business. Management reviews its assumptions and
adjusts these estimates accordingly on a quarterly basis. As of August 31, 2020, the Company had a $7.5 million balance in
rebate/other discount liabilities, which are included in accrued liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, and
recorded approximately $20.7 million in rebates/other discounts as a reduction to sales during fiscal year 2020.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the cooperative marketing program
accruals is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management to estimate the cooperative marketing program
accruals, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment in performing procedures to evaluate the status of trade promotion
activities within the cooperative marketing program accruals, and (ii) the high level of audit effort and subjectivity in performing
procedures to evaluate the current and past trade promotion spending patterns and the status of trade promotion activities used to
determine the cooperative marketing program accruals.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall
opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the
estimation of cooperative marketing program accruals, which related to controls over the current and past trade promotion
spending patterns and the status of trade promotion activities used in management’s estimate. These procedures also included,
among others, (i) testing management’s process to estimate the cooperative marketing program accruals, including evaluating
the appropriateness of the expected value method, testing the completeness, accuracy and relevance of underlying data used,
including the current and past trade promotion spending patterns, and evaluating the reasonableness of the status of the trade
promotion activities assumption considering the overall business environment, and (ii) evaluating the completeness of offers
made to customers for potential promotional activities, which may require accrual as of period end.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Diego, California
October 21, 2020
We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1972. We have not been able to determine the specific year we began
serving as auditor of the Company.
F-2
WD-40 COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $362 and $300 at August 31, 2020
and 2019, respectively
Inventories
Other current assets
Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Goodwill
Other intangible assets, net
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Deferred tax assets, net
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Accrued payroll and related expenses
Short-term borrowings
Income taxes payable
Total current liabilities
Long-term borrowings
Deferred tax liabilities, net
Long-term operating lease liabilities
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock ― authorized 36,000,000 shares, $0.001 par value;
19,812,685 and 19,773,977 shares issued at August 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively; and 13,664,786 and 13,718,661 shares outstanding at
August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Common stock held in treasury, at cost ― 6,147,899 and 6,055,316
shares at August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
Total shareholders' equity
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
August 31,
2020
August 31,
2019
$
56,462
$
27,233
$
$
80,672
41,264
6,756
185,154
60,759
95,731
8,633
8,168
464
3,728
362,637
21,676
21,660
14,767
800
1,213
60,116
113,098
11,291
6,520
11,299
202,324
20
157,850
398,731
(28,208)
$
$
72,864
40,682
7,216
147,995
45,076
95,347
10,652
-
403
3,189
302,662
18,727
18,513
15,301
21,205
844
74,590
60,221
11,688
-
10,688
157,187
20
155,132
374,060
(32,482)
(368,080)
160,313
362,637
$
(351,255)
145,475
302,662
$
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
WD-40 COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
408,498
185,481
223,017
$
423,350
191,010
232,340
$
408,518
183,255
225,263
Net sales
Cost of products sold
Gross profit
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative
Advertising and sales promotion
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets
Total operating expenses
121,980
21,606
2,211
145,797
123,946
23,306
2,706
149,958
121,394
22,314
2,951
146,659
Income from operations
77,220
82,382
78,604
Other (expense) income:
Interest income
Interest expense
Other income (expense), net
Income before income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income
Earnings per common share:
Basic
Diluted
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic
Diluted
93
(2,439)
641
75,515
14,805
60,710
4.41
4.40
13,691
13,719
$
$
$
155
(2,541)
774
80,770
24,862
55,908
4.03
4.02
13,799
13,830
$
$
$
454
(4,219)
339
75,178
9,963
65,215
4.65
4.64
13,929
13,962
$
$
$
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
WD-40 COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2020
2019
2018
Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Total comprehensive income
$
$
60,710
$
55,908
$
65,215
4,274
64,984
$
(4,748)
51,160
$
439
65,654
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
WD-40 COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Common Stock
Shares
19,688,238 $
Amount
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
20 $
150,692 $
315,764 $
(28,075)
Total
Treasury Stock
Shareholders'
Shares
5,704,055 $
Amount
Equity
(299,014) $
139,387
Balance at August 31, 2017
Issuance of common stock under share-based
compensation plan, net of shares withheld for taxes
41,536
Stock-based compensation
Cash dividends ($2.11 per share)
Acquisition of treasury stock
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
Net income
(1,607)
4,195
189
Balance at August 31, 2018
19,729,774 $
20 $
153,469 $
Issuance of common stock under share-based
compensation plan, net of shares withheld for taxes
44,203
Stock-based compensation
Cash dividends ($2.37 per share)
Acquisition of treasury stock
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
Net income
(2,783)
4,446
Balance at August 31, 2019
19,773,977 $
20 $
155,132 $
Issuance of common stock under share-based
compensation plan, net of shares withheld for taxes
38,708
Stock-based compensation
Cash dividends ($2.62 per share)
Acquisition of treasury stock
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net income
(2,640)
5,358
Balance at August 31, 2020
19,812,685 $
20 $
157,850 $
(29,585)
(128)
65,215
351,266 $
(32,889)
(225)
55,908
374,060 $
(36,039)
60,710
398,731 $
175,306
(22,616)
439
(27,636)
5,879,361 $
(321,630) $
175,955
(29,625)
(4,748)
(98)
(32,482)
6,055,316 $
(351,255) $
92,583
(16,825)
4,274
(28,208)
6,147,899 $
(368,080) $
(1,607)
4,195
(29,585)
(22,616)
439
61
65,215
155,489
(2,783)
4,446
(32,889)
(29,625)
(4,748)
(323)
55,908
145,475
(2,640)
5,358
(36,039)
(16,825)
4,274
60,710
160,313
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
WD-40 COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Net gains on sales and disposals of property and equipment
Deferred income taxes
Stock-based compensation
Unrealized foreign currency exchange losses (gains), net
Provision for bad debts
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable
Inventories
Other assets
Operating lease assets and liabilities, net
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Accrued payroll and related expenses
Other long-term liabilities and income taxes payable
Net cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
Purchases of intangible assets
Purchases of short-term investments
Maturities of short-term investments
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Financing activities:
Treasury stock purchases
Dividends paid
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
Proceeds from issuance of long-term senior notes
Repayments of long-term senior notes
Net proceeds (repayments) from revolving credit facility
Shares withheld to cover taxes upon conversion of equity awards
Net cash used in financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for:
Interest
Income taxes, net of tax refunds received
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
60,710
$
55,908
$
65,215
7,701
(124)
(509)
5,358
265
134
(4,499)
555
232
233
2,725
(1,042)
925
72,664
(19,307)
362
-
-
-
(18,945)
(16,825)
(36,039)
-
-
(800)
29,595
(2,640)
(26,709)
2,219
29,229
27,233
56,462
2,259
12,569
$
$
$
$
$
$
7,593
(99)
(4)
4,446
651
67
(7,318)
(4,800)
5,802
-
(7,948)
879
7,674
62,851
(13,282)
383
-
-
219
(12,680)
(29,625)
(32,889)
-
-
(800)
(2,912)
(2,783)
(69,009)
(2,795)
(21,633)
48,866
27,233
2,199
16,879
7,800
(164)
(7,186)
4,195
(302)
121
(5,635)
(1,299)
(5,353)
-
6,107
590
733
64,822
(12,356)
458
(175)
(83,704)
166,984
71,207
(22,616)
(29,585)
215
20,000
(400)
(87,200)
(1,823)
(121,409)
(2,836)
11,784
37,082
48,866
4,286
10,478
$
$
$
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. The Company
WD-40 Company (“the Company”), based in San Diego, California, is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating
positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the
world. The Company markets its maintenance products and its homecare and cleaning products under the following well-known
brands: WD-40®, 3-IN-ONE®, GT85®, X-14®, 2000 Flushes®, Carpet Fresh®, no vac®, Spot Shot®, 1001®, Lava® and
Solvol®. Currently included in the WD-40 brand are the WD-40 Multi-Use Product and the WD-40 Specialist® and WD-
40 BIKE® product lines.
The Company’s brands are sold in various locations around the world. Maintenance products are sold worldwide in markets
throughout North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Homecare and cleaning
products are sold primarily in North America, the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and Australia. The Company’s products are sold
primarily through warehouse club stores, hardware stores, automotive parts outlets, industrial distributors and suppliers, mass
retail and home center stores, value retailers, grocery stores, online retailers, farm supply, sport retailers, and independent bike
dealers.
Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany
transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
COVID-19 Considerations
The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted global economic conditions and has contributed to significant volatility in
financial markets beginning in early calendar year 2020, as described in the “Significant Developments” section included in Part
II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Although the Company’s
current estimates contemplate current conditions, the inputs into certain of the Company’s significant and critical accounting
estimates include judgments and assumptions about the economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and how management
expects them to change in the future, as appropriate. It is reasonably possible that actual results experienced may differ materially
from the Company’s estimates in future periods, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Supplier Risk
The Company relies on a limited number of suppliers, including single or sole source suppliers for certain of its raw materials,
packaging, product components and other necessary supplies. Where possible and where it makes business sense, the Company
works with secondary or multiple suppliers to qualify additional supply sources. To date, the Company has been able to obtain
adequate supplies of these materials which are used in the production of its maintenance products and homecare and cleaning
products in a timely manner from existing sources.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less.
Trade Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is
the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in existing accounts receivable. The Company determines
the allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical write-off experience and the identification of specific balances deemed
uncollectible. Trade accounts receivable are charged against the allowance when the Company believes it is probable that the
trade accounts receivable will not be recovered. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its
F-8
customers. Allowance for doubtful accounts related to the Company’s trade accounts receivable were not significant at August
31, 2020 and 2019.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined primarily based on a first-in, first-out method
or, for a portion of raw materials inventory, the average cost method. When necessary, the Company adjusts the carrying value
of its inventory to the lower of cost or net realizable value, including any costs to sell or dispose of such inventory. Appropriate
consideration is given by the Company to obsolescence, excessive inventory levels, product deterioration and other factors when
evaluating net realizable value for the purposes of determining the lower of cost or net realizable value.
Included in inventories are amounts for certain raw materials and components that the Company has provided to its third-party
contract manufacturers but that remain unpaid to the Company as of the balance sheet date. The Company’s contract
manufacturers package products to the Company’s specifications and, upon order from the Company, ship ready-to-sell inventory
to either the Company’s third-party distribution centers or directly to its customers. The Company transfers certain raw materials
and components to these contract manufacturers for use in the manufacturing process. Contract manufacturers are obligated to
pay the Company for these raw materials and components upon receipt. Amounts receivable from the contract manufacturers as
of the balance sheet date related to transfers of these raw materials and components by the Company to its contract manufacturers
are considered product held at third-party contract manufacturers and are included in inventories in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based upon estimated useful
lives of ten to forty years for buildings and improvements, three to fifteen years for machinery and equipment, three to five years
for vehicles, three to ten years for furniture and fixtures, three to seven years for R&D lab equipment and office equipment and
three to five years for software and computer equipment. The useful lives of major on-premises information system installations
such as implementations of enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) systems are determined on an individual basis. Depreciation
expense totaled $5.5 million, $4.9 million and $4.8 million for fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These amounts
include equipment depreciation expense which is recognized as cost of products sold and totaled $1.4 million in fiscal year 2020,
and $1.1 million for the fiscal years 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The Company capitalizes costs related to computer software obtained or developed for internal use. Software obtained for internal
use has generally been enterprise-level business and finance software that the Company customizes to meet its specific
operational needs. Costs incurred in the application development phase are capitalized and amortized over their useful lives,
which are generally three to five years.
Leases
In fiscal year 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842 or “ASC 842”).
Prior period amounts have not been restated and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historical accounting
policies. The Company leases real estate for its regional sales offices, a research and development facility, and offices located at
its international subsidiaries and branch locations. In addition, the Company leases a fleet of automobiles. The Company has also
identified warehouse leases within certain third-party distribution center service contracts. To determine if a contract contains a
lease, the Company assesses its contracts and determines if there is an identified asset for which the Company has obtained the
right to control, as defined in ASC 842. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present
value of lease payments over the lease term with lease expense recognized over the term of the lease. As the Company’s leases
typically do not contain a readily determinable implicit rate, the Company determines the present value of the lease liability using
its estimated secured incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date based on the lease term and the currency of
the lease on a collateralized basis.
Lease agreements may contain rent escalation clauses, renewal or termination options, and rent holidays, amongst other features.
ROU assets include amounts for scheduled rent increases. The lease term includes the non-cancelable period of the lease and
options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise those options, and is reviewed
in subsequent periods if a triggering event occurs. The Company has made the accounting policy election to use certain ongoing
practical expedients made available by ASC 842 to: (i) not separate lease components from nonlease components for real estate
– office buildings, machinery and equipment, lab equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and IT equipment; and (ii)
exclude leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (“short-term” leases) from the consolidated balance sheets and will
recognize related lease payments in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
F-9
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired. The carrying
value of goodwill is reviewed for possible impairment in accordance with the authoritative guidance on goodwill, intangibles
and other. The Company assesses possible impairments to goodwill at least annually during its second fiscal quarter and otherwise
when events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment condition may exist. In performing the annual impairment
test of its goodwill, the Company considers the fair value concepts of a market participant and the highest and best use for its
intangible assets. In addition to the annual impairment test, goodwill is evaluated each reporting period to determine whether
events and circumstances would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.
When testing goodwill for impairment, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to
perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. If, after assessing qualitative factors, the Company determines it is not more
likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing a quantitative test is
unnecessary. Otherwise, a quantitative test is performed to identify the potential impairment and to measure the amount of
goodwill impairment, if any. The Company also performs a quantitative assessment periodically, regardless of the results of the
qualitative assessments. Any required impairment losses are recorded as a reduction in the carrying amount of the related asset
and charged to results of operations. No goodwill impairments were identified by the Company during fiscal years 2020, 2019
or 2018.
Long-lived Assets
The Company’s long-lived assets consist of property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets. Long-lived assets are
depreciated or amortized, as applicable, on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The Company assesses for
potential impairments to its long-lived assets when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and/or its remaining useful life may no longer be appropriate. Any required
impairment loss would be measured as the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, which is the
amount at which the asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing market participants and would be
recorded as a reduction in the carrying amount of the related asset and a charge to results of operations. An impairment loss
would be recognized when the sum of the expected future undiscounted net cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the
asset. No impairments to its long-lived assets were identified by the Company during fiscal years 2020, 2019 or 2018.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, defines fair value as the
exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market
participants at the measurement date. The Company categorizes its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a
hierarchy that categorizes fair value measurements into the following three levels based on the types of inputs used in measuring
their fair value:
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or observable inputs that are corroborated by market data; and
Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions.
Under fair value accounting, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant
to the fair value measurement. As of August 31, 2020, the Company had no assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value in
the financial statements on a recurring basis, with the exception of the foreign currency forward contracts, which are classified
as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The carrying values of cash equivalents, short-term investments and short-term
borrowings are recorded at cost, which approximates their fair values, based on Level 2 inputs, primarily due to their short-term
maturities. In addition, the carrying value of borrowings held under the Company’s revolving credit facility approximates fair
value, based on Level 2 inputs, due to the variable nature of underlying interest rates, which generally reflect market conditions.
The Company’s fixed rate long-term borrowings consist of senior notes and are recorded at carrying value. The Company
estimates that the fair value of its senior notes, based on Level 2 inputs, was approximately $20.9 million as of August 31, 2020,
which was determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis using current market interest rates for instruments with similar
terms, compared to its carrying value of $18.0 million. During the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the
Company did not record any significant nonrecurring fair value measurements for assets or liabilities in periods subsequent to
their initial recognition.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of
cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Company’s policy is to place its cash in high credit quality financial
F-10
institutions, in investments that include demand deposits, term deposits and callable time deposits. The Company’s trade accounts
receivable are derived from customers located in North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa
and India. The Company limits its credit exposure from trade accounts receivable by performing on-going credit evaluations of
customers, as well as insuring its trade accounts receivable in selected markets.
Insurance Coverage
The Company carries insurance policies to cover insurable risks such as property damage, business interruption, product liability,
workers’ compensation and other risks, with coverage and other terms that it believes to be adequate and appropriate. These
policies may be subject to applicable deductible or retention amounts, coverage limitations and exclusions. The Company does
not maintain self-insurance with respect to its material risks; therefore, the Company has not provided for self-insurance reserves
as of August 31, 2020 and 2019.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue related to the sale of products when it satisfies a performance obligation in an amount reflecting
the consideration to which it expects to be entitled. Sales are recorded net of allowances for damaged goods and other sales
returns, sales incentives, trade promotions and cash discounts. The Company applies a five-step approach in determining the
amount and timing of revenue to be recognized which includes the following: (1) identifying the contract with a customer, (2)
identifying the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price
to the performance obligations in the contract and (5) recognizing revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied.
In determining the transaction price, the Company evaluates whether the price is subject to refund or adjustment related to
variable consideration to determine the net consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled. The Company records
estimates of variable consideration, which primarily includes rebates/other discounts (cooperative marketing programs, volume-
based discounts, shelf price reductions and allowances for shelf space, charges from customers for services they provided to us
related to the sale and penalties/fines charged to us by customers associated with failing to adhere to contractual obligations),
coupon offers, cash discount allowances, and sales returns, as a reduction of sales in its consolidated statements of operations.
These estimates are based on the expected value method considering all reasonably available information, including current and
past trade promotion spending patterns, status of trade promotion activities, the interpretation of historical spending trends by
customer and category, customer agreements and/or currently known factors that arise in the normal course of business. The
Company reviews its assumptions and adjusts these estimates accordingly on a quarterly basis.
Cost of Products Sold
Cost of products sold primarily includes the cost of products manufactured on the Company’s behalf by its third-party contract
manufacturers, net of volume and other rebates. Cost of products sold also includes the costs to manufacture WD-40 concentrate,
which is done at the Company’s own facilities or at third-party contract manufacturers. When the concentrate is manufactured
by the Company, cost of products sold includes direct labor, direct materials and supplies; in-bound freight costs related to
purchased raw materials and finished product; and depreciation of machinery and equipment used in the manufacturing process.
In addition, cost of products sold includes fees charged to the Company by its third-party distribution centers to warehouse and
administer finished products once they are received from the Company’s third-party contract manufacturers.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses include costs related to selling the Company’s products, such as the cost of the sales
force and related sales and broker commissions; shipping and handling costs paid to third-party companies to distribute finished
goods from the Company’s third-party contract manufacturers and distribution centers to its customers; other general and
administrative costs related to the Company’s business such as general overhead, legal and accounting fees, insurance, and
depreciation; and other employee-related costs to support marketing, human resources, finance, supply chain, information
technology and research and development activities.
Shipping and Handling Costs
Shipping and handling costs associated with in-bound freight and movement of product from third-party contract manufacturers
to the Company’s third-party distribution centers are capitalized in the cost of inventory and subsequently included in cost of
sales when recognized in the statement of operations. Shipping and handling costs associated with out-bound transportation are
included in selling, general and administrative expenses and are recorded at the time of shipment of product to the Company’s
customers. Out-bound shipping and handling costs were $12.9 million, $16.3 million and $17.7 million for fiscal years 2020,
2019 and 2018, respectively.
F-11
Advertising and Sales Promotion Expenses
Advertising and sales promotion expenses are expensed as incurred. Advertising and sales promotion expenses include costs
associated with promotional activities that the Company pays to third parties, which include costs for advertising (television,
print media and internet), administration of coupon programs, consumer promotions, product demonstrations, public relations,
agency costs, package design expenses and market research costs. Advertising and sales promotion expenses also include product
samples which are given to customers and are initiated by the Company and costs associated with shared marketing fund
programs that the Company has in place with its marketing distributor customers. Total advertising and sales promotion expenses
were $21.6 million, $23.3 million and $22.3 million for fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Research and Development
The Company is involved in research and development efforts that include the ongoing development or innovation of new
products and the improvement, extension or renovation of existing products or product lines. All research and development costs
are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Research and development expenses
were $6.0 million, $6.5 million and $7.0 million in fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These expenses include costs
associated with general research and development activities, as well as those associated with internal staff, overhead, design
testing, market research and consultants.
Income Taxes
Current income tax expense is the amount of income taxes expected to be payable for the current year. A deferred income tax
liability or asset is established for the expected future tax consequences resulting from the differences in financial reporting and
tax basis of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred
tax assets will not be realized. In addition to valuation allowances, the Company provides for uncertain tax positions when such
tax positions do not meet the recognition thresholds or measurement standards prescribed by the authoritative guidance on income
taxes. Amounts for uncertain tax positions are adjusted in periods when new information becomes available or when positions
are effectively settled. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component
of income tax expense.
The Company is required to make assertions on whether its foreign subsidiaries will invest their undistributed earnings
indefinitely and these assertions are based on the capital needs of the foreign subsidiaries. Generally, unremitted earnings of the
Company’s foreign subsidiaries are not considered to be indefinitely reinvested. However, there are exceptions regarding the
Company’s newly formed subsidiary in Mexico as well as specific statutory remittance restrictions imposed on the Company’s
China subsidiary. Costs associated with repatriating unremitted foreign earnings, including U.S. state income taxes and foreign
withholding taxes, are immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. For additional information on income tax
matters, see Part IV—Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” Note 14 — Income Taxes, included in this report.
Foreign Currency
The Company translates the assets and liabilities of its foreign subsidiaries into U.S. Dollars at current rates of exchange in effect
at the end of the reporting period. Income and expense items are translated at rates that approximate the rates in effect at the
transaction date. Gains and losses from translation are included in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Gains or
losses resulting from foreign currency transactions (transactions denominated in a currency other than the entity’s functional
currency) are included as other income in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company had $0.4 million,
$0.6 million and $0.1 million of net gains in foreign currency transactions in fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
In the normal course of business, the Company employs established policies and procedures to manage its exposure to
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company’s U.K. subsidiary, whose functional currency is Pound Sterling,
utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to limit its exposure to net asset balances held in non-functional currencies. The
Company regularly monitors its foreign currency exchange rate exposures to ensure the overall effectiveness of its foreign
currency hedge positions. While the Company engages in foreign currency hedging activity to reduce its risk, for accounting
purposes, none of its foreign currency forward contracts are designated as hedges.
Foreign currency forward contracts are carried at fair value, with net realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized in other
income (expense), net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Cash flows from settlements of foreign currency
forward contracts are included in operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Foreign currency forward
contracts in an asset position at the end of the reporting period are included in other current assets, while foreign currency forward
contracts in a liability position at the end of the reporting period are included in accrued liabilities in the Company’s consolidated
balance sheets. At August 31, 2020, the Company had a notional amount of $12.8 million outstanding in foreign currency forward
contracts, which matured in September 2020. Unrealized net gains and losses related to foreign currency forward contracts were
F-12
not significant at August 31, 2020 or 2019. Realized net losses related to foreign currency forward contracts were not significant
for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Both unrealized and realized net gains and losses are recorded
in other income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Earnings per Common Share
Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or
unpaid, are participating securities that are required to be included in the computation of earnings per common share pursuant to
the two-class method. Accordingly, the Company’s outstanding unvested, if any, and outstanding vested stock-based equity
awards that provide such nonforfeitable rights to dividend equivalents are included as participating securities in the calculation
of earnings per common share (“EPS”) pursuant to the two-class method.
The Company calculates EPS using the two-class method, which provides for an allocation of net income between common stock
and other participating securities based on their respective participation rights to share in dividends. Basic EPS is calculated by
dividing net income available to common shareholders for the period by the weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding during the period. Net income available to common shareholders for the period includes dividends paid to common
shareholders during the period plus a proportionate share of undistributed net income allocable to common shareholders for the
period; the proportionate share of undistributed net income allocable to common shareholders for the period is based on the
proportionate share of total weighted-average common shares and participating securities outstanding during the period.
Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders for the period by the weighted-average
number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the weighted-average number of potentially dilutive
common shares (dilutive securities) that were outstanding during the period if the effect is dilutive. Dilutive securities are
comprised of various types of stock-based equity awards granted under the Company’s prior and current equity incentive plans.
Stock-based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based equity awards exchanged for employee and non-employee director services in accordance
with the authoritative guidance for share-based payments. Stock-based equity awards are measured at the grant date, based on
the estimated fair value of the award, and are recognized as stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the
requisite service period of the entire award, net of the impacts of award forfeitures as they occur. The requisite service period is
generally the maximum vesting period of the award. Compensation expense related to the Company’s stock-based equity awards
is recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
The Company does not currently grant stock options and the last outstanding stock options were settled in the first quarter of
fiscal year 2018. The fair values of restricted stock unit awards and deferred performance unit awards are based on the fair value
of the Company’s common stock on the date that such awards are granted. The fair value of market share unit awards is
determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. For the deferred performance unit awards, the Company adjusts the
compensation expense over the service period based upon the expected achievement level of the applicable performance
condition. As the grant date fair value of market share unit awards reflects the probabilities of the actual number of such awards
expected to vest, compensation expense for such awards is not adjusted based on the expected achievement level of the applicable
performance condition. The Company records any excess tax benefits or deficiencies from settlements of its stock-based equity
awards within the provision for income taxes on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations in the reporting periods
in which the settlement of the equity awards occur.
Segment Information
The Company discloses certain information about its business segments, which are determined consistent with the way the
Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker organizes and evaluates financial information internally for making operating
decisions and assessing performance. In addition, the Chief Operating Decision Maker assesses and measures revenue based on
product groups.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-
02, “Leases” under ASC 842, which supersedes lease accounting and disclosure requirements in ASC 840. The new standard
establishes a right-of-use model that requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for
leases with fixed payment obligations and terms longer than twelve months. Leases are classified as either finance or operating,
with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. This guidance is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted this new
guidance on September 1, 2019 following the optional transition method described in ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases – Targeted
F-13
Improvements” which was issued in July 2018, rather than the original modified retrospective approach that required entities to
apply the guidance at the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements. Under the optional transition
method, entities shall recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance as an adjustment to the opening balance
of retained earnings on September 1, 2019. Therefore, the requirements of this guidance only apply for periods presented after
the date of adoption and does not affect comparative periods.
Upon adoption, the Company elected practical expedients to: (i) not separate lease components from nonlease components for
real estate – office buildings, machinery and equipment, lab equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and IT
equipment; and (ii) exclude leases with an initial term of 12 months or less from the consolidated balance sheets and will
recognize related lease payments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease
term. The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient and also did not elect the package of practical expedients that
would allow the Company to retain its conclusions under prior guidance for lease classification and initial direct costs for leases
that commenced before the September 1, 2019 implementation date.
During the implementation of this new standard, management was focused principally on, but not limited to, developing a
complete inventory of the Company’s lease contracts and the terms and conditions contained within these contracts to
appropriately account for them under the new lease model. Additionally, the Company has implemented updates to its accounting
policies, business processes, systems and internal controls in support of adopting this new standard. Upon adoption on September
1, 2019, the Company recorded operating lease assets of $9.0 million and lease liabilities of $9.2 million in the Company’s
consolidated balance sheets. The standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated statements of operations or cash
flows. Upon adoption, the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance was insignificant and therefore no adjustment to
the opening balance of retained earnings was made on September 1, 2019. See Note 6 – Leases for additional information and
incremental disclosures related to the adoption of this standard.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform” under ASC 848, intended to provide temporary
optional expedients and exceptions to U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial
reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other
interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. This guidance was effective beginning on March 12, 2020, and the Company
may apply the amendments prospectively to contract modifications made or relationships entered into or evaluated through
December 31, 2022. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements
in the current period, but we will continue to evaluate the impacts of this guidance on future contract modifications.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” under ASC 740, which
simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and amends
existing guidance to improve consistent application. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2021, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating
the impacts of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Note 3. Inventories
Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
Product held at third-party contract manufacturers
Raw materials and components
Work-in-process
Finished goods
Total
August 31,
2020
August 31,
2019
$
$
4,393
5,034
385
31,452
41,264
$
$
3,175
4,367
257
32,883
40,682
F-14
Note 4. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
Machinery, equipment and vehicles
Buildings and improvements
Computer and office equipment
Software
Furniture and fixtures
Capital in progress
Land
Subtotal
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
Total
August 31,
2020
August 31,
2019
$
$
20,434
28,271
5,420
9,959
2,641
21,939
4,374
93,038
(32,279)
60,759
$
$
19,356
17,391
5,328
10,189
2,039
16,747
3,444
74,494
(29,418)
45,076
At August 31, 2019, capital in progress on the balance sheet included £9.0 million Pound Sterling ($10.9 million in U.S. Dollars
as converted at exchange rates as of August 31, 2019) associated with capital costs related to the purchase of the Company’s new
office building and related land in Milton Keynes, England. Upon completion of the buildout and relocation of employees based
in the United Kingdom to this new office building in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, the Company placed these assets into
service and reclassified the amounts recorded in capital in progress to the respective fixed asset categories, which includes
amounts attributable to the land. Since all assets associated with this new office building are denominated in Pound Sterling,
amounts will fluctuate in U.S. Dollars from period to period due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Note 5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by segment (in thousands):
Balance as of August 31, 2018
Translation adjustments
Balance as of August 31, 2019
Translation adjustments
Balance as of August 31, 2020
Americas
EMEA
Asia-Pacific
Total
$
$
85,449
(29)
85,420
41
85,461
$
8,962
(245)
8,717
343
9,060
$
1,210
-
1,210
-
1,210
$
95,621
(274)
95,347
384
95,731
During the second quarter of fiscal year 2020, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test. The annual goodwill
impairment test was performed at the reporting unit level as required by the authoritative guidance as of the Company’s most
recent goodwill impairment testing date, December 1, 2019. The Company performed a quantitative assessment for each of its
reporting units to determine whether the fair value of any of the reporting units were less than their carrying amounts. The
Company determined the fair value of its reporting units in the analysis by following the income approach which uses a
discounted cash flow methodology. When using the discounted cash flow methodology, the fair value of each of the reporting
units is based on the present value of the estimated future cash flows of each of the respective reporting units. The discounted
cash flow methodology also requires management to make assumptions about certain key inputs in the estimated cash flows,
including long-term sales forecasts or growth rates, terminal growth rates and discount rates, all of which are inherently uncertain.
The Company determined that a discount rate of 7% and a terminal growth rate of 2% was appropriate to use in the analysis for
all of its reporting units. The forecast of future cash flows was based on historical data and management’s best estimates of sales
growth rates and operating margins for each reporting unit for the next five fiscal years. The discount rate used was based on the
current weighted-average cost of capital for the Company. As these assumptions are largely unobservable, the estimate of fair
value analysis falls within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Based on the results of the quantitative analysis, the Company
determined that the estimated fair value of each of its reporting units significantly exceeded their respective carrying values. As
a result, the Company concluded that no impairment of its goodwill existed as of December 1, 2019. The estimated fair value of
each of the Company’s reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values so significantly that an impairment charge to
the Company’s goodwill balances is remote, even in the event that the impacts of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic
significantly lower results in future periods. As a result, the Company concluded that there were no indicators of impairment
F-15
identified as a result of the Company’s review of events and circumstances related to its goodwill subsequent to December 1,
2019 through August 31, 2020. To date, there have been no impairment losses identified and recorded related to the Company’s
goodwill.
Definite-lived Intangible Assets
The Company’s definite-lived intangible assets, which include the 2000 Flushes, Spot Shot, Carpet Fresh, 1001, EZ REACH and
GT85 trade names, the Belgium customer list, the GT85 customer relationships and the GT85 technology are included in other
intangible assets, net in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The following table summarizes the definite-lived intangible
assets and the related accumulated amortization (in thousands):
Gross carrying amount
Accumulated amortization
Net carrying amount
August 31,
2020
$
$
36,363
(27,730)
8,633
August 31,
2019
$
$
35,531
(24,879)
10,652
There has been no impairment charge for the period ended August 31, 2020 as a result of the Company’s review of events and
circumstances related to its existing definite-lived intangible assets. The Company’s review of events and circumstances included
consideration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Changes in the carrying amounts of definite-lived intangible assets by segment are summarized below (in thousands):
Balance as of August 31, 2018
Amortization expense
Translation adjustments
Balance as of August 31, 2019
Amortization expense
Translation adjustments
Balance as of August 31, 2020
Americas
EMEA
Asia-Pacific
Total
$
$
10,644
(2,243)
-
8,401
(1,848)
-
6,553
$
2,869
(463)
(155)
2,251
(363)
192
2,080
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$
$
13,513
(2,706)
(155)
10,652
(2,211)
192
8,633
The estimated amortization expense for the Company’s definite-lived intangible assets in future fiscal years is as follows (in
thousands):
Fiscal year 2021
Fiscal year 2022
Fiscal year 2023
Fiscal year 2024
Fiscal year 2025
Thereafter
Total
Trade Names
Customer-Based
$
$
1,271
1,271
1,025
1,019
941
2,766
8,293
$
$
170
170
-
-
-
-
340
Included in the total estimated future amortization expense is the amortization expense for the 1001 trade name and the GT85
intangible assets, which are based on current foreign currency exchange rates, and as a result amounts in future periods may
differ from those presented due to fluctuations in those rates.
F-16
Note 6. Leases
The Company leases real estate for its regional sales offices, a research and development facility, and offices located at its
international subsidiaries and branch locations. In addition, the Company leases an automobile fleet in the United States. The
Company has also identified warehouse leases within certain third-party distribution center service contracts. All other leases are
insignificant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. To determine if a contract contains a lease, the Company
assesses its contracts and determines if there is an identified asset for which the Company has obtained the right to control, as
defined in ASC 842.
The Company records right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets for leases with an expected term
greater than one year. The lease term includes the committed lease term, also taking into account early termination and renewal
options that management is reasonably certain to exercise. For leases that do not have a readily determinable implicit rate, the
Company uses its estimated secured incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement
date to determine the present value of lease payments. The Company’s estimated secured incremental borrowing rate is
determined using a portfolio approach based on the rate of interest the Company would have to pay to borrow an amount equal
to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term. The Company uses the unsecured borrowing rate and risk-
adjusts that rate to approximate a collateralized rate in the currency of the lease. As of August 31, 2020, finance leases were not
significant and all leases recorded on the Company’s consolidated balances sheets were operating leases. Residual value
guarantees, restrictions, covenants, sublease income, net gains or losses from sale and leaseback transactions, and transactions
with related parties associated with leases are also not significant. The Company has made the accounting policy election to use
certain ongoing practical expedients made available by ASC 842 to: (i) not separate lease components from nonlease components
for real estate – office buildings, machinery and equipment, lab equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and IT
equipment; and (ii) exclude leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (“short-term” leases) from the consolidated balance
sheets and will recognize related lease payments in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the
lease term. However, the Company had no significant short-term leases as of August 31, 2020.
Upon adoption of ASC 842 on September 1, 2019, the Company recorded operating lease assets of $9.0 million and lease
liabilities of $9.2 million in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The adoption of this standard did not have a material
impact on retained earnings, the consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. The Company obtained no significant
additional right-of-use assets in exchange for lease obligations during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020.
The Company recorded $2.0 million in lease expense during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020. This lease expense was
included in selling, general and administrative expenses. An insignificant amount of lease expense was classified within cost of
products sold for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, the Company paid cash
of $1.9 million related to lease liabilities. Variable lease expense under the Company’s lease agreements was not significant for
the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020. As of August 31, 2020, the weighted-average remaining lease term was 6.8 years and the
weighted-average discount rate was 3.1% for the Company’s operating leases. There were no leases that had not yet commenced
as of August 31, 2020 that will create additional significant rights and obligations for the Company.
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
Assets:
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Liabilities:
Current operating lease liabilities(1)
Long-term operating lease liabilities
Total operating lease liabilities
August 31,
2020
$
$
8,168
1,840
6,520
8,360
(1) Current operating lease liabilities are classified in accrued liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.
F-17
The Company’s maturities of its operating lease liabilities, including early termination and renewal options that management is
reasonably certain to exercise, are as follows as of August 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Fiscal year 2021
Fiscal year 2022
Fiscal year 2023
Fiscal year 2024
Fiscal year 2025
Thereafter
Total undiscounted future cash flows
Less: Interest
Present value of lease liabilities
Operating
Leases
2,073
1,610
1,257
1,151
890
2,421
9,402
(1,042)
8,360
$
$
Future fiscal year minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases in accordance with ASC 840 as of August 31,
2019 are as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal year 2020
Fiscal year 2021
Fiscal year 2022
Fiscal year 2023
Fiscal year 2024
Thereafter
Total undiscounted future cash flows
Note 7. Accrued and Other Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
Accrued advertising and sales promotion expenses
Accrued professional services fees
Accrued sales taxes and other taxes
Short-term operating lease liability
Other (1)
Total
Operating
Leases
1,988
1,470
827
348
975
932
6,540
$
$
August 31,
2020
August 31,
2019
$
$
10,787
1,761
1,751
1,840
5,521
21,660
$
$
10,438
1,744
1,418
-
4,913
18,513
(1) At August 31, 2019, other accrued liabilities on the balance sheet included £1.4 million Pound Sterling ($1.7 million in U.S. Dollars as converted at
exchange rates as of August 31, 2019) associated with capital costs related to buildout costs of the Company’s new office building in Milton Keynes,
England. This new office building houses employees of the Company’s EMEA segment that are based in the United Kingdom.
F-18
Accrued payroll and related expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
Accrued incentive compensation
Accrued payroll
Accrued profit sharing
Accrued payroll taxes
Other
Total
Note 8. Debt
August 31,
2020
August 31,
2019
$
$
5,702
4,396
2,726
1,446
497
14,767
$
$
7,259
3,454
2,503
1,566
519
15,301
As of August 31, 2020, the Company held borrowings under two separate agreements as detailed below.
Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement
On November 15, 2017, the Company entered into the Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement (the “Note Agreement”) by
and among the Company, PGIM, Inc. (“Prudential”), and certain affiliates and managed accounts of Prudential (the “Note
Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell $20.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes (the “Series
A Notes”) to certain of the Note Purchasers. Since November 15, 2017, this note agreement has been amended two times, most
recently on March 16, 2020 (the “Second Amendment”). The Second Amendment amended the Note Agreement to permit the
Company (inclusive of its subsidiaries) to enter into an amended and restated credit agreement with Bank of America N.A.
(“Bank of America”). In addition, the Second Amendment includes certain conforming amendments to the Note Agreement
consistent with the Company’s credit agreement with Bank of America, including a schedule of permitted consolidated capital
expenditures and related carryforward provisions for unused portions each fiscal year.
The Series A Notes bear interest at 3.39% per annum and will mature on November 15, 2032, unless earlier paid by the Company.
Principal payments are required semi-annually in May and November of each year in equal installments of $0.4 million through
May 15, 2032, and the remaining outstanding principal in the amount of $8.4 million will become due on November 15, 2032.
Interest is also payable semi-annually in May and November of each year. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, the
Company repaid $0.8 million in principal on the Series A Notes pursuant to its semi-annual principal payment requirements.
Pursuant to the Note Agreement, the Company may from time to time offer for sale, in one or a series of transactions, additional
senior notes of the Company (the “Shelf Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $105.0 million. The Shelf Notes will
have a maturity date of no more than 15.5 years after the date of original issuance and may be issued no later than November 15,
2020. The Shelf Notes, if issued, would bear interest at a rate per annum as agreed upon amongst the Company and the purchasing
parties and would have such other particular terms, as would be set forth in a confirmation of acceptance executed by the
purchasing parties prior to the closing of each purchase and sale transaction. As of August 31, 2020, the Company had not issued
Shelf Notes. Pursuant to the Note Agreement, the Series A Notes and any Shelf Notes (collectively, the "Notes") can be prepaid
at the Company’s sole discretion, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes
being prepaid, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon as well as an additional make-whole payment with respect to
such Notes. On September 30, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to the Note Agreement and issued $52.0 million
in Shelf Notes. See Note 18 – Subsequent Events for additional information on this agreement.
Credit Agreement
On March 16, 2020, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank
of America. The Credit Agreement modified the Company’s previously existing agreement dated June 17, 2011 (as amended on
January 7, 2013, May 13, 2015, November 16, 2015, September 1, 2016, November 15, 2017, February 23, 2018 and January
22, 2019). The Credit Agreement increased the revolving commitment from $100.0 million to $150.0 million and increased the
sublimit for the revolving commitment for borrowing by WD-40 Company Limited, a wholly owned operating subsidiary of the
Company for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India, from $50.0 million to $100.0 million. In addition to other non-material
and technical amendments, the Credit Agreement also modified certain restrictive covenants. The Credit Agreement also includes
a new schedule of permitted consolidated capital expenditures to permit the Company to make contemplated capital investments
in the current and future fiscal years of up to $30.5 million in fiscal year 2020, $19.0 million in fiscal year 2021, and $15.0
million for fiscal years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The Credit Agreement also increased the carryforward from one fiscal year
F-19
to the next fiscal year of unused Permitted Consolidated Capital Expenditures from $2.5 million to $5.0 million. The new maturity
date for the revolving credit facility per the Credit Agreement is March 16, 2025.
Per the terms of the Credit Agreement, the aggregate amount of the Company’s capital stock that it may repurchase may not
exceed $150.0 million during the period from January 22, 2019 to the maturity date of the agreement so long as no default exists
immediately prior and after giving effect thereto. In addition, the Company may not declare or pay cash dividends in the current
fiscal quarter that, when added to dividends paid in the prior three fiscal quarters, will exceed 75% of the Company’s consolidated
net income for the then most recently ended four quarters for which financial statements are delivered to Bank of America as
required by the Credit Agreement (the “Dividend Covenant”). The Company’s Note Agreement with Prudential also has a
conforming dividend covenant with identical terms. On April 8, 2020, the Company signed letters from Bank and America and
Prudential acknowledging an agreement between the Company and both lenders to permit the Company to add back to its net
income for the quarter ended August 31, 2019 a one-time, non-cash charge for an uncertain tax position associated with the Tax
Cuts and Jobs Act “toll tax” in the amount of $8.7 million solely for the purpose of the Dividend Covenant.
The Credit Agreement also features an autoborrow agreement providing for the automatic advance of revolving loans in U.S.
Dollars to the Company’s designated account at Bank of America. Per the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company’s
outstanding balance on the autoborrow agreement cannot exceed an aggregate amount of $30.0 million. Since the autoborrow
feature provides for borrowings to be made and repaid by the Company on a daily basis, any such borrowings made under an
active autoborrow agreement are classified as short-term on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company had no
outstanding balance under the autoborrow agreement as of August 31, 2020.
The Company assesses its ability and intent to refinance the outstanding draws on the line of credit at the end of each reporting
period in order to determine the proper balance sheet classification for amounts outstanding on the line of credit. The Company
has the ability to refinance any draw under the line of credit with successive short-term borrowings through the March 16, 2025
maturity date. Outstanding draws for which management has both the ability and intent to refinance with successive short-term
borrowings for a period of at least twelve months are classified as long-term. During the first three quarters of fiscal year 2020,
the Company repaid $5.0 million in short-term borrowings outstanding under the line of credit and drew an additional $90.0
million in U.S. Dollars, which included an $80.0 million draw in U.S. Dollars in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19
pandemic. Although the Company did not have any anticipated need for this additional liquidity, the Company decided to draw
this additional amount to ensure future liquidity given the recent significant impact on global financial markets and the economy
as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company repaid $55.0 million of these outstanding draws in the fourth quarter of
fiscal year 2020 in anticipation of the changes that it made to its debt structure in September 2020 to include more long-term
debt. See Note 18 – Subsequent Events for additional information. The Company maintains a balance of outstanding draws in
U.S. Dollars in the Americas segment, as well as in Euros and Pound Sterling in the EMEA segment. Euro and Pound Sterling
denominated draws will fluctuate in U.S. Dollars from period to period due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. As of
August 31, 2020, the Company had a balance of $95.9 million of outstanding draws on the line of credit. Based on the Company’s
ability and intent assessment as well as considerations related to debt structure changes and refinancing discussed in detail in
Note 18 – Subsequent Events, the Company has classified this entire amount as long-term as of August 31, 2020.
Short-term and long-term borrowings consisted of the following (in thousands):
Short-term borrowings:
Revolving credit facility, short-term
Revolving credit facility, autoborrow feature
Series A Notes, current portion of long-term debt
Total short-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings:
Revolving credit facility
Series A Notes
Total long-term borrowings
Total
August 31,
2020
August 31,
2019
$
$
-
-
800
800
95,898
17,200
113,098
113,898
$
$
20,000
405
800
21,205
42,221
18,000
60,221
81,426
F-20
Both the Note Agreement and the Credit Agreement contain representations, warranties, events of default and remedies, as well
as affirmative, negative and other financial covenants customary for these types of agreements. These covenants include, among
other things, certain limitations on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur indebtedness, create liens, dispose of
assets, make investments, declare, make or incur obligations to make certain restricted payments, including the payment of
dividends and payments for the repurchase shares of the Company’s capital stock and enter into certain merger or consolidation
transactions. Each agreement also includes a most favored lender provision which requires that any time any other lender has the
benefit of one or more financial or operational covenants that is different than, or similar to, but more restrictive than those
contained in its own agreement, those covenants shall be immediately and automatically incorporated by reference in the other
lender’s agreement. The Credit Agreement includes, among other limitations on indebtedness, a $35.0 million limit on other
unsecured indebtedness, including indebtedness incurred under the Series A Notes and any Shelf Notes to be offered for sale
under the Note Agreement.
Both the Note Agreement and the Credit Agreement require the Company to adhere to the same financial covenants. For the
financial covenants, the definition of consolidated EBITDA includes the add back of non-cash stock-based compensation to
consolidated net income when arriving at consolidated EBITDA. The terms of the financial covenants are as follows:
• The consolidated leverage ratio cannot be greater than three to one. The consolidated leverage ratio means, as of any
date of determination, the ratio of (a) consolidated funded indebtedness as of such date to (b) consolidated EBITDA for
the most recently completed four fiscal quarters.
• The consolidated interest coverage ratio cannot be less than three to one. The consolidated interest coverage ratio means,
as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters
to (b) consolidated interest charges for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters.
As of August 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants under both the Note Agreement and the Credit
Agreement.
On September 30, 2020, the Company entered into the first amendment to the Credit agreement and a third amendment to the
Note Agreement. See Note 18 – Subsequent Events for additional information on these agreements.
Note 9. Share Repurchase Plans
On June 19, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share buy-back plan. Under the plan, which became effective
on September 1, 2018 and remained in effect through August 31, 2020, the Company was authorized to acquire up to $75.0
million of its outstanding shares on terms and conditions that were acceptable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer and in compliance with all laws and regulations thereto. During the period from September 1, 2018
through August 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 268,538 shares at a total cost of $46.4 million under this $75.0 million plan.
During fiscal year 2020, the Company repurchased 92,583 shares at an average price of $181.71 per share, for a total cost
of $16.8 million under this $75.0 million plan. On April 8, 2020, the Company elected to temporarily suspend repurchases under
this share buy-back plan which expired on August 31, 2020. The Company made this election in order to preserve cash while it
continued to monitor the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, no repurchase transactions were made between April
8, 2020 and August 31, 2020.
Note 10. Earnings per Common Share
The table below reconciles net income to net income available to common shareholders (in thousands):
Net income
Less: Net income allocated to participating securities
Net income available to common shareholders
2020
60,710
(294)
60,416
$
$
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2019
$
$
55,908
(333)
55,575
$
$
2018
65,215
(423)
64,792
F-21
The table below summarizes the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding included in the calculation of basic
and diluted EPS (in thousands):
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic
Weighted-average dilutive securities
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted
2020
13,691
28
13,719
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2019
13,799
31
13,830
2018
13,929
33
13,962
For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019,weighted-average stock-based equity awards outstanding that are non-
participating securities in the amount of 6,172 and 1,082, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS under
the treasury stock method as they were anti-dilutive. There were no anti-dilutive stock-based equity awards outstanding for the
fiscal year ended August 31, 2018.
Note 11. Revenue Recognition
The following paragraphs detail the Company’s revenue recognition policies and provide additional information used in its
determination of net sales and contract balances under ASC 606.
Revenue Recognition
The Company generates revenue from sales of its products to customers in its Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific segments.
Product sales for the Company include maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products. The Company recognizes
revenue related to the sale of these products when it satisfies a performance obligation in an amount reflecting the consideration
to which it expects to be entitled. Sales are recorded net of allowances for damaged goods and other sales returns, sales incentives,
trade promotions and cash discounts. The Company applies a five-step approach in determining the amount and timing of revenue
to be recognized which includes the following: (1) identifying the contract with a customer, (2) identifying the performance
obligations in the contract, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the performance
obligations in the contract and (5) recognizing revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied.
Contracts with customers are renewable periodically and contain terms and conditions with respect to payment, delivery, sales
incentives, warranty and supply, but do not require mandatory purchase commitments. In the absence of a specific sales
agreement with a customer, the Company’s standard terms and conditions at the time of acceptance of purchase orders apply to
the sales transaction. The Company’s standard terms and conditions are either included in a standalone document or on the
Company’s price lists or both, and these standard terms and conditions are provided to the customer prior to the sales transaction.
The Company considers the customer purchase orders, governed by specific sales agreements or the Company’s standard terms
and conditions, to be the contract with the customer. The Company considers each transaction to sell products as separate and
distinct, with no additional promises made, and as a result, all of the Company's sales are single performance obligation
arrangements for which the transaction price is equivalent to the stated price of the product, net of any variable consideration for
items such as sales returns, discounts, rebates and other sales incentives. The Company recognizes sales at a point in time upon
transferring control of its product to the customer. This typically occurs when products are shipped or delivered, depending on
when risks of loss and title have passed to the customer per the terms of the contract.
Taxes imposed by governmental authorities on the Company's revenue, such as sales taxes and value added taxes, are excluded
from net sales. Sales commissions are paid to certain third-parties based upon specific sales levels achieved during a defined time
period. Since the Company’s contracts related to these sales commissions do not exceed one year, the Company has elected as a
practical expedient to expense these payments as incurred. The Company also elected the practical expedient related to shipping
and handling fees which allows the Company to account for freight costs as fulfillment activities instead of assessing such
activities as performance obligations. The Company’s freight costs are sometimes paid by the customer, while other times, the
freight costs are included in the sales price. The Company does not account for freight costs as a separate performance obligation,
but rather as an activity performed to transfer the products to its customers.
Variable Consideration - Sales Incentives
In determining the transaction price, the Company evaluates whether the price is subject to refund or adjustment related to
variable consideration to determine the net consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled. The Company records
estimates of variable consideration, which primarily includes rebates/other discounts (cooperative marketing programs, volume-
based discounts, shelf price reductions and allowances for shelf space, charges from customers for services they provided to us
related to the sale and penalties/fines charged to us by customers associated with failing to adhere to contractual obligations), ,
coupon offers, cash discount allowances, and sales returns, as a reduction of sales in its consolidated statements of operations.
F-22
These estimates are based on the expected value method considering all reasonably available information, including current and
past trade promotion spending patterns, status of trade promotion activities, the interpretation of historical spending trends by
customer and category, customer agreements and/or currently known factors that arise in the normal course of business. The
Company reviews its assumptions and adjusts these estimates accordingly on a quarterly basis.
Rebates/Other Discounts — The Company offers various on-going trade promotion programs with customers and provides other
discounts to customers that require management to estimate and accrue for the expected costs of such programs or discounts.
These programs include cooperative marketing, volume-based discounts, shelf price reductions, consideration and allowances
given to retailers for shelf space and/or favorable display positions in their stores and other promotional activities. Other discounts
include items such as charges from customers for services they provide related to the sale of WD-40 Company products and
penalties/fees associated with WD-40 Company failing to adhere to contractual obligations (e.g., errors on purchase orders, errors
on shipment, late deliveries, etc.). Costs related to rebates, cooperative advertising and other promotional activities and other
discounts are recorded as a reduction to sales upon delivery of the Company’s products to its customers. The Company had a
$7.5 million balance in rebate/other discount liabilities as of both August 31, 2020 and 2019, which are included in accrued
liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company recorded approximately $20.7 million and $18.2 million
in rebates/other discounts as a reduction to sales during fiscal years 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Coupons — Coupon costs are based upon historical redemption rates and are recorded as a reduction to sales as incurred, which
is when the coupons are circulated. Coupon redemption liabilities, which are included in accrued liabilities on the Company’s
consolidated balance sheets, were not significant at August 31, 2020 and 2019. Coupons recorded as a reduction to sales were
not significant during fiscal years 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Cash discounts — The Company offers certain of its customers a cash discount program to incentivize them to pay the invoice
earlier than the normal payment date on the invoice. Although payment terms vary, most customers typically pay within 30 to
90 days of invoicing. The Company had $0.5 million balance in the allowance for cash discounts at both August 31, 2020 and
2019. The Company recorded approximately $4.4 million and $4.2 million in cash discounts as a reduction to sales during fiscal
year 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Sales returns — The Company recognizes revenue net of allowances for estimated returns, which is based on historical return
rates, with a corresponding reduction to cost of products sold. Although the Company typically does not have definitive sales
return provisions included in the contract terms with its customers, when such provisions have been included, they have not been
significant. Under the current revenue accounting standard, ASC 606, the Company is now required to present its provision for
sales returns on a gross basis as a liability. The Company’s refund liability for sales returns is included in accrued liabilities and
represents the amount expected to be owed to the customers for product returns. The Company’s refund liability for sales returns
was not significant at August 31, 2020 and 2019. The Company now also records an asset for the value of inventory that
represents the right to recover products from customers associated with sales returns. The value of this inventory is recorded to
other current assets and the balance in this account associated with product returns was not significant at August 31, 2020 and
August 31, 2019.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The Company's revenue is presented on a disaggregated basis in Note 17 – Business Segments and Foreign Operations included
in this report. The Company discloses certain information about its business segments, which are determined consistent with the
way the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker organizes and evaluates financial information internally for making
operating decisions and assessing performance. The Chief Operating Decision Maker assesses and measures revenue based on
geographic area and product groups.
Contract Balances
Contract liabilities consist of deferred revenue related to undelivered products. Deferred revenue is recorded when payments
have been received from customers for undelivered products. Revenue is subsequently recognized when revenue recognition
criteria are met, generally when control of the product transfers to the customer. The Company had contract liabilities of $1.4
million and $0.3 million as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. All of the $0.3 million that was included in contract
liabilities as of August 31, 2019 was recognized to revenue during fiscal year 2020. These contract liabilities are recorded in
accrued liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company did not have any contract assets as of August
31, 2020 and August 31, 2019
F-23
Note 12. Related Parties
On October 11, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors elected Mr. Gregory A. Sandfort as a director of WD-40 Company. Mr.
Sandfort is the Chief Executive Officer of Tractor Supply Company (“Tractor Supply”), which is a WD-40 Company customer
that acquires products from the Company in the ordinary course of business, until January 13, 2020 when he retired as Chief
Executive Officer. Since Mr. Sandfort served as an executive officer of Tractor Supply during the Company’s first two quarters
of fiscal year 2020, Tractor Supply is treated as a related party to the Company through January 13, 2020.
The consolidated financial statements include sales to Tractor Supply of $0.9 million and $1.9 million for fiscal years 2020 and
2019, respectively. Accounts receivable from Tractor Supply were not significant at both August 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019.
Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies
Purchase Commitments
The Company has ongoing relationships with various suppliers (contract manufacturers) who manufacture the Company’s
products. The contract manufacturers maintain title and control of certain raw materials and components, materials utilized in
finished products, and of the finished products themselves until shipment to the Company’s customers or third-party distribution
centers in accordance with agreed upon shipment terms. Although the Company has definitive minimum purchase obligations
included in the contract terms with certain of its contract manufacturers, when such obligations have been included, they have
either been immaterial or the minimum amounts have been such that they are well below the volume of goods that the Company
has historically purchased. In the ordinary course of business, supply needs are communicated by the Company to its contract
manufacturers based on orders and short-term projections, ranging from two to six months. The Company is committed to
purchase the products produced by the contract manufacturers based on the projections provided.
Upon the termination of contracts with contract manufacturers, the Company obtains certain inventory control rights and is
obligated to work with the contract manufacturer to sell through all product held by or manufactured by the contract manufacturer
on behalf of the Company during the termination notification period. If any inventory remains at the contract manufacturer at the
termination date, the Company is obligated to purchase such inventory which may include raw materials, components and
finished goods. The amounts for inventory purchased under termination commitments have been immaterial.
In addition to the commitments to purchase products from contract manufacturers described above, the Company may also enter
into commitments with other manufacturers to purchase finished goods and components to support innovation and renovation
initiatives and/or supply chain initiatives. As of August 31, 2020, no such commitments were outstanding.
Litigation
From time to time, the Company is subject to various claims, lawsuits, investigations and proceedings arising in the ordinary
course of business, including but not limited to, product liability litigation and other claims and proceedings with respect to
intellectual property, breach of contract, labor and employment, tax and other matters. As of August 31, 2020, there were no
unasserted claims or pending proceedings for claims against the Company that the Company believes will result in a probable
loss for the Company and, as to claims that the Company believes may result in a reasonably possible loss, the Company believes
that no reasonably possible outcome of any such claim will have a materially adverse impact on the Company’s financial
condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Indemnifications
As permitted under Delaware law, the Company has agreements whereby it indemnifies senior officers and directors for certain
events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at the Company’s request in such capacity. The maximum
potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is
unlimited; however, the Company maintains Director and Officer insurance coverage that mitigates the Company’s exposure
with respect to such obligations. As a result of the Company’s insurance coverage, management believes that the estimated fair
value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. Thus, no liabilities have been recorded for these agreements as of August
31, 2020.
F-24
From time to time, the Company enters into indemnification agreements with certain contractual parties in the ordinary course
of business, including agreements with lenders, lessors, contract manufacturers, marketing distributors, customers and certain
vendors. All such indemnification agreements are entered into in the context of the particular agreements and are provided in an
attempt to properly allocate risk of loss in connection with the consummation of the underlying contractual arrangements.
Although the maximum amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnification
agreements is unlimited, management believes that the Company maintains adequate levels of insurance coverage to protect the
Company with respect to most potential claims arising from such agreements and that such agreements do not otherwise have
value separate and apart from the liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. Thus, no liabilities have
been recorded with respect to such indemnification agreements as of August 31, 2020.
Note 14. Income Taxes
Income before income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
United States
Foreign (1)
Income before income taxes
2020
43,000
32,515
75,515
$
$
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2019
$
$
47,962
32,808
80,770
$
$
2018
42,634
32,544
75,178
(1)
Included in these amounts are income before income taxes for the EMEA segment of $27.0 million, $26.6 million and $27.4 million for the fiscal
years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
Current:
Federal
State
Foreign
Total current
Deferred:
United States
Foreign
Total deferred
Provision for income taxes
2020
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2019
2018
$
$
7,267
822
7,139
15,228
(619)
196
(423)
14,805
$
$
15,591
800
7,679
24,070
843
(51)
792
24,862
$
$
10,100
651
6,750
17,501
(7,496)
(42)
(7,538)
9,963
F-25
Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued payroll and related expenses
Accounts receivable
Reserves and accruals
Stock-based compensation expense
Lease Accounting
Uniform capitalization
Tax credit carryforwards
Other
Total gross deferred tax assets
Valuation allowance
Total net deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment, net
Amortization of tax goodwill and intangible assets
Lease Accounting
Other
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liabilities
August 31,
2020
August 31,
2019
$
$
891
267
1,079
2,162
828
954
3,374
1,170
10,725
(3,442)
7,283
(1,515)
(15,205)
(808)
(582)
(18,110)
(10,827)
$
$
794
325
1,145
1,990
-
1,084
2,827
1,034
9,199
(2,827)
6,372
(1,609)
(15,373)
-
(675)
(17,657)
(11,285)
The Company had state net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of $3.9 million and $4.8 million as of August 31, 2020 and
2019, respectively, which generated a net deferred tax asset of $0.3 million and $0.2 million as of August 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively. The state NOL carryforwards, if unused, will expire between fiscal year 2021 and 2040. The Company also had tax
credit carryforwards of $3.4 million and $2.8 million as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, of which $3.2 million and
$2.6 million, respectively, is attributable to U.K. tax credit carryforwards, which do not expire. Future utilization of the U.K. tax
credit carryforwards and certain state credit carryforwards is uncertain and is dependent upon several factors that may not occur,
including the generation of future taxable income in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management cannot conclude that it is
“more likely than not” that the related deferred tax assets will be realized. Accordingly, a full valuation allowance has been
recorded against the related deferred tax asset associated with the U.K. tax credit carryforwards and certain state carryforwards.
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows (in thousands):
Amount computed at U.S. statutory federal tax rate
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefits
Effect of foreign operations
Benefit from qualified domestic production deduction
Net benefit from GILTI/FDII
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:
Remeasurement of deferred income taxes
Toll tax, net of foreign tax credits
Benefit from stock compensation
Other
Provision for income taxes
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
$
15,858
853
297
-
(1,582)
-
-
(1,129)
508
$
16,962
963
318
-
(1,404)
-
8,665
(1,107)
465
$
14,805
$
24,862
$
19,298
453
(1,412)
(1,121)
-
(6,762)
(282)
(725)
514
9,963
F-26
The provision for income taxes was 19.6% and 30.8% of income before income taxes for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020
and 2019, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate from period to period was primarily due to the one-time
uncertain tax position in the amount of $8.7 million associated with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act mandatory one-time “toll tax” on
unremitted foreign earnings that was recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019. This resulted in a significantly higher
fiscal year 2019 effective income tax rate compared to fiscal year 2020. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, the U.S. Treasury
released regulations related to a High-Tax Exception for those jurisdictions subject to the Global Intangible Low Taxed Income
(“GILTI”) tax. These newly released regulations resulted in an immaterial favorable impact to the fiscal year 2020 tax provision.
Reconciliations of the beginning and ending amounts of the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and
penalties, are as follows (in thousands):
Unrecognized tax benefits - beginning of fiscal year
Net increases (decreases) - prior period tax positions
Net increases - current period tax positions
Expirations of statute of limitations for assessment
Settlements
Unrecognized tax benefits - end of fiscal year
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2020
2019
$
$
9,384
-
230
(262)
-
9,352
$
$
1,038
8,301
210
(165)
-
9,384
Gross unrecognized tax benefits totaled $9.4 million for both the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, of which $9.2
million in both fiscal years would affect the Company’s effective income tax rate if recognized. Interest and penalties related to
uncertain tax positions included in tax expense was $0.5 million and $0.4 million for fiscal year ending August 31, 2020 and
2019, respectively, primarily related to the toll tax liability reserve. The total balance of accrued interest and penalties related to
uncertain tax positions was $1.0 million and $0.5 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and in various state and foreign jurisdictions. Due to expired statutes and closed
audits, the Company’s federal income tax returns for years prior to fiscal year 2017 are not subject to examination by the U.S.
Internal Revenue Service. The Company is currently under audit in various state jurisdictions for fiscal years 2016 through 2019.
Generally, for the majority of state and foreign jurisdictions where the Company does business, periods prior to fiscal year 2016
are no longer subject to examination. The Company has estimated that up to $0.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits related to
income tax positions may be affected by the resolution of tax examinations or expiring statutes of limitation within the next
twelve months. Audit outcomes and the timing of settlements are subject to significant uncertainty.
Note 15. Stock-based Compensation
As of August 31, 2020, the Company had one stock incentive plan, the WD-40 Company 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (“2016
Plan”), which was approved by the Company’s shareholders effective as of December 13, 2016. The 2016 Plan permits the
granting of various stock-based equity awards, including non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation
rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and other stock-based awards to employees,
directors and consultants. To date through August 31, 2020, the Company had granted awards of restricted stock units (“RSUs”),
market share units (“MSUs”) and deferred performance units (“DPUs”) under the 2016 Plan. Additionally, as of August 31,
2020, there were still outstanding RSUs, MSUs and DPUs which had been granted under the Company’s prior equity incentive
plan. The 2016 Plan is administered by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) or the Compensation Committee or other designated
committee of the Board (the “Committee”). All stock-based equity awards granted under the 2016 Plan are subject to the specific
terms and conditions as determined by the Committee at the time of grant of such awards in accordance with the various terms
and conditions specified for each award type per the 2016 Plan. The total number of shares of common stock authorized for
issuance pursuant to grants of awards under the 2016 Plan is 1,000,000. As of August 31, 2020, 627,742 shares of common stock
remained available for future issuance pursuant to grants of awards under the 2016 Plan. The shares of common stock to be
issued pursuant to awards under the 2016 Plan may be authorized shares not previously issued, or treasury shares. The Company
has historically issued new authorized shares not previously issued upon the settlement of the various stock-based equity awards
under its equity incentive plans.
Vesting of the RSUs granted to directors is immediate, with shares to be issued pursuant to the vested RSUs upon termination of
each director’s service as a director of the Company. Vesting of the one-time grant of RSUs granted to certain key executives of
the Company in March 2008 in settlement of these key executives’ benefits under the Company’s supplemental employee
retirement plan agreements was over a period of three years from the date of grant, with shares to be issued pursuant to the vested
RSUs six months following the day after each executive officer’s termination of employment with the Company. Vesting of the
RSUs granted to certain high level employees is over a period of three years from the date of grant, subject to potential earlier
vesting in the event of retirement of the holder of the award in accordance with the award agreement, with shares to be issued
F-27
pursuant to the vested RSUs at the time of vest. The director RSU holders and the executive officer March 2008 grant date RSU
holders are entitled to receive dividend equivalents with respect to their RSUs, payable in cash as and when dividends are declared
by the Company’s Board of Directors.
Vesting of the MSUs granted to certain high level employees follows a performance measurement period of three fiscal years
commencing with the Company’s fiscal year in which the MSU awards are granted (the “Measurement Period”). Shares will be
issued pursuant to the vested MSUs following the conclusion of the applicable MSU Measurement Period after the Committee’s
certification of achievement of the applicable performance measure for such awards and the vesting of the MSU awards and the
applicable percentage of the target number of MSU shares to be issued. The recipient must remain employed with the Company
for vesting purposes until the date on which the Committee certifies achievement of the applicable performance measure for the
MSU awards, subject to potential pro-rata vesting in the event of earlier retirement of the holder of the award in accordance with
the award agreement.
Vesting of the DPUs granted to certain high level employees follows a performance measurement period of one fiscal year that
is the same fiscal year in which the DPU awards are granted (the “Measurement Year”). A number of DPUs equal to the
applicable percentage of the maximum number of DPUs awarded will be confirmed as vested following the conclusion of the
applicable DPU Measurement Year after the Committee’s certification of achievement of the applicable performance measure
for such awards (the “Vested DPUs”). The recipient must remain employed with the Company for vesting purposes until August
31 of the Measurement Year, subject to potential pro-rata vesting in the event of earlier retirement of the holder of the award in
accordance with the award agreement. For recipients who are residents of the United States, the Vested DPUs must be held until
termination of employment, with shares to be issued pursuant to the Vested DPUs six months following the day after each such
recipient’s termination of employment with the Company. For recipients who are not residents of the United States, the
Committee has discretion to either defer settlement of each such recipient’s Vested DPUs by issuance of shares following
termination of employment or settle each Vested DPU in cash by payment of an amount equal to the closing price of one share
of the Company’s common stock as of the date of the Committee’s certification of the relative achievement of the applicable
performance measure for the DPU awards. Until issuance of shares in settlement of the Vested DPUs, the holders of each Vested
DPU that is not settled in cash are entitled to receive dividend equivalents with respect to their Vested DPUs, payable in cash as
and when dividends are declared by the Company’s Board of Directors.
Stock-based compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.
Stock-based compensation expense related to the Company’s stock-based equity awards totaled $5.4 million, $4.4 million and
$4.2 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company recognized income tax
benefits related to such stock-based compensation of $1.2 million, $1.0 million and $1.1 million for the fiscal years ended August
31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of August 31, 2020, the total unamortized compensation cost related to non-vested
stock-based equity awards was $0.6 million and $3.0 million for RSUs and MSUs, respectively, which the Company expects to
recognize over remaining weighted-average vesting periods of 1.4 and 1.9 years for RSUs and MSUs, respectively. No
unamortized compensation cost for DPUs remained as of August 31, 2020.
Restricted Stock Units
The estimated fair value of each of the Company’s RSU awards was determined on the date of grant based on the closing market
price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant for those RSUs which are entitled to receive dividend equivalents
with respect to the RSUs, or based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant less the
grant date present value of expected dividends during the vesting period for those RSUs which are not entitled to receive dividend
equivalents with respect to the RSUs.
A summary of the Company’s restricted stock unit activity is as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
Restricted Stock Units
Outstanding at August 31, 2019
Granted
Converted to common shares
Forfeited
Outstanding at August 31, 2020
Vested at August 31, 2020
Number of
Shares
Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
96,920
18,438
(29,055)
(149)
86,154
60,689
$
$
$
$
$
$
86.01
184.43
88.24
156.83
106.20
83.15
$
$
17,608
12,404
F-28
The weighted-average grant date fair value of all RSUs granted during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
was $184.43, $163.93 and $111.71, respectively. The total intrinsic value of all RSUs converted to common shares was $5.4
million, $6.0 million and $2.8 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The income tax benefits from RSUs converted to common shares totaled $1.2 million, $1.4 million and $0.7 million for the fiscal
years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Market Share Units
The MSUs are market performance-based awards that shall vest with respect to the applicable percentage of the target number
of MSU shares based on relative total stockholder return (“TSR”) for the Company as compared to the total return for the Russell
2000 Index (“Index”) over the performance Measurement Period. The ultimate number of MSUs that vest may range from 0%
to 200% of the original target number of shares depending on the relative achievement of the TSR performance measure at the
end of the Measurement Period. The probabilities of the actual number of MSUs expected to vest and resultant actual number of
shares of common stock expected to be awarded are reflected in the grant date fair values of the various MSU awards; therefore,
the compensation expense for the MSU awards will be recognized assuming the requisite service period is rendered and will not
be adjusted based on the actual number of such MSU awards to ultimately vest.
The estimated fair value of each of the Company’s MSU awards, which are not entitled to receive dividend equivalents with
respect to the MSUs, was determined on the date of grant using the Monte Carlo simulation model, which utilizes multiple input
variables to simulate a range of possible future stock prices for both the Company and the Index and estimates the probabilities
of the potential payouts. The determination of the estimated grant date fair value of the MSUs is affected by the Company’s stock
price and a number of assumptions including the expected volatilities of the Company’s stock and the Index, the Company’s
risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. The following weighted-average assumptions for MSU grants for the last three
fiscal years were used in the Monte Carlo simulation model:
Expected volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected dividend yield
2020
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2019
2018
21.4%
1.4%
0.0%
19.6%
3.0%
0.0%
20.4%
1.6%
0.0%
The expected volatility utilized was based on the historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock and the Index in order
to model the stock price movements. The volatility used was calculated over the most recent 2.90-year period for MSUs granted
during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 and over the most recent 2.90-year and 2.89-year periods for MSUs granted during
each of the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, which were the remaining terms of the performance Measurement
Period at the dates of grant. The risk-free interest rates used were based on the implied yield available on a U.S. Treasury zero-
coupon bill with a remaining term equivalent to the remaining performance Measurement Period. The MSU awards stipulate
that, for purposes of computing the relative TSR for the Company as compared to the return for the Index, dividends paid with
respect to both the Company’s stock and the Index are to be treated as being reinvested into the stock of each entity as of the ex-
dividend date. Accordingly, an expected dividend yield of zero was used in the Monte Carlo simulation model, which is the
mathematical equivalent to reinvesting dividends in the issuing entity over the performance Measurement Period.
F-29
A summary of the Company’s market share unit activity is as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
Market Share Units
Outstanding at August 31, 2019
Granted
Performance factor adjustments
Converted to common shares
Forfeited
Outstanding at August 31, 2020 (1)
Number of
Shares
39,524
13,452
10,561
(24,171)
(248)
39,118
$
$
$
$
$
$
Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
121.03
216.77
96.10
93.69
118.47
164.14
$
7,995
(1) This figure represents the total number of shares underlying MSU grants assuming achievement of the target number of shares at 100%. As the
ultimate number of shares that vest could be as high as 200% of the target, the Company may be required to issue additional shares to satisfy
outstanding MSU award grants.
The weighted-average grant date fair value of all MSUs granted during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
was $216.77, $177.82 and $101.93, respectively. The total intrinsic value of all MSUs converted to common shares was $4.4
million, $4.0 million and $3.0 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The income tax benefits from MSUs converted to common shares totaled $0.9 million for both the fiscal years ended August 31,
2020 and 2019 and $0.8 million for the fiscal years ended 2018.
Deferred Performance Units
The DPU awards provide for performance-based vesting over a performance measurement period of the fiscal year in which the
DPU awards are granted. The performance vesting provisions of the DPUs are based on relative achievement within an
established performance measure range of the Company’s reported earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation in
operating departments, and amortization computed on a consolidated basis for the Measurement Year, before deduction of the
stock-based compensation expense for the Vested DPUs and excluding other non-operating income and expense amounts
(“Adjusted Global EBITDA”). The ultimate number of DPUs that vest may range from 0% to 100% of the original maximum
number of DPUs awarded depending on the relative achievement of the Adjusted Global EBITDA performance measure at the
end of the Measurement Year.
The estimated fair value of each of the Company’s DPU awards was determined on the date of grant based on the closing market
price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant less the grant date present value of expected dividends during the
vesting period for the DPUs, which are not entitled to receive dividend equivalents with respect to the unvested DPUs.
A summary of the Company’s deferred performance unit activity is as follows (in thousands, except share and per share
amounts):
Deferred Performance Units
Outstanding at August 31, 2019
Granted
Performance factor adjustments
Converted to common shares
Forfeited
Outstanding at August 31, 2020
Vested at August 31, 2020
Number of
Shares
Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
23,530
18,955
(19,357)
-
(214)
22,914
4,173
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
148.70
183.62
160.37
-
183.62
167.40
94.54
$
$
4,683
853
F-30
The weighted-average grant date fair value of all DPUs granted during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
was $183.62, $160.37 and $110.65, respectively. The total intrinsic value of all DPUs converted to common shares was not
significant for each of the fiscal years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
The income tax benefits from DPUs converted to common shares were not significant for each of the fiscal years ended August
31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Note 16. Other Benefit Plans
The Company has a WD-40 Company Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan and Trust (the “Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan”) whereby regular
U.S. employees who have completed certain minimum service requirements can defer a portion of their income through
contributions to a trust. The Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan provides for Company contributions to the trust, as approved by the Board
of Directors, as follows: 1) matching contributions to each participant up to 50% of the first 6.6% of compensation contributed
by the participant; 2) fixed non-elective contributions in the amount equal to 10% of eligible compensation; and 3) a discretionary
non-elective contribution in an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors up to 5% of eligible compensation. The
Company’s contributions are subject to overall employer contribution limits and may not exceed the amount deductible for
income tax purposes. The Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan may be amended or discontinued at any time by the Company. The
Company’s contribution expense for the Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan was $3.6 million for fiscal year 2020 and $3.3 million for
both fiscal years 2019 and 2018.
The Company’s international subsidiaries have similar benefit plan arrangements, dependent upon the local applicable laws and
regulations. The plans provide for Company contributions to an appropriate third-party plan, as approved by the subsidiary’s
Board of Directors. The Company’s contribution expense related to the international plans was $1.6 million for the fiscal years
ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
F-31
Note 17. Business Segments and Foreign Operations
The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on sales and operating income.
The Company is organized on the basis of geographical area into the following three segments: the Americas; EMEA; and Asia-
Pacific. Segment data does not include inter-segment revenues. Unallocated corporate expenses are general corporate overhead
expenses not directly attributable to the business segments and are reported separate from the Company’s identified segments.
The corporate overhead costs include expenses for the Company’s accounting and finance, information technology, human
resources, research and development, quality control and executive management functions, as well as all direct costs associated
with public company compliance matters including legal, audit and other professional services costs. Also included in corporate
overhead costs for fiscal year 2018 are corporate funded advertising and sales promotion expenses focused on increasing the
Company’s digital presence and building brand awareness.
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2020
Net sales
Income from operations
Depreciation and
amortization expense
Interest income
Interest expense
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2019
Net sales
Income from operations
Depreciation and
amortization expense
Interest income
Interest expense
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2018
Net sales
Income from operations
Depreciation and
amortization expense
Interest income
Interest expense
Americas
EMEA
Asia-Pacific
Corporate (1)
Total
Unallocated
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
200,493
51,089
4,361
15
1,867
193,972
50,069
4,532
29
2,156
192,878
48,954
4,142
13
4,209
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
156,241
37,620
2,855
2
567
160,615
37,246
2,538
23
379
150,878
36,241
2,561
320
-
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
51,764
14,982
307
76
5
68,763
20,813
282
103
6
64,762
19,098
313
121
10
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
-
(26,471)
178
-
-
-
(25,746)
241
-
-
-
(25,689)
784
-
-
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
408,498
77,220
7,701
93
2,439
423,350
82,382
7,593
155
2,541
408,518
78,604
7,800
454
4,219
(1) Unallocated corporate expenses are general corporate overhead expenses not directly attributable to any one of the business segments. These expenses
are reported separate from the Company’s identified segments and are included in Selling, General and Administrative expenses on the Company’s
consolidated statements of operations.
The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker does not review assets by segment as part of the financial information provided
and therefore, no asset information is provided in the above table.
Net sales by product group are as follows (in thousands):
Maintenance products
Homecare and cleaning products
Total
2020
369,444
39,054
408,498
$
$
F-32
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2019
386,644
36,706
423,350
$
$
2018
372,391
36,127
408,518
$
$
Net sales and long-lived assets by geographic area are as follows (in thousands):
Net Sales by Geography:
United States
International
Total
Long-lived Assets by Geography (1) :
United States
International
Total
2020
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
2019
2018
$
$
$
$
164,446
244,052
408,498
41,206
19,553
60,759
$
$
$
$
157,904
265,446
423,350
24,535
20,541
45,076
$
$
$
$
154,986
253,532
408,518
21,986
14,371
36,357
(1)
Includes tangible assets and property and equipment, net, attributed to the geographic location in which such assets are located.
Note 18. Subsequent Events
Dividend Declaration
On October 5, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.67 per share payable on October 30, 2020
to shareholders of record on October 16, 2020.
First Amendment to Credit Agreement
On September 30, 2020, the Company entered into a First Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment to Credit
Agreement”) with Bank of America. The First Amendment to Credit Agreement modifies the Company’s existing $150.0 million
Credit Agreement dated March 16, 2020. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this report have the meaning given to such
terms in the Credit Agreement, as detailed in Exhibit 10(ad) in Part IV—Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules”
included in this report.
The First Amendment to Credit Agreement revises certain financial and restrictive covenants and adjusts the interest rates on
borrowings under the Credit Agreement as described below. The maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio has been increased
from 3.0 to 1.0 to 3.5 to 1.0. The Restricted Payments covenant has been modified to permit the payment of dividends so long as
immediately prior to and after giving effect to the payment of dividends, no Event of Default exists and the Company and its
subsidiary Loan Parties are in compliance with applicable financial covenants. In addition to other non-material and technical
amendments to the Credit Agreement, the First Amendment to Credit Agreement also modifies the restrictive covenants relating
to Indebtedness and Investments. The limitation on other unsecured Indebtedness (including borrowing under the Company’s
amended Note Agreement described below) has been increased from $35.0 million to $125.0 million. With respect to the
restrictions on Investments, intercompany loans, advances or capital contributions from any Loan Party to Subsidiaries that are
not Loan Parties may be made in an aggregate amount of up to $10.0 million outstanding at any time from and after September
30, 2020. In addition, Investments not otherwise covered by any other exception to the restriction on Investments may be made
in an aggregate amount of up to $15.0 million outstanding at any time from and after November 15, 2017. The First Amendment
to Credit Agreement also modifies the interest rate applicable to borrowings under the Credit Agreement by changing the
Applicable Rate from 0.90% for Libor Rate Loans and 0.0% for Prime Rate Loans to a three-tier pricing approach tied to the
Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio. For Libor Rate Loans and Prime Rate Loans, the Applicable Rate is a spread added to
the Libor Daily Floating Rate and Prime Rate, respectively. An increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate will apply in the
event of a change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio from and after the first Business Day after the Company delivers a
Compliance Certificate to Bank of America. Table 1 below reflects the tiered Applicable Rate.
Pricing Tier
1
2
3
Consolidated
Leverage Ratio
< 2.00 to 1.0
< 3.00 to 1.0 but
≥ 2.00 to 1.0
≥ 3.00 to 1.0
Table 1
Commitment
Fee
0.15%
0.15%
Libor Rate
Loans
1.00%
1.25%
Letter of
Credit Fee
1.00%
1.25%
Prime Rate
Loans
0.00%
0.25%
0.15%
1.50%
1.50%
0.50%
The new Maturity Date for the revolving credit facility per the Credit Agreement is September 30, 2025.
F-33
Third Amendment to Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement
On September 30, 2020, the Company entered into a Third Amendment to Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement (the
“Third Amendment to Note Agreement”) amending its existing Note Agreement. The Third Amendment to Note Agreement
amends the Note Agreement to permit the Company (inclusive of its subsidiaries) to enter into the First Amendment to Credit
Agreement with Bank of America and the Third Amendment includes certain conforming amendments to the Note Agreement
consistent with the First Amendment to Credit Agreement, including the revision of the financial and restrictive covenants
described above.
All other material terms included in the Credit Agreement and the Note Agreement remain unchanged as a result of execution of
the First Amendment to Credit Agreement and the Third Amendment to Note Agreement.
Issuance and Sale of $52.0 Million in Notes under Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement
On September 30, 2020, the Company issued and sold senior unsecured notes pursuant to the Note Agreement to specified Note
Purchasers in the aggregate amount of $52.0 million. Pursuant to the Note Agreement (as amended by the Third Amendment to
Note Agreement), the Company agreed to sell $26.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes (the “Series
B Notes”) to specified Note Purchasers and the Company agreed to sell $26.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior
unsecured notes (the “Series C Notes” and together with the Series B Notes, the “Senior Notes”) to specified Note Purchasers.
The Series B Notes will bear interest at 2.5% per annum and will mature on November 15, 2027, unless earlier redeemed by the
Company. The Series C Notes will bear interest at 2.69% per annum and will mature on November 15, 2030, unless earlier
redeemed by the Company. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually beginning on May 15, 2021. The Company
used the proceeds from the Senior Notes to pay down $50.0 million in borrowings under the Company’s existing $150.0 million
Credit Agreement.
F-34
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
STOCK INFORMATION
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Diego, California
TRANSFER AGENT
Computershare
P.O. Box 505000
Louisville, KY 40233-5000
Phone: +1-781-575-2879
https://www-us.computershare.com/
investor/contact
ANNUAL MEETING
December 8, 2020, 10:00 AM
Pacific Standard Time
www.meetingcenter.io/283620136
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Wendy D. Kelley
Director, Investor Relations and
Corporate Communications
Phone: +1-619-275-9304
investorrelations@wd40.com
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
WD-40 Company
9715 Businesspark Avenue
San Diego, California 92131
Phone: +1-858-251-5600
OPERATING SUBSIDIARIES
WD-40 Company Limited
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
WD-40 Company (Canada) Ltd.
Etobicoke, Canada
WD-40 Company (Australia) Pty. Limited
Epping, Australia
Wu Di (Shanghai) Industrial Co., Ltd.
Shanghai, China
WD-40 Company (Malaysia) SDN. BHD.
Selangor, Malaysia
WD-40 Co. Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.
Monterrey Nuevo Leon, Mexico
The common stock of the Company is traded
on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under
the symbol “WDFC.” The Company’s publicly
filed reports, including financial statements
and supporting exhibits, are available on
the Securities and Exchange Commission’s
EDGAR system, on the Company’s website
at www.wd40company.com, or by writing to
the Corporate Secretary, WD-40 Company,
P.O. Box 80607, San Diego, California
92138-0607
LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
This annual report contains “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such statements reflect management’s
current expectations for the Company’s
future performance but are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions that could
cause actual results to differ materially from
those anticipated in or implied by the forward-
looking statements.
The Company’s expectations, beliefs and
projections are expressed in good faith but
there can be no assurance that they will be
achieved or accomplished. Our forward-
looking statements are generally identified
with words such as “believe,” “expect,”
“intend,” “plan,” “could,” “may,” “aim,”
“anticipate,” “target,” “estimate” and similar
expressions. Actual events or results can
differ materially from those expressed or
implied. Please refer to the information set
forth under the captions “Risk Factors” and
“Forward-Looking Statements” in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
August 31, 2020 and other reports and
documents that we file from time to time with
the Securities and Exchange Commission for
some of the factors that may cause actual
results to differ materially from the forward-
looking statements. Except as required by
law, we undertake no obligation to update
any forward-looking statement.
Copyrighted © 2020 WD-40 Company
All rights reserved. WD-40, WD-40 Smart
Straw, WD-40 EZ-REACH, WD-40 Flexible,
WD-40 BIKE, WD-40 Specialist, 3-IN-ONE,
Spot Shot, Lava, GT85, 1001, no vac and
Solvol are, where designated, registered
trademarks of WD-40 Company or one of its
subsidiaries in the primary markets in which
they are used, or such marks are unregistered
trademarks of WD-40 Company and its
subsidiaries.
Corporate information as of October 15, 2020.
CORPORATE INFORMATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Garry O. Ridge
Chairman of the Board
Chief Executive Officer
WD-40 Company
Daniel T. Carter
Audit Committee Chair
Former Executive Vice President and CFO
BevMo! Inc.
Melissa Claassen
Vice President, Emerging Markets
adidas
Eric P. Etchart
Governance Committee Chair
Former Senior Vice President
Manitowoc Company
Trevor I. Mihalik
Finance Committee Chair
Executive Vice President and CFO
Sempra Energy
Graciela I. Monteagudo
Former President and CEO
Lala U.S., Inc.
David B. Pendarvis
Chief Administrative Officer and
Global General Counsel
ResMed Inc.
Daniel E. Pittard
Former President and CEO
Rubio’s Restaurants Inc.
Gregory A. Sandfort
Lead Independent Director
Compensation Committee Chair
Former Chief Executive Officer
Tractor Supply Company
Anne G. Saunders
Former President, U.S.
nakedwines.com
Neal E. Schmale
Former President and COO
Sempra Energy
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Garry O. Ridge
Chief Executive Officer
Steven A. Brass
President and Chief Operating Officer
Richard T. Clampitt
Vice President, General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary
Geoffrey J. Holdsworth
Managing Director, Asia-Pacific
William B. Noble
Managing Director, EMEA
Patricia Q. Olsem
Division President, Americas
Jay W. Rembolt
Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer
Stanley A. Sewitch
Vice President, Global Organization
Development
Designed and produced by Mentus
“ One of the essential distinguishers of a
high-growth company is learning velocity:
companies that learn faster, grow faster.”
Dr. Rebecca Homkes
www.wd40company.com
WD-40 Company
9715 Businesspark Avenue
San Diego, CA 92131
+1-858-251-5600