20-F 1 a15-9493_120f.htm 20-F

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 20-F

 

o

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

OR

 

 

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

 

 

OR

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to

 

 

OR

 

 

o

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of event requiring this shell company report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

For the transition period from                       to                        

 

Commission file number: 1-14852

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

N/A

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

United Mexican States

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

Calzada del Valle, 407 Ote.

Colonia del Valle

San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León

66220, México

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Investor Relations

Calzada del Valle, 407 Ote.

Colonia del Valle

San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León

66220, México

Tel: (52) 81 8399-3349

Facsimile: (52) 81 8399-3359

Email: ir@gruma.com

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

 

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

 

Title of each class:

 

Name of exchange on which registered:

Series B Common Shares, without par value

 

New York Stock Exchange*

American Depositary Shares, each
representing four Series B Common
Shares, without par value

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

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

 

None

 



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Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

 

None

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

 

432,749,079 Series B Common Shares, without par value

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

o Yes   x No

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

o Yes   x 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.

x Yes   o No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).

N/A

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP o

 

IFRS x

 

Other o

 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

o Item 17   o Item 18

 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

o Yes   x No

 


*              Not for trading but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares, pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 



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INDEX

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

2

 

 

 

PART I

 

2

 

 

 

ITEM 1

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS.

2

 

 

 

ITEM 2

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE.

2

 

 

 

ITEM 3

KEY INFORMATION.

2

 

 

 

ITEM 4

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY.

16

 

 

 

ITEM 4A.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

33

 

 

 

ITEM 5

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS.

33

 

 

 

ITEM 6

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES.

54

 

 

 

ITEM 7

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.

60

 

 

 

ITEM 8

FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

62

 

 

 

ITEM 9

THE OFFER AND LISTING.

64

 

 

 

ITEM 10

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

66

 

 

 

ITEM 11

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

83

 

 

 

ITEM 12

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES.

86

 

 

 

PART II

 

87

 

 

 

ITEM 13

DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES.

87

 

 

 

ITEM 14

MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

87

 

 

 

ITEM 15

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

87

 

 

 

ITEM 16

RESERVED

88

 

 

 

ITEM 16A.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

88

 

 

 

ITEM 16B.

CODE OF ETHICS

88

 

 

 

ITEM 16C.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

89

 

 

 

ITEM 16D.

EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

89

 

 

 

ITEM 16E.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

90

 

 

 

ITEM 16F.

CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

90

 

 

 

ITEM 16G.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

90

 

 

 

ITEM 16H.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

92

 

 

 

PART III

 

92

 

 

 

ITEM 17

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

92

 

 

 

ITEM 18

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

92

 

 

 

ITEM 19

EXHIBITS.

92

 

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INTRODUCTION

 

Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. is a publicly held corporation (Sociedad Anónima Bursátil de Capital Variable) organized under the laws of the United Mexican States, or Mexico.

 

In this annual report on Form 20-F, references to “pesos” or “Ps.” are to Mexican pesos, references to “U.S. dollars,” “U.S.$,” “dollars” or “$” are to United States dollars and references to “bolivars” and “Bs.” are to the Venezuelan bolivar. “We,” “our,” “us,” “our company,” “GRUMA” and similar expressions refer to Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. and its consolidated subsidiaries, except when the reference is specifically to Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. (parent company only) or the context otherwise requires.

 

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

This annual report contains our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The consolidated financial statements have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, S.C., an independent registered public accounting firm and were approved by our shareholders at the annual general shareholders’ meeting held on April 24, 2015.

 

We publish our financial statements in pesos and prepare our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

 

The financial statements of our entities are measured using the currency of the main economic environment where the entity operates (functional currency). The audited consolidated financial statements are presented in Mexican pesos, which corresponds to our presentation currency. Prior to the peso translation, the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries with functional currency from a hyperinflationary environment are adjusted for inflation in order to reflect changes in purchasing power of the local currency. Subsequently, assets, liabilities, equity, income, costs, and expenses are translated to the presentation currency at the closing rate at the date of the most recent balance sheet. To determine the existence of hyperinflation, we evaluate the qualitative characteristics of the economic environment, as well as the quantitative characteristics established by IFRS, including an accumulated inflation rate equal or higher than 100% in the past three years.

 

In December 2014, we concluded the sale of our wheat flour operations in Mexico (the “Wheat Milling Transaction”). The results and cash flows generated by these wheat flour operations in Mexico for the periods presented in our audited consolidated financial statements, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and in this annual report for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, were reported as a discontinued operation.  As required by IFRS the presentation as a discontinued operation was applied retrospectively for the periods presented in these financial statements. Additionally certain other disclosures herein have also been updated to segregate amounts between continuing and discontinued operations and therefore differ from those included in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013. See Notes 2 D and 26 A to our audited consolidated financial statements. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Our Financial Information Presented in Previous Filings May Not Be Comparable Because of the Accounting Treatment as Discontinued Operations of our Venezuelan Operations and Mexican Wheat Flour Operations.”

 

We ceased to consolidate the financial information of MONACA and DEMASECA (collectively referred to as the “Venezuelan Companies”) as of January 22, 2013 and derecognized the assets and liabilities of these companies from the consolidated balance sheet. For disclosure and presentation purposes, we consider these subsidiaries as a significant segment and therefore, applying the guidelines from IFRS 5 “Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations”, MONACA and DEMASECA are presented as discontinued operations. Therefore, the results and cash flows generated by these Venezuelan companies for the periods presented in our audited consolidated financial statements, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, and in this annual report for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, were reported as discontinued operations. See Notes 26 B and 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Our Financial Information Presented in Previous Filings May Not Be Comparable Because of the Accounting Treatment as Discontinued Operations of our Venezuelan Operations and Mexican Wheat Flour Operations.”

 

MARKET SHARE

 

The information contained in this annual report regarding our market positions is based primarily on our own estimates and internal analysis and data obtained from AC Nielsen. Market position information for the United States is also based on data from Technomic. For Mexico, information is also based on data from Información Sistematizada de Canales y Mercados or “ISCAM”, Asociación Nacional de Tiendas de Autoservicio y Departamentales (National Supermarkets and Department Stores Association) or “ANTAD”, Asociación Nacional de Abarroteros Mayoristas (National Groceries Wholesalers Association) or “ANAM” and reports

 

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from industry chambers. For Europe, information is also based on data from Symphony IRI Group. While we believe our internal research and estimates are reliable, they have not been verified by any independent source and we cannot ensure their accuracy.

 

EXCHANGE RATE

 

This annual report contains translations of various peso amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for your convenience. You should not construe these translations as representations by us that the peso amounts actually represent the U.S. dollar amounts or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, we have translated U.S. dollar amounts from pesos (i) as of December 31, 2014 at the exchange rate of Ps.14.7180 to U.S.$1.00, which was the rate established by Banco de México on December 29, 2014 and (ii) as of March 31, 2015 at the exchange rate of Ps.15.1542 to U.S.$1.00, which was the rate established by Banco de México on March 27, 2015.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Certain figures included in this annual report have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this annual report are not all calculated on the basis of such rounded figures; some are calculated on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, percentage amounts in this annual report may vary from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in our audited consolidated financial statements. Certain numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that preceded them due to rounding.

 

All references to “tons” in this annual report refer to metric tons. One metric ton equals 2,204 pounds. Estimates of production capacity contained herein assume the operation of relevant facilities on the basis of 360 days a year, on three shifts, and assume only regular intervals for required maintenance.

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This annual report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, including the statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under “Item 4. Information on the Company” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”  Some of these statements contain words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “strategy,” “plans”, “budget”, “project” and other similar words. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations as reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors,” “Item 4. Information on the Company,” “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”  These risks, uncertainties and factors include: general economic and business conditions, including changes in exchange rates, and conditions that affect the price and availability of corn, wheat and edible oils; potential changes in demand for our products; price and product competition; and other factors discussed herein.

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1         Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2         Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3         Key Information.

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following tables present our selected consolidated financial data as of and for each of the years indicated. The data as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are derived from and should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements included herein and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”

 

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In accordance with IFRS, we concluded that we lost control of our Venezuelan subsidiaries, MONACA and DEMASECA, on January 22, 2013.  As a result of such loss of control, we ceased the consolidation of the financial information of MONACA and DEMASECA starting January 22, 2013. Therefore, the results and cash flows generated by these Venezuelan companies for the periods presented are reported as discontinued operations.

 

In December 2014, we concluded the sale of our wheat flour operations in Mexico.  As a result of the sale, the results and cash flows generated by these wheat flour operations for the periods presented are reported as discontinued operations.

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011 (1)

 

2010 (1)

 

 

 

(thousands of Mexican Pesos, except per
share amounts)

 

Income Statement Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

Ps.

49,935,328

 

Ps.

49,035,523

 

Ps.

49,270,534

 

Ps.

43,845,962

 

Ps.

37,038,647

 

Cost of sales

 

(31,574,750

)

(32,265,587

)

(33,548,061

)

(29,510,028

)

(24,410,770

)

Gross profit

 

18,360,578

 

16,769,936

 

15,722,473

 

14,335,934

 

12,627,877

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 

(12,040,402

)

(11,937,116

)

(13,040,182

)

(11,919,634

)

(10,356,602

)

Other expense, net

 

(297,262

)

(193,069

)

(73,198

)

(199,883

)

(480,608

)

Operating income

 

6,022,914

 

4,639,751

 

2,609,093

 

2,216,417

 

1,790,667

 

Comprehensive financing cost, net

 

(1,105,403

)

(987,625

)

(880,390

)

(623,296

)

(990,224

)

Equity in earnings of associated companies

 

 

 

 

 

590,869

 

Gain from divestment in associated company

 

 

 

 

4,707,804

 

 

Income before income tax

 

4,917,511

 

3,652,126

 

1,728,703

 

6,300,925

 

1,391,312

 

Income tax expense

 

(1,059,583

)

(195,361

)

(905,280

)

(1,628,761

)

(801,696

)

Consolidated income from continuing operations

 

3,857,928

 

3,456,765

 

823,423

 

4,672,164

 

589,616

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

598,852

 

(146,796

)

880,336

 

1,143,658

 

49,870

 

Consolidated net income

 

4,456,780

 

3,309,969

 

1,703,759

 

5,815,822

 

639,486

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders

 

4,287,310

 

3,163,133

 

1,115,338

 

5,270,762

 

431,779

 

Non-controlling interest

 

169,470

 

146,836

 

588,421

 

545,060

 

207,707

 

Per share data(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From continuing operations.

 

8.38

 

7.28

 

0.82

 

7.92

 

0.71

 

From discontinued operations

 

1.53

 

(0.12

)

1.18

 

1.43

 

0.05

 

From continuing and discontinued operations

 

9.91

 

7.16

 

2.00

 

9.35

 

0.77

 

 

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2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011 (1)

 

2010 (1)

 

 

 

(thousands of Mexican pesos, except per
share amounts and operating data)

 

Balance Sheet Data (at period end):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

Ps.

17,814,336

 

Ps.

17,904,972

 

Ps.

20,917,534

 

Ps.

20,515,633

 

Ps.

17,930,173

 

Total assets

 

40,636,730

 

42,608,640

 

49,460,402

 

44,542,618

 

38,927,394

 

Short-term debt(3)

 

1,437,108

 

3,275,897

 

8,018,763

 

1,633,207

 

2,192,871

 

Long-term debt(3)

 

9,324,052

 

13,096,443

 

11,852,708

 

11,472,110

 

15,852,538

 

Total liabilities

 

22,552,484

 

28,181,780

 

35,126,685

 

26,829,834

 

28,205,120

 

Common stock

 

5,363,595

 

5,363,595

 

5,668,079

 

6,972,425

 

6,972,425

 

Total equity(4)

 

18,084,246

 

14,426,860

 

14,333,717

 

17,712,784

 

10,722,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Financial Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

1,719,379

 

1,408,730

 

2,384,731

 

2,272,687

 

965,277

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,460,450

 

1,569,376

 

1,522,778

 

1,395,190

 

1,331,616

 

Net cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

6,730,000

 

6,679,431

 

1,806,136

 

1,751,314

 

3,291,138

 

Investing activities

 

1,995,588

 

(1,524,901

)

(3,455,629

)

6,779,129

 

(802,208

)

Financing activities

 

(8,591,246

)

(5,112,396

)

1,817,675

 

(7,429,059

)

(4,234,431

)

 


(1)         The financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and adjusted to conform to the current presentation adopted in the financial statements included in this Form 20-F. See Note 26 to the audited consolidated financial statements.

 

(2)         Based upon the weighted average of outstanding shares of our common stock (in thousands), as follows: 432,749 shares for the year ended December 31, 2014, 441,835 shares for the year ended December 31, 2013, 558,712 shares for the year ended December 31, 2012, 563,651 shares for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 563,651 shares for the year ended December 31, 2010. Each of our American Depositary Shares represents four Series B Common Shares.

 

(3)         Short-term debt consists of bank loans, the current portion of long-term debt and debentures. Long-term debt consists of bank loans, our 4.875% Notes due 2024, our senior unsecured perpetual bonds and debentures.

 

(4)         Total equity includes non-controlling interests as follows: Ps.1,521 million as of December 31, 2014, Ps.1,454 million as of December 31, 2013, Ps.3,032 million as of December 31, 2012, Ps.4,282 million as of December 31, 2011 and Ps.3,778 million as of December 31, 2010.

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(thousands of tons)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales volume:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gruma Corporation (corn flour, tortillas and other)(1)

 

1,653

 

1,651

 

1,596

 

1,478

 

1,395

 

GIMSA (corn flour, and other)

 

1,798

 

1,780

 

1,899

 

1,876

 

1,813

 

Gruma Centroamérica (corn flour and other)

 

200

 

198

 

207

 

229

 

201

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production capacity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gruma Corporation (corn flour, tortillas and other)

 

2,400

 

2,406

 

2,499

 

2,482

 

2,314

 

GIMSA (corn flour, and other)(2)

 

2,823

 

3,046

 

2,965

 

2,965

 

2,965

 

Gruma Centroamérica (corn flour and other)

 

319

 

323

 

323

 

350

 

343

 

Number of employees

 

17,845

 

19,202

 

21,974

 

21,318

 

19,825

 

 


(1) Net of intercompany transactions.

 

(2) Includes 333 thousand tons of temporarily idled production capacity as of December 31, 2014

 

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Dividends

 

Our ability to pay dividends may be limited by Mexican law, our estatutos sociales, or bylaws, and by financial covenants contained in some of our credit agreements. Because we are a holding company with no significant operations of our own, we have distributable profits to pay dividends to the extent that we receive dividends from our subsidiaries. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will pay dividends or of the amount of any such dividends. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness.”

 

Pursuant to Mexican law and our bylaws, the declaration, amount and payment of dividends are determined by a majority vote of the holders of the outstanding shares represented at a duly convened shareholders’ meeting. The amount of any future dividend would depend on, among other things, operating results, financial condition, cash requirements, losses for prior fiscal years, future prospects, the extent to which debt obligations impose restrictions on dividends and other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors and the shareholders.

 

In addition, under Mexican law, companies may only pay dividends:

 

·                  from earnings included in year-end financial statements that are approved by shareholders at a duly convened meeting;

 

·                  after any existing losses applicable to prior years have been made up or absorbed into shareholders’ equity;

 

·                  after at least 5% of net profits for the relevant fiscal year have been allocated to a legal reserve until the amount of the reserve equals 20% of a company’s paid-in capital stock; and

 

·                  after shareholders have approved the payment of the relevant dividends at a duly convened meeting.

 

Holders of our American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs, on the applicable record date are entitled to receive dividends declared on the shares represented by American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, evidenced by such ADRs. The depositary will fix a record date for the holders of ADRs in respect of each dividend distribution. We pay dividends in pesos and holders of ADSs will receive dividends in U.S. dollars (after conversion by the depositary from pesos, if not then restricted under applicable law) net of the fees, expenses, taxes and governmental charges payable by holders under the laws of Mexico and the terms of the deposit agreement.

 

The ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us is limited by the laws of each country in which they were incorporated and by their constitutive documents. For example, in the case of Gruma Corporation, our principal U.S. subsidiary, its ability to pay dividends in cash is prohibited upon the occurrence of any default or event of default under its principal credit agreements. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness.”

 

On April 24, 2015, GRUMA approved a cash dividend in the amount of Ps.692 million, payable on July 8, 2015. During 2014 we paid a cash dividend in the amount of Ps.649.12 million, or Ps.1.50 per common share, and during 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 we did not pay any dividends to shareholders.

 

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Exchange Rate Information

 

Mexico has had a free market for foreign exchange since 1994, when the government suspended intervention by the Banco de México, and allowed the peso to float freely against the U.S. dollar. There can be no assurance that the government will maintain its current policies with regard to the peso or that the peso will not depreciate or appreciate in the future. See “Item 3. Key Information —Risk Factors—Risks Related to Mexico—Devaluations of the Mexican Peso May Affect our Financial Performance.”

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high, low, average and period-end noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in pesos published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, expressed in pesos per U.S. dollar.

 

 

 

Noon Buying Rate (Ps. Per U.S.$)

 

Year

 

High (1)

 

Low (1)

 

Average (2)

 

Period End

 

2010

 

13.1940

 

12.1556

 

12.6222

 

12.3825

 

2011

 

14.2542

 

11.5050

 

12.4270

 

13.9510

 

2012

 

14.3650

 

12.6250

 

13.1539

 

12.9635

 

2013

 

13.4330

 

11.9760

 

12.7584

 

13.0980

 

2014

 

14.7940

 

12.8455

 

13.3022

 

14.7500

 

October 2014

 

13.5727

 

13.3940

 

13.4795

 

13.4825

 

November 2014

 

13.9210

 

13.5360

 

13.6148

 

13.9210

 

December 2014

 

14.7940

 

13.9355

 

14.5205

 

14.7500

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 2015

 

15.0050

 

14.5640

 

14.6972

 

15.0050

 

February 2015

 

15.1025

 

14.7480

 

14.9170

 

14.9390

 

March 2015

 

15.5815

 

14.9330

 

15.2245

 

15.2450

 

 


(1) Rates shown are the actual low and high, on a day-by-day basis for each period.

 

(2) Average of month-end rates.

 

On April 24, 2015, the noon buying rate for pesos was Ps.15.3825 to U.S.$1.00.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Risks Related to Our Company

 

Fluctuations in the Cost and Availability of Corn and Wheat May Affect Our Financial Performance

 

Our financial performance may be affected by the price and availability of corn and wheat. Corn and wheat flour represented 40% and 8%, respectively, of our cost of sales in 2014. Mexican and world markets have experienced periods of either over-supply or shortage of corn and wheat as a result of different factors such as weather conditions, some of which have caused adverse effects on our results of operations. Additionally, because of this volatility and price variations, we may not always be able to pass along our increased costs to our customers in the form of price increases. We cannot always predict whether or when shortages or over-supply of corn or wheat will occur. In addition, future Mexican or other countries’ governmental actions could affect the price and availability of corn or wheat. Any adverse developments in domestic and international corn or wheat markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

 

To manage these price risks, we regularly monitor our risk tolerance and evaluate the possibility of using derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to commodity prices. We generally hedge against fluctuations in the costs of corn and wheat, in particular at our U.S. operations, using futures and options contracts and fixed price supply contracts according to our risk management policy, but remain exposed to losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to the financial instruments or the supply contracts. In addition, if corn or wheat prices decrease below the levels specified in our various hedging agreements, we would lose the value of a decline in these prices.

 

Increases in the Cost of Energy Could Affect Our Profitability

 

We use a significant amount of electricity, natural gas and other energy sources to operate our corn flour plants and processing ovens for the manufacture of tortillas and related products at our facilities. These energy costs represented approximately 5% of our cost of sales in 2014. In addition, considerable amounts of diesel fuel are used in connection with the distribution of our products. The cost of energy sources may fluctuate widely due to economic and political conditions, government policy and regulation, war, weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. An increase in such costs would increase our operating costs and, therefore, could affect our profitability.

 

The Inadvertent Presence of Genetically Modified Corn Not Approved for Human Consumption in Our Products May Have a Negative Impact on Our Results of Operations

 

As we do not grow our own corn, we are required to buy it from various producers in the United States, Mexico and elsewhere.  Although we only buy corn from farmers and grain elevators who agree to supply us with approved varieties of corn and we have developed a protocol in all our operations to test and monitor our corn for certain strains of bacteria and chemicals that have not been approved for human consumption, we may unwittingly buy genetically modified corn that is not approved for human consumption, and use such raw materials in the manufacture of our products. This may result in costly recalls, subject us to lawsuits, and may have a negative impact on our results of operations.

 

In the past, various allegations have been made, mostly in the United States and the European Union, that genetically modified foods are unsafe for human consumption, pose risks of damage to the environment and create legal, social and ethical dilemmas. Some countries, particularly in the European Union, as well as Australia and some countries in Asia, have instituted a partial limitation on the import of grain produced from genetically modified seeds. Some countries have imposed labeling requirements and traceability obligations on genetically modified agricultural and food products, which may affect the acceptance of these products. The movement for labeling of genetically modified organisms (“GMO”) in the United States has gathered momentum over the last several years.  While ballot initiatives have failed, several states, such as Connecticut and Maine, have passed qualified GMO labeling bills that will impose labeling requirements on food products containing GMO if several other states pass similar laws.  Vermont recently passed the first non-qualified GMO labeling law.  If it survives legal challenges, it will impose GMO labeling requirements in 2016, which may affect the acceptance of these products. To the extent that we may unknowingly buy or may be perceived to be a seller of products manufactured with genetically modified grains not approved for human consumption, this may have a significant negative impact on our financial condition and results of operation.

 

Regulatory Developments May Adversely Affect Our Business

 

We are subject to regulation in each of the territories in which we operate. The principal areas in which we are subject to regulation are health, environmental, labor, taxation and antitrust. The adoption of new laws or regulations in the countries in which we operate may increase our operating costs, impose restrictions on our operations or impact our growth opportunities which, in turn,

 

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may adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations. Further changes in current regulations may result in an increase in compliance costs, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Regulation.”

 

Economic and Legal Risks Associated with a Global Business May Affect Our International Operations

 

We conduct our business in many countries and anticipate that revenues from our international operations will account for a significant portion of our future revenues. There are risks inherent in conducting our business internationally, including:

 

·                  general political and economic instability in international markets;

 

·                  limitations in the repatriation, nationalization or governmental seizure of our assets, including cash;

 

·                  direct or indirect expropriation of our international assets;

 

·                  varying prices and availability of corn and wheat and the cost and practicality of hedging such fluctuations under current market conditions;

 

·                  different liability standards and legal systems;

 

·                  developments in the international credit markets, which could affect capital availability or cost, and could restrict our ability to obtain financing or refinance our existing indebtedness at favorable terms, if at all; and

 

·                  intellectual property laws of countries that do not protect our international rights to the same extent as the laws of Mexico.

 

We have expanded our operations to several countries, including Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and Spain. Our presence in these and other markets could present us with new and unanticipated operational challenges. For example, we may encounter labor restrictions or shortages and currency conversion obstacles, or be required to comply with stringent local governmental and environmental regulations. Any of these factors could increase our operating expenses and decrease our profitability.

 

Our Business May Be Adversely Impacted By Risks Related to Our Derivatives Trading Activities

 

From time to time, we enter into commodities, currency and other derivative transactions, pursuant to our risk management policy, that cover varying periods of time and have varying pricing provisions. We may incur losses in connection with potential changes in the value of our derivative instruments as a result of changes in economic conditions, investor sentiment, monetary and fiscal policies, the liquidity of global markets, international and regional political events, and acts of war or terrorism. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources,” and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Foreign Exchange Rate Risk.”

 

We Cannot Predict the Impact that Changing Climate Conditions, Including Legal, Regulatory and Social Responses Thereto, May Have on Our Business

 

Various scientists, environmentalists, international organizations, regulators and other commentators believe that global climate change has added, and will continue to add, to the unpredictability, frequency and severity of natural disasters (including, but not limited to droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, freezes, other storms and fires) in certain parts of the world. In response to this belief, a number of legal and regulatory measures as well as social initiatives have been introduced in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas and other carbon emissions which some believe may be chief contributors to global climate change. We cannot predict the impact that changing climate conditions, if any, will have on our results of operations or our financial condition. Moreover, we cannot predict how legal, regulatory and social responses to concerns about global climate change will impact our business in the future.

 

Our Business and Operations May Be Adversely Affected by Global Economic Conditions

 

The global macroeconomic environment has not fully recovered from the downturn commencing in 2008.  Subsequent years were characterized by instability in the financial markets and the threat of a continued global economic downturn, primarily as a result of the ongoing sovereign debt crisis and general economic outlook of the Eurozone, the high degree of unemployment in certain countries and the level of public debt in the United States and certain European countries.  Those developments adversely affected the economy of the United States, Europe and many other parts of the world, including Mexico, and had significant consequences

 

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worldwide, including unprecedented volatility, significant lack of liquidity, loss of confidence in the financial markets, disruptions in the credit sector, reduced business activity, rising unemployment, decline in interest rates and erosion of consumer confidence. It is uncertain how long the effects of this global macroeconomic instability will continue and how much of an impact it will have on the global economy in general, or the economies in which we operate in particular, and whether slowing economic growth in any such countries could result in our customers and consumers reducing their spending. As a result, we may need to lower the prices of certain of our products and services in order to maintain their attractiveness, which could lead to reduced turnover and profit or a decline in demand for our products. Any such development could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and lead to a drop in the trading price of our shares.

 

Our Current or Future Indebtedness Could Adversely Affect Our Business and, Consequently, Our Ability to Pay Interest and Repay Our Indebtedness.

 

We had total consolidated indebtedness of Ps.10.84 billion (US$0.74 billion) as of December 31, 2014.  On a stand-alone basis, we had Ps.9.84 million (US$0.67 million) of outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2014, none of which was secured indebtedness.  See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness.”  Our level of indebtedness may have important consequences, including:

 

·                  increasing our vulnerability to adverse general economic and industry conditions, including increases in interest rates, increases in prices of raw materials, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and market volatility;

 

·                  limiting our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, particularly in the event of a default under one of our debt instruments;

 

·                  limiting cash flow available to fund our working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate requirements;

 

·                  limiting our ability to obtain additional financing on favorable terms to refinance debt or to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, other general corporate requirements and acquisitions; and

 

·                  limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry.

 

To the extent that we incur additional indebtedness, the risks outlined above could increase.  In addition, our actual cash requirements in the future may be greater than expected.  Our ability to make scheduled payments on and refinance our indebtedness when due depends on, and is subject to, several factors, including our financial and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and financial conditions, business and other factors, the availability of financing in the Mexican and international banking and capital markets, and our ability to sell assets and implement operating improvements.

 

We May be Adversely Affected by Increases in Interest Rates

 

Interest rate risk exists primarily with respect to our floating-rate peso denominated debt, which generally bears interest based on the Mexican equilibrium interbank interest rate (“TIIE”). In addition, we have additional interest rate risk with respect to floating-rate dollar-denominated debt, which generally bears interest based on the LIBOR. We have significant exposure to interest rate fluctuations due to our floating-rate peso and dollar-denominated debt. As a result, if the TIIE or LIBOR rates increase significantly, our ability to service our debt may be adversely affected.

 

Downgrades of Our Debt May Increase Our Financing Costs or Otherwise Adversely Affect Us or Our Stock Price

 

Our long-term corporate credit rating is rated “BBB-” by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“Standard & Poor’s”). Our Foreign Currency Long-Term Issuer Default Rating and our Local Currency Long-Term Issuer Default Rating are rated “BBB-” by Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”). Our U.S.$400 million 4.875% unsecured senior notes due 2024 bond is rated “BBB-” by Fitch.

 

If our financial condition deteriorates, we may experience future declines in our credit ratings, with attendant consequences. Our access to external sources of financing, as well as the cost of that financing, could be adversely affected by a deterioration of our long-term debt ratings. A downgrade in our credit ratings could increase the cost of and/or limit the availability of financing, which may make it more difficult for us to raise capital when necessary. If we cannot obtain adequate capital on favorable terms or at all, our business, operating results and financial condition would be adversely affected.

 

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We Expect to Pay Interest and Principal on Our Debt with Cash Generated in Dollars or Pesos, as Needed, But Cannot Assure You That We Will Generate Sufficient Cash Flow in the Relevant Currency at the Required Times From Our Operations

 

We had approximately 90.62% of our outstanding debt denominated in dollars, 8.13% in Mexican pesos and 1.25% in other currencies as of December 31, 2014. We may not generate sufficient cash in the relevant currency from our operations to service the entire amount of our debt in such currency. A devaluation of certain currencies or a change in our business could adversely affect our ability to service our debt

 

Our Financial Information Prepared under IFRS May Not Be Comparable to Our Financial Information Prepared Under Mexican Financial Reporting Standards

 

We adopted IFRS as of January 1, 2011 and prepared our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. IFRS differs in certain significant respects from Mexican FRS and U.S. GAAP. As a result of the adoption of IFRS, our consolidated financial information presented under IFRS for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 may not be comparable to our financial information for previous periods prepared under Mexican FRS available in the market.

 

Our Financial Information Presented in Previous Filings May Not Be Comparable Because of the Accounting Treatment as Discontinued Operations of our Venezuelan Operations and Mexican Wheat Flour Operations

 

We ceased to consolidate the financial information of MONACA and DEMASECA (the Venezuelan Companies) as of January 22, 2013, therefore, the results and cash flows generated by such Venezuelan companies for the periods presented in our audited consolidated financial statements, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and in this annual report for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were reported as discontinued operations and may not be comparable to our financial information presented in previous periods.

 

In December 2014, we concluded the sale of our wheat flour operations in Mexico.  Accordingly, the results and cash flows generated by our wheat flour operations in Mexico for the periods presented in our audited consolidated financial statements, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and in this annual report for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were reported as discontinued operations and may not be comparable to our financial information presented in previous periods.

 

See Notes 2D and 26 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Risks Related to Mexico

 

Our Results of Operations Could Be Affected by Economic and Social Conditions in Mexico

 

We are a Mexican company with 40% of our consolidated assets located in Mexico and 30% of our consolidated net sales derived from our Mexican operations as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014. As a result, Mexican economic conditions could impact our results of operations.

 

In the past, Mexico has experienced exchange rate instability and devaluation as well as high levels of inflation, domestic interest rates, unemployment, negative economic growth and reduced consumer purchasing power. These events resulted in limited liquidity for the Mexican government and local corporations. Crime rates and civil and political unrest in Mexico and around the world could also negatively impact the Mexican economy. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Developments in Other Countries Could Adversely Affect the Mexican Economy, the Market Value of our Securities and Our Results of Operations.”

 

Mexico has experienced periods of slow growth since 2001, primarily as a result of the downturn in the U.S. economy. The Mexican economy grew by 1.5% in 2008 but contracted by 6.1% in 2009. In 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Mexican economy grew by 5.5%, 3.9%, 3.9%, 1.1% and  2.1%, respectively.

 

Developments and trends in the world economy affecting Mexico may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The Mexican economy is tightly connected to the U.S. economy through international trade (approximately 80.2% of Mexican exports were directed to the United States in 2014), international remittances (billions of dollars from Mexican workers in the United States are the country’s second-largest source of foreign exchange), foreign direct investment (approximately 28.9% of Mexican foreign direct investment came from U.S.-based investors in 2014), and financial markets (the U.S. and Mexican financial systems are highly integrated). As the U.S. economy contracts, U.S. citizens consume fewer Mexican imports, Mexican workers in the United States send less money to Mexico, U.S. firms with businesses in Mexico make fewer

 

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investments, U.S.-owned banks in Mexico make fewer loans, and the quality of U.S. financial assets held in Mexico deteriorates. Moreover, a collapse in confidence in the U.S. economy may spread to other economies closely connected to it, including Mexico’s. The result may be a potentially deep and protracted recession in Mexico. If the Mexican economy falls into a deep and protracted recession, or if inflation and interest rates increase, consumer purchasing power may decrease and, as a result, demand for our products may decrease. In addition, a recession could affect our operations to the extent we are unable to reduce our costs and expenses in response to falling demand.

 

Our Business Operations Could Be Affected by Government Policies in Mexico

 

The Mexican government has exerted, and continues to exert, significant influence over the Mexican economy. Mexican governmental actions concerning the economy could have a significant effect on Mexican private sector entities, as well as on market conditions, prices and returns on securities of Mexican issuers, including our securities. Governmental policies have negatively affected our sales of corn flour in the past and may continue to do so in the future.

 

We cannot predict the impact that political, economic and social conditions will have on the Mexican economy.  Furthermore, we cannot provide any assurances that political developments in Mexico, over which we have no control, will not have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.  Mexico has recently experienced periods of violence and crime due to the activities of organized crime.  In response, the Mexican government has implemented various security measures and has strengthened its police and military forces.  Despite these efforts, organized crime (especially drug-related crime) continues to exist in Mexico.  These activities, their possible escalation and the violence associated with them may have a negative impact on the Mexican economy or on our operations in the future.  The social and political situation in Mexico could adversely affect the Mexican economy, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

 

The Mexican government supports the commercialization of corn for Mexican corn growers through the Agricultural Incentives and Trade Services Agency (Apoyos y Servicios a la Comercialización Agropecuaria, or ASERCA). This program and others may affect our business.

 

The level of environmental and competition regulations and enforcement in Mexico has increased in recent years for all companies. We expect the trend toward greater  regulation and enforcement to continue and to be accelerated including as a result of international agreements between Mexico and the United States. The promulgation of new and more stringent  regulations or higher levels of enforcement could adversely affect our business condition and results of operations.

 

The Approved Amendments to Mexican Tax Laws May Adversely Affect Us

 

On December 11, 2013, certain reforms to Mexican tax laws were published in the Official Gazette of Mexico, which became effective as of January 1, 2014. While the corporate income tax rate, which had previously been scheduled for reduction, remained at 30%, the tax reforms resulted in several amendments to corporate tax deductions including, among other things, (i) elimination of deductions that were previously allowed for related-party payments to certain foreign entities and narrowing tax deductions on salaries paid to employees, (ii) imposition of a 10% withholding income tax on dividends paid by the corporation to Mexican individuals or foreign residents, (iii) an increase in the value-added tax in certain areas of Mexico, (iv) requirement of the use of electronic invoices and new monthly tax reports to be provided to governmental tax authorities and (v) imposition of a 10% income tax payable by individuals on the sale of stock listed on the BMV.

 

Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected as a result of increased taxes on salaries and increased costs due to additional compliance measures.

 

Devaluations of the Mexican Peso May Affect our Financial Performance

 

Because we have significant international operations generating revenue in different currencies (mainly in U.S. dollars) and debt denominated in various currencies (mainly in U.S. dollars), we remain exposed to foreign exchange risks that could affect our ability to meet our obligations and result in foreign exchange losses. We posted a net foreign exchange gain of Ps.412 million in 2010, a gain of Ps.44 million in 2011, a loss of Ps.83 million in 2012, a gain of Ps.46 million in 2013 and a gain of Ps.72 million in 2014. Major devaluation or depreciation of the Mexican peso may limit our ability to transfer or to convert such currency into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making timely payments of interest and principal on our indebtedness. The Mexican government does not currently restrict, and for many years has not restricted, the right or ability of Mexican or foreign persons or entities to convert pesos into U.S. dollars or to transfer other currencies out of Mexico. The government could, however, institute restrictive exchange rate policies in the future.

 

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We May Not Be Able to Make Payments in U.S. Dollars

 

In the past, the Mexican economy has experienced balance of payments deficits and shortages in foreign exchange reserves.  While the Mexican government does not currently restrict the ability of Mexican or foreign persons or entities to convert Mexican Pesos to foreign currencies, including U.S. Dollars, it has done so in the past and could do so again in the future.  We cannot assure you that the Mexican government will not implement a restrictive exchange control policy in the future.  Any such restrictive exchange control policy could prevent or restrict our access to U.S. Dollars to meet our U.S. Dollar obligations and could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  We cannot predict the impact of any such measures on the Mexican economy.

 

High Levels of Inflation and High Interest Rates in Mexico Could Adversely Affect the Business Climate in Mexico and our Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Mexico has experienced high levels of inflation in the past. The annual rate of inflation, as measured by changes in the National Consumer Price Index was 4.40% for 2010, 3.82% for 2011. 3.57% for 2012, 3.97% for 2013 and 4.08% for 2014.  From January through March 2015, the inflation rate was 0.51%.  On April 21, 2015, the 28-day CETES rate was 2.96%.  While a substantial part of our debt is dollar-denominated at this time, high interest rates in Mexico may adversely affect the business climate in Mexico generally and our financing costs in the future and thus our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Developments in Other Countries Could Adversely Affect the Mexican Economy, the Market Value of Our Securities and Our Results of Operations

 

The Mexican economy may be, to varying degrees, affected by economic and market conditions in other countries.  Although economic conditions in other countries may differ significantly from economic conditions in Mexico, investors’ reactions to adverse developments in other countries may have an adverse effect on the market value of securities of Mexican issuers.  In recent years, economic conditions in Mexico have become increasingly correlated to economic conditions in the United States.  Accordingly, the slow recovery of the economy in the United States, and the uncertainty of the impact it could have on the general economic conditions in Mexico and the United States could have a significant adverse effect on our businesses and results of operations.  See “Item 3.  Key Information—Risk Factors—Our Results of Operations Could Be Affected by Economic Conditions in Mexico,” and “Item 3.  Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to the United States—Unfavorable General Economic Conditions in the United States Could Negatively Impact Our Financial Performance.” In addition, economic crises in the United States as well as in Asia, Russia, Brazil, Argentina and other emerging market countries have adversely affected the Mexican economy in the past.

 

Our financial performance may also be significantly affected by general economic, political and social conditions in the emerging markets where we operate, particularly Mexico, Venezuela, Eastern Europe and Asia.  Many countries in Latin America, including Mexico and Venezuela, have suffered significant economic, political and social crises in the past, and these events may occur again in the future.  See also “Item 3.  Key Information —Risks Related to Venezuela— We have Deconsolidated our Interest in the Venezuelan Companies which are currently Involved in Expropriation and Arbitration Proceedings.” Instability in Latin America has been caused by many different factors, including:

 

·                  Significant governmental influence over local economies;

 

·                  Substantial fluctuations in economic growth;

 

·                  High levels of inflation;

 

·                  Changes in currency values;

 

·                  Exchange controls or restrictions on expatriation of earnings;

 

·                  High domestic interest rates;

 

·                  Wage and price controls;

 

·                  Changes in governmental, economic or tax policies;

 

·                  Imposition of trade barriers;

 

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·                  Unexpected changes in regulation; and

 

·                  Overall political, social and economic instability.

 

Adverse economic, political and social conditions in Latin America may create uncertainty regarding our operating environment, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

We cannot assure you that the events in other emerging market countries, in the United States, Europe, or elsewhere will not adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

You May Be Unable to Enforce Judgments Against Us in Mexican Courts

 

We are a Mexican publicly held corporation (Sociedad Anónima Bursátil de Capital Variable).  Most of our directors and executive officers are residents of Mexico, and a significant portion of the assets of our directors and executive officers, and a significant portion of our assets, are located in Mexico.  You may experience difficulty in effecting service of process on us or our directors and executive officers in the United States, or, more generally, outside of Mexico and in enforcing civil judgments of non-Mexican courts in Mexico, including judgments predicated on civil liability under U.S. federal securities laws, against us, or our directors and executive officers.  We have been advised by our General Counsel that there is doubt as to the enforceability of original actions in Mexican courts of liabilities predicated solely on the U.S. federal securities laws.

 

Risks Related to Venezuela

 

We have Deconsolidated our Interests in the Venezuelan Companies which are Currently Involved in Expropriation and Arbitration Proceedings

 

On May 12, 2010, the Venezuelan government published in the Official Gazette of Venezuela decree number 7,394 (the “Expropriation Decree”), which announced the forced acquisition of all assets, property, and real estate of MONACA.  The Venezuelan government has expressed to GRUMA’s representatives that the Expropriation Decree extends to DEMASECA.

 

GRUMA’s interests in MONACA and DEMASECA are held through two Spanish companies Valores Mundiales, S.L. (“Valores Mundiales”) and Consorcio Andino, S.L. (“Consorcio Andino”).  In 2010, Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino (collectively, the “Investors”) commenced discussions with the Venezuelan government regarding the Expropriation Decree and related measures affecting MONACA and DEMASECA.  Through Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino, GRUMA participated in these discussions which have explored the possibility of  (1) entering into a joint venture with the Venezuelan government; and/or (ii) obtaining adequate compensation for the assets subject to expropriation. As of this date, these discussions have not resulted in an agreement with the Venezuelan Government.

 

Venezuela and the Kingdom of Spain are parties to a Treaty on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments dated November 2, 1995 (the “Investment Treaty”), under which the Investors may settle investment disputes by means of arbitration before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”).  On November 9, 2011, the Investors, MONACA, and DEMASECA validly provided formal notice to Venezuela that an investment dispute had arisen as a consequence of the Expropriation Decree and related measures adopted by the Venezuelan government.  In that notification, the Investors, MONACA, and DEMASECA also agreed to submit the dispute to ICSID arbitration if the parties were unable to reach an amicable agreement.

 

In January 2013, the Venezuelan government issued a resolution (providencia administrativa) granting the “broadest powers of administration” over MONACA and DEMASECA to special managers (administradores especiales) who had been imposed on those companies since 2009 and 2010, respectively as described below. As a result and in accordance with IFRS, we lost control of our Venezuelan subsidiaries, MONACA and DEMASECA, on January 22, 2013 and, in light of the loss of control, we ceased the consolidation of the financial information of MONACA and DEMASECA starting January 22, 2013 and reported any effects retroactively.

 

On May 10, 2013, Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino (the “Claimants”) submitted a Request for Arbitration to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”). The proceeding is currently pending. The tribunal that presides over this arbitration proceeding was constituted in January 2014. In this arbitration proceeding, Claimants assert that the Expropriation Decree and related measures are in breach of certain provisions of the Treaty. Under the provisions of the Treaty, the Claimants have made a claim for compensation resulting from, among others, Venezuela’s expropriation of MONACA and DEMASECA.

 

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While discussions with the government have taken place and may again take place from time to time, we cannot assure that such discussions will be successful or will result in the Investors receiving adequate compensation, if any, for their investments subject to the Expropriation Decree and related measures.  Additionally, we cannot predict the results of any arbitral proceeding, or the ramifications that costly and prolonged legal disputes could have on our results of operations or financial position, or the likelihood of collecting a successful arbitration award.  See “Item 8—Legal Proceedings—Venezuela—Expropriation Proceedings by the Venezuelan Government.” We do not have insurance for the risk of expropriation.

 

As disclosed in Note 26 B to our audited consolidated financial statements, our income (loss) from our Venezuelan operations was Ps.576 million, (Ps.356 million) and (Ps.40 million) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

Our interest in the total net assets of Venezuelan operations was Ps.3,109 million at January 22, 2013 and was accounted for as “Available-for-sale financial asset”.  Additionally, at December 31, 2014 certain subsidiaries of GRUMA have accounts receivable with the Venezuelan operations totaling Ps.1,124 million.  As described in Note 26 B to our audited consolidated financial statements, our loss originated by certain accounts receivable maintained with the Venezuelan companies was Ps.17 million for 2014.

 

Risks Related to the United States

 

Unfavorable General Economic Conditions in the United States Could Negatively Impact Our Financial Performance

 

Net sales in the United States constituted 51% of our total sales in 2014.  Unfavorable general economic conditions in the United States could negatively affect the affordability of and consumer demand for some of our products.  Under difficult economic conditions, customers and consumers may seek to forego purchases of our products or, if available, shift to lower-priced products offered by other companies.  Softer customer and consumer demand for our products in the United States or in other major markets could reduce our profitability and could negatively affect our financial performance.

 

Additionally, as the retail grocery trade continues to consolidate and our retail customers grow larger, they could demand lower pricing and increased promotional programs.  Also, our dependence on sales to certain retail and food service customers could increase.  There is a risk that we will not be able to maintain our U.S. profit margin in this environment.

 

Demand for our products in Mexico may also be disproportionately affected by the performance of the United States economy.  See also “Item 3.  Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Mexico—Our Results of Operations Could Be Affected by Economic Conditions in Mexico.”

 

Risks Related to Our Primary Shareholder Group and Capital Structure

 

Holders of ADSs May Not Be Able to Vote at our Shareholders’ Meetings

 

Our shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of ADSs.  There can be no assurance that holders of our shares through ADSs will receive notices of shareholder meetings from our ADS depositary with sufficient time to enable such holders to return voting instructions to our ADS depositary in a timely manner.  Under certain circumstances, a person designated by us may receive a proxy to vote the shares underlying the ADSs at our discretion at a shareholder meeting.

 

Holders of ADSs Are Not Entitled to Attend Shareholder Meetings, and They May Only Vote Through the Depositary

 

Under Mexican law, a shareholder is required to deposit its shares with a Mexican custodian in order to attend a shareholders’ meeting.  A holder of ADSs will not be able to meet this requirement, and accordingly is not entitled to attend shareholders’ meetings.  A holder of ADSs is entitled to instruct the depositary as to how to vote the shares represented by ADSs, in accordance with procedures provided for in the deposit agreement, but a holder of ADSs will not be able to vote its shares directly at a shareholders’ meeting or to appoint a proxy to do so.  In addition, such voting instructions may be limited to matters enumerated in the agenda contained in the notice to shareholders and with respect to which information is available prior to the shareholders’ meeting.

 

Holders of ADSs May Not Be Able to Participate in Any Future Preemptive Rights Offering and as a Result May Be Subject to a Dilution of Equity Interest

 

Under Mexican law, if we issue new shares for cash as a part of a capital increase, other than in connection with a public offering of newly issued shares or treasury stock, we must generally grant our shareholders the right to purchase a sufficient number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentage.  Rights to purchase shares in these circumstances are known as preemptive

 

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rights.  We may not legally be permitted to allow holders of our shares through ADSs in the United States to exercise any preemptive rights in any future capital increases unless (i) we file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, with respect to that future issuance of shares or (ii) the offering qualifies for an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.  At the time of any future capital increase, we will evaluate the costs and potential liabilities associated with filing a registration statement with the SEC, as well as the benefits of preemptive rights to holders of our shares through ADSs in the United States and any other factors that we consider important in determining whether to file a registration statement.

 

We are under no obligation to, and there can be no assurance that we will, file a registration statement with the SEC to allow holders of our shares through ADSs in the United States to participate in a preemptive rights offering.  In addition, under current Mexican law, sales by the ADS depositary of preemptive rights and distribution of the proceeds from such sales to the holders of our shares through ADSs is not possible.  As a result, the equity interest of holders of our shares through ADSs would be diluted proportionately and such holders may not receive any economic compensation.  See “Item 10.  Additional Information—Bylaws—Preemptive Rights.”

 

The Protections Afforded to Minority Shareholders in Mexico Are Different From Those in the United States

 

Under Mexican law, the protections afforded to minority shareholders are different from those in the United States.  In particular, the law concerning fiduciary duties of directors, executive officers and controlling shareholders has been recently developed and there is no legal precedent to predict the outcome of any such action.  Additionally, shareholders’ class actions are not available under Mexican law and there are different procedural requirements for bringing shareholder derivative lawsuits.  As a result, in practice it may be more difficult for our minority shareholders to enforce their rights against us, our directors, our executive officers or our controlling shareholders than it would be for shareholders of a U.S. company.

 

Exchange Rate Fluctuations May Affect the Value of Our Shares

 

Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the peso and the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of an investment in our shares and of dividend and other distribution payments on those shares.  See “Item 3.  Key Information—Selected Financial Data—Exchange Rate Information” and “Item 11.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Foreign Exchange Rate Risk.”

 

Mexican Law Restricts the Ability of Non-Mexican Shareholders to Invoke the Protection of Their Governments With Respect to Their Rights as Shareholders

 

As required by Mexican law, our bylaws provide that non-Mexican shareholders shall be treated as Mexican shareholders in respect to their ownership interests in us, and shall be deemed to have agreed not to invoke the protection of their governments under any circumstance, under penalty of forfeit, in favor of the Mexican government, any participation or interest held in us.

 

Under this provision, a non-Mexican shareholder is deemed to have agreed not to invoke the protection of its own government by requesting the initiation of a diplomatic claim against the Mexican government with respect to its shareholder’s rights.  However, this provision shall not deem non-Mexican shareholders to have waived any other rights they may have, including any rights under the U.S. securities laws, with respect to their investment in us.

 

Our Primary Shareholder Group Exerts Substantial Control Over Us

 

As of April 24, 2015, Ms. Graciela Moreno Hernández, the widow of the late Mr. Roberto González Barrera and certain of her descendants (the “Primary Shareholder Group”) controlled approximately 54.08% of our outstanding shares.  See “Item 10.  Additional Information—Bylaws—Changes in Capital stock.” Consequently, the Primary Shareholder Group, acting together, has the power to elect the majority of our directors and to determine the outcome of most actions requiring approval of our stockholders, including the declaration of dividends.

 

The interests of the Primary Shareholder Group may differ from those of our other shareholders.  See “Item 7.  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Major Shareholders.”

 

We cannot assure you that members of the Primary Shareholder Group will continue to hold their shares or act together for purposes of control. Additionally, members of the Primary Shareholder Group may pledge part of their shares in us to secure any future borrowings. If such was the case and members of the Primary Shareholder Group were to default on their payment obligations, the lenders could enforce their rights with respect to such shares and the Primary Shareholder Group could lose its controlling interest in us resulting in a change of control. A change of control could trigger a default in some of our credit agreements and financial

 

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instruments. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event (which means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Ratings Decline, as defined in the indenture governing the 4.875% Notes due 2024) we may be required to repurchase the 4.875% Notes due 2024.  Such a default or repurchase obligation could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

Our Antitakeover Protections May Deter Potential Acquirors

 

Certain provisions of our bylaws could make it substantially more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us.  These provisions in our bylaws may discourage certain types of transactions involving the acquisition of our securities.  These provisions could discourage transactions in which our shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over the then current market price.  Holders of our securities who acquire shares in violation of these provisions will not be able to vote, or receive dividends, distributions or other rights in respect of, these securities and would be obligated to pay us a penalty.  For a description of these provisions, see “Item 10.  Additional Information—Bylaws—Other Provisions—Antitakeover Protections.”

 

We Are a Holding Company and Depend Upon Dividends and Other Funds From Subsidiaries to Service Our Debt

 

We are a holding company with no significant assets other than the shares of our subsidiaries.  As a result, our ability to meet our debt service obligations depends primarily on the dividends received from our subsidiaries.  Under Mexican law, companies may only pay dividends:

 

·                  from earnings included in year-end financial statements that are approved by shareholders at a duly convened meeting;

 

·                  after any existing losses applicable to prior years have been made up or absorbed into stockholders’ equity;

 

·                  after at least 5% of net profits for the relevant fiscal year have been allocated to a legal reserve until the amount of the reserve equals 20% of a company’s paid-in capital stock; and

 

·                  after shareholders have approved the payment of the relevant dividends at a duly convened meeting.

 

In addition, Gruma Corporation is subject to covenants in some of its debt agreements which require the maintenance of specified financial ratios and balances and, upon an event of default, prohibit the payment of cash dividends.  For additional information concerning these restrictions on intercompany transfers, see “Item 3.  Key Information—Selected Financial Data—Dividends” and “Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

We own approximately 83% of the outstanding shares of Grupo Industrial Maseca, S.A.B. de C.V., or GIMSA; accordingly, we are entitled to receive only our pro rata share of any of its dividends.

 

We also own 76% of MONACA and 60% of DEMASECA. However, as of January 22, 2013, we lost control of MONACA and DEMASECA as a consequence of the actions of the Venezuelan Government.  See “Item 3.  Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Venezuela.”

 

ITEM 4                          Information on the Company.

 

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

 

Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. is a publicly held corporation (Sociedad Anónima Bursátil de Capital Variable) registered in Monterrey, Mexico under the Ley General de Sociedades Mercantiles, or Mexican Corporations Law, on December 24, 1971, with a corporate life of 99 years.  Our full legal name is Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V., but we are also known by our commercial names: GRUMA and MASECA.  The address of our principal executive office is Calzada del Valle, 407 Ote., Colonia del Valle, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, 66220, Mexico and our telephone number is (52) 81 8399-3300.  Our legal domicile is San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, México.

 

We were founded in 1949, when the late Roberto González Barrera started producing and selling corn flour in Northeastern Mexico as one of the raw materials for producing tortillas and other corn-based products.  Prior to our founding, all corn tortillas were made using the wet corn dough method of tortilla production (the traditional method). Today, both wet corn dough and dry corn flour methods are used.  Dry corn flour and wet corn dough can be utilized in various proportions to produce tortillas and other corn-based products. The corn flour process has been a significant impetus for growth, resulting in expanding corn flour and tortilla production

 

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and sales throughout Mexico, the United States, Central America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and other regions where we operate.  In addition, we have diversified our product mix to include  other types of flatbreads (pita, naan, chapati, pizza bases and piadina) mainly in Europe, Asia and Oceania, and corn grits mainly in Europe, among other products in the regions where we have presence.

 

The following are some significant historical highlights:

 

·                  In 1949, Roberto González Barrera and a group of predecessor Mexican corporations founded GIMSA, which is engaged principally in the production, distribution and sale of corn flour in Mexico.

 

·                  In 1972, we entered the Central American market with our first operation in Costa Rica.  Today, we have operations in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua, as well as Ecuador, which we include as part of our Central American operations.

 

·                  In 1977, we entered the U.S. market.  Our operations have grown to include products such as tortillas, corn flour, and other tortilla related products.

 

·                  From 1989 to 1995, we significantly increased our installed manufacturing capacity in the United States and in Mexico.

 

·                  In 1993, we entered the Venezuelan corn flour market through an investment in DEMASECA, a Venezuelan corporation producing corn flour.

 

·                  In 1994, GRUMA became a publicly listed company in both Mexico and the U.S.

 

·                  In 1996, we strengthened our position in the U.S. corn flour market through an association with Archer-Daniels-Midland.  Through this association we combined our existing U.S. corn flour operations and strengthened our position in the United States. This association also allowed us to enter the Mexican wheat flour market by acquiring a 60% ownership interest in Archer-Daniels-Midland’s Mexican wheat flour operations.  Archer-Daniels-Midland no longer holds an ownership interest in us. See “Item 4.  Information on the Company—Share Purchase Transaction with Archer-Daniels-Midland.”

 

·                  From 1997 to 2000, we initiated a significant plant expansion program.  During this period, we acquired or built tortilla plants, corn flour plants and wheat flour plants in the United States, Mexico, Central America, Venezuela and Europe.

 

·                  From 2001 to 2003, we entered into a comprehensive review of our business portfolio and focused on our core businesses.

 

·                  In 2004, we increased our presence in Europe by acquiring Ovis Boske, a tortilla company based in the Netherlands, and Nuova De Franceschi & Figli, a corn flour company based in Italy.  We continued to expand capacity and upgrade several of our U.S. operations, the most relevant of which was the expansion of a corn mill in Indiana.

 

·                  In 2005, we continued to expand capacity at existing plants, began the construction of a tortilla plant in the northeast of the U.S., acquired three tortilla plants from Cenex Harvest States or CHS (located in Minnesota, Texas and Arizona) and one more in San Francisco, California.

 

·                  In 2006, we acquired two small tortilla plants in Australia (Rositas Investments and Oz-Mex Foods) and opened our first tortilla plant in China, which strengthened our presence in the Asian and Oceanian markets.  We concluded the acquisition of Pride Valley Foods, a company based in England that produces tortillas, pita bread, naan, and chapati, thus expanding our product portfolio to other types of flatbreads.

 

·                  In 2007, we entered into a contract to sell a 40% stake in MONACA to our former partner in DEMASECA.  In conjunction with this transaction, we also agreed to purchase an additional 10% ownership interest in DEMASECA from our former partner.  We also purchased the remaining 49% ownership interest in Nuova De Franceschi & Figli.  In addition, we made major investments in capacity expansions and upgrades in Gruma Corporation, started the construction of a new tortilla plant in Australia for Gruma Asia & Oceania, and expanded two of GIMSA’s plants.

 

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·                  From 2008 to 2010, we made capital expenditures for the construction of a tortilla plant in southern California, capacity expansions, general manufacturing and technology upgrades to several of our existing facilities, the construction of a tortilla plant in Australia, the construction of a wheat mill in Venezuela, and the acquisition of the leading producer of corn grits in Ukraine.

 

·                  In 2011, we acquired Semolina, the Turkish leading producer of corn grits, two tortilla plants in the U.S. located in Omaha, Nebraska and Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Solntse Mexico, the leading tortilla manufacturer in Russia.

 

·                  In 2012, our founder Mr. Roberto González Barrera passed away.  In December 2012, we repurchased from Archer-Daniels-Midland 23.16% of our issued shares as well as Archer-Daniels-Midland’s minority stakes in Azteca Milling, L.P., Molinera de México, S.A. de C.V., Consorcio Andino, S.L. and Valores Mundiales, S.L.  See “Item 4.  Information on the Company—Share Purchase Transaction with Archer-Daniels-Midland.”

 

·                  In 2013, we deconsolidated the Venezuelan Companies. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Venezuela— We have Deconsolidated our Interest in the Venezuelan Companies which are Currently Involved in Expropriation and Arbitration Proceedings”.

 

·                  In 2014 we concluded the sale of our wheat flour operations. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Acquisitions and Other Significant Events Within Our Business Units—Wheat Milling Transaction.” We also issued US$400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due 2024.  See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Indebtedness—4.875% Notes Due 2024.”

 

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ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

 

We are a holding company and conduct our operations through subsidiaries.  The table below sets forth our principal subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014.

 

Name of Company

 

Principal
Markets

 

Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

 

Percentage
Owned(1)

 

Products/
Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexican Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grupo Industrial Maseca, S.A.B. de C.V. (“GIMSA”)

 

Mexico

 

Mexico

 

83

%

Corn flour, Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. and Europe Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gruma Corporation

 

United States and Europe

 

Nevada

 

100

%

Tortillas, Other tortilla related products, Corn flour, Flatbreads, Grits, Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Azteca Milling, LP. (“Azteca Milling”)

 

United States

 

Texas

 

100

%

Corn flour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Central American Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gruma de Guatemala, S.A., Derivados de Maíz Alimenticio, S.A., Industrializadora y Comercializadora de Palmito, S.A., Derivados de Maíz de Guatemala, S.A., Tortimasa, S.A., Derivados de Maíz de El Salvador, S.A., and Derivados de Maíz de Honduras, S.A. (“Gruma Centroamérica”)

 

Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Ecuador

 

Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Ecuador

 

100

%

Corn flour, Tortillas, Snacks, Hearts of palm, Rice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mission Foods (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Gruma Oceania Pty. Ltd., and Mission Foods (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (“Gruma Asia & Oceania”)

 

Asia and Oceania

 

China, Malaysia and Australia

 

100

%

Tortillas, Chips, Other products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Productos y Distribuidora Azteca, S.A. de C.V. (“PRODISA”)

 

Mexico

 

Mexico

 

100

%

Tortillas, Other related products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investigación Técnica Avanzada, S.A. de C.V. (“INTESA”) (2)

 

Mexico

 

Mexico

 

100

%

Construction, Technology and Equipment operations

Deconsolidated Venezuelan Operations (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Molinos Nacionales, C.A. (“MONACA”) (4)

 

Venezuela

 

Venezuela

 

76

%

Corn flour, Wheat flour, Other products

Derivados de Maíz Seleccionado, C.A. (“DEMASECA”) (4)

 

Venezuela

 

Venezuela

 

60

%

Corn flour

 


(1)  Percentage of equity capital owned by us directly or indirectly through subsidiaries.

 

(2) As of March 21, 2014, Investigación de Tecnología Avanzada, S.A. de C.V. (“INTASA”), our former subsidiary that used to conduct our technology and equipment operations, merged into Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V., and ceased to exist. As a result of such

 

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merger, all assets and liabilities, rights and obligations of INTASA, including its rights over trademarks, patents and/or any other intellectual property, are now owned by Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. Since March 2014, our technology and equipment operations have been conducted principally through INTESA.

 

(3) Together these subsidiaries are referred to as the “Venezuelan Companies.”  We deconsolidated the Venezuelan Companies as of January 22, 2013 and report it as a discontinued operation.

 

(4) Valcon Holdings, S.A. de C.V. (formerly named RFB Holdings de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.) holds a 24.14% indirect interest in MONACA and 40% in DEMASECA.  See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Venezuela—The Venezuelan Companies are Currently Involved in Expropriation and Arbitration Proceedings” and “Item 10.  Additional Information—Material Contracts—Archer-Daniels-Midland.”

 

Our consolidated subsidiaries accounted for the following percentages and amount of our net sales in millions of pesos for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

In Millions
of Pesos

 

Percentage
of Net Sales

 

In Millions
of Pesos

 

Percentage
of Net Sales

 

In Millions
of Pesos

 

Percentage
of Net Sales

 

Gruma Corporation

 

Ps.

29,323

 

59

%

Ps.

27,801

 

57

%

Ps.

26,932

 

55

%

GIMSA

 

 

15,074

 

30

 

 

15,944

 

33

 

 

16,948

 

34

 

Gruma Centroamérica

 

 

3,479

 

7

 

 

3,386

 

7

 

 

3,369

 

7

 

Others and eliminations

 

 

2,059

 

4

 

 

1,905

 

3

 

 

2,022

 

4

 

Total

 

Ps.

49,935

 

100

%

Ps.

49,036

 

100

%

Ps.

49,271

 

100

%

 

Share Purchase Transaction with Archer-Daniels-Midland

 

We entered into an association with Archer-Daniels-Midland in September 1996. Archer-Daniels-Midland is one of the world’s largest agricultural processors and traders.  Through our partnership we improved our position in the U.S. corn flour market and gained an immediate presence in the Mexican wheat flour market. See “Item 7.  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Transactions with Archer-Daniels-Midland.”  On December 14, 2012, we acquired the stake that Archer-Daniels-Midland owned directly and indirectly in us and certain of our subsidiaries (the “Equity Interests”) through the exercise of a purchase option pursuant to certain rights of first refusal (the “ADM Transaction”), consisting of:

 

·                  18.81% of the then outstanding shares of Gruma S.A.B. de C.V. and, indirectly, an additional 4.35% of the then outstanding shares of Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. via the acquisition of 45% of the shares of Valores Azteca, S.A. de C.V. (“Valores Azteca”), a company that at the time of the ADM Transaction owned 9.66% of the shares of Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V.;

 

·                  3% of the partnership interest of Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino, holding companies of the Venezuelan companies, MONACA and DEMASECA, respectively;

 

·                  40% of the shares of Molinera de Mexico, our former wheat flour business in Mexico; and

 

·                  100% of the shares of Valley Holding Inc., a company that at the time of the ADM Transaction owned 20% of Azteca Milling, our corn flour business in the United States.

 

The Equity Interests were acquired from Archer-Daniels-Midland for U.S.$450 million plus a contingent payment of up to U.S.$60 million, which contingent payment is payable only if during the 42 months (ending on June 14, 2016)  following the closing of the ADM Transaction certain conditions are met. See “Item 10.  Additional Information—Material Contracts.” The economic terms of the ADM Transaction were based on the terms contained in the offer made by a third party to Archer-Daniels-Midland for the purchase of the Equity Interests. As a result of the ADM Transaction, Archer-Daniels-Midland no longer holds an ownership interest in us.

 

Based on a fairness opinion issued by an Independent Expert, as well as the financial analysis conducted by our management, we believe that, at the agreed values for the ADM Transaction, the ADM Transaction will generate a significant economic benefit and substantial creation of value for us because of the higher net income attributable to shareholders that we will obtain due to the increase of our interest in Azteca Milling and Molinera de México.  We believe this benefit will occur regardless of whether we will be required to make the contingent payment.

 

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To fund the ADM Transaction, GRUMA obtained short-term unsecured loan facilities for a total amount of U.S.$400 million with maturities of up to a year (the “Short-Term Facilities”), and used proceeds from Gruma Corporation’s revolving syndicated credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. We refinanced the Short-Term Facilities in 2013. See “Item 5—Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Indebtedness.”

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Our capital expenditure program continues to be primarily focused on our core businesses and markets.  Capital expenditures for 2012, 2013, and 2014 were U.S.$ 181 million, U.S.$110 million and U.S. $129 million, respectively.  During 2012, 2013 and 2014, capital expenditures were applied primarily to production capacity expansions, general manufacturing and technology upgrades in Gruma Corporation and GIMSA. In March 2015, we acquired Azteca Foods Europe, a leading producer of tortillas and other Mexican food-related products in Spain.

 

We have budgeted approximately U.S.$300 million for capital expenditures in 2015, which we intend to use mainly for production capacity expansions, general manufacturing and technology upgrades, especially in Gruma Corporation, GIMSA and Gruma Asia & Oceania. The 2015 capital expenditures budget includes potential acquisitions.  We anticipate financing these expenditures throughout the year through internally generated funds and debt.

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate amount of our capital expenditures during the periods indicated.

 

 

 

Year ended December 31

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)(1)

 

Gruma Corporation

 

$

68.8

 

$

73.6

 

$

123.9

 

GIMSA

 

25.7

 

44.2

 

34.3

 

Gruma Centroamérica

 

6.2

 

3.9

 

5.3

 

Others and eliminations

 

28.1

 

(11.9

)

17.7

 

Total consolidated

 

$

128.8

 

$

109.8

 

$

181.2

 

 


(1)         Amounts in respect of some of the capital expenditures were paid for in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.  As a result, U.S. dollar amounts presented in the table above may not be comparable to data contained elsewhere in this annual report, which is expressed on the basis of the peso/dollar exchange rate as of December 31, 2014, unless otherwise specified.

 

For more information on capital expenditures for each subsidiary, please see the section entitled “Operations and Capital Expenditures” below.

 

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

 

We are a holding company and one of the world’s largest tortilla and corn flour producers.  With leading brands in most of our markets, we have operations in the United States, Mexico, Central America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.  We are headquartered in San Pedro Garza García, Mexico, and have approximately 18,000 employees and 79 manufacturing facilities. Our shares are publicly traded in Mexico and in the United States of America and listed on the BMV and on the New York Stock Exchange.  We are organized as a sociedad anónima bursátil de capital variable under the laws of Mexico.

 

We believe we are one of the leading producers of corn flour and tortillas in the United States, and one of the leading producers of corn flour in Mexico. We believe that we are also one of the largest producers of corn flour and tortillas in Central America, one of the largest producers of tortilla and other flatbreads, including pita, naan, chapati, pizza bases and piadina in Europe, Asia and Oceania, and one of the leading producers of corn grits in Europe and the Middle East.

 

Our focus has been and continues to be the efficient and profitable expansion of our core business—corn flour and tortilla. We pioneered the dry corn flour method of tortilla production, which offers significant opportunities for growth. Using our know-how, we will seek to encourage tortilla and other corn-based products manufacturers in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and elsewhere to use corn flour in the production of tortillas and other corn-based products.

 

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The following table sets forth our consolidated revenues by geographic market for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States and Europe

 

Ps.

29,279

 

Ps.

27,761

 

Ps.

26,901

 

Mexico

 

 

15,110

 

 

16,111

 

 

17,131

 

Central America

 

 

3,479

 

 

3,386

 

 

3,369

 

Asia and Oceania

 

 

2,068

 

 

1,778

 

 

1,870

 

Total

 

Ps.

49,935

 

Ps.

49,036

 

Ps.

49,271

 

 

Strategy

 

Our strategy is to focus on our core business—corn flour and tortilla—as well as to expand our product portfolio towards the flatbreads category in general.  We will continue taking advantage of the increasing popularity of Mexican food and, more importantly, tortillas, in the U.S., European, Asian and Oceanian markets.  We will also continue taking advantage of the adoption of tortillas by the consumers of several regions of the world for the preparation of different recipes other than Mexican food.  Our strategy includes the following key elements:

 

Expand in the Retail and Food Service Tortilla Markets Where We Currently Have a Presence and to New Regions: We believe that the size and growth of the U.S. retail and food service tortilla markets offer significant opportunities for expansion.

 

Enter and Expand in the Tortilla and Flatbread Markets in Other Regions of the World: We believe that tortilla and flat-bread markets in other continents such as Europe, Asia and Oceania offer us significant opportunities.  We believe our current operations in Europe will enable us to better serve markets there and in the Middle East.  Our presence in Asia and Oceania will enable us to offer our customers in those regions fresh products and respond more quickly to their needs.

 

Maintain Gruma Corporation’s MISSION® and GUERRERO® Tortilla Brands as the First and Second National Brands in the United States and to Position our Mission Brand in Other Regions: We intend to achieve this by increasing our efforts at building brand name recognition, and by further expanding and utilizing Gruma Corporation’s distribution network, first in Gruma Corporation’s existing markets, where we believe there is potential for further growth, and second, in regions where Gruma Corporation currently does not have a significant presence but where we believe strong demand for tortillas already exists.

 

Encourage Transition from the Traditional Cooked-Corn Method to the Dry Corn Flour Method as Well as New Uses for Corn Flour: We pioneered the dry corn flour method for the production of tortilla and other corn-based products.We continue to view the transition from the traditional method to the dry corn flour method of making tortillas and other corn-based products, as the primary opportunity for increased corn flour sales.  We are also working to expand the use of corn flour in the manufacture of different types of products.

 

Expand and Leverage the Mission Brand Name Globally to Achieve Economies of Scale: We intend to continue to launch the Mission brand name in markets where we have reached critical mass to leverage our premium brand name and consolidate profitability.

 

Invest in our Core Business and Focus on Optimizing Operational Matters: Recently we have experienced renewed growth in the U.S., European, Asian and Oceanian tortilla markets. We intend to focus our investment program on our core business to enable us to meet future demand, consolidate our leading position in the industry and continue delivering a return to shareholders that is above the cost of capital.

 

U.S. and European Operations

 

Overview

 

We conduct our United States and European operations principally through our subsidiary Gruma Corporation, which manufactures and distributes corn flour, tortillas, corn chips and related products.  Gruma Corporation commenced operations in the United States in 1977, initially developing a presence in certain major tortilla consumption markets by acquiring small tortilla manufacturers and converting their production processes from the traditional “wet corn dough” method to our dry corn flour method.  Eventually, we began to build our own state-of-the-art tortilla plants in certain major tortilla consumption markets.  We have vertically integrated our operations by (i) building corn flour and tortilla manufacturing facilities; (ii) establishing corn purchasing operations;

 

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(iii) launching marketing and advertising campaigns to develop brand name recognition; (iv) expanding distribution networks for corn flour and tortilla products; and (v) using our technology to design and build proprietary corn flour, tortilla and tortilla chip manufacturing machinery.

 

In September 1996, we combined our U.S. corn flour milling operations with Archer-Daniels-Midland’s corn flour milling operations into a newly formed limited partnership known as Azteca Milling, in which Gruma Corporation held an 80% interest. As a result of the ADM Transaction, Gruma Corporation now holds a 100% interest in Azteca Milling.  See “Item 4.  Information on the Company—Share Purchase Transaction with Archer-Daniels-Midland.”

 

During 2000, Gruma Corporation opened its first European tortilla and corn chips plant in Coventry, England, initiating our entry into the European market.

 

Gruma Corporation

 

Gruma Corporation operates primarily through its Mission Foods division, which produces tortillas and related products, and Azteca Milling, a limited partnership wholly owned by Gruma Corporation which produces corn flour.  We believe Gruma Corporation is one of the leading manufacturers and distributors of tortillas and related products throughout the United States and Europe through its Mission Foods division.  We believe Gruma Corporation is also one of the leading producers of corn flour in the United States through its Azteca Milling division.

 

Principal Products.  Mission Foods manufactures and distributes corn and wheat tortillas and related products (which include tortilla chips) under the MISSION®, GUERRERO® and CALIDAD® brand names in the United States, as well as other minor regional brands.  By continuing to build MISSION® into a strong national brand for the general consumer market, GUERRERO® into a strong Hispanic consumer focused brand and CALIDAD® as our value brand in tortillas and chips, we expect to increase Mission Foods’ market penetration, brand awareness and profitability.  Azteca Milling manufactures and distributes corn flour in the United States under the MASECA® brand, and, to a lesser extent, under our value brand TORTIMASA®.

 

Sales and Marketing.  Mission Foods serves both retail and food service customers.  In the U.S., retail customers represented approximately 73% of our sales volume in 2014, including supermarkets, mass merchandisers, membership stores and smaller independent stores.  Our food service customers include major chain restaurants, food service distributors, schools, hospitals and the military.  In our European business, approximately half of our tortilla production is allocated to retail sales, and the other half to the food service segment, including quick-service restaurants and food processors.

 

For the U.S. tortilla market, Mission Foods’ current marketing strategy is to focus on core products and drive organic, profitable, and sustainable growth, while creating a strong value proposition for our consumers through superior consumer knowledge and understanding, excellence in customer service and effective marketing programs. Mission Foods promotes its products primarily through merchandising programs with supermarkets, and, to a lesser extent, joint promotions with other companies’ products that may be complementary to ours as well as radio and television advertising and digital media, targeting both Hispanic and non-Hispanic populations.  We believe these efforts have contributed to greater consumer awareness, and household penetration.  Mission Foods also targets food service companies and works with restaurants, institutions and distributors to address their individual needs and provide them with a full line of products.  Mission Foods continuously attempts to identify new customers and markets for its tortillas and related products in the United States and in Europe.

 

Azteca Milling distributed approximately 36% of the corn flour it produces to Mission Foods’ plants throughout the United States, Australia and Asia in 2014.  Azteca Milling’s third-party customers consist largely of other tortilla manufacturers, corn chip producers, retail customers and wholesalers.  Azteca Milling sells corn flour in various quantities, ranging from four-pound retail packages to bulk railcar loads.

 

We anticipate growth in the U.S. market for corn flour, tortillas, and related products.  We believe that the growing consumption of Mexican-style foods by non-Hispanics will continue to increase demand for tortillas and tortilla related products, particularly wheat flour tortillas.  Also influential is the fact that tortillas are no longer solely used as ingredients in Mexican food; for example, tortillas are also used for wraps, which will continue to increase demand for tortillas.  Growth in the U.S. corn flour market is attributable to the conversion of tortilla and tortilla chip producers from the wet corn dough process to our dry corn flour method, the increase of the Hispanic population, the consumption of tortillas and tortilla chips by the general consumer market, and stronger and increased distribution.

 

Competition and Market Position.  We believe Mission Foods is one of the leading manufacturers of tortillas and related products throughout the United States and Europe.  We believe the tortilla market is highly fragmented, regional in nature and extremely competitive.  Mission Foods’ main competitors are hundreds of tortilla producers who manufacture locally or regionally

 

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and tend to be sole proprietorships.  However, a few competitors have a presence in several U.S. regions such as Olé Mexican Foods, La Tortilla Factory, El Milagro and Reser’s Fine Foods, among others.  In addition, a few large companies have tortilla manufacturing divisions that compete with Mission Foods, for example, Tyson, Bimbo, Hormel Foods, and General Mills.

 

Competitors within the corn flour milling industry include Minsa, Hari Masa, Bunge, and the corn flour milling divisions of Cargill.  Azteca Milling competes with these corn flour manufacturers in the United States primarily on the basis of superior quality, technical support, customer service and brand recognition.  However, we believe there is great potential for growth by converting tortilla and tortilla chip manufacturers that still use the traditional method to our corn flour method.  We believe Azteca Milling is one of the leading producers of corn flour in the United States.

 

We strongly believe there is significant growth potential for tortillas, wraps and other flatbreads in all geographic areas of Europe and also through multiple channels, for example, in the retail and food service channels.  Mexican-based cuisine is gaining popularity in key markets.  Likewise, consumer trends indicate a growing need for versatile, healthy, nutritious and tasty food on-the-go, as well as for more interesting food accompaniments.  Our products address all of these needs, and their profile allows them to be easily customized to local cultures.  Mission Foods is well-placed to both drive and benefit from this situation in the coming years.

 

We believe Mission Foods is one of the leading tortilla producers in Europe with the main competitors being Santa Maria, General Mills and Aryzta.  There are a number of more recent players operating in Europe occupying niche positions in tortilla production.

 

Operations and Capital Expenditures.  Annual total production capacity for Gruma Corporation is estimated at 2.4 million metric tons as of December 31, 2014, with an average utilization of 77.5% in 2014.  The average size of our plants as of December 31, 2014 was approximately 9,480 square meters (about 102,040 square feet).

 

Capital expenditures for the past three years were U.S.$266 million, and were primarily used for capacity expansions and general manufacturing and technology upgrades.  Capital expenditures for such period were also used for the acquisition in 2012 of Tortilleria Mexicana, a corn related products manufacturer in the Netherlands, for U.S.$2.3 million; the construction of a new tortilla plant in Florida in 2012 and in 2014, we acquired Mexifoods, a leading food company based in Spain, engaged in the production of tortillas and other Mexican food-related products for U.S.$15 million. Additionally, in March 2015, we acquired Azteca Foods Europe, a leading producer of tortillas and other Mexican food-related products in Spain, for approximately EUR 45 million.

 

Gruma Corporation’s projected capital expenditures for 2015 are expected to be approximately U.S.$150 million, mainly for production capacity expansions and manufacturing and technology upgrades. The 2015 capital expenditures budget includes potential acquisitions.

 

Mission Foods produces its tortillas and other related products at 29 manufacturing facilities worldwide.  Twenty two of these facilities are located in large population centers throughout the United States and seven are located in Europe.  During 2009, Mission Foods closed three manufacturing facilities located in Las Vegas, Fort Worth and El Paso.  Mission Foods has shifted production to other plants to achieve savings in overhead costs.  Mission Foods will consider reopening the Fort Worth plant should market demands require additional capacity. Outside the United States, Mission Foods has two plants in England, two plants in The Netherlands, one plant in Russia and two plants in Spain.

 

Mission Foods is committed to offering the best quality products to its customers through the implementation of the American Institute of Baking (“AIB”) food safety standards, and Global Food Safety Initiative (“GFSI”) recognized certification schemes such as British Retail Consortium (“BRC”) and Safe Quality Food (“SQF”).  Additionally, our plants are regularly evaluated by other third party organizations and customers.

 

All of the Mission Foods manufacturing facilities worldwide have earned either a superior or excellent category rating from the AIB-GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) audits.  Most of Mission Foods’ United States plants have earned the BRC or SQF certification.  Our recently built Florida plant achieved BRC Certification last year and the Albuquerque Plant is in the process of getting their SQF Certification this year.

 

In 2008 Mission Foods started the BRC certification process at four plants in the United States. By 2012, 16 plants had completed the certification process.  Additionally, one of our plants is SQF certified. Our plants in England and The Netherlands are also evaluated by third party organizations such as the AIB, International Food Standards and BRC. Our facility in Russia, which was acquired in July of 2011, operates in compliance with Russian food production laws and is audited by multiple clients. At the end of 2012, our Russian facility successfully completed an ISO 22000 audit for food safety.  The facility is currently working towards HACCP certification.

 

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Azteca Milling produces corn flour at six plants located in Amarillo, Edinburg and Plainview, Texas; Evansville, Indiana; Henderson, Kentucky; and Madera, California.  Gruma Corporation also produces corn flour and corn grits at our plants in Ceggia, Italy; Cherkassy, Ukraine; and Samsun, Turkey.  The majority of our plants are located within important corn growing areas.  Due to Azteca Milling’s manufacturing practices and processes, all six facilities located in the United States have achieved ISO 9002 certification as well as the AIB certification.  Our corn flour plants in Italy and Ukraine have obtained the BRC certification.  Additionally, our corn flour mill in Italy obtained the OHSAS 18001 international workplace safety standards certification, and our corn flour plant in Turkey has obtained the International Featured Standards certification, among others.

 

Seasonality.  We believe there is no significant seasonality in our products, however certain products tend to experience a slight volume increase during the summer months.  Tortillas and tortilla chips sell year round, with special peaks during the summer, when we increase our promotion and advertising by taking advantage of several holidays and major sporting events.  Tortilla and tortilla chip sales decrease slightly towards the end of the year when many Mexicans go back to Mexico for the holidays.  Sales of corn flour fluctuate seasonally as demand is higher in the fourth quarter during the holidays because of higher demand for corn flour used in certain Mexican foods that are very popular during this time of the year.

 

Raw Materials.  Corn is the principal raw material used in the production of corn flour, which is purchased from local producers.  Azteca Milling buys corn only from farmers and grain elevators that agree to supply varieties of corn approved for human consumption.  Azteca Milling tests and monitors its raw material purchases for corn not approved for human consumption, for certain strains of bacteria, fungi metabolites and chemicals.  In addition, Azteca Milling applies certain testing protocols to incoming raw materials to identify genetically modified products not approved for human consumption.

 

Because corn prices tend to be somewhat volatile, Azteca Milling engages in a variety of hedging activities in connection with the purchase of its corn supplies, including the purchase of corn futures contracts.  In so doing, Azteca Milling attempts to assure corn availability approximately 12 months in advance of harvest time and guard against price volatility approximately six months in advance.  The Texas Panhandle currently is the single largest source of food-grade corn.  Azteca Milling is also involved in short-term contracts for corn procurement with many corn suppliers.  Where suppliers fail to deliver, Azteca Milling can easily access the spot markets.  Azteca Milling does not anticipate any difficulties in securing adequate corn supplies in the future.

 

Corn flour for Mission Foods U.S. operations is supplied by Azteca Milling, and to a much lesser extent, by GIMSA.  Corn flour for Mission Foods European operations is supplied mainly by our corn mill in Italy.

 

Wheat flour for the production of wheat tortillas and other types of wheat flatbreads is purchased from third party producers at prices prevailing in the commodities markets.  Mission Foods believes the market for wheat flour is sufficiently large and competitive to ensure that wheat flour will be available at competitive prices to supply our needs.  Contracts for wheat flour supply are made on a short-term basis.

 

Distribution.  An important element of Mission Foods’ sales growth has been the expansion and improvement of its tortilla distribution network, including a direct-store-delivery system to distribute most of its products, providing national coverage in the United States to the retail grocery channel. Distribution in the United States is mainly through independent distributors most of them working exclusively with Mission Foods.  Depending on the size of the customer, and the category development index / brand development index metrics (“CDI/BDI Metrics”) of the geography, tortillas and other products are generally delivered daily or several times a week.  In parts of the country, for example the Northeast, where CDI/BDI Metrics are low, Mission Foods employs a warehouse distribution method, distributing also refrigerated tortillas.  In keeping with industry practice, Mission Foods generally does not have written sales agreements with its customers. Nevertheless, from time to time, Mission Foods enters into consumer marketing agreements with retailers, in which certain terms on how to market our products are agreed.  Mission Foods has also developed a North American food service distribution network that encompasses all regions in the United States and the majority of provinces in Canada.

 

The vast majority of corn flour produced by Azteca Milling in the United States is sold to tortilla and tortilla chip manufacturers and is delivered directly from the plants to the customer.  Azteca Milling’s retail customers are primarily serviced by a network of distributors, although a few large retail customers have their corn flour delivered directly to them from the plants.

 

Almost all of the corn flour and corn grits produced in Europe are sold to beer, snacks, tortilla chip and taco shell manufacturers, and are delivered directly from the plants to the customer.  We also supply customers in several industries like breakfast cereals and polenta, among others.  Retail customers are primarily serviced by a network of distributors, although a few large retail customers have their corn flour delivered directly to them from the plants.

 

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Mexican Operations

 

Overview

 

Our largest business in Mexico is the manufacture and sale of corn flour, which we conduct through our subsidiary GIMSA.  Our other subsidiaries engage in the manufacturing and distribution of tortillas and other related products mainly in in northern Mexico, conduct research and development regarding corn flour and tortilla manufacturing equipment, produce machinery for corn flour and tortilla production and construct our corn flour manufacturing facilities.

 

GIMSA—Corn Flour Operation

 

Principal Products.  GIMSA produces corn flour in Mexico, which is then used as a raw material in the preparation of tortillas and other corn-based products.  GIMSA also produces other products like corn grits and several types of corn-based products for animal feed.

 

GIMSA sells corn flour in Mexico mainly under the brand name MASECA®, which is a fine-textured, white corn flour and is a ready-mixed corn flour that becomes dough when water is added.  This corn dough can then be pressed to an appropriate thickness, cut to shape and cooked to produce tortillas and other corn-based products.

 

GIMSA produces over 50 varieties of corn flour for the manufacture of different food products which are developed to meet the requirements of our different types of customers according to the kind of products they manufacture and markets they serve.

 

Sales and Marketing.  GIMSA sells packaged corn flour in bulk mainly to tortilla manufacturers and manufacturers of other corn-based products, including corn chips and snacks, which purchase corn flour in 20-kilogram sacks.  Additionally, GIMSA sells corn flour in the retail market in one-kilogram packages.

 

The following table sets forth GIMSA’s bulk and retail sales volume of corn flour, and other products for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

Tons

 

%

 

Tons

 

%

 

Tons

 

%

 

Corn Flour

 

1,730

 

96

 

1,684

 

95

 

1,703

 

95

 

Bulk

 

1,486

 

83

 

1,443

 

81

 

1,517

 

80

 

Retail

 

244

 

13

 

241

 

14

 

285

 

15

 

Other

 

68

 

4

 

96

 

5

 

97

 

5

 

Total

 

1,798

 

100

 

1,780

 

100

 

1,899

 

100

 

 

Retail sales of corn flour are channeled to two distinct markets: urban centers and rural areas.  Sales to urban consumers are made mostly through supermarket chains that use their own distribution networks or through wholesalers who sell the product to smaller grocery stores throughout Mexico.  Sales to rural consumers are made principally through the Mexican government’s social welfare retail chain, a social and distribution program named DICONSA, which consists of a network of small stores which supplies rural areas with basic food products.

 

Mexico’s tortilla industry is highly fragmented, consisting of approximately 80,000 tortillerías, most of which continue to utilize the wet corn dough method of tortilla production (the traditional method), while some use dry corn flour and some of which mix wet corn dough and dry corn flour in various proportions.

 

We believe that our corn flour is used by approximately 30,000 of the existing tortillerías to produce tortillas and other corn-based products. We estimate that the traditional method is used to manufacture two thirds of the tortillas produced in Mexico. We estimate that approximately 25% of the corn dough used to produce tortillas in Mexico is made with our corn flour.

 

GIMSA has embarked on several programs to promote corn flour sales.  The promotional activities GIMSA offers include a  wide range of top-quality products that meet the diverse needs of our customers, as well as, the availability of easy to use equipment designed specifically for small-volume users and individualized training.

 

During 2014, GIMSA continued its marketing and advertising strategy,  focused on supporting its points of sale to reach the clients directly, and strengthen its distributors.

 

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GIMSA is aware of the dynamism of the Mexican market.  In order to adapt quickly and to anticipate new customers’ needs, GIMSA continued diversifying its sales force in specialized teams to be able to satisfy different types of customers, focusing primarily in increasing product availability and achieving higher market coverage.

 

We undertake the following ongoing initiatives in an effort to improve operational efficiency, increase consumption of corn flour, and improve on our successful business model to attract new customers:

 

·                  initiatives designed to strengthen commercial relations with our existing customers, primarily by offering personalized customer service and sales programs to our customers, including the development of comprehensive business models;

 

·                  initiatives designed to increase coverage in regions with low corn flour consumption with special promotions tailored specifically to these markets;

 

·                  design of individualized support regarding the type of machinery required for their business, financial advisory and training;

 

·                  assistance to customers in the development of new operation  methods to reduce costs and increase profitability;

 

·                  development of tailored marketing promotions to increase consumption in certain customer segments; and

 

·                  assistance to customers in the development of higher value added products such as tortilla chips, taco shells and enchilada tortillas, reflecting consumption trends.

 

Competition and Market Position.  In the market of raw materials for producing tortilla and other corn-based products, GIMSA faces competition on three levels: from (i) corn used by tortilla producers to make wet corn dough in their premises; (ii) wet corn dough produced industrially and distributed to tortillerías and manufacturers of other corn-based products; and (iii) from other corn flour producers, such as: Grupo Minsa, Molinos Anáhuac, Hari Masa, Cargill de México, among others. We compete against other corn flour manufacturers on the basis of quality, customer service and geographic coverage.  We believe that GIMSA has certain competitive advantages resulting from its economies of scale, production efficiencies and geographic coverage, which may provide it with opportunities to more effectively source raw materials and reduce transportation costs.

 

Operations and Capital Expenditures.  GIMSA currently owns 18 corn flour mills, all of which are located throughout Mexico, typically within corn growing regions and close to large tortilla consumption areas.  GIMSA also owns a plant which produces other products like corn grits and several types of corn-based products.  Two of GIMSA’s plants are idle.  The Chalco plant has been inactive since October 1999. GIMSA will consider reopening this plant should market demands require additional capacity.  The other plant is in Celaya, which has been idle since February 2006.  These assets are being depreciated.

 

Annual total production capacity for GIMSA is estimated at 2.8 million metric tons as of December 31, 2014, with an average utilization of 63% in 2014.  The average size of our plants as of December 31, 2014 was approximately 20,700 square meters (approximately 222,813 square feet).

 

In recent years, GIMSA’s capital expenditures have been primarily used to upgrade technology, corn flour production processes, maintenance and capacity expansions at certain plants.  From 2012 through 2014, GIMSA spent U.S.$56 million, U.S.$37 million and U.S.$21 million for maintenance, capacity expansions, and technology, respectively.  GIMSA currently projects total capital expenditures during 2015 of approximately U.S.$47 million, which will be used primarily for updating technology and production capacity expansion projects at certain plants.

 

Each of GIMSA’s corn flour facilities uses proprietary technology developed by our technology and equipment operations.  For more information about our in-house technology and design initiatives, see “Item 4—Information on the Company—Miscellaneous—Technology and Equipment Operations” and “Item 4—Information on the Company—Organizational Structure—INTESA.”

 

Seasonality.  The demand for corn flour varies slightly with the seasons, with some minor increases during the December holidays.

 

Raw Materials.  Corn is the principal raw material required for the production of corn flour, and constituted 61% of GIMSA’s cost of sales for 2014.  We purchase corn primarily from Mexican growers and grain elevators, and from world markets

 

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usually at international prices.  In 2014, we imported approximately 31% of our corn purchases. Most of our domestic corn purchases are made through ASERCA, a governmental program established and supported by the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture, where contracts with grain growers and elevators are registered once the corn is planted to guarantee price and delivery upon harvest.  Compañía Nacional Almacenadora, S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary of GIMSA, enters into contracts for GIMSA, purchases the corn, and also monitors, selects, handles and ships the corn.

 

We believe that the diverse geographic locations of GIMSA’s production facilities in Mexico enable GIMSA to achieve savings in raw material transportation and handling.  In addition, by sourcing corn locally for its plants, GIMSA is better able to communicate with local growers concerning the size and quality of the corn crop and is better able to maintain quality control.  In Mexico, GIMSA purchases corn on delivery in order to strengthen its ability to obtain the highest quality corn on the best terms.

 

Traditionally, domestic corn prices in Mexico typically follow trends in the international market.  During most periods, the price at which GIMSA purchases corn depends on the price of corn in the international market.  As a result, corn prices are sometimes unstable and volatile.  Additionally, in the past, the Mexican government has supported the price of corn.  For more information regarding the government’s effect on corn prices, see “Item 3.  Key Information—Risk Factors—Our Business Operations Could Be Affected by Government Policies in Mexico” and “Item 4.  Information on the Company—Regulation.”

 

In addition to corn, the other principal materials and resources used in the production of corn flour are packaging materials, water, lime, additives and energy.  GIMSA believes that its sources of supply for these materials and resources are adequate, although energy, additives and packaging costs tend to be volatile.

 

Distribution. We have our own sales teams that are capable of servicing all sales channels, which allows us to know and serve our clients’ needs.  GIMSA’s products are distributed mainly through independent transport firms contracted by GIMSA and, to a lesser extent, using our own fleet, depending on the type of client.  Most of GIMSA’s sales are made ex-works at GIMSA’s plants.  With respect to other sales, in particular sales to the Mexican government, large supermarket chains, and snack producers, GIMSA pays the freight cost.

 

Central American Operations

 

Overview

 

In 1972, we entered the Costa Rican market.  Our operations since then have expanded into Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua, as well as Ecuador, which we include as part of our Central American operations.

 

Gruma Centroamérica

 

Principal Products.  Gruma Centroamérica produces corn flour, and to a lesser extent, tortillas and snacks.  We also cultivate and sell hearts of palm and process and sell rice.  We believe we are one of the largest corn flour producers in the region.  We sell corn flour under the MASECA®, TORTIMASA®, MASARICA®, MINSA® and JUANA® brands.  In Costa Rica, we sell tortillas under the TORTIRICAS® and MISSION® brands.  We operate a Costa Rican snack business which manufactures tortilla chips, potato chips and similar products under the TOSTY®, RUMBA®, BRAVOS® and TRONADITAS® brands.  Hearts of palm are exported to numerous European countries as well as the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico.

 

Sales and Marketing.  80% of Gruma Centroamérica’s sales volume in 2014 derived from the sale of corn flour.

 

Gruma Centroamérica corn flour bulk sales are oriented predominantly to small tortilla manufacturers through direct delivery and wholesalers.  Supermarkets make up the customer base for retail corn flour.  Bulk sales volume represented approximately 52% and retail sales represented approximately 48% of Gruma Centroamérica’s corn flour sales volume during 2014.

 

Competition and Market Position.  We believe that we hold a strong leadership position in the corn flour market in Central America based on revenues and sales volume.  We believe that there is significant potential for growth in Central America as corn flour was used in only approximately 18.8% of all tortilla production in 2014; the majority of tortilla manufacturers use the wet corn dough method.  We believe that Gruma is the largest producer of tortillas and snacks in Costa Rica.

 

Within the corn flour industry, the brands of our main competitors are: Del Comal, Doña Blanca, Selecta, Bachosa, Más Tortilla, Chortimasa, Instamasa and Doñarepa.  However, our key growth opportunity is to convert tortilla manufacturers that still use the traditional method to our corn flour method.

 

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Operations and Capital Expenditures.  We had an annual installed production capacity of 319 thousand tons for corn flour and other products as of December 31, 2014, with an average utilization of approximately 68% during 2014.  We operate one corn flour plant in each of Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, for a total of four plants throughout the region.  In Costa Rica, we also have one plant producing tortillas, one plant producing snacks, one plant processing hearts of palm and one plant processing rice.  In Nicaragua we have a small tortilla plant, while in Guatemala we have a small plant that produces snacks and in Ecuador we have a small facility which processes hearts of palm.  On average, the size of our plants as of December 31, 2014 was approximately 7,100 square meters (approximately 76,418 square feet).

 

During 2012, 2013 and 2014 most of our capital expenditures were oriented towards general manufacturing upgrades and production capacity expansions at existing corn flour plants.  Total capital expenditures for the past three fiscal years were approximately U.S.$15.0 million.  Capital expenditures for 2015 are projected to be U.S$8 million, which will be used primarily for general manufacturing and technology upgrades.

 

Seasonality.  Typically, corn flour sales volume is lower during the first and fourth quarters of the year due to higher corn availability and lower corn prices.

 

Raw Materials.  Corn is the most important raw material needed in our operations, representing 40% of the cost of sales during 2014, and is obtained primarily from imports from the United States and from local growers.  Price fluctuation and volatility are subject to domestic conditions, such as annual crop results and international conditions.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

Molinera de México

 

In 1996, through our former association with Archer-Daniels-Midland, we entered the wheat milling market in Mexico by acquiring a 60% ownership interest in Archer-Daniels-Midland’s wheat flour operation, Molinera de México, later increasing our ownership interest to 100% through the ADM transaction.  See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects —Acquisitions and Other Significant Events Within our Business Units—Share Purchase Transaction with Archer-Daniels-Midland.”  Molinera de México’s main product is wheat flour, although it also sells wheat bran and other byproducts.  Its wheat flour brands are REPOSADA®, PODEROSA® and SELECTA®, among others.  SELECTA® is the main brand in the retail segment.

 

On June 10, 2014, we entered into the Wheat Milling Transaction.  As a result of this transaction, we no longer have a participation in the wheat milling industry in Mexico.  See Note 26 A to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Venezuelan Companies

 

In 1993, we entered the Venezuelan corn flour industry through a participation in DEMASECA, a corn flour company in Venezuela.  In August 1999, we acquired 95% of DAMCA International Corporation, a Delaware corporation which owned 100% of MONACA, Venezuela’s second largest corn and wheat flour producer at that time, for approximately U.S.$94 million.  Additionally, Archer-Daniels-Midland acquired the remaining 5% interest in MONACA.

 

In April of 2006, we entered into a series of transactions to: (i) purchase an additional 10% ownership interest in DEMASECA at a price of U.S.$2.6 million; (ii) purchase a 2% stake in MONACA from Archer-Daniels-Midland at a price of U.S.$3.3 million; and (iii) sell a 3% interest in DEMASECA to Archer-Daniels-Midland at a price of U.S.$780,000.

 

Additionally, in April of 2006, we entered into a contract for the sale of a stake in MONACA to Rotch Energy Holdings, N.V. (“Rotch”), a controlled entity of our former indirect partner in DEMASECA, Ricardo Fernández Barrueco.  As a result Rotch acquired a 24.14% interest in MONACA, and subsequently pledged its equity interests for the benefit of a Mexican financial institution (the “Rotch Lender”) as security for a loan to a controlled entity of Rotch.  In June of 2010, Rotch defaulted under the loan and the stake in MONACA was sold and assigned to a third investor, whose interest is held by a Mexican company, Valcon Holdings, S.A. de C.V.  Valcon Holdings, S.A. de C.V. is not affiliated with our former indirect partner in DEMASECA, Ricardo Fernández Barrueco.

 

As a result of the foregoing transactions and the ADM Transaction, we currently own 75.86% of Valores Mundiales and Valcon Holdings, S.A. de C.V. owns the remaining 24.14%.  As of December 31, 2014, Valores Mundiales was the sole registered shareholder of MONACA.  In addition, we own 60% of Consorcio Andino and Valcon Holdings, S.A. de C.V. owns the remaining 40%.  As of December 31, 2014, Consorcio Andino was the sole registered shareholder of DEMASECA.  MONACA and DEMASECA are collectively referred to as “Venezuelan Companies.”

 

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On May 12, 2010, the Venezuelan government published the Expropriation Decree, which announced the forced acquisition of all assets, property and real estate of our subsidiary company in Venezuela, MONACA.  Venezuela has expressed to GRUMA’s representatives that the Expropriation Decree extends to our subsidiary DEMASECA.  In January 22, 2013, the Ministry of Popular Power for Internal Relations issued a resolution (providencia administrativa)  granting the “broadest powers of administration” over MONACA and DEMASECA to special managers (administradores especiales) who had been imposed on those companies since 2009 and 2010, respectively (see below).  This resolution granted the Special Managers the broadest authority in order to safeguard the possession, care, custody, use, and conservation of movable and immovable assets of MONACA and DEMASECA. Accordingly, as of the date of this resolution, the Venezuelan government has had control of MONACA and DEMASECA through the Special Managers, who are neither appointed nor employed by GRUMA or its subsidiaries Valores Mundiales or Consorcio Andino. As a consequence of the resolution and on the date it was published, we concluded that we had lost control of the Venezuelan Companies and ceased the consolidation of the operations of MONACA and DEMASECA in our financial statments as of January 22, 2013 and now report them as a discontinued operation. See “Item 8—Legal Proceedings—Venezuela—Expropriation Proceedings by the Venezuelan Government.”

 

As of the issuance of this resolution, the role of GRUMA and its subsidiaries Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino in the management of MONACA and DEMASECA, is limited to preventing deterioration of the productivity of MONACA and DEMASECA, since now that the Special Managers designated by the Venezuelan government now possess the broadest management authority over these companies in accordance with the Providence.

 

Miscellaneous—Technology and Equipment Operations

 

We have developed our own technology operations since our founding.  Since March 2014 our technology and equipment operations have been conducted principally through INTESA, Tecno Maíz, S.A. de C.V., or Tecnomaíz, and Constructora Industrial Agropecuaria, S.A. de C.V., or CIASA. Prior to this date, our technology and equipment operation had been conducted mainly through INTASA.  On March 21, 2014, INTASA was merged into Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V., and ceased to exist. See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Organizational Structure—INTESA.”

 

The main purpose of INTESA is to provide research and development, equipment, and construction services to the food industry, specifically with respect to tortillas and other corn-based products. Through Tecnomaíz, we also engage in the design, manufacture and commercialization of machines for the production of corn and wheat flour tortillas and tortilla chips, which are sold under the TORTEC® and RODOTEC® trademarks. Through CIASA, we also design and manufacture equipment for corn masa flour such as corn milling machinery, and provide engineering, design and construction services.

 

We continuously engage in research and development activities that focus on, among other things: increasing the efficiency of our proprietary corn flour and corn/wheat tortilla production technology; maintaining high product quality; developing new and improved products and manufacturing equipment; improving the shelf life of certain corn and wheat products; improving and expanding our information technology system; engineering, plant design and construction and compliance with environmental regulations.  We have obtained 58 patents in the United States since 1968.  20 of these patents are in force and effect in the United States as of December 31, 2014 and the remaining 38 have expired.  We currently have six new patents in process in the United States.  Additionally, nine of our registered patents and design patents are currently in the process of being published in other countries.

 

We have carried out proprietary technological research and development for corn milling and tortilla production as well as all engineering, plant design and construction principally through INTESA.  We spent Ps.137 million, Ps.145 million and Ps.153 million on research and development in the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

 

REGULATION

 

Mexican Regulation

 

Corn Commercialization Program

 

To support the commercialization of corn for Mexican corn growers, Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food Ministry (Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación, or SAGARPA), through the Agricultural Incentives and Trade Services Agency (Apoyos y Servicios a la Comercialización Agropecuaria, or ASERCA), a government agency founded in 1991, implemented a program designed to promote corn sales in Mexico.  The program includes the following objectives:

 

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·                  Ensure that the corn harvest is brought to market, providing certainty to farmers concerning the sale of their crops and supply security for the buyer.

 

·                  Establish a minimum price for the farmer, and a maximum price for the buyer, which are determined based on international market prices, plus a basic formula specific for each region.

 

·                  Implement a corn hedging program to allow both farmers and buyers to minimize their exposure to price fluctuations in the international markets.

 

To the extent that this or other similar programs are cancelled by the Mexican government, we may be required to incur additional costs in purchasing corn for our operations.

 

Environmental Regulations

 

Our Mexican operations are subject to Mexican federal, state and municipal laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment.  The principal federal environmental laws are the Ley General de Equilibrio Ecológico y Protección al Ambiente, or General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Protection of the Environment or Mexican Environmental Law, which is enforced by the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, or Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources or SEMARNAT, the Ley General de Cambio Climático or Mexican Climate Change Law and the Ley Federal de Derechos or the Mexican Federal Law of Governmental Fees.  Under the Mexican Environmental Law, each of our facilities engaged in the production of corn flour, wheat flour, and tortillas is required to obtain an operating license from state environmental authorities upon initiating operations, and then periodically submit a certificate of operation to maintain the operating license.  Furthermore, the Mexican Federal Law of Governmental Fees requires that Mexican manufacturing plants pay a fee for water consumption and the discharge of residual waste water to drainage, whenever the quality of such water exceeds mandated thresholds.  Also, regulations have been issued concerning hazardous substances and water, air and noise pollution.  In particular, Mexican environmental laws and regulations, including the Mexican Climate Change Law, require that Mexican companies file periodic reports with respect to air and water emissions and hazardous wastes.  Additionally, they also establish standards for waste water discharge.  We must also comply with zoning regulations as well and rules regarding health, working conditions and commercial matters.  SEMARNAT and the Federal Bureau of Environmental Protection can bring administrative and criminal proceedings against companies that violate environmental laws, as well as close non-complying facilities.

 

We believe we are currently in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Mexican environmental regulations.  The level of environmental regulation and enforcement in Mexico has increased in recent years.  We expect this trend to continue and to be accelerated by international agreements between Mexico and the United States.  To the extent that new environmental regulations are issued in Mexico, we may be required to incur additional remedial capital expenditures to comply.  Management is not aware of any pending regulatory changes that would require additional remedial capital expenditures in a significant amount.

 

Competition Regulations

 

The Mexican Economic Competition Law (Ley Federal de Competencia Económica) and the related regulations regulate free markets, antitrust matters, monopolies and monopolistic practices, and require Mexican government approval for certain mergers and acquisitions.  The Mexican Economic Competition Law grants the government the authority to establish price controls for products and services of national interest through Presidential decree.

 

On May 23, 2014, a new Mexican Economic Competition Law was published in the Mexican Official Gazette (Diario Oficial de la Federación) and became effective on July 7, 2014.  This law was issued in order to implement the recent amendment to article 28 of the Mexican Constitution regarding antitrust matters, whereby the Mexican government was entitled to establish a new Mexican Federal Economic Competition Commission (Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica, or COFECE), which will have all powers necessary to fulfill its purpose, regulate access to essential facilities, and order any divestiture of assets, rights, ownership interests or shares of economic firms, as necessary to eliminate any anti-competitive effects.  Mergers and acquisitions and other transactions that may restrain trade or that may result in monopolistic or anti-competitive practices or combinations must be approved by the Federal Economic Competition Commission.

 

The current Mexican Economic Competition Law may potentially limit our business combinations, mergers and acquisitions and may subject us to greater scrutiny in the future; however, we do not believe that this legislation will have a material adverse effect on our business operations.

 

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Anti-Money Laundering Regulations

 

The Mexican Federal Law to Prevent and Identify Operations with Resources from Illegal Sources (Ley Federal para la Prevención e Identificación de Operaciones con Recursos de Procedencia Ilícita) was published in the Mexican Official Gazette on October 17, 2012, and became effective on July 17, 2013. The purpose of this law is to prevent and detect operations carried out with funds obtained from illicit activities and prohibiting payments using cash for certain types of activities above certain amounts. Under this law, persons carrying out activities that are deemed as “vulnerable” are required to identify their clients and counterparties in such activities, to keep a detailed file in connection therewith, and under certain circumstances to report those activities to the Mexican Authorities. Most of the activities are deemed as “vulnerable” only when they exceed certain thresholds set forth in the law or regulations, and reporting of such activities is generally subject to higher thresholds.  Examples of such regulated activities are: granting of loans, granting credit facilities and guarantees, leasing real estate properties and receive donations, among others. Failure to comply with this law may result in monetary and criminal sanctions. We believe we are currently in compliance in all material respects with this law and we do not believe it will have a material adverse effect on our business operations.

 

Tax Regulations

 

The economic package for the 2014 fiscal year resulted in a tax reform. This tax reform was published on December 11, 2013 in the Mexican Official Gazette, and became effective on January 1, 2014. As part of this reform, a new Income Tax Law was enacted, which abrogated the Income Tax Law in effect since 2002.

 

One of the main changes provided by the new Income Tax Law consists of eliminating the tax consolidation regime in force at that date. As a result, we have the obligation to pay the deferred tax determined at that time during the five-year period starting in 2014.Also a new optional regime was established for company groups and we have decided to opt out of the new regime for the 2015 year.

 

Other changes introduced in the new Income Tax Law, consist of: (i) eliminating deductions that were previously allowed for related-party payments to certain foreign entities; (ii) establishing limits for exempt benefits in favor of workers; (iii) eliminating deductibility of the social security quotas (Cuotas IMSS) paid by the employer on behalf of the workers; (iv) reducing the limits for deductibility of automobile acquisitions; and (v) introducing a 10% withholding tax over dividends paid to natural persons and foreigners, among others. We believe we are currently in compliance in all material respects with this law and we do not believe it will have a material adverse effect on our business operations.

 

Energy Regulations

 

The Electric Industry Law (Ley de la Industria Eléctrica) was published in the Mexican Official Gazette on August 11, 2014, and became effective on August 12, 2014. The purpose of this law is to regulate the energy generation, transmission, distribution and power marketing activities. The Electric Industry Law also provides for a Clean Energy Certificate (CEC) system, under which the Ministry of Energy (Secretaría de Energía) will set a percent threshold for annual clean-to-conventional energy production, and power suppliers and qualified consumers will uphold such threshold by purchasing CECs from clean power generators. We believe we are currently in compliance in all material respects with this law and we do not believe it will have a material adverse effect on our business operations.

 

U.S. Federal and State Regulations

 

Gruma Corporation is subject to regulation by various federal, state and local agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Labor, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture.  We believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with all environmental and other legal requirements.  Our food manufacturing and distribution facilities are subject to periodic inspection by various federal, state and local agencies, and the equipment utilized in these facilities must generally be governmentally approved prior to operation.

 

European Regulation

 

We are subject to regulation in each country in which we operate in Europe.  We believe that we are currently in compliance with all applicable legal requirements in all material respects.

 

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Central American and Venezuelan Regulation

 

Gruma Centroamérica and the Venezuelan Companies are subject to regulation in each country in which they operate.  We believe that Gruma Centroamérica and the Venezuelan Companies are currently in compliance with all applicable legal requirements in all material respects.  See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Venezuela.”

 

Asia and Oceania Regulation

 

We are subject to regulation in each country in which we operate in Asia and Oceania.  We believe that we are currently in compliance with all applicable legal requirements in all material respects.

 

ITEM 4A.               Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5                           Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere herein.  Our audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by IASB.

 

For more information about our financial statements in general, see “Presentation of Financial Information” and “Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness.”

 

Acquisitions and Other Significant Events Within Our Business Units

 

Share Purchase Transaction with Archer-Daniels-Midland

 

We entered into an association with Archer-Daniels-Midland in September 1996.  On December 14, 2012, we completed a transaction (the “ADM Transaction”) in which we acquired, through the exercise of a purchase option pursuant to certain rights of first refusal, the stake that Archer-Daniels-Midland owned directly and indirectly in us and certain of our subsidiaries (the “Equity Interests”), consisting of:

 

·                  18.81% of the then outstanding shares of Gruma S.A.B. de C.V. and, indirectly, an additional 4.35% of the then outstanding shares of Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. via the acquisition of 45% of the shares of Valores Azteca, S.A. de C.V. (“Valores Azteca”), a company that at the time of the ADM Transaction owned 9.66% of the shares of Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V.;

 

·                  3% of the partnership interest of Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino, holding companies of the Venezuelan companies, MONACA and DEMASECA, respectively;

 

·                  40% of the shares of Molinera de Mexico, our former wheat flour business in Mexico; and

 

·                  100% of the shares of Valley Holding Inc., a company that at the time of the ADM Transaction owned 20% of Azteca Milling, our corn flour business in the United States.

 

The Equity Interests were acquired from Archer-Daniels-Midland for US$450 million plus a contingent payment of up to US$60 million.  Such contingent payment is payable only if, during the 42 months following the closing of the ADM Transaction (ending on June 14, 2016), certain conditions are met in connection with (i) an increase in the price of our stock over the closing price of our stock determined for purposes of the ADM Transaction (the “Closing Price”) by the end of the 42-month period; (ii) the difference between the price of our stock established for public offers made by us and the Closing Price; (iii) the acquisition by a strategic investor of 15% or more of our capital stock or (iv) a reduction in the percentage of our shares that are considered to be held by the public at any time, starting from 26%.  We maintain a reserve in the event that any or all of the foregoing contingent payment is made to Archer-Daniels-Midland.  Payment of this contingent amount has been reserved for. See Note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements. The economic terms of the ADM Transaction were based on the terms contained in the offer made by a third

 

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party to Archer-Daniels-Midland for the purchase of the Equity Interests.  As a result of the ADM Transaction, Archer-Daniels-Midland no longer holds an ownership interest in us.

 

To fund the ADM Transaction, we obtained short-term unsecured loan facilities for a total amount of US$400 million with maturities of up to a year (the “Short-Term Facilities”), and used proceeds from the Gruma Corporation Loan Facility (as defined below).  We refinanced the Short-Term Facilities in 2013.  See “Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Indebtedness.”

 

Prior to the closing of the ADM Transaction and obtaining the Short-Term Facilities, our board of directors, with the previous favorable opinion of the Audit Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee based on a fairness opinion issued by an independent expert, approved the exercise by us of the option pursuant to a right of first refusal to acquire the Equity Interests and obtain the required financing.  See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Indebtedness.”

 

Wheat Milling Transaction

 

On June 10, 2014, we reached an agreement with Trimex for the sale of our wheat flour operations in Mexico.  As a result of this transaction, Trimex acquired all the shares representing Molinera de México’s capital stock owned by us, as well as the assets owned by a subsidiary of GIMSA related to wheat flour production.  This sale was approved by COFECE.  The purchase price for the wheat milling business was Ps.3,678 million and was paid on December 8, 2014.  The proceeds from the Wheat Milling Transaction were used primarily to repay debt.  See Note 26 A to our audited consolidated  financial statements.

 

Overview of Accounting Presentation

 

Our audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. We began reporting under IFRS for the year ending December 31, 2011, with an IFRS adoption date of January 1, 2011 and a transition date to IFRS of January 1, 2010.

 

Note 31 to our audited consolidated financial statements discusses new accounting pronouncements under IFRS that will become effective in 2015 or thereafter. In some cases we are assesing the potencial impact on our financial statements resulting from the application of these new standards.

 

Effects of Inflation

 

To determine the existence of hyperinflation, we evaluate the qualitative characteristics of the economic environment of each country, as well as the quantitative characteristics established by IFRS, including an accumulated inflation rate equal or higher than 100% in the past three years.  Pursuant to this analysis, Mexico is not considered to be hyperinflationary, with annual inflation rates of 4.40% in 2010, 3.82% in 2011, 3.57% in 2012, 3.97% in 2013 and 4.08% in 2014.

 

Effects of Devaluation

 

Because a significant portion of our net sales are generated in U.S. dollars, changes in the peso/dollar exchange rate can have a significant effect upon our results of operations as reported in pesos.  When the peso depreciates against the U.S. dollar, Gruma Corporation’s net sales in U.S. dollars represent a larger portion of our net sales in peso terms than when the peso appreciates against the U.S. dollar.  When the peso appreciates against the dollar, Gruma Corporation’s net sales in U.S. dollars represent a smaller portion of our net sales in peso terms than when the peso depreciates against the dollar.  For a description of the peso/dollar exchange rate see “Item 3.  Key Information—Exchange Rate Information.”

 

In addition to the above, our net income may be affected by changes in our foreign exchange gain or loss, which may be impacted by significant variations in the peso/dollar exchange rate.  During 2012, 2013 and 2014, we recorded a net foreign exchange loss of Ps.83 million, a gain of Ps.46 million, and a gain of Ps.72 million, respectively.

 

Accounting Effects of the Wheat Milling Transaction

 

As disclosed in Notes 2 D and 26 A to our audited consolidated financial statements, in December 2014, we concluded the Wheat Milling Transaction. The total sale price was Ps. 3,678 million and we recognized in income, a net gain from the sale of wheat flour operations in Mexico of Ps. 215 million, as discontinued operations.

 

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The results and cash flows generated by these wheat flour operations in Mexico for the periods presented in our audited consolidated financial statements, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, were reported as a discontinued operation.  As indicated by IFRS the presentation as a discontinued operation was applied retrospectively for the periods presented in these financial statements.

 

Accounting Effects of Deconsolidation of the Venezuelan Companies

 

As disclosed in Note 26 B to our audited consolidated financial statements, we concluded that we had lost control of the Venezuelan Companies, MONACA and DEMASECA on January 22, 2013. Consequently and as a result of such loss of control, we proceeded with the following:

 

a)             ceased the consolidation of the financial information of MONACA and DEMASECA starting January 22, 2013 and derecognized the assets and liabilities of these companies from our consolidated balance sheet; for disclosure and presentation purposes, we considered these subsidiaries as a significant segment and therefore, applying the guidelines from IFRS 5, MONACA and DEMASECA are presented as discontinued operations; consequently, the results and cash flows generated by the Venezuelan Companies for the periods presented are reported as discontinued operations;

 

b)             the amounts recognized in other comprehensive income relating to these companies were reclassified in the year 2013 to the consolidated income statement as part of the results from discontinued operations, considering that MONACA and DEMASECA were disposed of due to the loss of control; and

 

c)              recognized the investment in MONACA and DEMASECA as a financial asset, classifying it as an available-for-sale financial asset. We classified our investment in these companies as available for sale since management believed that is the appropriate treatment applicable to a non-voluntary disposition of assets and the asset did not fulfill the requirements of classification in another category of financial assets. Following the applicable guidelines and considering that the range of reasonable fair-value estimates was significant and the probabilities of the various estimates within the range could not be reasonably assessed, we recognized this financial asset at its carrying value translated to the functional currency of GRUMA using an exchange rate of Ps.2.9566 per bolivar (Bs.4.3 per dollar), which was effective at the date of the loss of control, and not at its fair value. The investment in MONACA and DEMASECA is subject to impairment tests at the end of each reporting period when there is objective evidence that the financial asset is impaired.

 

As required by IFRS, we performed impairment tests on the investments in MONACA and DEMASECA to determine a potential recoverable amount using two valuation techniques: 1) an income approach considering estimated future cash flows as a going concern business, discounted at present value using an appropriate discount rate (weighted average cost of capital), and 2) a market approach, such as the public company market multiple method using implied multiples such as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and revenues of comparable companies adjusted for liquidity, control and disposal expenses. In both cases, the potential recoverable amounts using the income and market approach were higher than the carrying value of these investments and therefore, no impairment adjustment was deemed necessary at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Regarding the calculations to determine the potential recoverable amount, our management does not believe that any reasonably foreseeable change in the key assumptions would cause the carrying value of our investment in MONACA and DEMASECA to materially exceed the potential recoverable amount described above.

 

For purposes of these calculations, we used the SICAD 1 available exchange rate (Bs.12.00 per dollar as of December 31,2014 and Bs.11.30 per dollar as of December 31, 2013) which is the reference considered by our management for settlement, based on its legal ability to do so. The Venezuelan exchange system, comprising the SICAD, involves different rates at which certain transactions should be executed, including “foreign investments and payment of royalties” for which the reference rate is the Bs.12.00 per dollar. Based on a simulation exercise where a different exchange rate is used for impairment tests, such as the SICAD 2 (Bs. 49.99 per dollar at December 31, 2014), the calculations would result in an impairment loss of Ps.125 million related to our investment in MONACA and DEMASECA.

 

The historical value of the net investment in MONACA and DEMASECA at January 22, 2013, the date when we ceased the consolidation of the financial information of MONACA and DEMASECA, was Ps.2,914 million and Ps.195 million, respectively. Additionally, at December 31, 2014 certain subsidiaries of GRUMA have accounts receivable with the Venezuelan companies totaling Ps.1,124 million. According to tests performed by us, these receivables are not impaired.

 

For more information about discontinued operations of the Venezuelan Companies, please see Note 26 B to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Exchange Rates in Venezuela

 

In March 2013, the Venezuelan government announced the creation of an alternative exchange mechanism called the Supplementary System of Foreign Exchange Administration (Sistema Complementario de Administración de Divisas, SICAD). The SICAD operates as an auction system that allows entities of specific sectors to buy foreign currency for imports. This is not a free auction (that is, the counterpart that offers the highest price does not necessarily have the right to receive the foreign currency). Each auction may have different rules (for example, the minimum and maximum amount of foreign currency that may be offered to exchange). Limited amounts of dollars are available and entities do not commonly get the full amount for which they entered in auction. During December 2013, the Venezuelan government authorized the Central Bank of Venezuela to publish the average exchange rate resulting of SICAD auctions. During the weeks commencing on December 23 and December 30, 2013, the Central Bank of Venezuela published on its website the average exchange rate for auctions No.13 and No.14 (11.30 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar).

 

On January 24, 2014, Exchange Agreement No. 25 became effective, which establishes the cases to which the SICAD 1 exchange rate (Bs.11.30 per dollar) applies for sale of foreign currency transactions. In addition, the agreement also provides that the sale operation of foreign currency, whose clearance has been requested to the Central Bank of Venezuela before the Exchange Agreement No. 25 became effective, will be settled at the exchange rate effective on the date on which such operations were authorized. This Exchange Agreement No.25 resulted in a net foreign exchange loss of Ps.17 million to us in 2014, which was presented as discontinued operations. This exchange loss resulted from certain accounts receivable maintained with the Venezuelan companies as of December 31, 2014 which are expected to be settled at this SICAD 1 exchange rate (Bs.12.00 per dollar as of December 31, 2014).

 

During 2014, the Venezuelan Government expanded the use of the SICAD rate creating a third currency exchange mechanism called SICAD 2 which may be used by entities for certain transactions. SICAD 2 initiated operations in March 2014, at the time, the bolivar sold for an average of Bs.51.86 per U.S. dollar. The SICAD 2 daily average rate was published by the Central Bank of Venezuela. Based on a simulation exercise where a different exchange rate is used, such as the SICAD 2 (Bs.49.99 per dollar at December 31, 2014) , an additional foreign exchange loss of Ps.65 million will result from certain accounts receivable of the Venezuelan companies.

 

On February 10, 2015, Exchange Agreement No. 33 published in the Official Gazette of Venezuela, eliminated as of February 12, 2015 the foreign exchange rate SICAD 2 and created a new foreign exchange rate mechanism called SIMADI (Foreign Exchange Marginal System). According to the decree, the foreign exchange rate will be the one freely agreed by the parties involved in transactions for the purchase and sale of dollars in the market. The Central Bank of Venezuela will publish daily on its website the reference foreign exchange rate, corresponding to the weighted average exchange rate of the operations for each day in the markets of: a) trading transactions in local currency for foreign currency operations, and b) trading transactions in local currency for foreign currency securities. The SIMADI foreign exchange rate published on the date on which our consolidated financial statements were authorized, was Bs.171.03 per dollar.

 

For more information, please see Notes 4, 26 B and 32 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses our audited consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.  The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

 

We have identified certain key accounting estimates that are used to determine our financial condition and results of operations. These key accounting estimates often involve complex matters or are based on subjective judgments or decisions that require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements.We have identified below the most critical accounting principles that involve a higher degree of judgement and complexity and that management believes are important to a more complete understanding of our financial position and results of operations.

 

Additional accounting policies that are also used in the preparation of our audited consolidated financial statements are outlined in the notes thereto included in this annual report.

 

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Property, Plant and Equipment

 

We depreciate our property, plant and equipment over their respective estimated useful lives.  Useful lives are based on management’s estimates of the period that the assets will remain in service and generate revenues.  Estimates are based on independent appraisals and the experience of our technical personnel.  We review the assets’ residual values and useful lives each year to determine whether they should be changed, and adjusted if appropriate.  To the extent that our estimates are incorrect, our periodic depreciation expense or carrying value of our assets may be impacted.

 

Under IFRS, we are required to test long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable for property, plant and equipment.  When the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount, the difference is accounted for as an impairment loss.  The recoverable amount is the higher of (1) the long-lived asset’s (asset group’s) fair value less costs to sell, representing the amount obtainable from the sale of the long-lived asset (asset group) in an arm’s length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties less the costs of disposal and (2) the long-lived asset’s (asset group’s) value in use, representing its future cash flows discounted to present value by using a rate that reflects the current assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to the long-lived asset (asset group) for which the cash flow estimates have not been adjusted.

 

The estimates of cash flows take into consideration expectations of future macroeconomic conditions as well as our internal strategic plans.  Therefore, inherent to the estimated future cash flows is a certain level of uncertainty which we have considered in our valuation; nevertheless, actual future results may differ.

 

Primarily as a result of plant rationalization, certain facilities and equipment are not currently in use in operations.  We have recorded impairment losses related to certain of those assets and additional losses may potentially occur in the future if our estimates are not accurate and/or future macroeconomic conditions differ significantly from those considered in our analysis.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives.  Management exercises judgment in assessing the useful lives of other intangible assets including patents and trademarks, customers lists and software for internal use.  Under IFRS, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are subject to impairment tests either annually or earlier in the case of a triggering event.

 

A key component of the impairment test is the identification of cash-generating units and the allocation of goodwill to such cash-generating units.  Estimates of fair value are primarily determined using discounted cash flows.  Cash flows are discounted at present value and an impairment loss is recognized if such discounted cash flows are lower than the net book value of the cash-generating units.

 

These estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether or not an impairment charge is recognized and also the magnitude of any such charge.  We perform internal valuation analyses and consider relevant internal data as well as other market information that is publicly available.

 

This approach uses significant estimates and assumptions including projected future cash flows (including timing), a discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows and a perpetual growth rate.  Inherent in these estimates and assumptions is a certain level of risk which we believe we have considered in our valuation.  Nevertheless, if future actual results differ from estimates, a possible impairment charge may be recognized in future periods related to the write-down of the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets.

 

Income Tax

 

We are subject to income taxes in many jurisdictions. A significant judgment is required in the determination of the global provision for income taxes. There are many transactions and calculations for which the final tax determination is uncertain. Where the final tax result is different from the amounts initially recorded, such differences will have an effect on current income tax and deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the period when the determination is made.

 

We record deferred income tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities.  If enacted tax rates change, we adjust the deferred tax assets and liabilities through the provision for income tax in the period of change, to reflect the enacted tax rate expected to be in effect when the deferred tax items reverse.  Under IFRS, a deferred tax asset must be recognized for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable

 

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that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary difference can be utilized.  While we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, in the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made.  Should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

 

Fair Value of Derivatives and Other Financial Instruments

 

We use derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business, primarily to hedge certain operational and financial risks to which we are exposed, including without limitation: (i) future and options contracts for certain key production requirements like natural gas, heating oil and some raw materials such as corn and wheat, in order to minimize the cash flow variability due to price fluctuations; (ii) interest rate swaps, with the purpose of managing the interest rate risk related to our debt; and (iii) exchange rate contracts (mainly Mexican peso to U.S. dollar or other currencies).

 

We account for derivative financial instruments used for hedging purposes either as cash-flow hedges or fair value hedges with changes in fair value reported in other comprehensive income and earnings, respectively.  Derivative financial instruments not designated as an accounting hedge are recognized at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized currently in income.

 

We use our judgment to select from a variety of methods and make assumptions that are mainly based on existing market conditions at the end of each reporting period.  When available, we measure the fair value of the derivatives and other financial instruments based on quoted market prices.  If quoted market prices are not available, we estimate the fair value of derivatives and other financial instruments using industry standard valuation models.  When applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market observable inputs, including interest rates and currency rates, among others.  Also included in the determination of the fair value of our liability positions is our own credit risk, which has been classified as an unobservable input.

 

Many of the factors used in measuring fair value are outside the control of management, and these assumptions and estimates may change in future periods.  Changes in assumptions or estimates may materially affect the fair value measurement of derivatives and other financial instruments.

 

Employee Benefits

 

We recognize liabilities in our balance sheet and expenses in our income statement to reflect our obligations related to our post-employment benefits (retirement plan and seniority premium).  The amounts we recognize are determined on an actuarial basis that involves many estimates and accounts for these benefits in accordance with IFRS.

 

We use estimates in three specific areas that have a significant effect on these amounts: (a) the rate of increase in salaries that we assume we will observe in future years, (b) the discount rate that we use to calculate the present value of our future obligations and the expected returns on plan assets and (c) the expected rate of inflation.  The assumptions we have applied are identified in Note 17 to our audited consolidated financial statements.  These estimates are determined based on actuarial studies performed by independent experts using the projected unit credit method.  The latest actuarial computation was prepared as of December 31, 2014.  We review the estimates each year, and if we change them, our reported expense for post-employment benefits may increase or decrease according to market conditions.

 

Factors Affecting Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

In recent years, our financial condition and results of operations have been and may continue to be significantly influenced by some or all of the following factors:

 

·                  the level of demand for tortillas and corn flour;

 

·                  increase or decrease in the Hispanic population in the United States;

 

·                  increases in Mexican food consumption by the non-Hispanic population in the United States; as well as projected increases in Mexican food consumption and use of tortillas in non-Mexican cuisine as tortillas continue to be assimilated into mainstream cuisine in the United States, Europe, Asia and Oceania, each of which could increase sales;

 

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·                  the effects of government policies on imported and domestic corn prices in Mexico;

 

·                  the cost and availability of corn and wheat;

 

·                  the cost of energy and other related products;

 

·                  our acquisitions, plant expansions and divestitures;

 

·                  the effect of government initiatives and policies;

 

·                  the effect from variations of interest rates and exchange rates;

 

·                  volatility in corn and wheat prices and energy costs;

 

·                  increased competition from tortilla manufacturers, especially in the United States;

 

·                  increased competition in the corn flour business;

 

·                  civil and political unrest, currency devaluation and other governmental economic policies in Venezuela; and

 

·                  unfavorable general economic conditions in the United States and globally, such as the recession or economic slowdown, which could negatively affect the affordability of and consumer demand for some of our products.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following table sets forth our consolidated income statement data on an IFRS basis for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, expressed as a percentage of net sales.  All financial information has been prepared in accordance with IFRS.  For a description of the method, see “Presentation of Financial Information” and “Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Overview of Accounting Presentation.”

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Income Statement Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

100

%

100

%

100

%

Cost of sales

 

63.2

 

65.8

 

68.1

 

Gross profit

 

36.8

 

34.2

 

31.9

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 

24.1

 

24.3

 

26.5

 

Other expenses, net

 

(0.6

)

(0.4

)

(0.1

)

Operating income

 

12.1

 

9.5

 

5.3

 

Net comprehensive financing cost

 

(2.2

)

(2.0

)

(1.8

)

Current and deferred income taxes

 

2.1

 

0.4

 

1.8

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

1.2

 

(0.3

)

1.8

 

Non-controlling interest

 

0.3

 

0.3

 

1.2

 

Net income attributable to shareholders

 

8.6

 

6.5

 

2.3

 

 

The following table sets forth our net sales and operating income as represented by our principal subsidiaries for 2014, 2013 and 2012.  Net sales and operating income of our subsidiaries PRODISA and INTESA are part of “others and eliminations.” Financial information with respect to GIMSA includes sales of Ps.437 million, Ps.369 million and Ps.473 million in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, in corn flour to Gruma Corporation, PRODISA and Gruma Centroamérica.  Financial information with respect to PRODISA includes sales of Ps.126 million, Ps.117 million and Ps.160 million in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, in tortilla related products mainly to Gruma Corporation.

 

Financial information with respect to INTESA includes sales of Ps.961 million, Ps.1,031 million and Ps.712 million in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, in technological support to certain subsidiaries of Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V.  In the process of consolidation, all the aforementioned intercompany transactions are eliminated from the financial statements.

 

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Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

Net
Sales

 

Operating
Income

 

Net
Sales

 

Operating
Income

 

Net
Sales

 

Operating
Income

 

 

 

(in millions of pesos)

 

Gruma Corporation

 

Ps. 29,323

 

Ps. 2,862

 

Ps. 27,801

 

Ps. 2,137

 

Ps. 26,932

 

Ps. 1,335

 

GIMSA

 

15,074

 

2,129

 

15,944

 

2,448

 

16,948

 

1,749

 

Gruma Centroamérica

 

3,479

 

232

 

3,386

 

183

 

3,369

 

(40

)

Others and eliminations

 

2,059

 

800

 

1,905

 

(128

)

2,022

 

(435

)

Total

 

Ps. 49,935

 

Ps. 6,023

 

Ps. 49,036

 

Ps. 4,640

 

Ps. 49,271

 

Ps. 2,609

 

 

Net Sales by Subsidiary: By major subsidiary, the percentages of consolidated net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

 

 

 

Percentage of Consolidated Net
Sales

 

Subsidiary

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Gruma Corporation

 

59

%

57

%

55

%

GIMSA

 

30

 

33

 

34

 

Gruma Centroamérica

 

7

 

7

 

7

 

Others and eliminations

 

4

 

3

 

4

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013

 

Consolidated Results

 

Sales volume was nearly unchanged at 3,674 thousand tons in 2014 compared with 3,656 thousand tons in 2013.  While sales volume in Gruma Corporation’s U.S. operations and GIMSA grew in their core products, corn flour and tortillas, lower volumes were registered at Gruma Corporation’s European operations in connection with extraordinary sales of corn in the prior period, offsetting the foregoing growth in core products.

 

Net sales increased by 2% to Ps.49,935 million in 2014 compared with Ps.49,036 million in 2013, due primarily to a favorable Peso depreciation effect at foreign subsidiaries.

 

Cost of sales decreased by 2% to Ps.31,575 million in 2014 compared with Ps.32,266 million in 2013, due primarily to lower raw material costs and efficiencies arising mostly from rationalization of products and presentations.  Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 63.2% in 2014 from 65.8% in 2013, reflecting better performance at all subsidiaries, particularly at Gruma Corporation and GIMSA.

 

Selling and administrative expenses increased by 1% to Ps. 12,040 million in 2014 compared with Ps.11,937 million in 2013, due primarily to the peso depreciation effect. Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 24.1% from 24.3% in 2013, due primarily to better expense absorption.

 

Other expenses, net increased by 54% to Ps.297 million in 2014 compared with Ps.193 million in 2013, due primarily to losses on raw material and natural gas hedging and write-off of fixed assets.

 

Operating income increased by 30% to Ps.6,023 million in 2014 compared with Ps.4,640 million in 2013, and operating margin increased to 12.1% from 9.5% in 2013 due to better operating performance at Gruma Corporation, and to a lesser extent, at Gruma Asia & Oceania.

 

Net comprehensive financing cost increased by 12% to Ps.1,105 million in 2014, compared with Ps.988 million in 2013.  The increase was due primarily to non-cash charges related to the amortization of debt issuance expenses, mostly from the perpetual bonds called during December 2014, and the increased valuation of the contingent payment to Archer-Daniels-Midland related to the repurchase of GRUMA shares.  Also, during 2014 we had losses on currency derivative instruments related to raw material procurement versus gains in 2013.

 

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Income taxes increased by 442% to Ps.1,060 million in 2014 compared with Ps.195 million in 2013, due primarily in 2013 to the implementation of several initiatives that allowed GRUMA to use tax loss carry-forwards and the conclusion of several fiscal litigation cases. The effective tax rate was 21.5% for 2014 and 5.3% for 2013.

 

Discontinued operations in 2014 were Ps.599 million, Ps.746 million higher than in 2013 due especially to a gain on the sale of the wheat flour operations and better performance of these operations during the year.  The discontinued operations line item relates mostly to the Venezuelan Companies, Molinera de México and the wheat flour operations at GIMSA.

 

Shareholders’ net income was Ps.4,287 million in 2014 compared with Ps.3,163 million in 2013, due primarily to better operational performance at most subsidiaries, primarily at Gruma Corporation, and the gain on the sale of the wheat flour operations.

 

Gruma Corporation

 

Sales volume was nearly unchanged at 1,653 thousand tons in 2014 compared with 1,651 thousand tons in 2013.  The U.S. operations increased 4%, but were offset by reductions at the European operations due to extraordinary sales of corn during 2013. The increase in the United States was mainly driven by the corn flour business in connection with some corn chip manufacturers’ organic growth, successful retail promotions, new tortilla customers and increased market share.

 

Net sales increased by 5% to Ps.29,323 million in 2014, compared with Ps.27,801 million in 2013 due primarily to (i) a favorable Peso depreciation effect, (ii) the change in the sales mix away from corn in Europe, a low price product segment and (iii) the change in the sales mix toward higher price products and presentations at the U.S. tortilla operations. These positive effects were partially offset by price reductions at the corn flour business in connection with lower corn costs. Measured in Dollar terms, net sales increased by 1%.

 

Cost of sales increased by 2% to Ps.18,139 million in 2014 compared with Ps.17,808 million in 2013, due to the Peso depreciation effect.  Measured in Dollar terms, cost of sales decreased by 2% due primarily to lower raw material costs, rationalization of products and presentations, efficiencies in corn inventory handling, among others.  As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales decreased to 61.9% in 2014 from 64.1% in 2013, due primarily to the U.S. tortilla business in connection with (i) a change in the sales mix toward high-margin products (as in the case of wheat tortillas and low-count corn tortilla presentations), (ii) a products and presentations rationalization program, and (iii) lower raw material costs while our product prices were relatively stable.  Our operations in Europe also improved, due primarily to lower raw material and packaging costs and production efficiencies related principally to packaging automation.

 

Selling and administrative expenses increased by 6% to Ps.8,189 million in 2014 compared with Ps.7,738 million in 2013, due primarily to (i) the Peso depreciation effect, (ii) royalty fees from the U.S. corn flour operations to the holding company related to the MASECA® trademark, which were implemented beginning in 2014, (iii) increasing headcount of the sales team and administrative areas at our operations in Europe, and (iv) the launching of the Mission brand in several countries.  Measured in Dollar terms, selling and administrative expenses increased by 2%.  Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 27.9% in 2014 from 27.8% in 2013, due primarily to the foregoing higher expenses coupled with lower expense absorption.

 

Operating income increased by 34% to Ps.2,862 million in 2014 from Ps.2,137 million in 2013, and operating margin increased to 9.8% from 7.7%, despite higher royalty fees.  Measured in Dollar terms, operating income grew 26%.

 

GIMSA

 

Sales volume increased by 1% to 1,798 thousand tons in 2014 compared with 1,780 thousand tons in 2013.  Corn flour sales volume increased 3%, but was offset by lower sales of by-products for animal feed. Corn flour sales volume grew primarily from (i) commercial initiatives, such as changes in the variable compensation structure of the company’s sales team; and (ii) price reductions in connection with lower cost of corn.

 

Net sales decreased by 5% to Ps.15,074 million in 2014 compared with Ps.15,944 million in 2013, due primarily to price reductions implemented to reflect lower corn cost  and heightened competition.

 

Cost of sales decreased by 8% to Ps.10,380 million in 2014 compared with Ps.11,319 million in 2013, due primarily to lower corn cost.  As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales decreased to 68.9% in 2014 from 71.0% in 2013. While gross profit per ton was similar to last year, gross margin benefited from the effect of a smaller base of net sales in connection with the foregoing price reduction and from the lower cost of corn.

 

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Selling and administrative expenses increased by 15% to Ps.2,436 million in 2014 compared with Ps.2,114 million in 2013 due primarily to the amortization of royalty fees related to the MASECA® trademark license agreement between the holding company and GIMSA. Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 16.2% in 2014 from 13.3% in 2013 due primarily to the foregoing amortization of royalty fees and lower expense absorption resulting from the price reductions.

 

Operating income decreased by 13% to Ps.2,129 million in the 2014 from Ps.2,448 million in 2013, and operating margin decreased to 14.1% from 15.4%. Most of this effect was related to the amortization of royalty fees.

 

Gruma Centroamérica

 

Sales volume increased by 1% to 200 thousand tons in 2014 compared with 198 thousand tons in 2013, due primarily to the launching of new corn flour presentations, and more aggressive promotion of our corn flour flanker brand.

 

Net sales increased by 3% to Ps.3,479 million in 2014 compared with Ps.3,386 million in 2013, due mainly to higher prices related to higher raw-material costs  (partially offset by depreciation of the Costa Rican Colón) and higher sales volume.

 

Cost of sales increased by 1% to Ps.2,278 million in 2014 compared with Ps.2,264 million in 2013, due primarily to the aforementioned volume growth.  Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 65.5% in 2014 from 66.9% in 2013, due primarily to the foregoing higher prices.

 

Selling and administrative expenses decreased by 1% to Ps.936 million in 2014 compared with Ps.947 million in 2013, due to depreciation of the Costa Rican Colón.  As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses decreased to 26.9% in 2014 from 28.0% in 2013, due to better expense absorption related to higher net sales.

 

Operating income increased by 26% to Ps.232 million in 2014, compared with Ps.183 million in 2013.  Operating margin increased to 6.7% in 2014 from 5.4% in 2013.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2012

 

Consolidated Results

 

GRUMA’s sales volume declined by 2% to 3,656 thousand metric tons in 2013 compared with 3,731 thousand metric tons in 2012. This decrease was driven mainly by GIMSA.

 

Net sales decreased by 0.5% to Ps.49,036 million in 2013 compared with Ps.49,271 million in 2012. The increase in net sales at Gruma Corporation was offset mainly by a decrease in net sales at GIMSA. To a lesser extent, net sales declined due to lower net sales at foreign subsidiaries in Peso terms reflecting the average Peso appreciation.

 

Cost of sales decreased 4% to Ps.32,266 million in 2013 compared with Ps.33,548 million in 2012, due primarily to lower sales volume at GIMSA and lower raw material costs. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 65.8% in 2013 from 68.1% in 2012 due to better performance at all subsidiaries, and particularly at GIMSA and Gruma Corporation.

 

Selling and administrative expenses decreased by 8% to Ps.11,937 million in 2013 compared with Ps.13,040 million in 2012, due primarily to decreases at GIMSA and Others and Eliminations. Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 24.3% in 2013 from 26.5% in 2012, driven mainly by better expense absorption at Gruma Corporation and lower selling and administrative expenses expenses at most subsidiaries, especially at GIMSA and Other and Eliminations. This resulted from our efforts to optimize marketing and administrative expenses.

 

Other expenses, net were Ps.193 million in 2013 compared with Ps.73 million in 2012. The increase was primarily due to higher losses from the sale of fixed assets, higher impairment of long-lived assets and losses on derivative financial instruments compared with a gain in 2012.

 

Operating income increased by 78% to Ps.4,640 million in 2013 compared with Ps.2,609 million in 2012 due to a better operating performance at most subsidiaries, mostly in Gruma Corporation and GIMSA. Operating margin increased to 9.5% from 5.3% in 2012, due primarily to GIMSA and Gruma Corporation.

 

Net comprehensive financing cost was Ps.988 million in 2013 compared with Ps.880 million in 2012. The increase was due to higher interest expense in connection with higher debt related to GRUMA’s share buy-back in December 2012.

 

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Income taxes decreased 78% to Ps.195 million in 2013 compared with Ps.905 million in 2012 primarily as a result of the implementation of several initiatives that allowed GRUMA to utilize tax loss carry-forwards, as well as tax recoveries from prior years. The effective tax rate was 5.3% in 2013.

 

Discontinued operations constituted a loss of Ps.147 million in 2013, compared with income of Ps.880 million in 2012. The discontinued operations line item relates mostly to the Venezuelan Companies, Molinera de México and the wheat flour operations at GIMSA.

 

Shareholders’ net income was Ps.3,163 million in 2013 compared with Ps.1,115 million in 2012 as a result of a better performance at most subsidiaries, specifically in Gruma Corporation and GIMSA, the reduction in taxes and higher share ownership in the U.S. corn flour operations in connection with the ADM Transaction (see “Related Party Transactions—Transactions with Archer-Daniels-Midland”).

 

Gruma Corporation

 

Sales volume increased by 3% to 1,651 thousand tons in 2013 compared with 1,596 thousand tons in 2012. This increase was driven by an unusually high level of sales of corn at the European operations and, to a lesser extent, by higher sales at the U.S. corn flour operations.

 

Net sales increased by 3% to Ps.27,801 million in 2013, compared with Ps.26,932 million in 2012. The positive effect of price increases, change in the sales mix toward wheat tortillas and allowance reductions was offset by the average Peso appreciation effect and by the effect of higher corn/grits sales volume at the European operations (which is priced significantly lower than the rest of Gruma Corporation’s product portfolio). Measured in Dollar terms, net sales increased 6%.

 

Cost of sales increased by 1% to Ps.17,808 million in 2013 compared with Ps.17,655 million in 2012 due to sales volume growth, which was partially offset by the average Peso appreciation effect. Measured in Dollar terms, cost of sales increased 3%. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales decreased to 64.1% in 2013 from 65.6% because price increases more than compensated for higher costs (partially as a result of our hedging strategies), and also due to the shift toward high-margin products (as in the case of wheat tortillas) and allowance reduction.

 

Selling and administrative expenses decreased by 3% to Ps.7,738 million in 2013 compared with Ps.7,997 million in 2012 due mainly to the average Peso appreciation effect. Higher expenses derived from the increase in sales volume and commissions (related to price increases) were more than offset by reductions and changes in personnel, marketing and advertising, and corporate expenses across the board, which reflected our focus on profitability. Measured in Dollar terms, selling and administrative expenses decreased 1%. Selling and administrative expenses as percentage of net sales decreased to 27.8% in 2013 from 29.7% in 2012 reflecting better expense absorption and the foregoing reductions.

 

Operating income increased by 60% to Ps.2,137 million in 2013 from Ps.1,335 million in 2012, and operating margin increased to 7.7% from 5.0%. Measured in Dollar terms, operating income grew 61%.

 

GIMSA

 

Sales volume decreased by 6% to 1,780 thousand tons in 2013 compared with 1,899 thousand tons in 2012. The decrease was a result of tightened credit conditions and lower sales to government channels, among others.

 

Net sales decreased by 6% to Ps.15,944 million in 2013 compared with Ps.16,948 million in 2012 due to sales volume reduction.

 

Cost of sales decreased by 10% to Ps.11,319 million in 2013 compared with Ps.12,587 million in 2012 due mainly to the sales volume reduction and lower corn costs. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales decreased to 71.0% in 2013 from 74.3% in 2012 due to lower corn costs and productivity improvements.

 

Selling and administrative expenses decreased by 16% to Ps.2,114 million in 2013 compared with Ps.2,530 million in 2012 and as a percentage of net sales decreased to 13.3% in 2013 from 14.9% in 2012 due mainly to reductions in marketing and advertising and, to a lesser extent, lower administrative expenses. These reductions were related to our efforts to enhance value creation. Also, freight expenses were lower as sales volume declined.

 

Operating income increased by 40% to Ps.2,448 million in 2013 from Ps.1,749 million in 2012, and operating margin increased to 15.4% from 10.3%.

 

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Gruma Centroamérica

 

Sales volume decreased by 4% to 198 thousand tons in 2013 compared with 207 thousand tons in 2012. The decrease was due mainly to the availability of cheap domestic corn (which motivated some customers to shift to the traditional method of tortilla production) and a tougher competitive environment from new and existing corn flour producers.

 

Net sales increased by 1% to Ps.3,386 million in 2013 from Ps.3,369 million in 2012 due to price increases and a change in the sales mix towards higher priced products such as snacks, hearts of palm and rice.

 

Cost of sales decreased by 6% to Ps.2,264 million in 2013 compared with Ps.2,415 million in 2012. This was due to the decline in sales volume, lower raw material costs, production efficiencies and the average Peso appreciation effect during 2013. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 66.9% in 2013 from 71.7% in 2012 due mainly to price increases, allowance reductions, lower raw material costs and, to a lesser extent, production efficiencies.

 

Selling and administrative expenses decreased by 5% to Ps.947 million in 2013 compared with Ps.994 million in 2012, due to our efforts to reduce expenses, mainly marketing and advertising, as well as to the average Peso appreciation. As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses decreased to 28.0% in 2013 from 29.5% in 2012 due mainly to expense reductions.

 

Operating income was Ps.183 million in 2013 compared with a loss of Ps.40 million in 2012. Operating margin increased to 5.4% in 2013 from a negative 1.2% in 2012.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Overview

 

Historically, we have generated and expect to continue to generate positive cash flow from operations.  Cash flow from operations primarily represents inflows from net earnings (adjusted for depreciation and other non-cash items) and outflows from increases in working capital needed to grow our business.  Cash flow used in investing activities represents our investment in property and capital equipment required for our growth, as well as our acquisition activity.  Cash flow from financing activities is primarily related to changes in indebtedness borrowed to grow the business or indebtedness repaid with cash from operations or refinancing transactions as well as dividends paid.

 

Our principal capital needs are for working capital, capital expenditures related to maintenance, expansion and acquisitions and debt service.  Our ability to fund our capital needs depends on our ongoing ability to generate cash from operations, overall capacity and terms of financing arrangements and our access to the capital markets.  We believe that our future cash from operations together with our access to funds available under such financing arrangements and the capital markets will provide adequate resources to fund our foreseeable operating requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions and new business development activities.

 

We fund our liquidity and capital resource requirements, in the ordinary course of business, through a variety of sources, including:

 

·                  cash generated from operations;

 

·                  committed and uncommitted short-term and long-term lines of credit;

 

·                  occasional offerings of medium- and long-term debt; and

 

·                  sales of our equity securities and those of our subsidiaries and affiliates from time to time.

 

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The following is a summary of the principal sources and uses of cash for the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(thousands of Mexican pesos)

 

Resources provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

Ps.

 6,730,000

 

Ps.

6,679,431

 

Ps.

1,806,136

 

From continuing operations

 

6,379,354

 

6,515,984

 

1,482,214

 

From discontinued operations

 

350,646

 

163,447

 

323,922

 

Investing activities

 

1,995,588

 

(1,524,901

)

(3,455,629

)

From continuing operations

 

2,071,052

 

(1,267,076

)

(3,189,318

)

From discontinued operations

 

(75,464

)

(257,825

)

(266,311

)

Financing activities

 

(8,591,246

)

(5,112,396

)

1,817,675

 

From continuing operations

 

(8,586,690

)

(5,113,769

)

2,085,073

 

From discontinued operations

 

(4,556

)

1,373

 

(267,398

)

 

During 2014, net cash generated from operations was Ps.6,730 million after changes in working capital of Ps.980 million, of which Ps.258 million was due to a decrease in accounts receivable, Ps.382 million reflected a decrease in inventory, Ps.110 million reflected a decrease in accounts payable, Ps.1,816 million of income tax paid and Ps.351 million reflected net cash generated by discontinued operations. Net cash used for financing activities during 2014 was Ps.8,591 million, of which Ps.15,650 million reflected payments of debt and Ps.8,838 million of proceeds from borrowings, Ps.1,011 million in cash interest payments, Ps.649 million of dividends paid to our shareholders and Ps.102 million of dividends paid to minority shareholders of GIMSA. Net cash generated for investment activities during 2014 was Ps.1,996 million, primarily attributable to the sale of our wheat flour operations in Mexico for Ps.3,678 million and partially offset by investments applied to general manufacturing upgrades and efficiency improvements in our subsidiaries in the U.S. and Mexico by Ps.1,597 million.  As of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, there were no significant restricted net assets of our consolidated subsidiaries, as defined by Rule 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X.

 

Factors that could decrease our sources of liquidity include a significant decrease in the demand for, or price of, our products, each of which could limit the amount of cash generated from operations, and a lowering of our corporate credit rating or any other credit downgrade, which could impair our liquidity and increase our costs with respect to new debt and cause our stock price to suffer.  Our liquidity is also affected by factors such as the depreciation or appreciation of the peso and changes in interest rates.  See “Item 5.Operating and Financial Review and Prospects —Indebtedness.”

 

As further described below, Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. is subject to financial covenants contained in its debt agreements which requires it to maintain certain financial ratios and balances on a consolidated basis, among other limitations.  Gruma Corporation is also subject to financial covenants contained in one of its debt agreements which require it to maintain certain financial ratios and balances on a consolidated basis.  A default under any of our existing debt obligations for borrowed money could result in acceleration of the due dates for payment of the amounts owing thereunder and, in certain cases, in a cross-default under some of our existing credit agreements and the indenture governing our perpetual bonds.  See “Item 10.  Additional Information—Material Contracts.”

 

We are required to maintain a leverage ratio no greater than 4.0:1, and an interest coverage ratio no lower than 2.5:1.  As of December 31, 2014, Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V.’s leverage ratio was 1.44:1, and the interest coverage ratio was 6.30:1.  The amount of interest that Gruma Corporation pays on its debt may increase if its overall leverage ratio increases above 1.0:1.  See “Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects —Indebtedness.” As of December 31, 2014, Gruma Corporation’s leverage ratio was 0.3:1, therefore the applicable interest rate range under the Gruma Corporation Loan Facility is LIBOR + 112.5 bp.

 

Members of the Primary Shareholder Group may pledge part of their shares in us to secure any future borrowings.  If there is a default and the lenders enforce their rights against any or all of these shares, the Primary Shareholder Group could lose control over us and a change of control could result.  A change of control could trigger a default in some of our credit agreements, which could then trigger a default in our other debt documents.  A change of control could also require us to offer to repurchase other debt, such a default or repurchase obligation could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.  For more information about this pledge, see “Item 7.  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.”

 

Our long-term corporate credit rating is rated BBB- by Standard & Poor’s.  Our Foreign Currency Long-Term Issuer Default Rating and our Local Currency Long-Term Issuer Default Rating are rated BBB- by Fitch.  On December 14, 2012, after the announcement of the ADM Transaction and Gruma’s increase in its leverage, Standard & Poor’s confirmed its BB credit rating and the outlook remains stable. On December 17, 2012, Fitch also confirmed its BB rating.  Fitch and Standard & Poor’s upgraded the BB rating to “BB+” on December 11, 2013 and March 4, 2014, respectively.  On November 10, 2014, Fitch upgraded the “BB+” rating to

 

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“BBB-”. A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revisions or withdrawals at any time.

 

If our financial condition deteriorates, we may experience future declines in our credit ratings, with attendant consequences.  Our access to external sources of financing, as well as the cost of that financing, has been and may continue to be adversely affected by a deterioration of our long-term debt ratings.  A downgrade in our credit ratings may continue to increase the cost of and/or limit the availability of unsecured financing, which may make it more difficult for us to raise capital when necessary.  If we cannot obtain adequate capital on favorable terms, or at all, our business, operating results and financial condition would be adversely affected.  However, management believes that its working capital and available external sources of financing are sufficient for our present requirements.

 

Indebtedness

 

Our indebtedness bears interest at fixed and floating rates. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 54.61% of our outstanding indebtedness bore interest at fixed rates and approximately 45.39% bore interest at floating rates, with almost all U.S. dollar and Mexican peso floating-rate indebtedness bearing interest based on LIBOR and TIIE, respectively.  From time to time, we partially hedge both our interest rate exposure and our foreign exchange rate exposure as discussed below.  For more information about our interest rate and foreign exchange rate exposures, see “Item 11.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

 

As of December 31, 2014, we had total outstanding long-term debt aggregating approximately Ps.9,407 million (approximately U.S.$639 million).  Approximately 92% of our long-term debt at such date was dollar-denominated, and 8% denominated in Mexican Pesos.

 

4.875% Notes Due 2024

 

On December 5, 2014, we issued US$400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due 2024 (the “4.875% Notes due 2024”), which at the time were rated BB+ by Standard & Poor’s Rating Service and BBB- by Fitch Ratings, Ltd. The 4.875% Notes due 2024 mature on December 1, 2024 and have a make-whole redemption option exercisable by us at any time and a redemption option without a make-whole premium exercisable by us at any time beginning on the date that is three months prior to the scheduled maturity of the notes. We used the net proceeds of the issuance of the 4.875% Notes due 2024 primarily to redeem the Perpetual Bonds and repay other long term indebtedness. The indenture governing the 4.875% Notes due 2024 contains covenants including limitations on liens, limitations on sale-leaseback transactions, and limitations on consolidations, mergers and transfers of property. As of December 31, 2014, we have not hedged any interest payments on the 4.875% Notes due 2024. As of December 31, 2014, US$400 million of the 4.875% Notes due 2024 were outstanding.

 

Perpetual Bonds

 

On December 3, 2004, Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. issued U.S.$300 million 7.75% senior unsecured perpetual bonds, which at the time were rated BBB- by Standard & Poor’s and by Fitch.  The bonds had no fixed final maturity date and a call option exercisable by GRUMA at any time beginning five years after the issue date.  We redeemed these bonds in full in December 2014, with a portion of the net proceeds of the issuance of the 4.875% Notes due 2024.

 

Credit Facilities

 

On June 16, 2011, we concluded a series of transactions, where we entered into the Syndicated Loan Facility, the Peso Syndicated Loan Facility, the Rabobank Revolving Facility and the 2011 Bancomext Peso Facility (as defined below).  Additionally, on June 20, 2011 we refinanced and extended the Gruma Corporation Loan Facility.  See “Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects —Indebtedness” below for a description of our current principal debt instruments.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2012 we entered into a short term-unsecured loan in an amount of U.S. $300 million with Goldman Sachs and Santander; and Gruma Corporation increased the aggregate commitment under its Revolving Loan Agreement (as defined below) for an additional amount of US $50 million in order to partially fund the ADM Transaction. The additional U.S. $100 million required to fund the ADM Transaction was obtained through a short term-unsecured loan with Banco Inbursa (all together, the “2012 Bridge Loan Facility”).

 

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Rabobank Syndicated Facility

 

In June 2013, we obtained a 5-year Syndicated Credit Facility for U.S.$220 million with Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland”, New York Branch, as administrative agent, with an average term of 4.2 years and amortizations starting on December 2014. This facility has an interest rate based on LIBOR plus a spread between 150 and 300 basis points based on our leverage ratio. BBVA Bancomer, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer and Bank of America, N.A., also participated in this facility (the “Rabobank Syndicated Facility”).  The Rabobank Syndicated Facility contains covenants that require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest charges of not less than 2.5:1, and to maintain a maximum ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA of not more than 4.75:1 from June 18, 2013 until September 30, 2013; 4.50:1 from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014; 4.0:1 from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015; and 3.5:1 from October 1, 2015 and thereafter. The Rabobank Syndicated Facility also limits our ability, and our subsidiaries’ ability in certain cases, among other things to, create liens, make certain investments, merge or consolidate with other companies or sell substantially all of our assets, make certain restricted payments, enter into agreements that prohibit the payment of dividends, engage in transactions with affiliates and enter into certain hedging transactions. Additionally, the Rabobank Syndicated Facility limits our subsidiaries’ ability to guarantee additional indebtedness and to incur additional indebtedness under certain circumstances.  As of December 31, 2014, U.S.$209 million was outstanding under the Rabobank Syndicated Facility.

 

Inbursa Peso Syndicated Facility

 

In June 2013,we obtained a 5-year Syndicated Credit Facility for Ps.2,300 million with Inbursa, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero Inbursa, as administrative agent, with an average term of 4.2 years and amortizations starting on December 2014. The facility has an interest rate of 91-day TIIE plus a spread between 162.5 and 262.5 basis points based on our leverage ratio. Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior, S.N.C., Banca de Desarrollo and HSBC México, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero HSBC, also participated in this facility (the “Inbursa Peso Syndicated Facility”). The Inbursa Peso Syndicated Facility contains covenants that require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest charges of not less than 2.5:1, and to maintain a maximum ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA of not more than 4.75:1 from June 12, 2013 until September 30, 2013; 4.50:1 from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014; 4.0:1 from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015; and 3.5:1 from October 1, 2015 and thereafter. This facility also limits our ability, and our subsidiaries’ ability in certain cases, among other things to, create liens, make certain investments; merge or consolidate with other companies or sell substantially all of our assets, make certain restricted payments, enter into agreements that prohibit the payment of dividends, engage in transactions with affiliates and enter into certain hedging transactions. Aditionally, the Inbursa Peso Syndicated Facility limits our subsidiaries’ ability to guarantee certain additional indebtedness and to incur additional indebtedness under certain circumstances.  On December 15, 2014, we repaid the Inbursa Peso Syndicated Facility in full.

 

The proceeds of this transaction as well as proceeds from the Rabobank Syndicated Facility were applied to make the partial payment on the 2012 Bridge Loan Facilty for the amount of U.S.$400 million. The remaining U.S.$50 million corresponds to the increase in the Gruma Corporation Loan Facility which remains outstanding.

 

Gruma Corporation Loan Facility

 

In October 2006, Gruma Corporation entered into a U.S.$100 million 5-year revolving credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions, which was refinanced and extended to U.S.$200 million for an additional 5-year term on June 20, 2011, (the “Gruma Corporation Loan Facility”).  The facility, as refinanced in 2011, has an interest rate based on LIBOR plus a spread of 1.375% to 2% that fluctuates in relation to Gruma Corporations’ leverage and contains less restrictive provisions than those in the facility replaced.  In November, 2012 we increased the aggregate commitment under this facility up to the maximum permitted amount of US $250,000,000.  The additional US $50,000,000 were used by Gruma Corporation to cover part of the purchase price under the ADM Transaction, specifically the purchase of ADM’s stake in Azteca Milling. This facility contains covenants that limit Gruma Corporation’s ability to merge or consolidate, and require it to maintain a ratio of total funded debt to consolidated EBITDA of not more than 3.0:1.  In addition, this facility limits Gruma Corporation’s, and certain of its subsidiaries’ ability, among other things, to create liens; make certain investments; make certain restricted payments; enter into any agreements that prohibit the payment of dividends; and engage in transactions with affiliates.  This facility also limits Gruma Corporation’s subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional debt.  On November 24, 2014, the maturity was extended from June 2016 to November 2019 and the interest rates were reduced 25 basis points for a total all-in rate of LIBOR plus a spread between 112.5 and 175 basis points, depending on the leverage of the company. The Gruma Corporation Loan Facility was available with no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2014.

 

Gruma Corporation is also subject to covenants which limit the amounts that may be advanced to, loaned to, or invested in us under certain circumstances.  Upon the occurrence of any default or event of default under its credit agreements, Gruma Corporation generally would be prohibited from making any cash dividend payments to us.  The covenants described above and other covenants could limit our and Gruma Corporation’s ability to help support our liquidity and capital resource requirements

 

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Syndicated Loan Facility

 

On March 22, 2011 we obtained a U.S.$225 million, five-year senior credit facility through a syndicate of banks (the “Syndicated Loan Facility”).  The Syndicated Loan Facility consists of a term loan (“Term Loan Facility”) and a revolving loan facility (the “Revolving Loan Facility”).  Prior to the execution of the 2012 Bridge Loan Facility mentioned above, the permitted leverage ratio established under the Syndicated Loan Facility was increased, and the interest rate grid was also modified, among other revisions made through the execution of an amendment dated December 3, 2012. After such amendment, the interest rate for the Term Loan Facility and for the Revolving Loan Facility is either (i) LIBOR or (ii) an interest rate determined by the administrative agent based on its “prime rate” or the federal funds rate, respectively, plus, in either case, (a) 3.00% if our ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA (the “Maximum Leverage Ratio”) is greater than or equal to 4.5x, (b) 2.75% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 4.0x and less than 4.5x, (c) 2.50% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3.5x and less than 4.0x; (d) 2.25% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3.0x and less than 3.5x; (e) 2.00% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 2.5x and less than 3.0x; (f) 1.75% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 2.0x and less than 2.5x; and (g) 1.50% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is less than 2.0x.  The Syndicated Loan Facility (as amended) contains covenants that require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest charges of not less than 2.5:1, and a Maximum Leverage Ratio of not more than 4.75:1 from December 4, 2012 until September 30, 2013; 4.50:1 from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014; 4.0:1 from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015; and 3.5:1 from October 1, 2015 and thereafter.  The Syndicated Loan Facility (as amended) also limits our ability, and our subsidiaries’ ability in certain cases, among other things, to: create liens; make certain investments or other restricted payments; merge or consolidate with other companies or sell substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain hedging transactions.  Additionally, the Syndicated Loan Facility (as amended) limits our subsidiaries’ ability to guarantee additional indebtedness issued by us and to incur additional indebtedness under certain circumstances.  On December 12, 2014, we repaid the Term Loan Facility in full. The Revolving Loan Facility was available with no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2014.

 

Peso Syndicated Loan Facility

 

On June 15, 2011 we obtained a Ps.1,200 million, seven-year senior credit facility through a syndicate of banks (the “Peso Syndicated Loan Facility”).  The Peso Syndicated Loan Facility consists of a term loan maturing in June 2018 with yearly principal amortizations beginning in December 2015. Prior to the execution of the 2012 Bridge Loan Facility mentioned above, the permitted leverage ratio established under the Peso Syndicated Loan Facility was increased, and the interest rate grid was also modified, among other revisions made through the execution of an amendment dated December 3, 2012. After such amendment, the interest rate payable under the Peso Syndicated Loan Facility is the 91-day TIIE plus a spread between 137.5 and 262.5 basis points based on our ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA.  The Peso Syndicated Loan Facility (as amended) contains covenants that require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest charges of not less than 2.5:1, and to maintain a Maximum ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA of not more than 4.75:1 from December 4, 2012 until September 30, 2013; 4.50:1 from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014; 4.0:1 from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015; and 3.5:1 from October 1, 2015 and thereafter. The Peso Syndicated Loan Facility (as amended) also limits our ability, and our subsidiaries’ ability in certain cases, among other things, to: create liens; make certain investments or other restricted payments; merge or consolidate with other companies or sell substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain hedging transactions.  Additionally, the Peso Syndicated Loan Facility (as amended) limits our subsidiaries’ ability to guarantee additional indebtedness issued by us and to incur additional indebtedness under certain circumstances.  As of December 31, 2014, Ps.800 million was outstanding under the Peso Syndicated Loan Facility.

 

Rabobank Revolving Facility

 

On June 15, 2011 we obtained a U.S.$50 million, five-year senior credit facility from Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A. (the “Rabobank Revolving Facility”). On June 28, 2012, this facility was increased by U.S.$50 million to a total principal amount of U.S. $100 million.  Also, prior to the execution of the 2012 Bridge Loan Facility, the permitted leverage ratio established under the Rabobank Revolving Facility was increased, and the interest rate grid was modified, among other revisions made through the execution of an amendment dated November 29, 2012. After such amendments, the Rabobank Revolving Facility consists of a revolving loan facility, at an interest rate of LIBOR plus (a) 3.00% if our ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA is greater than or equal to 4.5x, (b) 2.75% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 4.0x and less than 4.5x, (c) 2.50% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3.5x and less than 4.0x; (d) 2.25% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3.0x and less than 3.5x; (e) 2.00% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 2.5x and less than 3.0x; (f) 1.75% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 2.0x and less than 2.5x; and (g) 1.50% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is less than 2.0x.  The Rabobank Revolving Facility (as amended) contains covenants that require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest charges of not less than 2.5:1, and a Maximum Leverage Ratio of not more than 4.75:1 from November 29, 2012 until September 30, 2013; 4.50:1 from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014; 4.0:1 from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015; and 3.5:1 from October 1, 2015 and thereafter. The Rabobank Revolving Facility (as amended) also limits our ability, and our subsidiaries’ ability in certain cases, among other things, to: create liens; make certain investments or other

 

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restricted payments; merge or consolidate with other companies or sell substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain hedging transactions.  Additionally, the Rabobank Revolving Facility (as amended) limits our subsidiaries’ ability to guarantee additional indebtedness issued by us and to incur additional indebtedness under certain circumstances.  The Rabobank Revolving Facility was available with no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2014.

 

2011 Bancomext Peso Facility

 

On June 16, 2011 we obtained a Ps.600 million, seven-year senior credit facility from Bancomext (Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior) (the “2011 Bancomext Peso Facility”).  Prior to the execution of the 2012 Bridge Loan Facility mentioned above, the permitted leverage ratio established under the 2011 Bancomext Peso Facility was increased, and the interest rate grid was modified, among other revisions made through the execution of an amendment dated December 7, 2012. After such amendment, the 2011 Bancomext Peso Facility consists of a term loan maturing in June 2018 at an interest rate of 91-day TIIE plus a spread between 137.5 and 262.5 basis points based on our ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA.  The 2011 Bancomext Peso Facility contains a covenant that requires us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest charges of not less than 2.5:1 as well as a covenant that requires us to maintain a maximum ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA of not more than 4.75:1 from December 8, 2012 until September 30, 2013; 4.50:1 from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014; 4.0:1 from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015; and 3.5:1 from October 1, 2015 and thereafter.  The 2011 Bancomext Peso Facility also limits our ability, and our subsidiaries’ ability in certain cases to create liens.

 

On December 8, 2012 we entered into an amendment to this Facility in order to increase the existing permitted Leverage Ratio from December 8, 2012 until September 30, 2013, to equal or less than 4.75x; from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014, to equal or less than 4.5x; from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015, to equal or less than 4.0x and from October 1, 2015 and thereafter, to equal or less than 3.5x.

 

We repaid the 2011 Bancomext Peso Facility in full in September 2014.

 

Other Information

 

Our credit agreements currently in force and mentioned above contain event of default provisions, which include: (i) non-payment default regarding principal or interests; (ii) cross default and cross acceleration in connection with any of our other indebtedness; (iii) affirmative and negative covenants default; (iv) declaration or request of bankruptcy, liquidation or proceedings seeking concurso mercantil; (v) delivery of false or incorrect material information; and (vi) change of control provisions. The foregoing events of default are applicable pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in such credit agreements, including without limitation certain exceptions and baskets and cure periods. For further details please review the text of our credit agreements filed as exhibits hereto. Please See “Item 19 — Exhibits”.

 

As of December 31, 2014 we were in compliance with all of the covenants and obligations under our existing debt agreements.

 

As of December 31, 2014, we had committed lines of credit for the amount of U.S.$425 million from banks in Mexico and the United States of which we had no outstanding balance as of that date.

 

As of December 31, 2014, we had total cash and cash equivalents of Ps.1,465 million.

 

The following table presents our amortization requirements with respect to our total indebtedness as of December 31, 2014.

 

Year

 

In Millions of U.S. Dollars

 

2015

 

$

97.64

 

2016

 

$

42.95

 

2017

 

$

69.74

 

2018

 

$

126.44

 

2019 and thereafter

 

$

400.00

 

Total

 

$

736.77

 

 

The following table sets forth our ratios of consolidated debt to total capitalization (i.e., consolidated debt plus total stockholders’ equity) and consolidated liabilities to total stockholders’ equity as of the dates indicated.  For purposes of these ratios, consolidated debt includes short-term debt.

 

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Date

 

Ratio of Consolidated Debt
to Total Capitalization

 

Ratio of Consolidated
Liabilities to Total
Stockholders’ Equity

 

December 31, 2012

 

0.58

 

2.45

 

December 31, 2013

 

0.53

 

1.95

 

December 31, 2014

 

0.37

 

1.25

 

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Our capital expenditure program continues to be primarily focused on our core businesses and markets.  Capital expenditures for 2012, 2013, 2014 were U.S.$181 million, U.S.$110 million and U.S.$129 million, respectively.  During 2012, 2013 and 2014, capital expenditures were applied primarily to production capacity expansions, general manufacturing and technology upgrades in Gruma Corporation and GIMSA. In March 2015, we acquired Azteca Foods Europe, a leading producer of tortillas and other Mexican food-related products in Spain.

 

We have budgeted approximately U.S.$300 million for capital expenditures in 2015, which we intend to use mainly for production capacity expansions, general manufacturing and technology upgrades, especially in Gruma Corporation, GIMSA and Gruma Asia & Oceania. The 2015 capital expenditures budget includes potential acquisitions. We anticipate financing these expenditures throughout the year through internally generated funds and debt.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Our regular operations expose us to potential defaults when our customers and counterparties are unable to comply with their financial or other commitments.  We seek to mitigate this risk by entering into transactions with a diverse pool of counterparties.  However, we continue to remain subject to unexpected third party financial failures that could disrupt our operations.

 

We are also exposed to risk in connection with our cash management activities and temporary investments, and any disruption that affects our financial intermediaries could also adversely affect our operations.

 

Our exposure to risk due to trade receivables is limited given the large number of our customers located in different parts of Mexico, the United States, Central America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. However, we still maintain allowances for doubtful accounts.

 

The severe political and economic situation in Venezuela presents a risk to our discontinued operations that we cannot control and that cannot be accurately measured or estimated.  The Venezuelan government devalued its currency and established a two tier exchange structure on January 11, 2010.  Pursuant to Exchange Agreement No.14, the exchange rate of the Venezuelan bolivar (“Bs.”) was devalued from Bs.2.15 to each U.S. dollar to Bs.4.30 for non-essential goods and services and to Bs.2.60 for essential goods.  However, effective January 4, 2011, the fixed exchange rate became 4.30 bolivars for all goods and services. On February 8, 2013, the National Executive, through the Central Bank of Venezuela and the Ministry of Popular Power for Planning and Finance, amended the Exchange Agreement to the effect that an exchange rate of 6.30 bolivars per U.S. dollar is applicable to all operations conducted in foreign currency effective as of February 9, 2013.

 

In March 2013, the Venezuelan government announced the creation of an alternative exchange mechanism called the Supplementary System of Foreign Exchange Administration (Sistema Complementario de Administración de Divisas, SICAD). The SICAD operates as an auction system that allows entities of specific sectors to buy foreign currency for imports. This is not a free auction (that is, the counterpart that offers the highest price does not necessarily have the right to receive the foreign currency). Each auction may have different rules (for example, the minimum and maximum amount of foreign currency that may be offered to exchange). Limited amounts of dollars are available and entities do not commonly get the full amount for which they entered in auction. During December 2013, the Venezuelan government authorized the Central Bank of Venezuela to publish the average exchange rate resulting of SICAD auctions. During the weeks commencing on December 23 and December 30, 2013, the Central Bank of Venezuela published on its website the average exchange rate for auctions No.13 and No.14 (11.30 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar).

 

On January 24, 2014, Exchange Agreement No. 25 became effective, which establishes the cases to which the SICAD 1 exchange rate (Bs.11.30 per dollar) applies for sale of foreign currency transactions. In addition, the agreement also provides that the sale operation of foreign currency, whose clearance has been requested to the Central Bank of Venezuela before the Exchange Agreement No. 25 became effective, will be settled at the exchange rate effective on the date on which such operations were authorized. This Exchange Agreement No. 25 resulted in a net foreign exchange loss of Ps.17 million to us in 2014, which was

 

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presented as discontinued operations. This exchange loss resulted from certain accounts receivable maintained with the Venezuelan companies which are expected to be settled at this SICAD 1 exchange rate (Bs.12.00 per dollar as of December 31, 2014).

 

During 2014, the Venezuelan Government expanded the use of SICAD rate creating a third currency exchange mechanism called SICAD 2 which may be used by entities for certain transactions. SICAD 2 initiated operations in March 2014, at the time, the bolivar sold for an average of Bs.51.86 per U.S. dollar. The SICAD 2 daily average rate was published by the Central Bank of Venezuela. Based on a simulation exercise where a different exchange rate is used, such as the SICAD 2 (Bs.49.99 per dollar at December 31, 2014) , an additional foreign exchange loss of Ps.65 million will result from certain accounts receivable of the Venezuelan companies.

 

On February 10, 2015, Exchange Agreement No. 33 published in the Official Gazette of Venezuela, eliminated as of February 12, 2015 the foreign exchange rate SICAD 2 and created a new foreign exchange rate mechanism called SIMADI (Foreign Exchange Marginal System). According to the decree, the foreign exchange rate will be the one freely agreed by the parties involved in transactions for the purchase and sale of dollars in the market. The Central Bank of Venezuela will publish daily on its website the reference foreign exchange rate, corresponding to the weighted average exchange rate of the operations for each day in the markets of: a) trading transactions in local currency for foreign currency operations, and b) trading transactions in local currency for foreign currency securities. The SIMADI foreign exchange rate published on the date on which our consolidated financial statements were authorized, was Bs.171.03 per dollar.

 

On May 12, 2010, the Venezuelan goverrnment published in the Expropriation Decree, which announced the forced acquisition of all goods, movables and real estate of MONACA. The Venezuelan government has expressed to our representatives that the Expropriation Decree extends to DEMASECA. On January 22, 2013, the Ministry of Popular Power for Internal Relations published a Providence designating Special Managers with the power to run MONACA and DEMASECA. As a consequence, we determined that we lost control of the Venezuelan Companies as of that date. We deconsolidated the Venezuelan Companies as of January 22, 2013 and report it as a discontinued operation.

 

From time to time, we enter into currency and other derivative transactions that cover varying periods of time and have varying pricing provisions.  Our credit exposure on derivatives contracts is primarily to professional counterparties in the financial sector, arising from transactions with banks, investment banks and other financial institutions.  As of December 31, 2014, we had no open foreign exchange derivative transactions. As of March 31, 2015, we had foreign exchange derivatives transactions in effect for a nominal amount of U.S.$ $201.9 million.  See “Item 11.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Foreign Exchange Rate Risk.”

 

Market Risk

 

Market risk is the risk of loss generated by fluctuations in market prices such as commodities, interest rates and foreign exchange rates.  These are the main market risks to which we are exposed.

 

We entered into short-term hedge transactions through commodity futures and options to hedge a portion of our requirements and as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 these financial instruments that qualify as hedge accounting represented an unfavorable effect of Ps.25.1 million and Ps.71.5 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively, and a favorable effect of Ps.119.3 million in 2012. Also, we had open positions in financial instruments for corn, natural gas and fuel that did not qualify as hedge accounting for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2012 generated a favorable effect of Ps.45.5 and Ps.17.1 million, respectively.

 

During 2014, we entered into forward transactions in order to hedge the Mexican peso to U.S. dollar foreign exchange rate risk related to the price of the corn purchases for the summer and winter corn harvests in Mexico. These foreign exchange derivative instruments did not qualify for hedging accounting. As of December 31, 2014, we had no open foreign exchange derivative transactions.

 

See “Item 11.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

 

We have developed our own technology operations since our founding.  Since March 2014 our technology and equipment operations have been conducted principally through INTESA, Tecno Maíz, S.A. de C.V., or Tecnomaíz, and Constructora Industrial Agropecuaria, S.A. de C.V., or CIASA. Prior to this date, our technology and equipment operation had been conducted mainly through INTASA.  On March 21, 2014, INTASA was merged into Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V., and ceased to exist. See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Organizational Structure—INTESA.”

 

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The main purpose of INTESA is to provide research and development, equipment, and construction services to the food industry, specifically with respect to tortillas and other corn-based products. Through Tecnomaíz, we also engage in the design, manufacture and commercialization of machines for the production of corn and wheat flour tortillas and tortilla chips, which are sold under the TORTEC® and RODOTEC® trademarks. Through CIASA, we also design and manufacture equipment for corn masa flour such as corn milling machinery, and provide engineering, design and construction services.

 

We continuously engage in research and development activities that focus on, among other things: increasing the efficiency of our proprietary corn flour and corn/wheat tortilla production technology; maintaining high product quality; developing new and improved products and manufacturing equipment; improving the shelf life of certain corn and wheat products; improving and expanding our information technology system; engineering, plant design and construction and compliance with environmental regulations.  We have obtained 58 patents in the United States since 1968.  20 of these patents are in force and effect in the United States as of December 31, 2014 and the remaining 38 have expired.  We currently have six new patents in process in the United States.  Additionally, nine of our registered patents and design patents are currently in the process of being published in other countries.

 

We have carried out proprietary technological research and development for corn milling and tortilla production as well as all engineering, plant design and construction principally through INTESA.  We spent Ps.137 million, Ps.145 million and Ps.153 million on research and development in the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

 

TREND INFORMATION

 

Our financial results will likely continue to be influenced by factors such as changes in the level of consumer demand for tortillas and corn flour, government policies regarding the Mexican tortilla and corn flour industry, and the cost of corn and wheat.  In addition, we expect our financial results in 2014 to be influenced by:

 

·                  volatility in corn and wheat prices;

 

·                  increased competition from tortilla manufacturers, especially in the United States;

 

·                  increase or decrease in the Hispanic population in the United States;

 

·                  increases in Mexican food consumption by the non-Hispanic population in the United States; as well as projected increases in Mexican food consumption and use of tortillas in non-Mexican cuisine as tortillas continue to be assimilated into mainstream cuisine in the United States, Europe, Asia and Oceania, each of which could increase sales;

 

·                  volatility in energy costs;

 

·                  increased competition in the corn flour business;

 

·                  exchange rate fluctuations;

 

·                  civil and political unrest, currency devaluation and other governmental economic policies in Venezuela; and

 

·                  unfavorable general economic conditions in the United States and globally, such as the recession or economic slowdown, which could negatively affect the affordability of and consumer demand for some of our products.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

As of December 31, 2014 we do not have any outstanding off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS

 

We have commitments under certain firm contractual arrangements to make future payments for goods and services.  These firm commitments secure the future rights to various assets to be used in the normal course of operations.  For example, we are contractually committed to making certain minimum lease payments for the use of property under operating lease agreements.  The following table summarizes separately our material firm commitments at December 31, 2014 and the timing and effect that such

 

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obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods.  In addition, the table reflects the timing of principal and interest payments on outstanding debt, which is discussed in “Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness.” We expect to fund the firm commitments with operating cash flow generated in the normal course of business. We may be liable for a contingent payment to ADM upon the occurrence of certain events pursuant to the terms of the relevant agreements. See Note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Contractual Obligations
and
Commercial Commitments

 

Total

 

Less than
1 Year

 

From 1 to 3
Years

 

From 3 to 5
Years

 

Over 5
Years

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

Long-term debt obligations

 

638.3

 

 

111.9

 

126.4

 

400.0

 

Operating lease obligations(1)

 

134.1

 

39.8

 

53.5

 

22.4

 

18.4

 

Finance lease obligations

 

1.3

 

0.6

 

0.7

 

 

 

Purchase obligations(2)

 

554.0

 

554.0

 

 

 

 

Interest payments on our indebtedness (3)

 

132.8

 

26.3

 

47.0

 

40.0

 

19.5

 

Other liabilities(4)

 

97.1

 

97.1

 

 

 

 

Total

 

1,557.6

 

717.8

 

213.1

 

188.8

 

437.9

 

Total in millions of peso equivalent amounts

 

22,924.8

 

10,564.6

 

3,136.4

 

2,778.8

 

6,445.0

 

 


(1)    Operating lease obligations primarily relate to minimum lease rental obligations for our real estate and operating equipment in various locations.

 

(2) Purchase obligations relate to our minimum commitments to purchase commodities, raw materials, machinery and equipment.

 

(3) In the determination of our future estimated interest payments on our floating rate denominated debt, we used the interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2014.

 

(4) Other relates to liabilities for short-term bank loans and the current portion of long-term debt.

 

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ITEM 6         Directors, Senior Management and Employees.

 

MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

 

Our management is vested in our board of directors.  Our day to day operations are handled by our executive officers.

 

Our bylaws require that our board of directors be composed of a minimum of five and a maximum of twenty-one directors, as decided at our Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting.  Pursuant to the Mexican Securities Law, at least 25% of the members of the board of directors must be independent.  In addition, under Mexican law, any holder or group of holders representing 10% or more of our capital stock may elect one director and its corresponding alternate.

 

The board of directors, which was elected at the Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 24, 2015, currently consists of 11 directors, with each director having a corresponding alternate director; six of our directors are independent within the meaning of the Mexican Securities Law. At said meeting, Mr. Juan A. González Moreno was ratified as Chairman of our board of directors and Mr. Carlos Hank Gonzalez was ratified as Vice Chairman.  The following table sets forth the current members of our board of directors, their ages, years of service, principal occupations, outside directorships, other business activities and experience, their directorship classifications as defined in the Code of Best Corporate Practices issued by a committee formed by the Consejo Coordinador Empresarial, or Mexican Entrepreneur Coordinating Board, and their alternates. The terms of their directorships are for one year or for up to thirty additional days if no designation of their substitute has been made or if the substitute has not taken office.

 

Juan A. González Moreno

 

Age:

 

57

 

 

Years as Director:

 

21

 

 

Principal Occupation:

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of GRUMA and GIMSA

 

 

Outside Directorships:

 

Director of Grupo Financiero Banorte, Banco Mercantil del Norte, Fundación Gruma, Consejo Mexicano de Hombres de Negocios, Fondo de Agua Metropolitano de  Monterrey, Museo del Acero and Red Ambiental

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Several positions in GRUMA, including Chief Executive Officer of Special Projects of Gruma Corporation, President of Azteca Milling, Vice President of Central and Eastern Regions of Mission Foods, President and Vice President of Sales of Azteca Milling, Chief Executive Officer of Gruma Asia & Oceania

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Shareholder, Related

 

 

Alternate:

 

Raúl Cavazos Morales

 

 

 

 

 

Carlos Hank González

 

Age:

 

43

 

 

Years as Director:

 

2

 

 

Principal Occupation:

 

Chairman of the Board of Grupo Financiero Banorte, Vice Chairman of the Board of GRUMA and Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Hermes

 

 

Outside Directorships:

 

Director of Grupo Hermes,  Bolsa Mexicana de Valores and Chairman of the Board of Cerrey

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Chief Executive Officer of Casa de Bolsa Interacciones, Banco Interacciones and Automotriz Hermer

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Shareholder, Related

 

 

Alternate:

 

Graciela González Moreno

 

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Homero Huerta Moreno

 

Age:

 

52

 

 

Years as Director:

 

2

 

 

Principal Occupation:

 

Chief Administrative Officer

 

 

Outside Directorships:

 

None

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Several positions within GRUMA including Corporate Internal Audit Vice President, Management Information Systems Vice President, Controller Vice President of Gruma Corporation and Finance and Administrative Vice President of Gruma Venezuela

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Related

 

 

Alternate:

 

Rogelio Sánchez Martínez

 

 

 

 

 

Eduardo Livas Cantú

 

Age:

 

72

 

 

Years as Director:

 

22

 

 

Principal Occupation:

 

Member of GRUMA’s Executive Committee

 

 

Outside Directorships:

 

Director of GIMSA and Grupo Financiero Banorte

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Business consultant in different companies, several positions in GRUMA, including Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Gruma Corporation

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Related

 

 

Alternate:

 

Alfredo Livas Cantú

 

 

 

 

 

Javier Vélez Bautista

 

Age:

 

58

 

 

Years as Director:

 

12

 

 

Principal Occupation:

 

Member of GRUMA’s Executive Committee

 

 

Outside Directorships:

 

Director of GIMSA and United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Chief Executive Officer of Value Link and Nacional Monte de Piedad, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of GRUMA, Project Director at Booz Allen Hamilton

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Related

 

 

Alternate:

 

Jorge Vélez Bautista

 

 

 

 

 

Gabriel A. Carrillo Medina

 

Age:

 

58

 

 

Years as Director:

 

2

 

 

Principal Occupation:

 

President and shareholder of Mail Rey and Detecno

 

 

Outside Directorships:

 

Director of GIMSA

 

 

Business Experience:

 

President of Asociación de Casas de Bolsa de Nuevo León and Club Deportivo San Agustín, several positions within Interacciones Casa de Bolsa, including Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Independent

 

 

Alternate:

 

Gabriel Carrillo Cattori

 

 

 

 

 

Everardo Elizondo Almaguer

 

Age:

 

71

 

 

Years as Director:

 

1

 

 

Principal Occupation:

 

Economics Professor at EGAP/ITESM and regular columnist of the Reforma/El Norte

 

 

Outside Directorships:

 

Director of GIMSA, Grupo Financiero Banorte, Compañía Minera Autlán, San Luis Corporación, Grupo Senda, Fibra Inn, Advisory Council of Coca-Cola/KOF and External Advisory Council of the UANL

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Deputy Director of Banco de México, Economic Studies Director of Grupo Financiero Bancomer and Economic Studies Director of Grupo Industrial Alfa

 

 

Directoship Type:

 

Independent

 

 

Alternate:

 

Ricardo Sada Villarreal

 

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Thomas S. Heather Rodríguez

 

Age:

 

60

 

 

Years as Director:

 

2

 

 

Principal Occupation:

 

Partner of Ritch, Mueller, Heather y Nicolau

 

 

Outside Directorships:

 

Director of GIMSA, Grupo Bimbo, Grupo Financiero Scotiabank and EMX Capital-CKD

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Director and Administrator of Satélites Mexicanos, Director of JP Morgan, Bank of America Mexico, Hoteles Nikko and Grupo Modelo

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Independent

 

 

Alternate:

 

Eugenio Sepúlveda Cosío

 

 

 

 

 

Juan Manuel Ley López

 

Age:

 

82

 

 

Years as Director:

 

21

 

 

Principal Occupation:

 

Chairman of the Board of Casa Ley and Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Ley

 

 

Outside Directorships:

 

Director of Grupo Financiero Banamex-Accival and Telmex

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Chief Executive Officer of Casa Ley, Chairman of the Board of the Latin American Association of Supermarkets, Sinaloa-Baja California Consultant Council of Grupo Financiero Banamex-Accival and National Association of Supermarket and Retail Stores

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Shareholder, Independent

 

 

Alternate:

 

Juan Manuel Ley Bastidas

 

 

 

 

 

Javier Martínez-Ábrego Gómez

 

Age:

 

73

 

 

Years as Director:

 

Since April 2015

 

 

Principal Occupation:

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Motomex

 

 

Outside Directorships:

 

Chairman of Grupo Motomex

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Businessman since 1959

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Independent

 

 

Alternate:

 

Javier Martínez-Abrego Martínez

 

 

 

 

 

Alberto Santos Boesch

 

Age:

 

43

 

 

Years as Director:

 

2

 

 

Principal Occupation:

 

Chairman of the Board of Empresas Santos, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Ingenios Santos, Vice Chairman of the Board of Grupo Tres Vidas Acapulco and Regidor of San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León

 

 

Outside Directorships:

 

Director of Axtel, Interpuerto Monterrey, Instituto Nuevo Amanecer, En Nuestras Manos, Red de Filantropía de Egresados y Amigos del Tec, DIF de Nuevo León,Museo Nacional de Energía y Tecnología, Comité de Desarrollo del Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Comité del Consejo Consultivo de la Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Administración Pública de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Unidos por el Arte contra el Cáncer Infantil and Renace

 

 

Business Experience:

 

President of Aeropuerto del Norte, Director of Arena Monterrey and Chief Executive Officer of Mundo Deadeveras

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Independent

 

 

Alternate:

 

Carlos González Bolio

 

Juan A. González Moreno and Graciela González Moreno (jointly referred to as “Messrs. González Moreno”), members and alternate members of our board of directors, are siblings. Homero Huerta Moreno, member of our board of directors, is the cousin of Messrs. González Moreno. Carlos Hank González, member of our board of directors, is the son of Graciela González Moreno and the nephew of Juan A. González Moreno.

 

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Jorge Vélez Bautista, alternate member of our board of directors, is the brother of Javier Vélez Bautista. Alfredo Livas Cantú, alternate member of our board of directors, is the brother of Eduardo Livas Cantú. Juan Manuel Ley Bastidas, alternate member of our board of directors, is the son of Juan Manuel Ley López. Gabriel Carrillo Cattori, alternate member of our board of directors, is the son of Gabriel A. Carrillo Medina. Javier Martínez-Ábrego Martínez, alternate member of our board of directors, is the son of Mr. Javier Martínez-Ábrego Gómez.

 

Secretary

 

The secretary of the board of directors is Mr. Salvador Vargas Guajardo, and his alternate is Mr. Guillermo Elizondo Ríos.  Mr. Vargas Guajardo is not a member of the board of directors.

 

Senior Management

 

The following table sets forth our executive officers, their ages, years of service, current positions, and prior business experience:

 

Juan A. González Moreno

 

Age:

 

57

 

 

Years as Executive Officer:

 

11

 

 

Years at GRUMA:

 

35

 

 

Current Position:

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Other Positions:

 

Chief Executive Officer of GIMSA

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Several positions in GRUMA, including Chief Executive Officer of Special Projects of Gruma Corporation, President of Azteca Milling, Vice President of Central and Eastern Regions of Mission Foods, President and Vice President of Sales of Azteca Milling, Chief Executive Officer of Gruma Asia & Oceania

 

 

 

 

 

Raúl Cavazos Morales

 

Age:

 

55

 

 

Years as Executive Officer:

 

3

 

 

Years at GRUMA:

 

27

 

 

Current Position: 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Other Positions:

 

Chief Financial Officer of GIMSA

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Several finance positions within GRUMA, including Chief Treasury Officer and Vice President of Corporate Treasury

 

 

 

 

 

Leonel Garza Ramírez

 

Age:

 

65

 

 

Years as Executive Officer:

 

16

 

 

Years at GRUMA:

 

29

 

 

Current Position:

 

Chief Procurement Officer

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Manager of Quality and Corn Procurement and Vice President of Corn Procurement at GRUMA, Chief Procurement Officer at GAMESA, Quality Control and Research and Development Manager at Kellogg de México

 

 

 

 

 

Homero Huerta Moreno

 

Age:

 

52

 

 

Years as Executive Officer:

 

13

 

 

Years at GRUMA:

 

30

 

 

Current Position: 

 

Chief Administrative Officer

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Several positions within GRUMA including Corporate Internal Audit Vice President, Management Information Systems Vice President, Controllership Vice President of Gruma Corporation and Finance and Administrative Vice President of Gruma Venezuela

 

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Felipe Antonio Rubio Lamas

 

Age:

 

57

 

 

Years as Executive Officer:

 

13

 

 

Years at GRUMA:

 

32

 

 

Current Position:

 

Chief Technology Officer

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Several managerial and Senior Vice President positions within Gruma Corporation related to manufacturing processes, engineering, design, and construction of production facilities

 

 

 

 

 

Salvador Vargas Guajardo

 

Age: 

 

62

 

 

Years as Executive Officer:

 

18

 

 

Years at GRUMA:

 

18

 

 

Current Position: 

 

General Counsel

 

 

Other Positions:

 

General Counsel of GIMSA

 

 

Business Experience:

 

Positions at Grupo Alfa, Protexa and Proeza, Senior Partner of two law firms, including Margáin-Rojas-González-Vargas-De la Garza y Asociados

 

Homero Huerta Moreno, our Chief Administrative Officer, is the cousin of Messrs. González Moreno.

 

Audit and Corporate Governance Committees

 

As required by the Mexican Securities Law, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and our bylaws, an audit committee and a corporate governance committee were appointed by the meeting of the board of directors held on February 25, 2015.  Members of the audit and corporate governance committees were selected from members of the board of directors.  Consequently, as required by the Mexican Securities Law and our bylaws, a chairman for each committee was elected by the General Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 24, 2015, from among the members appointed by the board.

 

The current audit and corporate governance committees are comprised of three members, all of whom are independent directors.  Set forth below are the names of the members of our audit and corporate governance committees, their positions within the committees, and their directorship type:

 

Thomas S. Heather

 

Position:

 

Chairman of the audit and corporate governance committees.

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Independent

 

 

 

 

 

Gabriel A. Carrillo Medina

 

Position:

 

Member of the audit and corporate governance committees.

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Independent

 

 

 

 

 

Everardo Elizondo Almaguer

 

Position:

 

Member and Financial Expert of the audit and corporate governance committees.

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Independent

 

Executive Committee

 

An executive committee was created by the meeting of the board of directors held on February 27, 2013 to strengthen the link between the Board of Directors and our management for the decision making process. Members of the executive committee were selected from members of the board of directors.

 

Set forth below are the names of our executive committee members, their positions, and their directorship type:

 

Juan A. González Moreno

 

Position:

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Shareholder, Related

 

 

 

 

 

Carlos Hank González

 

Position:

 

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Shareholder, Related

 

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Eduardo Livas Cantú

 

Position:

 

Member of the Board of Directors

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Related

 

 

 

 

 

Javier Vélez Bautista

 

Position:

 

Member of the Board of Directors

 

 

Directorship Type:

 

Related

 

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

 

Members of the board of directors are paid a fee of Ps.84,000 for each board meeting they attend.  Additionally, members of the audit committee are paid a fee of Ps.84,000 and members of the corporate governance committee are paid a fee of Ps.42,000 for each committee meeting they attend.

 

For 2014, the aggregate amount of compensation paid to all directors, alternate directors, executive officers and audit and corporate governance committees members was approximately Ps.171 million.  The contingent or deferred compensation reserved as of December 31, 2014 was Ps.37 million.

 

We offer an Executive Bonus Plan that applies to managers, vice presidents, and executive officers.  The variable compensation under this plan can range from 21% to 100% of annual base compensation, depending upon the employee’s level, his individual performance and the results of our operations.

 

EMPLOYEES

 

As of December 31, 2014, we had a total of 17,845 employees, including 11,575 unionized and 6,270 non-unionized full- and part-time employees. Of this total, we employed 6,289 persons in Mexico, 7,202 in the United States, 1,984 in Central America and Ecuador, 775 in Asia and Oceania, and 1,595 in Europe. Total employees for 2012 and 2013 were 21,974 and 19,202, respectively. Of our total employees as of December 31, 2014, approximately 35% were white-collar and 65% were blue collar.

 

In Mexico, workers at each of our plants are covered by a separate contract, under which salary revisions take place once each year, usually in January or February. Non-salary provisions of these contracts are revised bi-annually.  We renewed agreements with the three unions that represent our workers in 2015.

 

In the United States, Gruma Corporation has five collective bargaining agreements that represent a total of 623 workers at five separate facilities (Pueblo, Tempe, Henderson, Omaha and Madera). We renewed such agreements on March 23, 2013, March 29, 2014, March 23, 2014, March 29, 2015, and July 1, 2012, respectively.

 

In England, we have one collective bargaining agreement covering 12 employees at a facility, which is renewed every 12 months.

 

In the Netherlands, we are covered by a national labor agreement for bakery workers. This agreement is reviewed every six to twenty four months, depending on the term of the agreement.

 

In Australia, we have a collective bargaining agreement covering 247 employees at our facility, which is renewed every four years.

 

In Italy, we are covered by a national labor agreement for industrial food staff. This agreement is reviewed every 12 to18 months nationally.

 

Wages are reviewed during the negotiations and wage increases processed according to the terms of each agreement as well as non-monetary provisions of the agreement. Wage reviews for non-union employees are conducted once each year, typically in March for Mission Foods and depending on the non-union plant, wage reviews are conducted from June through October for Azteca Milling. We believe our current labor relations are sound.

 

SHARE OWNERSHIP

 

As of April 24, 2015, the following Directors and Senior Managers have GRUMA shares which in each case represent less than 1% of our capital stock:  Juan Manuel Ley López and Leonel Garza Ramírez. Juan A. González Moreno, Graciela González Moreno and Carlos Hank González are the only directors that beneficially own more than 1% of GRUMA’s outstanding shares. In

 

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addition, based on publicly available information, Ms. Graciela Moreno Hernández, the widow of the late Mr. Roberto González Barrera, and certain of her descendants, directly and through a trust, own 234,020,105 shares representing approximately 54.08% of our outstanding shares.

 

ITEM 7         Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.

 

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our capital stock as of April 24, 2015 (which consist entirely of Series B Shares), according to the information on record obtained from our annual shareholders meeting held on such date and information available to us. Ms. Graciela Moreno Hernández, the widow of the late Mr. Roberto González Barrera, and certain of her descendants (the “Primary Shareholder Group”) are the only shareholders we know to collectively and beneficially own more than 5% of our capital stock.  We repurchased ADM’s stake in us in December 2012. See “Item 4.  Information on the Company—Share Purchase Transaction with Archer-Daniels-Midland”. See “Item 9.  The Offer and Listing” for a further discussion of our capital stock.  Our majority shareholder does not have different or preferential voting rights with respect to those shares they own.  As of April 24, 2015, our Series B shares were held by more than 2,671 record holders in Mexico.

 

Name

 

Number of
Series B Shares

 

Percentage of
Outstanding
Shares

 

Primary Shareholder Group (1)

 

234,020,105

 

54.08

 

Directors and Officers as a Group (2)

 

22,307

 

0.01

 

Other shareholders

 

198,706,667

 

45.91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

432,749,079

(3)

100

%

 


(1)  The shares beneficially owned by the Primary Shareholder Group include 154,119,054 shares held indirectly by certain members of the Primary Shareholder Group through a trust.

 

(2)  This includes the shares held by our directors and officers (other than those held through the Primary Shareholder Group) which represent less than 1% of our capital stock.

 

(3)  As of April 24, 2015, our capital stock was represented by 432,749,079 issued Series B, class I, no par value shares (“Series B shares”), of which 432,749,079 shares were outstanding, all of them fully subscribed and paid.

 

The Primary Shareholder Group controls approximately 54.08% of our outstanding shares and therefore has the power to elect a majority of our 11 directors.  In addition, under Mexican law, any holder or group of holders representing 10% or more of our capital stock may elect one director for each 10% of capital stock held.

 

We cannot provide assurances that members of the Primary Shareholder Group will continue to hold their shares or act together for purposes of control. Additionally, members of the Primary Shareholder Group may pledge part of their shares in us to secure any future borrowings. If such were the case, and members of the Primary Shareholder Group were to default on their payment obligations, the lenders could enforce their rights with respect to such shares, and the Primary Shareholder Group could lose its controlling interest in us resulting in a change of control. A change of control could trigger a default in some of our credit agreements. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event (which means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Ratings Decline, as defined in the indenture governing the 4.875% Notes due 2024) we may be required to repurchase the 4.875% Notes due 2024. Such a default or repurchase obligation could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Other than changes resulting from the ADM Transaction and as a result of the death of Mr. Roberto González Barrera’s, we are not aware of any significant changes in the percentage of ownership of any shareholders which held 5% or more of our outstanding shares during the past three years.

 

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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The transactions set forth below were made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons, and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

 

Transactions with Subsidiaries

 

We periodically enter into short-term credit arrangements with our subsidiaries, where we provide them with funds for working capital at market interest rates.

 

At their peak on December 13, 2013, the outstanding balance of loans from GIMSA to GRUMA were Ps.3,197 million. The average interest rate for these loans from January 1, 2012 to March 31, 2015 was 5.2%. As of March 31, 2015, we had an outstanding balance owed to GIMSA of Ps.575 million, with an interest rate of 4.30%.

 

Additionally, as of March 31, 2015, GIMSA has no outstanding balance owing  to us.

 

In September of 2001, Gruma Corporation started to make loans to us.  Since 2010 these operations, at their peak on December 2012, reached the amount of U.S.$50 million.  From 2012 to March 31, 2015, we borrowed money from Gruma Corporation at an average rate of 1.0%.  As of March 31, 2015, GRUMA has no outstanding balance owing to Gruma Corporation.

 

Additionally, on July 1, 2013, Gruma Corporation entered into a 2-year loan with GRUMA for the amount of U.S.$180 million, with equal quarterly payments and an interest rate of 4.5%, which is the peak of these operations since 2012. As of March 31, 2015 this loan has an outstanding balance of U.S.$60 million.

 

Royalty Fee Agreements

 

On November 29, 2013, we entered into an agreement with GIMSA in connection with the trademark MASECA®, through which we granted GIMSA the license to exclusively use the trademark MASECA® in Mexico for a term of six years.  In consideration, we collected from GIMSA a fixed net royalty for the following six years equivalent to Ps.390.5 million per year, after a 12.75% discount rate for early payment. Therefore, on December 19, 2013, GIMSA paid us Ps.2,343 million.  In turn, we will contribute 0.75% of the annual net sales of GIMSA during each year of the term of this agreement, as a contribution for advertising and publicity expenses in order to support GIMSA in its efforts to promote the MASECA® trademark in Mexico.

 

On January 1, 2014, we entered into an agreement with Azteca Milling, LP in connection with the trademarks MASECA®, AGROINSA®, TORTI MASA®, among others (the “Licensed Trademarks”), through which GRUMA granted Azteca Milling, LP a non-exclusive continuing license to use the Licensed Trademarks worldwide, other than within Mexico, Central America and Ecuador. As consideration therein, Azteca Milling will pay GRUMA 4% of the net sales of products bearing the Licensed Trademarks.

 

In turn, in order to support Azteca Milling in its efforts to promote the Licensed Trademarks, GRUMA will reimburse Azteca Milling for all marketing expenses related to such trademarks within the United States.

 

Transactions with Archer-Daniels-Midland

 

We entered into an association with Archer-Daniels-Midland in September 1996.

 

On December 14, 2012, we completed the ADM Transaction thus ending such associations.

 

During 2010, 2011, and 2012 we purchased U.S.$97 million, U.S.$147 million and U.S.$179 million, respectively, of inventory, including primarily wheat and corn, from Archer-Daniels-Midland Corporation, a shareholder during those years, at market rates and terms.  For more information regarding these transactions, please see “Item 4.  Information on the Company—Business Overview—Discontinued Operations— Venezuelan Companies.”

 

Other Transactions

 

Until February 15, 2011, we held approximately 8.8% of the outstanding shares of GFNorte,a Mexican financial services holding company and parent of Banco Mercantil del Norte, S.A., or Banorte, a Mexican bank. On February 15, 2011, we concluded the sale of all of our shares of GFNorte’s capital stock.  As a result of the sale, GRUMA no longer holds any stake in GFNorte.

 

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In the past, we obtained financing from GFNorte’s subsidiaries at market rates and terms.  For the past eight years, the highest outstanding loan amount has been Ps.600 million (in nominal terms) with an interest rate of 7.3% in June 2011.  In addition, we have insurance contracts in place with Seguros Banorte Generali, S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary of GFNorte, to manage certain risks associated with some of our subsidiaries.  In  2012 and 2013, we paid insurance premiums of approximately Ps.114,422 and Ps.18,379, respectively. In 2014 we did not pay any insurance premiums to GFNorte.

 

For more information about related party transactions, please see Note 30 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 8         Financial Information.

 

See “Item 18. Financial Statements.” For information on our dividend policy, see “Item 3.  Key Information—Selected Financial Data—Dividends.” For information on legal proceedings related to us, see “—Legal Proceedings.”

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

In the ordinary course of our business, we have been involved in various disputes and litigation.  While the results of any such disputes cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that there are any pending or threatened actions, suits or proceedings against or affecting us which, if determined adversely to us, would in our view, individually or in the aggregate, materially harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

United States

 

Cox v. Gruma Corporation

 

On or about December 21, 2012, a consumer filed a putative class action against Gruma Corporation, claiming that Mission tortilla chips should not be labeled “All Natural” if they contain certain non-natural ingredients. The plaintiff sought restitution or other actual damages including attorneys’ fees.  On July 2014, this matter was dismissed with prejudice.

 

Mexico

 

Income Tax Claim

 

The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit has lodged certain tax assessments against the Company for an amount of Ps.29,900 plus penalties, updates and charges, in connection with withholding on interest payments to our foreign creditors during the years 2001 and 2002. Mexican tax authorities claim that the Company should have withheld at a higher rate than the 4.9% actually withheld by the Company. The Company filed several motions to annul these assessments, which later were relinquished, in order to be eligible for the tax amnesty program set forth in the Provisional Article Third of the Federal Income Law for the 2013 Fiscal Year.

 

Thereafter on May 2013, the partial tax assessment relief was authorized, by which the Company paid Ps.3.3 million on May 21, 2013 to finalize the dispute.

 

On January 29, 2014, the Company was notified of an official letter whereby the International Taxation Central Administration Office lodged a tax assessment for the amount of Ps.41.2 million in connection with the 2001 and 2002 years, and derived from the initial allegation made in 2005. Given that the assessment subject to allegation was partially relieved (80%) and, that the remaining amount was paid on May of 2013, on April 7, 2014, the Company filed a challenge to such assessment, same which was resolved on September 12, 2014, whereby the assessment lodged by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit was completely annulled.

 

SAT Information Request

 

From time to time we receive requests of information from the Mexican tax authorities with respect to prior closed fiscal years. Most recently, in February 2014, we received a request for information from the Financial Sector Tax Control Central Administration Office of the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (the Mexican Tax Administration Service, or SAT) with regards to the deductibility of the tax losses incurred by us due to the derivative financial transactions carried out during the 2009 year.  As of the date hereof, we have fully complied with the SAT’s information request and are awaiting a response, which we believe should be favorable, although we can give no assurance in that regard.

 

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Discontinued Operations-Venezuela

 

Expropriation Proceedings by the Venezuelan Government

 

On May 12, 2010, the Venezuelan government published the Expropriation Decree, which announced the forced acquisition of all assets, property and real estate of MONACA.  The Venezuelan government has expressed to GRUMA’s representatives that the Expropriation Decree extends to DEMASECA.

 

GRUMA’s interests in MONACA and DEMASECA are held through two Spanish companies: Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino, respectively.  In 2010, Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino commenced discussions with the Venezuelan government regarding the Expropriation Decree and related measures affecting MONACA and DEMASECA.  Through Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino, GRUMA participated in these discussions which have explored the possibility of  (i) entering into a joint venture with the Venezuelan government; and/or (ii) obtaining adequate compensation for the assets subject to expropriation. As of this date, these discussions have not resulted in an agreement with the Republic.

 

Venezuela and the Kingdom of Spain are parties to the Investment Treaty, under which the Investors may settle investment disputes by means of arbitration before ICSID.  On November 9, 2011, the Investors, MONACA and DEMASECA validly provided formal notice to the Venezuelan government that an investment dispute had arisen as a consequence of the Expropriation Decree and related measures adopted by the Venezuelan government.  In that notification, the Investors, MONACA, and DEMASECA also gave their consent to submission of the dispute to ICSID arbitration if the parties were unable to reach an amicable agreement.

 

In January 2013, the Venezuelan government issued a resolution (providencia administrativa) granting the “broadest powers of administration” over MONACA and DEMASECA to special managers (administradores especiales) who had been imposed on those companies since 2009 and 2010, respectively as described below.

 

On May 10, 2013, Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino submitted a Request for Arbitration to ICSID, which was registered on June 11, 2013 under case No. ARB/13/11. The purpose of the arbitration is to seek compensation for the damages caused by Venezuela’s violation of the Investment Treaty.

 

The tribunal that presides over this arbitration proceeding was constituted in January 2014. Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino filed their memorial in July 2014. On September 14, 2014, Venezuela filed a motion requesting to bifurcate the proceeding into separate jurisdictional and merits phases. On October 1, 2014 the tribunal rejected Venezuela’s request.  Venezuela filed its counter-memorial on jurisdiction and merits in March 2015.

 

While discussions with the government have taken place and may take place from time to time, we cannot assure that such  discussions will be successful or will result in the Investors receiving adequate compensation, if any, for their investments subject to the Expropriation Decree and related measures.  Additionally, we cannot predict the results of any arbitral proceeding, or the ramifications that costly and prolonged legal disputes could have on its results of operations or financial position, or the likelihood of collecting a favorable arbitration award.

 

Intervention Proceedings by the Venezuelan Government.

 

On December 4, 2009, the Eleventh Investigations Court for Criminal Affairs of Caracas issued an order authorizing the precautionary seizure of assets in which Ricardo Fernández Barrueco had any interest.  Purportedly due to Ricardo Fernández Barrueco’s former indirect minority interest in MONACA and DEMASECA, these subsidiaries were subject to the precautionary measure. Between 2009 and 2012, the Ministry of Finance of Venezuela, pursuant to the precautionary measure ordered by the court, designated several special managers of the indirect minority shareholding that Ricardo Fernández Barrueco had previously owned in MONACA and designated several special managers of DEMASECA.  On January 22, 2013, the Ministry of Justice and Internal Relations revoked the prior designations made by the Ministry of Finance of Venezuela and made a new designation of individuals as special managers and representatives of the Venezuelan government in MONACA and DEMASECA, granting those managers the “broadest powers of administration” over both companies.

 

MONACA and DEMASECA, as well as Consorcio Andino and Valores Mundiales, as direct shareholders of the Venezuelan subsidiaries, filed a petition as aggrieved third-parties in the proceedings against Ricardo Fernández Barrueco challenging the precautionary measures and all related actions.  On November 19, 2010, the Eleventh Investigations Court for Criminal Affairs of Caracas ruled that MONACA and DEMASECA are companies wholly owned and controlled by Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino, respectively.  In spite of this ruling, the court kept the precautionary measures issued on December 4, 2009 in effect.  An appeal has been filed, which is pending resolution as of this date.

 

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The People’s Defense Institute for the Access of Goods and Services of Venezuela (“INDEPABIS(1)”) issued an order, authorizing the temporary occupation and operation of MONACA for a period of 90 calendar days from December 16, 2009, which was renewed for the same period on March 16, 2010.  The order expired on June 16, 2010 and as of the date hereof MONACA has not been notified of any extension.  INDEPABIS has also initiated a regulatory proceeding against MONACA in connection with the alleged failure to comply with regulations governing precooked corn flour and for allegedly refusing to sell this product as a result of the December 4, 2009 precautionary asset seizure described above. MONACA filed an appeal against these proceedings that has not been resolved as of this date.

 

Additionally, INDEPABIS initiated an investigation of DEMASECA and issued an order, authorizing the temporary occupation and operation of DEMASECA for a period of 90 calendar days from May 25, 2010, which was extended until November 21, 2010.  INDEPABIS issued a new precautionary measure of occupation and temporary operation of DEMASECA, valid for the duration of this investigation.  DEMASECA has challenged these measures but as of the date hereof, no resolution has been issued.  The proceedings are still pending.

 

We intend to exhaust all legal remedies available in order to safeguard and protect our legitimate interests. See Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 9         The Offer and Listing.

 

TRADING HISTORY

 

Our Series B Shares have been traded on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A.B. de C.V., or Mexican Stock Exchange, since 1994.  The ADSs, each representing four Series B Shares, commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange in November 1998.  As of December 31, 2014, our capital stock was represented by 432’749,079 issued Series B shares, all of them fully subscribed and paid,.  As of December 31, 2014, 44,874,804 Series B shares of our common stock were represented by 11,218,701 ADSs held by 5 record holders in the United States.

 


(1)  By means of the “Decreto-Ley contentivo de la Ley Orgánica de Precios Justos” published on the Official Gazette of Venezuela Nº 40.340 dated January 23, 2014, INDEPABIS was absorbed by the “Superintendencia Nacional para la Defensa de los Derechos Socioeconómicos” (SUNDDE)

 

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PRICE HISTORY

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the annual high and low closing sale prices for the Series B Shares and the ADSs as reported by the Mexican Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, respectively.

 

 

 

Mexican Stock Exchange

 

NYSE

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

ADS(2)

 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 

(Ps. Per share(1))

 

(U.S.$ per ADS)

 

Annual Price History

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

28.70

 

16.97

 

8.99

 

5.20

 

2011

 

28.66

 

19.61

 

8.96

 

6.33

 

2012

 

41.54

 

26.45

 

12.76

 

7.79

 

2013

 

98.92

 

39.50

 

31.00

 

12.32

 

2014

 

157.32

 

100.01

 

48.28

 

30.48

 

Quarterly Price History

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st Quarter

 

34.39

 

26.45

 

10.77

 

7.79

 

2nd Quarter

 

38.94

 

30.09

 

11.81

 

8.58

 

3rd Quarter

 

36.88

 

33.26

 

11.26

 

9.83

 

4th Quarter

 

41.54

 

35.87

 

12.76

 

10.66

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st Quarter

 

57.48

 

39.50

 

18.65

 

12.32

 

2nd Quarter

 

66.51

 

52.59

 

21.74

 

16.95

 

3rd Quarter

 

77.46

 

58.19

 

23.64

 

18.32

 

4th Quarter

 

98.92

 

73.83

 

31.00

 

22.36

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st Quarter

 

110.95

 

100.01

 

33.53

 

30.79

 

2nd Quarter

 

155.25

 

105.96

 

47.85

 

32.20

 

3rd Quarter

 

156.60

 

137.69

 

48.28

 

41.60

 

4th Quarter

 

157.32

 

138.12

 

45.11

 

38.10

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st Quarter

 

206.70

 

147.78

 

54.06

 

39.83

 

Monthly Price History

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 2014

 

151.88

 

138.12

 

45.11

 

40.95

 

November 2014

 

153.88

 

143.42

 

45.07

 

42.32

 

December 2014

 

157.32

 

142.23

 

43.55

 

38.10

 

January 2015

 

169.31

 

147.78

 

46.38

 

39.83

 

February 2015

 

183.13

 

168.24

 

49.52

 

43.12

 

March 2015

 

206.70

 

183.13

 

54.06

 

49.52

 

April 2015 (3)

 

207.78

 

199.10

 

54.18

 

50.20

 

 


(1) Pesos per share reflect nominal price at trade date.

 

(2) Price per ADS in U.S.$; one ADS represents four Series B Shares.

 

(3) Through April 24, 2015.

 

On April 24, 2015, the last reported sale price of the B Shares on the Mexican Stock Exchange was Ps.192.58 per B Share.  On April 24, 2015, the last reported sale price of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange was U.S.$50.20 per ADS.

 

MEXICAN STOCK EXCHANGE

 

The Mexican Stock Exchange, located in Mexico City, is the only stock exchange in Mexico.  Founded in 1907, it is organized as a corporation whose shares were originally held by brokerage firms, which are exclusively authorized to trade on the exchange.  As of June 13, 2008 the Mexican Stock Exchange became a publicly traded company.  Trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange takes place principally through automated systems and is open between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Mexico City time, each business day.  Trades in securities listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange can also be performed off the exchange.  The

 

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Mexican Stock Exchange operates a system of automatic suspension of trading in shares of a particular issuer as a means of controlling excessive price volatility.

 

Settlement is effected three business days after a share transaction on the Mexican Stock Exchange.  Deferred settlement, even by mutual agreement, is not permitted without the approval of the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission, or CNBV).  Most securities traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange, including ours, are on deposit with S.D. Indeval Institución para el Depósito de Valores, S.A. de C.V., or Indeval, a privately owned securities depositary that acts as a clearinghouse for Mexican Stock Exchange transactions.

 

As of June 2, 2001, the Mexican Securities Law requires issuers to increase the protections offered to minority shareholders and to impose corporate governance controls on Mexican listed companies in line with international standards.  The Mexican Securities Law expressly permits Mexican listed companies, with prior authorization from the CNBV, to include in their bylaws antitakeover defenses such as shareholder rights plans, or poison pills.  Our bylaws include certain of these protections.  See “Additional Information—Bylaws—Antitakeover Protections.”

 

MARKET MAKER

 

On September 30, 2009, we entered into an agreement with UBS Casa de Bolsa (“UBS”) pursuant to which UBS acts as a market maker for our common shares listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange.  The purpose of the agreement was to provide liquidity for our shares.  This agreement was in effect until September 30, 2014. Given the increased liquidity that GRUMA’s stock has experienced in recent years, we determined it was not necessary to keep using the services of a market maker.

 

ITEM 10      Additional Information.

 

BYLAWS

 

Set forth below is a brief summary of certain significant provisions of our bylaws, according to their last comprehensive amendment.  This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to our bylaws, which are incorporated as an exhibit to this annual report.

 

The new Mexican Securities Law of 2006 included provisions seeking to improve the applicable regulations on disclosure of information, minority shareholder rights and corporate governance of the issuers, among other matters.  It also imposes additional duties and liabilities on the members of the board of directors as well as senior officers.  Thus, we were required to carry out a comprehensive amendment of our bylaws through an extraordinary general shareholders’ meeting held on November 30, 2006.

 

Incorporation and Register

 

We were incorporated in Monterrey, Mexico on December 24, 1971 as a corporation (Sociedad Anónima de Capital Variable) under the Mexican Corporations Law, for a term of 99 years.  On November 30, 2006 we became a publicly held corporation (Sociedad Anónima Bursátil de Capital Variable), a special corporate form for all Mexican publicly traded companies pursuant to the regulations of the new Mexican Securities Law.

 

Corporate Purpose

 

Our main corporate purpose, as fully described in Article Second of our bylaws, is to serve as a holding company and to engage in various activities such as: (i) purchasing, selling, importing, exporting, and manufacturing all types of goods and products, (ii) issuing any kind of securities and taking all actions in connection therewith (iii) creating, organizing and managing all types of companies, (iv) acting as an agent or representative, (v) purchasing, selling and holding real property, (vi) performing or receiving professional, technical or consulting services, (vii) establishing branches, agencies or representative offices, (viii) acquiring, licensing, or using intellectual or industrial property, (ix) granting and receiving loans, (x) subscribing, issuing and negotiating all types of credit instruments, and (xi) performing any acts necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

Directors

 

Our bylaws provide that our management shall be vested in the board of directors and our Chief Executive Officer.  Each director is elected by a simple majority of the shares.  Under Mexican law and our bylaws, any holder or group of holders owning 10% or more of our capital stock may elect one director and its corresponding alternate.  The board of directors must be comprised of a minimum of five and a maximum of twenty-one directors, as determined by the shareholders at the annual ordinary general

 

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shareholders’ meeting.  Additionally, under the Mexican Securities Law, at least 25% of the members of the board of directors must be independent.  Currently, our board of directors consists of 11 members.

 

The board of directors shall meet at least four times a year.  These meetings can be called by the Chairman of the board of directors, the Chairman of the Audit and Corporate Governance Committees, or by 25% of the members of the board of directors.  The directors serve for a one year term, or for up to 30 (thirty) additional days, if no designation of their substitute has been made or if the substitute has not taken office.  Directors receive compensation as determined by the shareholders at the annual ordinary general shareholders’ meeting.  The majority of directors are needed to constitute a quorum, and board resolutions must be passed by a majority of the votes present at any validly constituted meeting or by unanimous consent if no meeting is convened.

 

Our bylaws provide that the board of directors has the authority and responsibility to: (i) set the general strategies for our business; (ii) oversee the performance and conduct of our  business; (iii) oversee our main risks, identified by the information submitted by the committees, the Chief Executive Officer and the firm providing the external auditing services; (iv) approve the information and communication policies with shareholders and the market; and (v) instruct the Chief Executive Officer to disclose to the investor public any material information when known.

 

Additionally, the board of directors has the authority and responsibility to approve, with the previous opinion of the corresponding Committee: (i) the policies for the use of our assets by any related party; (ii) related party transactions other than those occurring in the ordinary course of business, those of insignificant amount, and those deemed as done within market prices; (iii) the purchase or sale of 5% or more of our corporate assets; (iv) granting of guarantees or the assumption of liabilities for more than 5% of our corporate assets; (v) the appointment, and in its case, removal of the Chief Executive Officer, as the designation of integral compensation policies for all other senior officers; (vi) internal control and internal audit guidelines; (vii) our accounting guidelines; (viii) our financial statements; and (ix) the hiring of the firm providing external audit services and, in its case, any services additional or supplemental to the external audit.  The approval in regard to the above matters is exclusive to the board and may not be delegated.

 

See “Item 6.  Directors, Senior Management and Employees” for further information about the board of directors.

 

Audit and Corporate Governance Committees

 

Under our bylaws and in accordance with the Mexican Securities Law, the board of directors, through the Audit and Corporate Governance Committees as well as through the firm performing the external audit, shall be in charge of the surveillance of us.  Such Committees should be exclusively comprised by independent directors and by a minimum of three members, elected by the board of directors at the proposal of the Chairman of the Board.  The Chairman of such Committees shall be exclusively designated and/or removed from office by the annual ordinary general shareholders’ meeting.

 

For the performance of its duties, the Corporate Governance Committee shall: (i) render its opinion to the board of directors, pursuant to the Mexican Securities Law; (ii) request the opinion of independent experts, when deemed convenient; (iii) convene shareholders meetings and include issues in the agenda they deem appropriate; (iv) assist the board of directors when making the annual reports; and (v) be responsible for other activity provided by law or our bylaws.

 

Likewise, for the performance of its duties, the Audit Committee shall: (i) render its opinion to the board of directors, pursuant to the Mexican Securities Law; (ii) request the opinion of independent experts when deemed convenient; (iii) convene shareholders meetings and include issues in the agenda they deem appropriate; (iv) assess the performance of the external auditing firm, as well as analyze the opinions and reports rendered by the external auditor; (v) discuss our financial statements  and, if appropriate, recommend its approval to the board of directors; (vi) inform the board of directors of the condition of the internal controls and internal auditing systems, including any irregularities detected therein; (vii) prepare the opinion of the report rendered by the Chief Executive Officer; (viii) assist the board of directors when making the annual reports; (ix) request from the senior officers and from other employees, reports relevant to the preparation of the financial information and of any other kind deemed necessary for the performance of their duties; (x) investigate possible irregularities within our company, as well as carry out the actions deemed appropriate; (xi) request meetings with senior officers in connection with the internal control and internal audit; (xii) inform the board of directors about the material irregularities detected while exerting their duties, and in case of any irregularities, notify the board of directors of any corrective measures taken; (xiii) ensure that the Chief Executive Officer complies with the resolutions taken by the Shareholders’ Meetings and by the board of directors; (xiv) oversee the establishment of internal controls in order to verify that our transactions conform to the applicable legal regulations; and (xv) be responsible of any other activity provided by law or our bylaws.

 

Fiduciary Duties - Duty of Diligence

 

Our bylaws and the Mexican Securities Law provide that the directors shall act in good faith and in our best interest.  In order to fulfill this duty, our directors may: (i) request information about us that is reasonably necessary to take actions; (ii) require the

 

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presence of any officers or other key employees, including the external auditors, that may contribute elements for taking actions at board meetings; (iii) postpone board meetings when a director has not been given sufficient notice of the meeting or in the event that a director has not been provided with the information provided to the other directors; and (iv) discuss and vote on any item requesting, if deemed convenient, the exclusive presence of the members and the secretary of the board of directors.

 

Our directors may be liable for damages caused when breaching their duty of diligence if such failure causes economic damage to us or our subsidiaries, as well as if the director: (i) fails to attend board or committee meetings and, as a result of such absence, the board was unable to take action, unless such absence is approved by the shareholders meeting; (ii) fails to disclose to the board of directors or the committees material information necessary to reach a decision; and/or (iii) fails to comply with its duties imposed by the Mexican Securities Law or our bylaws.  Members of the board of directors may not represent shareholders at any shareholders’ meeting.

 

Fiduciary Duties - Duty of Loyalty

 

Our bylaws and the Mexican Securities Law provide that the directors and secretary of the board shall keep confidential any non-public information and matters about which they have knowledge as a result of their position.  Also, directors must abstain from participating, attending or voting at meetings related to matters where they have or may have a conflict of interest.

 

The directors and secretary of the board of directors will be deemed to have violated their duty of loyalty and will be liable for any damages when they, directly or through third parties, obtain an economic benefit by virtue of their position without legitimate cause.  Furthermore, the directors will fail to comply with their duty of loyalty if they: (i) vote at a board meeting or take any action where there is a conflict of interest; (ii) fail to disclose a conflict of interest they may have during a board meeting; (iii) knowingly favor a particular shareholder of our company against the interests of other shareholders; (iv) approve related party transactions without complying with the requirements of the Mexican Securities Law; (v) use our assets in a manner which infringes upon the policies approved by the board of directors; (vi) unlawfully use material non-public information concerning us; and/or (vii) usurp a corporate business opportunity for their own benefit, or the benefit of a third party, without the prior approval of the board of directors.  Our directors may be liable for damages when breaching their duty of loyalty if such failure causes economic damage to us or our subsidiaries.

 

Civil Actions Against Directors

 

Under Mexican law, shareholders can initiate actions for civil liabilities against directors through resolutions passed by a majority of the shareholders at a general ordinary shareholders’ meeting.  In the event the majority of the shareholders decide to bring such action, the director against whom such action is brought will immediately cease to be a member of the board of directors.  Additionally, shareholders representing not less than 5% of our outstanding shares may directly bring such action against directors.  Any recovery of damages with respect to such action will be for our benefit and not for the benefit of the shareholders bringing the action.

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

According to our bylaws and the Mexican Securities Law, the Chief Executive Officer shall be in charge of running, conducting and executing our business, complying with the strategies, policies and guidelines approved by the board of directors.

 

For the performance of its duties the Chief Executive Officer shall: (i) submit, for the approval of the board of directors, our business strategies; (ii) execute the resolutions of the Shareholders’ Meetings and of the board of directors; (iii) propose to the Audit Committee, the internal control system and internal audit guidelines applicable to us, as well as execute the guidelines approved thereof by the board of directors; (iv) disclose any material information and events that should be disclosed to the investor public; (v) comply with the provisions relevant to the repurchase and placement transactions of our own stock; (vi) exert any corresponding corrective measures and liability suits; (vii) assure that adequate accounting, registry and information systems are maintained by us; (viii) prepare and submit to the board of directors his annual report; (ix) establish mechanisms and internal controls permitting certification that ouractions and transactions conform to the applicable regulations; and (x) exercise his right to file the liability suits referred to in the Mexican Securities Law against related parties or third parties that allegedly cause damage to us.

 

Voting Rights and Shareholders’ Meetings

 

Each share entitles the holder thereof to one vote at any general meeting of our shareholders.  Shareholders may vote by proxy.  At the ordinary general shareholders’ meeting, any shareholder or group of shareholders representing 10% or more of the outstanding capital stock has the right to appoint one director and his corresponding alternate, with the remaining directors being elected by majority vote.

 

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General shareholders’ meetings may be ordinary or extraordinary.  Extraordinary general shareholders’ meetings are called to consider matters specified in Article 182 of the Mexican Corporations Law, including, principally, changes in the authorized fixed share capital and other amendments to the bylaws, the issuance of preferred stock, the liquidation, merger and spin-off of our company, changes in the rights of security holders, and transformation from one corporate form to another.  All other matters may be approved by an ordinary general shareholders’ meetings.  Ordinary general shareholders’ meetings must be called to consider and approve matters specified in Article 181 of the Mexican Corporations Law, including, principally, the appointment of the members of the board of directors and the Chairman of the Audit and Corporate Governance Committees, the compensation paid to the directors, the distribution of our profits for the previous year, and the annual reports presented by the board of directors and the Chief Executive Officer.  Our shareholders establish the number of members that will serve on our board of directors at the ordinary general shareholders’ meeting.

 

A general ordinary shareholders’ meeting must be held during the first four months after the end of each fiscal year.  In order to attend a general shareholders’ meeting, the day before the meeting shareholders must deposit the certificates representing their capital stock or other appropriate evidence of ownership either with the secretary of our board of directors, with a credit institution, or with Indeval.  The secretary, credit institution or Indeval will hold the certificates until after the general shareholders’ meeting has taken place.

 

Under our bylaws, the quorum for an ordinary general shareholders’ meeting is at least 50% of the outstanding capital stock, and action may be taken by the affirmative vote of holders representing a majority of the shares present.  If a quorum is not present, a subsequent meeting may be called at which the shareholders present, whatever their number, will constitute a quorum and action may be taken by a majority of the shares present.  A quorum for extraordinary general shareholders’ meetings is at least 75% of the outstanding capital stock, but if a quorum is not present, a subsequent meeting may be called.  A quorum for the subsequent meeting is at least 50% of the outstanding shares.  Action at an extraordinary general shareholders’ meeting may only be taken by a vote of holders representing at least 50% of the outstanding shares.

 

Shareholders’ meetings may be called by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Audit and/or Corporate Governance Committees, or a court.  The Chairman of the board of directors or the Chairman of the Audit or Corporate Governance Committees may be required to call a shareholders’ meeting if holders of at least 10% of our outstanding share capital request a meeting in writing, or at the written request of any shareholder if no shareholders’ meeting has been held for two consecutive years, or, if during a period of two consecutive years, the board of directors’ annual report for the previous year and our financial statements were not presented to the shareholders, or if the shareholders did not elect directors.

 

Notice of shareholders’ meetings must be published in the Federal Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León at least 15 days prior to the meeting.  Shareholders’ meetings may be held without such publication provided that 100% of the outstanding shares are represented.  Shareholders’ meetings must be held within the corporate domicile in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León.

 

Under Mexican law, holders of 20% of our outstanding capital stock may have any shareholder action set aside by filing a complaint with a Mexican court of competent jurisdiction within 15 days after the close of the meeting at which such action was taken, by showing that the challenged action violates Mexican law or our bylaws.  Relief under these provisions is only available to holders who were entitled to vote on the challenged shareholder action and whose shares were not represented when the action was taken or, if represented, voted against it.

 

Dividend Rights and Distribution

 

Within the first four months of each year, the board of directors must submit our company’s financial statements for the preceding fiscal year to the shareholders for their approval at the ordinary general shareholders’ meeting.  They are required by law to allocate 5% of any new profits to a legal reserve which is not thereafter available for distribution until the amount of the legal reserve equals 20% of our capital stock (before adjusting for inflation).  Amounts in excess of those allocated to the legal reserve fund may be allocated to other reserve funds as the shareholders may determine, including a reserve for the repurchase of our shares.  The remaining balance of new profits, if any, is available for distribution as dividends prior to their approval at the shareholders’ meeting.  Cash dividends on the shares held through Indeval will be distributed by us through Indeval.  Cash dividends on the shares evidenced by physical certificates will be paid when the relevant dividend coupon registered in the name of its holder is delivered to us.  No dividends may be paid, however, unless losses for prior fiscal years have been paid up or absorbed.  See “Item 3.  Key Information—Selected Financial Data—Dividends.”

 

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Liquidation

 

Upon our dissolution, one or more liquidators must be appointed by an extraordinary shareholders’ general meeting to wind up its affairs.  If the extraordinary general shareholders’ meeting does not make said appointment, a Civil or District Judge can do so at the request of any shareholder.  All fully paid and outstanding common stock will be entitled to participate equally in any distribution upon liquidation after the payment of our debts, taxes and the expenses of the liquidation.  Common stock that has not been paid in full will be entitled to these proceeds in proportion to the paid-in amount.

 

If the extraordinary general shareholders’ meeting does not give express instructions on liquidation, the bylaws stipulate that the liquidators will (i) conclude all pending matters they deem most convenient, (ii) prepare a general balance and inventory, (iii) collect all credits and pay all debts by selling assets necessary to accomplish this task, (iv) sell assets and distribute income, and (v) distribute the amount remaining, if any, pro rata among the shareholders.

 

Changes in Capital Stock

 

Our outstanding capital stock consists of Class I and Class II series B shares.  Class I shares are the fixed portion of our capital stock and have no par value.  Class II shares are the variable portion of our capital stock and have no par value.  The fixed portion of our capital stock cannot be withdrawn.  The issuance of variable capital shares, unlike the issuance of fixed capital shares, does not require an amendment of the bylaws, although it does require approval at an ordinary general shareholders’ meeting.  The fixed portion of our capital stock may only be increased or decreased by resolution of an extraordinary general shareholders’ meeting and an amendment to our bylaws, whereas the variable portion of our capital stock may be increased or decreased by resolution of an ordinary general shareholders’ meetings.  Currently, our outstanding capital stock consists only of fixed capital.

 

An increase of capital stock may generally be made through the issuance of new shares for payment in cash or in kind, by capitalization of indebtedness or by capitalization of certain items of shareholders’ equity.  An increase of capital stock generally may not be made until all previously issued and subscribed shares of capital stock have been fully paid.  A reduction of capital stock may be effected to absorb losses, to redeem shares, to repurchase shares in the market or to release shareholders from payments not made.

 

As of April 24, 2015, our capital stock was represented by 432,749,079 issued Series B shares, all of them fully subscribed and paid.

 

Preemptive Rights

 

In the event of a capital increase through the issuance of shares, other than in connection with a public offering of newly issued shares or treasury stock, a holder of existing shares of a given series at the time of the capital increase has a preferential right to subscribe for a sufficient number of new shares of the same series to maintain the holder’s existing proportionate holdings of shares of that series.  Preemptive rights must be exercised within the period and under the conditions established for such purpose by the shareholders at the corresponding shareholders’ meeting.  Under Mexican law and our bylaws, the exercise period may not be less than 15 days following the publication of notice of the capital increase in the Federal Official Gazette or following the date of the shareholders’ meeting at which the capital increase was approved if all shareholders were represented; otherwise such rights will lapse.

 

Furthermore, shareholders will not have preemptive rights to subscribe for common stock issued in connection with mergers, upon the conversion of convertible debentures, or in the resale of treasury stock as a result of repurchases on the Mexican Stock Exchange.

 

Under Mexican law, preemptive rights may not be waived in advance by a shareholder, except under limited circumstances, and cannot be represented by an instrument that is negotiable separately from the corresponding share.  Holders of ADRs may be restricted in their ability to participate in the exercise of preemptive rights.  See “Item 3.  Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Primary Shareholder Group and Capital Structure—Holders of ADSs May Not Be Able to Participate in Any Future Preemptive Rights Offering and as a Result May Be Subject to a Dilution of Equity Interest.”

 

Restrictions Affecting Non-Mexican Shareholders

 

Foreign investment in capital stock of Mexican corporations is regulated by the 1993 Foreign Investment Law and by the 1998 Foreign Investment Regulations to the extent they are not inconsistent with the Foreign Investment Law.  The Ministry of Economy and the National Commission on Foreign Investment are responsible for the administration of the Foreign Investment Law and the Foreign Investment Regulations.

 

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Our bylaws do not restrict the participation of non-Mexican investors in our capital stock.  However, approval of the National Foreign Investment Commission must be obtained for foreign investors to acquire a direct or indirect participation in excess of 49% of the capital stock of a Mexican company that has an aggregate asset value that exceeds, at the time of filing the corresponding notice of acquisition, an amount determined annually by the National Foreign Investment Commission.

 

As required by Mexican law, our bylaws provide that any non-Mexicans who acquire an interest or participation in our capital at any time will be treated as having Mexican nationality for purposes of their interest in us, and with respect to the property, rights, concessions, participations or interests that we may own or rights and obligations that are based on contracts to which we are a party with the Mexican authorities.  Such shareholders cannot invoke the protection of their government under penalty of forfeiting to the Mexican State the ownership interest that they may have acquired.

 

Under this provision, a non-Mexican shareholder is deemed to have agreed not to invoke the protection of his own government with respect to his rights as a shareholder, but is not deemed to have waived any other rights he may have with respect to its investment in us, including any rights under U.S. securities laws.  If a shareholder should invoke governmental protection in violation of this provision, his shares could be forfeited to the Mexican government.  Mexican law requires that such a provision be included in the bylaws of all Mexican companies unless such bylaws prohibit ownership of shares by non-Mexicans.  See “Item 3.  Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Primary Shareholder Group and Capital Structure—Mexican Law Restricts the Ability of Non-Mexican Shareholders to Invoke the Protection of Their Governments with Respect to Their Rights as Shareholders.”

 

Registration and Transfer

 

Our shares are evidenced by certificates in registered form.  We maintain a stock registry and, in accordance with Mexican law, only those persons whose names are recorded on the stock registry are recognized as owners of the series B shares.

 

Other Provisions

 

Appraisal Rights

 

Under Mexican law, whenever the shareholders approve a change of corporate purpose, change of our nationality or transformation from one type of corporate form to another, any shareholder entitled to vote on such change or transformation who has voted against it has the right to tender its shares and receive the amount attributable to its shares, provided such shareholder exercises its right to withdraw within 15 days following the adjournment of the meeting at which the change or transformation was approved.  Under Mexican law, the amount which a withdrawing shareholder is entitled to receive is equal to its proportionate interest in our capital stock according to our most recent balance sheet approved by an ordinary general shareholders’ meeting.  The reimbursement may have certain tax consequences.

 

Share Repurchases

 

We may repurchase our common stock on the Mexican Stock Exchange at any time at the then market price.  The repurchase of shares will be made by charging our equity, in which case we may keep them without reducing our capital stock, or charging our capital stock, in which case we must convert them into unsubscribed treasury stock.  The ordinary general shareholders’ meeting shall determine the maximum amount of funds to be allocated for the repurchase of shares, which amount shall not exceed our total net profits, including retained earnings.

 

Repurchased common stock will either be held by us or kept in our treasury, pending future sales thereof through the Mexican Stock Exchange.  If the repurchased shares are kept in our treasury, we may not exercise their economic and voting rights, and such shares will not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of calculating any quorum or voting at any shareholders’ meeting.  The repurchased shares held by us as treasury shares may not be represented at any shareholder meeting.  The decrease or increase of our capital stock as a result of the repurchase does not require the approval of a shareholders’ meeting or of the board of directors.

 

Under Mexican securities regulation, our directors, officers, external auditors, the secretary of the board of directors and holders of 10% or more of our outstanding stock may not sell stock to us, or purchase repurchased stock from us, unless the sale or purchase is made through a tender offer.  The repurchase of stock representing 3% or more of our outstanding share capital in any 20 trading-day period must be conducted through a public tender offer.

 

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Repurchase in the Event of Delisting

 

In the event of the cancellation of the registration of our shares at the Registro Nacional de Valores, or National Registry of Securities, or RNV, whether at our request or at the request of the CNBV, under our bylaws and the regulations of the CNBV, we will be obligated to make a tender offer to purchase all of our shares held by non-controlling shareholders.  Such tender offer shall be made at least at the greater price of the following: (i) the closing sale price under the terms of the following paragraph, or (ii) the book value of the shares according to the most recent quarterly report submitted to the CNBV and the Mexican Stock Exchange.

 

The quoted share price on the Mexican Stock Exchange referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be the weighted average share price as quoted on the Mexican Stock Exchange for the last 30 days in which our shares were traded, in a period not greater than six months prior to the date of the public tender offer.  If the number of days in which our shares have traded during the period referred to above is less than 30, then only the actual number of days in which our shares have traded during such period will be taken into account.  If shares have not been exchanged during such period, then the tender offer shall be made at a price equal to at least the book value of the shares.

 

In connection with any such cancellation of the registration of our shares, we will be required to deposit sufficient funds into a trust account for at least six months following the date of cancellation to ensure adequate resources to purchase at the public tender offer price any remaining outstanding shares from non-controlling shareholders that did not participate in the offer.

 

If we ask the RNV to cancel the registration of our shares, we will be exempt from carrying out a public tender offer, provided that: (i) we have the consent of the holders of at least 95% of our outstanding common shares, by a resolution at a shareholders’ meeting; (ii) the aggregate amount offered for the securities in the market is less than 300,000 investment units (UDIs); (iii) the trust referred to in the preceding paragraph is executed, and (iv) notice is given to the CNBV of the execution and cancellation of the trust through the established electronic means.

 

Within ten business days of the commencement of a public tender offer, our board of directors must prepare and disclose to public investors its opinion with respect to the reasonableness of the tender offer price as well as any conflicts of interest that its members may have in connection with the tender offer.  The opinion of the board of directors may be accompanied by another opinion issued by an independent expert that we may hire.

 

We may request the approval from the CNBV to use different criteria to determine the price of the shares.  In requesting such approval, the following must be submitted to the CNBV: (i) the resolution of the board of directors approving such request, (ii) the opinion of the Corporate Governance Committee addressing the reasons why it deems appropriate the use of a different price, and (iii) a report from an independent expert indicating that the price is consistent with the terms of the Mexican Securities Law.

 

Shareholder’s Conflicts of Interest

 

Any shareholder that has a direct or indirect conflict of interest with respect to any transaction must abstain from voting thereon at the relevant shareholders’ meeting.  A shareholder that votes on a business transaction in which its interest conflicts with ours may be liable for damages if the transaction would not have been approved without such shareholder’s vote.

 

Rights of Shareholders

 

The protections afforded to minority shareholders under Mexican law are different from those in the United States and other jurisdictions.  The law concerning duties and responsibilities of directors and controlling shareholders has not been the subject of extensive judicial interpretation in Mexico, unlike the United States where judicial decisions have been issued regarding the duties of diligence and loyalty, which more effectively protect the rights of minority shareholders.  Additionally, shareholder class actions are not available under Mexican law and there are different procedural requirements for bringing shareholder derivative lawsuits, which permit shareholders in U.S. courts to bring actions on behalf of other shareholders or to enforce rights of the corporation itself.  Shareholders cannot challenge corporate action taken at a shareholders’ meeting unless they meet certain procedural requirements.

 

In addition, under U.S. securities laws, as a foreign private issuer we are exempt from certain rules that apply to domestic U.S. issuers with equity securities registered under the Exchange Act, including the proxy solicitation rules, the rules requiring disclosure of share ownership by directors, officers and certain shareholders.  We are also exempt from certain of the corporate governance requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, including certain requirements concerning audit committees and independent directors.  A summary of significant ways in which our corporate governance standards differ from those followed by U.S. companies pursuant to NYSE listing standards is available on our website at www.gruma.com.  The information found at this website is not incorporated by reference into this document.

 

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As a result of these factors, in practice it may be more difficult for our minority shareholders to enforce rights against us or our directors or controlling shareholders than it would be for shareholders of a U.S. company.  See “Item 3.  Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Primary Shareholder Group and Capital Structure—The Protections Afforded to Minority Shareholders in Mexico Are Different From Those in the United States.”

 

Antitakeover Protections

 

Our bylaws provide that, subject to certain exceptions as explained below, prior written approval from the board of directors shall be required for any person (as defined hereunder), or group of persons to acquire, directly or indirectly, any of our common shares or rights to our common shares, by any means or under any title whether in a single event or in a set of consecutive events, such that its total shares or rights to shares would represent 5% or more of our outstanding shares.

 

Prior approval from the board of directors must be obtained each time such ownership threshold (and multiples thereof) is intended to be exceeded, except for persons who, directly or indirectly, are competitors (as such term is defined below) of us or of any of our subsidiaries, who must obtain the prior approval of the board of directors for future acquisitions where a threshold of 2% (or multiples thereof) of our common shares is intended to be exceeded.

 

Pursuant to our bylaws, a “person” is defined as any natural person, corporate entity, trust or similar form of venture, vehicle, entity, corporation or economic or mercantile association or any subsidiaries or affiliates of any of the former or, as determined by the board of directors, any group of persons who may be acting jointly, coordinated or as a whole; and a “competitor” is defined as any person engaged, directly or indirectly, in (i) the business of production and/or marketing of corn or wheat flour, and/or (ii) any other activity carried on by us or by any of our subsidiaries or affiliates.

 

Persons that acquire our common shares in violation of these requirements will not be considered the beneficial owners of such shares under our bylaws and will not be able to vote such shares or receive any dividends, distributions or other rights in respect of these shares.  In addition, pursuant to our bylaws, these holders will be obligated to pay us a penalty in an amount equal to the greater of (i) the market value of the shares such party acquired without obtaining the prior approval of the board of directors and (ii) the market value of shares representing 5% of our capital stock.

 

Board Notices, Meetings, Quorum Requirements and Approvals.  To obtain the prior approval of our board of directors, a potential purchaser must properly deliver a written application complying with the applicable requirements set forth in our bylaws.  Such application shall state, among other things: (i) the number and class of our shares the person beneficially owns or to which such person has any right, (ii) the number and class of shares the Person intends to acquire, (iii) the number and class of shares with respect to which such Person intends to acquire any right, (iv) the percentage that the shares referred to in (i) represent of our total outstanding shares and of the class or series to which such shares belong, (v) the percentage that the shares referred to in (ii) and (iii) represent of our total outstanding shares and of the class or series to which such shares belong, (vi) the person’s identity and nationality, or in the case of a purchaser which is a corporation, trust or legal entity, the nationality and identity of its shareholders, partners or beneficiaries as well as the identity and nationality of each person effectively controlling such corporation, trust or legal entity, (vii) the reasons and purpose behind such acquisition, (viii) if such person is, directly or indirectly, a competitor of us or any of our subsidiaries or affiliates, and if such person has the authority to legally acquire the shares pursuant to our bylaws and Mexican law, (ix) its source of financing the intended acquisition, (x) if the Person is part of an economic group, formed by one or more of its related parties, which intends to acquire shares of our common stock or rights to such shares, (xi) if the person has obtained any financing from one of its related parties for the payment of the shares, (xii) the identity and nationality of the financial institution, if any, that will act as the underwriter or broker in connection with any tender offer, and (xiii) the person’s address for receiving notices.

 

Either the Chairman, the Secretary or the Alternate Secretary of our board of directors must call a meeting of the board of directors within 10 business days following the receipt of the written application.  The notices for the meeting of the board of directors shall be in writing and sent to each of the directors and their alternates at least 45 calendar days prior to the meeting.  Action by unanimous written consent is not permitted.

 

Any acquisition of capital shares representing at least 2% or 5%, as the case may be, of our outstanding capital stock, must be approved by at least the majority of the members of our board of directors present at a meeting at which at least the majority of the members is present.  Such acquisitions must be resolved by our board of directors within 60 calendar days following the receipt of the written application described above, unless the board of directors determines that it does not have sufficient information upon which to base its decision.  In such case, the board of directors shall deliver a written request to the potential purchaser for any additional information that it deems necessary to make its determination.  The 60 calendar days referred to above will commence following the receipt of the additional information from the potential purchaser.

 

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Mandatory Tender Offers in the Case of Certain Acquisitions.  If our board of directors authorizes an acquisition of capital shares which increases the purchaser’s ownership to 30% or more, but not more than 50%, of our capital stock, then the purchaser must effect its acquisition by way of a cash tender offer for a specified number of shares equal to the greater of (i) the percentage of common shares intended to be acquired or (ii) 10% of our outstanding capital stock, in accordance with the applicable Mexican securities regulations.

 

No approval of the board of directors will be required if the acquisition would increase the purchaser’s ownership to more than 50% of our capital stock or result in a change of control, in which case the purchaser must effect its acquisition by way of a tender offer for 100% minus one of our total outstanding capital stock, which tender shall be made pursuant to applicable Mexican laws.

 

The aforementioned tender offers must be made simultaneously in the Mexican and US stock markets.  Furthermore, an opinion issued by the board of directors regarding any such tender offer must be made available to the public through the authorized means of communication within 10 days after commencement of the tender offer.  In the event of any tender offer, the shareholders shall have the right to hear more competitive offers.

 

Notices.  In addition to the aforementioned approvals, if a person increases its beneficial ownership by 1% in the case of competitors, or 2% in the case of non-competitors, written notice must be submitted to the board of directors within five days of reaching or exceeding such thresholds.

 

Exceptions.  The provisions of our bylaws summarized above will not apply to: (i) transfers of shares by operation of the laws of succession; (ii) acquisitions of shares by (a) any person who, directly or indirectly, has the authority or possibility of appointing the majority of the directors of our board of directors, (b) any company, trusts or similar form of venture, vehicle, entity, corporation or economic or mercantile association, which may be under the control of the aforementioned person, (c) the heirs of the aforementioned person, (d) the aforementioned person when such person is repurchasing the shares of any corporation, trust or similar form of venture, vehicle, entity, corporation or economic or mercantile association referred to in the item (b) above, and (e) our company or by trusts created by us; (iii) any person(s) that as of December 4, 2003 hold(s), directly or indirectly, more than 20% of the shares representing our capital stock; and (iv) any other exceptions provided for in the Mexican Securities Law and other applicable legal dispositions.

 

MATERIAL CONTRACTS

 

Archer-Daniels-Midland

 

As part of the ADM Transaction we entered into an Equity Purchase Agreement by and among Archer-Daniels-Midland, ADM Milling Co., ADM Bio Productos, S.A. de C.V. and Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V., dated December 14, 2012, in order to acquire all of the Equity Interests previously held by Archer-Daniels-Midland in us (the “Equity Purchase Agreement”).

 

In addition to the U.S.$450 million paid to Archer-Daniels-Midland in exchange of the Equity Interests, the Equity Purchase Agreement provides that we must pay a contingent payment of up to U.S.$60 million to Archer-Daniels-Midland, which contingent payment is payable only if during the 42 months following the closing of the ADM Transaction (ending on June 14, 2016), certain conditions take place in connection with (i) the increase in the price of our stock, over the closing price of our stock determined for purposes of the ADM Transaction (the “Closing Price”), at the end of the 42 months period; (ii) the difference between the price of our stock established for public offers made by us and the Closing Price; (iii) the acquisition, by a strategic investor, of 15% or more of our capital stock; or (iv) the reduction of the percentage of our shares that are considered to be held by the public at any time, starting from 26%. See “Item 4.  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Share Purchase Transaction with Archer-Daniels-Midland.”

 

We maintain a reserve in the event that any or all of the aforementioned contingent payment is made to Archer-Daniels-Midland. See Note 29 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

4.875% Notes Due 2024

 

On December 5, 2014, we issued US$400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due 2024 (the “4.875% Notes due 2024”), which at the time were rated BB+ by Standard & Poor’s Rating Service and BBB- by Fitch Ratings, Ltd. The 4.875% Notes due 2024 mature on December 1, 2024 and have a make-whole redemption option exercisable by us at any time and a redemption option without a make-whole premium exercisable by us at any time beginning on the date that is three months prior to the scheduled maturity of the notes. We used the net proceeds of the issuance of the 4.875% Notes due 2024 primarily to redeem the Perpetual Bonds and repay other long term indebtedness. The indenture governing the 4.875% Notes due 2024 contains covenants

 

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including limitations on liens, limitations on sale-leaseback transactions, and limitations on consolidations, mergers and transfers of property. As of December 31, 2014, we have not hedged any interest payments on the 4.875% Notes due 2024. As of December 31, 2014, US$400 million of the 4.875% Notes due 2024 were outstanding.

 

Perpetual Bonds

 

On December 3, 2004, Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. issued U.S.$300 million 7.75% senior unsecured perpetual bonds, which at the time were rated BBB- by Standard & Poor’s and by Fitch.  The bonds had no fixed final maturity date and a call option exercisable by GRUMA at any time beginning five years after the issue date. We redeemed these bonds in full in December 2014, with a portion of the net proceeds of the issuance of the 4.875% Notes due 2024.

 

Rabobank Syndicated Facility

 

In June 2013, we obtained a 5-year Syndicated Credit Facility for U.S.$220 million with Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland”, New York Branch, as administrative agent, with an average term of 4.2 years and amortizations starting on December 2014. This facility has an interest rate based on LIBOR plus a spread between 150 and 300 basis points based on our  leverage ratio. BBVA Bancomer, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer and Bank of America, N.A., also participated in this facility.  The Rabobank Syndicated Facility contains covenants that require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest charges of not less than 2.5:1, and to maintain a maximum ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA of not more than 4.75:1 from June 18, 2013 until September 30, 2013; 4.50:1 from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014; 4.0:1 from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015; and 3.5:1 from October 1, 2015 and thereafter. The Rabobank Syndicated Facility also limits our ability, and our subsidiaries’ ability in certain cases, among other things, to, create liens, make certain investments, merge or consolidate with other companies or sell substantially all of our assets, make certain restricted payments, enter into agreements that prohibit the payment of dividends, engage in transactions with affiliates and enter into certain hedging transactions. Additionally, the Rabobank Syndicated Facility limits our subsidiaries’ ability to guarantee certain additional indebtedness and to incur additional indebtedness under certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2014, U.S. $209 million was outstanding under the Rabobank Syndicated Facility.

 

Inbursa Peso Syndicated Facility

 

In June 2013, we obtained a 5-year Syndicated Credit Facility for Ps.2,300 million with Inbursa, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero Inbursa, as administrative agent, with an average term of 4.2 years and amortizations starting on December 2014. The facility has an interest rate of 91-day TIIE plus a spread between 162.5 and 262.5 basis points based on our leverage ratio. Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior, S.N.C., Banca de Desarrollo and HSBC México, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero HSBC, also participated in this facility.  The Inbursa Peso Syndicated Facility contains covenants that require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest charges of not less than 2.5:1, and to maintain a maximum ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA of not more than 4.75:1 from June 12, 2013 until September 30, 2013; 4.50:1 from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014; 4.0:1 from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015; and 3.5:1 from October 1, 2015 and thereafter. This facility also limits our ability and our subsidiaries’ ability in certain cases, among other things, to create liens; make certain investments, merge or consolidate with other companies or sell substantially all of our assets, make certain restricted payments, enter into agreements that prohibit the payment of dividends, engage in transactions with affiliates and enter into certain hedging transactions. Aditionally, the Inbursa Peso Syndicated Facility limits our subsidiaries’ ability to guarantee certain additional indebtedness and to incur additional indebtedness under certain circumstances. On December 15, 2014, we repaid the Inbursa Peso Syndicated Facility in full.

 

Gruma Corporation Loan Facility

 

In October 2006, Gruma Corporation entered into a U.S.$100 million 5-year revolving credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions, which was refinanced and extended to U.S.$200 million for an additional 5-year term on June 20, 2011.  The facility, as refinanced in 2011, has an interest rate based on LIBOR plus a spread of 1.375% to 2% that fluctuates in relation to Gruma Corporation’s leverage and contains less restrictive provisions than those in the facility replaced.  In November, 2012 we increased the aggregate commitment under this facility up to the maximum permitted amount of US $250,000,000.  The additional US $50,000,000 were used by Gruma Corporation to cover part of the purchase price under the ADM Transaction, specifically the purchase of ADM’s stake in Azteca Milling. This facility contains covenants that limit Gruma Corporation’s ability to merge or consolidate, and require it to maintain a ratio of total funded debt to consolidated EBITDA of not more than 3.0:1.  In addition, this facility limits Gruma Corporation’s, and certain of its subsidiaries’ ability, among other things, to create liens; make certain investments; make certain restricted payments; enter into any agreements that prohibit the payment of dividends; and engage in transactions with affiliates.  This facility also limits Gruma Corporation’s subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional debt. On November 24, 2014, the maturity was extended from June 2016 to November 2019 and the interest rates were reduced 25 basis points for a total all-in rate of LIBOR plus a

 

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spread between 112.5 and 175 basis points, depending on the leverage of the company. The Gruma Corporation Loan Facility was available with no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2014.

 

Gruma Corporation is also subject to covenants which limit the amounts that may be advanced to, loaned to, or invested in us under certain circumstances.  Upon the occurrence of any default or event of default under its credit agreements, Gruma Corporation generally would be prohibited from making any cash dividend payments to us.  The covenants described above and other covenants could limit our and Gruma Corporation’s ability to help support our liquidity and capital resource requirements.

 

Syndicated Loan Facility

 

On March 22, 2011 we obtained a U.S.$225 million, five-year senior credit facility through a syndicate of banks.  The Syndicated Loan Facility consists of a term loan (“Term Loan Facility”) and a revolving loan facility (the “Revolving Loan Facility”).  Prior to the execution of the 2012 Bridge Loan Facility mentioned above, the permitted leverage ratio established under the Syndicated Loan Facility was increased, and the interest rate grid was also modified, among other revisions made through the execution of an amendment dated December 3, 2012. After such amendment, the interest rate for the Term Loan Facility and for the Revolving Loan Facility is either (i) LIBOR or (ii) an interest rate determined by the administrative agent based on its “prime rate” or the federal funds rate, respectively, plus, in either case, (a) 3.00% if our ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA (the “Maximum Leverage Ratio”) is greater than or equal to 4.5x, (b) 2.75% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 4.0x and less than 4.5x, (c) 2.50% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3.5x and less than 4.0x; (d) 2.25% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3.0x and less than 3.5x; (e) 2.00% if our  Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 2.5x and less than 3.0x; (f) 1.75% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 2.0x and less than 2.5x; and (g) 1.50% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is less than 2.0x.  The Syndicated Loan Facility (as amended) contains covenants that require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest charges of not less than 2.5:1, and a Maximum Leverage Ratio of not more than 4.75:1 from December 4, 2012 until September 30, 2013; 4.50:1 from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014; 4.0:1 from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015; and 3.5:1 from October 1, 2015 and thereafter.  The Syndicated Loan Facility (as amended) also limits our ability, and our subsidiaries’ ability in certain cases, among other things, to: create liens; make certain investments or other restricted payments; merge or consolidate with other companies or sell substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain hedging transactions.  Additionally, the Syndicated Loan Facility (as amended) limits our subsidiaries’ ability to guarantee additional indebtedness issued by us and to incur additional indebtedness under certain circumstances. On December 12, 2014, we repaid the Term Loan Facility in full. The Revolving Loan Facility was available with no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2014.

 

Peso Syndicated Loan Facility

 

On June 15, 2011 we obtained a Ps.1,200 million, seven-year senior credit facility through a syndicate of banks.  The Peso Syndicated Loan Facility consists of a term loan maturing in June 2018 with yearly principal amortizations beginning in December 2015. Prior to the execution of the 2012 Bridge Loan Facility mentioned above, the permitted leverage ratio established under the Peso Syndicated Loan Facility was increased, and the interest rate grid was also modified, among other revisions made through the execution of an amendment dated December 3, 2012. After such amendment, the interest rate payable under the Peso Syndicated Loan Facility is the 91-day TIIE plus a spread between 137.5 and 262.5 basis points based on our ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA.  The Peso Syndicated Loan Facility (as amended) contains covenants that require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest charges of not less than 2.5:1, and to maintain a Maximum ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA of not more than 4.75:1 from December 4, 2012 until September 30, 2013; 4.50:1 from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014; 4.0:1 from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015; and 3.5:1 from October 1, 2015 and thereafter. The Peso Syndicated Loan Facility (as amended) also limits our ability, and our subsidiaries’ ability in certain cases, among other things, to: create liens; make certain investments or other restricted payments; merge or consolidate with other companies or sell substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain hedging transactions.  Additionally, the Peso Syndicated Loan Facility (as amended) limits our subsidiaries’ ability to guarantee additional indebtedness issued by us and to incur additional indebtedness under certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2014, Ps. 800 million was outstanding under the Peso Syndicated Loan Facility.

 

Rabobank Revolving Facility

 

On June 15, 2011 we obtained a U.S.$50 million, five-year senior credit facility from Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A.  On June 28, 2012, this facility was increased by U.S.$50 million to a total principal amount of U.S. $100 million.  Also, prior to the execution of the 2012 Bridge Loan Facility, the permitted leverage ratio established under the Rabobank Revolving Facility was increased, and the interest rate grid was modified, among other revisions made through the execution of an amendment dated November 29, 2012. After such amendments, the Rabobank Revolving Facility consists of a revolving loan facility, at in interest rate of LIBOR plus (a) 3.00% if our ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA is greater than or equal to 4.5x, (b) 2.75% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 4.0x and less than 4.5x, (c) 2.50% if ours Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3.5x and less than 4.0x; (d) 2.25% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3.0x and less

 

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than 3.5x; (e) 2.00% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 2.5x and less than 3.0x; (f) 1.75% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 2.0x and less than 2.5x; and (g) 1.50% if our Maximum Leverage Ratio is less than 2.0x.  The Rabobank Revolving Facility (as amended) contains covenants that require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest charges of not less than 2.5:1, and a Maximum Leverage Ratio of not more than 4.75:1 from November 29, 2012 until September 30, 2013; 4.50:1 from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014; 4.0:1 from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015; and 3.5:1 from October 1, 2015 and thereafter. The Rabobank Revolving Facility (as amended) also limits our ability, and our subsidiaries’ ability in certain cases, among other things, to: create liens; make certain investments or other restricted payments; merge or consolidate with other companies or sell substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain hedging transactions.  Additionally, the Rabobank Revolving Facility (as amended) limits our subsidiaries’ ability to guarantee additional indebtedness issued by us and to incur additional indebtedness under certain circumstances. The Rabobank Revolving Facility was available with no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2014.

 

2011 Bancomext Peso Facility

 

On June 16, 2011 we obtained a Ps.600 million, seven-year senior credit facility from Bancomext (Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior).  Prior to the execution of the 2012 Bridge Loan Facility mentioned above, the permitted leverage ratio established under the 2011 Bancomext Peso Facility was increased, and the interest rate grid was modified, among other revisions made through the execution of an amendment dated December 7, 2012. After such amendment, the 2011 Bancomext Peso Facility consists of a term loan maturing in June 2018 at an interest rate of 91-day TIIE plus a spread between 137.5 and 262.5 basis points based on our ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA.  The 2011Bancomext Peso Facility contains a covenant that requires us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest charges of not less than 2.5:1 as well as a covenant that requires us to maintain a maximum ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA of not more than 4.75:1 from December 8, 2012 until September 30, 2013; 4.50:1 from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014; 4.0:1 from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015; and 3.5:1 from October 1, 2015 and thereafter.  The 2011 Bancomext Peso Facility also limits our ability, and our subsidiaries’ ability in certain cases to create liens.

 

On December 8, 2012 we entered into an amendment to this Facility in order to increase the existing permitted Leverage Ratio from December 8, 2012 until September 30, 2013, to equal or less than 4.75x; from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014, to equal or less than 4.5x; from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015, to equal or less than 4.0x and from October 1, 2015 and thereafter, to equal or less than 3.5x.

 

We repaid the 2011 Bancomext Peso Facility in full in September 2014.

 

MASECA® Trademark License Agreement

 

On November 29, 2013, we entered into an agreement with GIMSA in connection with the trademark MASECA®, through which GRUMA granted GIMSA the license to exclusively use the trademark MASECA® in Mexico for a term of 6 years. In consideration, GRUMA collected from GIMSA a fixed net royalty for the following six years equivalent to Ps.390.5 million per year, after a 12.75% discount rate for early payment. Therefore, on December 19, 2013, GIMSA paid GRUMA Ps.2,343 million.

 

In turn, in order to support GIMSA in its efforts to promote the MASECA® trademark in Mexico, GRUMA will contribute 0.75% of the annual net sales of GIMSA during each year of the term of the referred agreement, as a contribution for advertising and publicity expenses.

 

EXCHANGE CONTROLS

 

Mexican law does not restrict our ability to remit dividends and interest payments, if any, to Mexican or non-Mexican holders of our securities.  Payments of dividends to equity holders generally will be subject to Mexican withholding tax. See “Taxation — Mexican Tax Considerations — Payment of Dividends.” Mexico has had a free market for foreign exchange since 1991, and the government has allowed the peso to float freely against the U.S. dollar since December 1994.

 

TAXATION

 

The following summary contains a description of certain Mexican federal and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Series B Shares or Series B Share ADSs (which are evidenced by ADRs), but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase or hold Series B Shares or ADSs.

 

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The Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Protocols thereto, or the Tax Treaty, between the United States and Mexico entered into force on January 1, 1994.  The United States and Mexico have also entered into an agreement concerning the exchange of information with respect to tax matters.

 

The summary is based upon tax laws of the United States and Mexico as in effect on the date of this document, which are subject to change, including changes that may have retroactive effect.  Holders of Series B Shares or ADSs should consult their own tax advisers as to the Mexican, U.S. or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares or ADSs, including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local tax laws.

 

Mexican Tax Considerations

 

The following is a general summary of the principal consequences under the Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta, or Mexican Income Tax Law, and rules and regulations thereunder, as currently in effect, of an investment in Series B Shares or ADSs by a holder that is not a resident of Mexico and that will not hold Series B Shares or ADSs or a beneficial interest therein in connection with the conduct of a trade or business through a permanent establishment in Mexico.

 

For purposes of Mexican taxation, a natural person is a resident of Mexico for tax purposes if he has established his home in Mexico, unless he has resided in another country for more than 183 days, whether consecutive or not, in any one calendar year and can demonstrate that he has become a resident of that country for tax purposes, and a legal entity is a resident of Mexico if it was incorporated in Mexico or maintains the principal administration of its business or the effective location of its management in Mexico.  A Mexican citizen is presumed to be a resident of Mexico unless such person can demonstrate the contrary.  If a non-resident of Mexico is deemed to have a permanent establishment or fixed base in Mexico for tax purposes, all income attributable to such permanent establishment or fixed base will be subject to Mexican taxes, in accordance with applicable tax laws.

 

Tax Treaties

 

Provisions of the Tax Treaty that may affect the taxation of certain U.S. holders are summarized below.  The United States and Mexico have also entered into an agreement that covers the exchange of information with respect to tax matters.

 

Mexico has also entered into and is negotiating several other tax treaties that may reduce the amount of Mexican withholding tax to which payment of dividends on Series B Shares or ADSs may be subject.  Holders of Series B Shares or ADSs should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences, if any, of such treaties.

 

Under the Mexican Income Tax Law, in order for any benefits from the Tax Treaty or any other tax treaties to be applicable, residence for tax purposes must be demonstrated.

 

Payment of Dividends

 

Since January 1, 2014, under the Mexican Income Tax Law, dividends, either in cash or in kind, paid with respect to Series B Shares represented by ADSs are subject to Mexican withholding tax of 10%, regardless of whether or not they come from the net tax profit account (cuenta de utilidad fiscal neta, or CUFIN).  This tax will not be paid if the dividends are paid from the CUFIN generated until December 31, 2013, for which the company paying the dividend shall keep records of both CUFIN accounts, the one generated until December 31, 2013 and the one generated as from January 1, 2014, indicating to which CUFIN the dividends which are being paid belong to.

 

It is important to mention that the withholding tax may be lower, if the receiver of the dividend resides in a country which has entered into a Treaty to Avoid the Double Taxation with Mexico and if such Treaty provides for a lower tax. In the case of residents in the United States, the withholding tax is 0%.

 

A Mexican corporation will not be subject to any tax if the amount of declared dividends does not exceed the CUFIN, regardless of the date on which such CUFIN was generated.

 

If we pay a dividend in an amount greater than our CUFIN balance (which may occur in a year when net profits exceed the balance in such accounts), then we are required to pay 30% income tax on an amount equal to the product of the portion of the grossed-up amount which exceeds such balance multiplied by 1.4286.  This tax would be paid by the company paying the dividend.

 

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Taxation of Dispositions

 

The sale or other disposition of ADSs by a non-resident holder will be subject to a Mexican withholding income tax of 10% over the profit.  Deposits of Series B Shares in exchange for ADSs and withdrawals of Series B Shares in exchange for ADSs will not give rise to Mexican tax or transfer duties.The sale of Series B Shares by a non-resident holder will be subject to a withholding of 10% Mexican tax on the profits, if the transaction is carried out through the Mexican Stock Exchange or other securities markets approved by the Mexican Ministry of Finance.

 

The tax referred to in the previous paragraph is not payable, if the seller of the shares resides in a country which has entered into a treaty to avoid the double taxation with Mexico. For these purposes, the seller shall deliver to the intermediary a writ in which, under oath, it states that it is a resident for purposes of the treaty and will provide its tax registry identification number.

 

Sales or other dispositions of Series B Shares made in other circumstances generally would be subject to higher rates of Mexican tax, regardless of the nationality or residence of the transferor.

 

Under the Mexican Income Tax Law, gains realized by a nonresident holder of shares on the sale or disposition of Series B Shares not conducted through a recognized stock exchange generally are subject to a Mexican tax at a rate of 25% of the gross sale price.  However, if the holder is a resident of a country which (i) is not considered to be a low tax rate country, (ii) its legislation does not contain territorial taxation, and (iii) such income is not subject to a preferential tax regime, the holder may elect to designate a resident of Mexico as its representative, in which case taxes would be payable at the applicable income tax rate on the gain on such disposition of Series B Shares.

 

Pursuant to the Tax Treaty, gains realized by qualifying U.S. holders from the sale or other disposition of Series B Shares, even if the sale is not conducted through a recognized stock exchange, will not be subject to Mexican income tax except that Mexican taxes may apply if:

 

·                  50% or more of our assets consist of fixed assets situated in Mexico;

 

·                  such U.S. holder owned 25% or more of the Series B Shares representing the capital stock of GRUMA (including ADSs), directly or indirectly, during the 12-month period preceding such disposition; or

 

·                  the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base of the U.S. holder in Mexico.

 

Other Mexican Taxes

 

A non-resident holder will not be liable for estate, inheritance or similar taxes with respect to its holdings of Series B Shares or ADSs; provided, however, that gratuitous transfers of Series B Shares may in certain circumstances result in imposition of a Mexican tax upon the recipient.  There are no Mexican stamp, issue registration or similar taxes payable by a non-resident holder with respect to Series B Shares or ADSs.

 

Reimbursement of capital pursuant to a redemption of Series B Shares will be tax exempt up to an amount equivalent to the adjusted contributed capital corresponding to the Series B Shares that will be redeemed.  Any excess distribution pursuant to a redemption will be considered a dividend for tax purposes and we may be taxed as described above.

 

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders, as defined below, of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Series B Shares or ADSs.  This summary is based upon the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury regulations, administrative pronouncements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date of this annual report, including the provisions of the Tax Treaty, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and to different interpretations.  This summary does not describe any state, local, or non-U.S. tax law consequences, or any aspect of U.S. federal tax law other than U.S. federal income tax law (such as the estate tax and gift tax).

 

The summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of Series B Shares or ADSs.  The summary applies only to U.S. holders that will hold their Series B Shares or ADSs as capital assets and does not apply to special classes of holders such as dealers in securities or currencies, holders with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, holders that own or are treated as owning 10% or more of our voting Series B Shares (whether

 

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held directly or through ADSs or both), tax-exempt entities, financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, certain U.S. expatriates, holders liable for the alternative minimum tax, securities traders electing to account for their investment in their Series B Shares or ADSs on a mark-to-market basis, partnerships and other pass-through entities and persons holding their Series B Shares or ADSs in a hedging transaction or as part of a straddle, conversion or other integrated transaction.  The following summary assumes that we are not a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”), which we do not believe that we were for our 2014 taxable year and do not currently expect to become for our current taxable year or the foreseeable future.

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of Series B Shares or ADSs that is:

 

·                  a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

·                  a corporation (or an entity taxable as a corporation) organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

·                  an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal taxation regardless of its source;

 

·                  a trust if (i) a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) such trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person;

 

If a partnership (or any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of Series B Shares or the ADSs, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.  A holder of Series B Shares or ADSs that is a partnership, and partners in such partnership, should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of the Series B Shares or the ADSs, as the case may be.

 

Prospective investors in the Series B Shares or ADSs should consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S. federal, Mexican or other tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the Series B Shares or ADSs, including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local tax laws and their entitlement to the benefits, if any, afforded by the Tax Treaty.

 

Treatment of ADSs

 

The following summary assumes that the representations contained in the Deposit Agreement are true and that the obligations in the Deposit Agreement and any related agreement will be complied with in accordance with their terms. In general, a U.S. holder of ADSs will be treated as the beneficial owner of the Series B Shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Deposits or withdrawals of Series B Shares by U.S. holders in exchange for the ADSs will not result in the realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  U.S. holders that withdraw any Series B Shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding the treatment of any foreign currency gain or loss on any pesos received in respect of such Series B Shares.

 

Taxation of Distributions

 

In this discussion, the term “dividends” is used to mean distributions paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (calculated for U.S. federal income tax purposes) with respect to Series B Shares or ADSs.  In general, subject to the discussion below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” the gross amount of any dividends will be includible in the gross income of a U.S. holder as ordinary income on the day on which the dividends are received by the U.S. holder in the case of Series B Shares, or by the depositary in the case of ADSs.  Dividends paid by us will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code.  To the extent that a distribution exceeds the amount of our earnings and profits (calculated for U.S. federal income tax purposes), it will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. holder’s basis in the Series B Shares or ADSs, and thereafter as capital gain.  We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. holder should expect that a distribution on Series B Shares or ADSs generally will be treated as a dividend.  Distributions will be paid in pesos and will be includible in the income of a U.S. holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day that they are received by the U.S. holder in the case of Series B Shares, or by the depositary in the case of ADSs.  U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the treatment of foreign currency gain or loss, if any, on any pesos received by a U.S. holder or depositary that are converted into U.S. dollars on a date subsequent to receipt.

 

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Distributions of additional Series B Shares or ADSs to U.S. holders with respect to their Series B Shares or ADSs that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all of our shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

 

Dividends paid on Series B Shares or ADSs generally will be treated for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes as foreign source passive category income.  In the event Mexican withholding taxes are imposed on such dividends, any such withheld taxes would be treated as part of the gross amount of the dividend includible in income of a U.S. holder for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and such taxes may be treated as a foreign income tax eligible, subject to generally applicable limitations and conditions under U.S. federal income tax law, for credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability or, at the U.S. holder’s election, for deduction from gross income in computing the U.S. holder’s taxable income. The calculation and availability of foreign tax credits and, in the case of a U.S. holder that elects to deduct foreign taxes, the availability of deductions, involves the application of complex rules that depend on a U.S. holder’s particular circumstances.  In the event Mexican withholding taxes are imposed, U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of foreign tax credits.

 

U.S. holders should be aware that the IRS has expressed concern that parties to whom ADSs are transferred may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by U.S. holders of ADSs.  Accordingly, the discussion above regarding the creditability of Mexican withholding taxes could be affected by future actions that may be taken by the IRS.

 

Qualified Dividend Income

 

Certain dividends received by non-corporate U.S. holders that constitute “qualified dividend income” will be subject to a reduced maximum marginal U.S. federal income tax rate.  Qualified dividend income generally includes, dividends received from “qualified foreign corporations.” In general, the term “qualified foreign corporation” includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States which the U.S. Treasury Department determines to be satisfactory, and which includes an exchange of information program.  The Tax Treaty has been approved for this purpose by the U.S. Treasury Department.  In addition, a foreign corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to any dividend paid by the corporation with respect to stock of the corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States.  For this purpose, a share is treated as readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if an ADR backed by such share is so traded.

 

Notwithstanding the previous rule, dividends received from a foreign corporation that is a passive foreign investment company or “PFIC,” as discussed below, under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” in the year in which the dividend was paid (or was a PFIC in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid) will not constitute qualified dividend income.  In addition, the term “qualified dividend income” will not include, among other dividends, any (i) dividends on any share of stock or ADS which is held by a taxpayer for 60 days or less during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share or the Series B Shares backing the ADS become ex-dividend with respect to such dividends or (ii) dividends to the extent that the taxpayer is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respects to positions in substantially similar or related property.  Moreover, special rules apply in determining a taxpayer’s foreign tax credit limitation in the case of qualified dividend income.

 

Individual U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine whether or not amounts received as dividends from us will constitute qualified dividend income subject to a reduced maximum marginal U.S. federal income tax rate and, in such case, the effect, if any, on the individual U.S. holder’s foreign tax credit.

 

Taxation of Dispositions

 

Subject to the discussion below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” gain or loss realized by a U.S. holder on the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of Series B Shares or ADSs will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between such U.S. holder’s adjusted basis in the Series B Shares or the ADSs and the amount realized on the disposition (including any amounts withheld in respect of Mexican withholding tax).  Any such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Series B Shares or ADSs have been held for more than one year as of the time of the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition.  Under current law, certain non-corporate U.S. holders may be eligible for preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax in respect of long-term capital gains.  The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations under the Code.

 

If Mexican income tax is withheld on the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of Series B Shares or ADSs, the amount realized by a U.S. holder will include the gross amount of the proceeds of that sale, redemption or other taxable disposition before deduction of the Mexican income tax.  A U.S. holder who is eligible for the benefits of the Tax Treaty, can elect to treat capital gain or loss, if any, realized on the sale or other taxable disposition of Series B Shares or ADSs that is subject to Mexican income tax as foreign source gain or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Consequently, in the case of gain from the disposition of Series B

 

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Shares or ADSs that is subject to Mexican income tax (see “Mexican Taxation – Taxation of Disposition”), a U.S. holder, subject to a number of complex limitations and conditions (including a minimum holding period requirement), may be able to benefit from the foreign tax credit for that Mexican income tax. Otherwise, any, capital gain or loss realized by a U.S. holder on a sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of Series B Shares or ADSs will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes and a U.S. holder may not be able to benefit from the foreign tax credit for that Mexican income tax (i.e., because the gain from the disposition would be U.S. source), unless the U.S. holder can apply the credit against U.S. federal income tax payable on other income from foreign sources.  Alternatively, the U.S. holder may take a deduction for the Mexican income tax if it does not elect to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to any foreign income taxes paid or accrued during the taxable year.

 

U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the foreign tax credit rules to their investment in, and disposition of, Series B Shares or ADSs.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

 

Certain adverse U.S. federal income tax rules generally apply to a U.S. person that owns or disposes of stock in a non-U.S. corporation that is classified as a PFIC. In general, a non-U.S. corporation will be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year during which, after applying relevant look-through rules with respect to the income and assets of subsidiaries, either (i) 75.0% or more of the non-U.S. corporation’s gross income is “passive income” or (ii) 50.0% or more of the gross value (determined on a quarterly basis) of the non-U.S. corporation’s assets produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. For these purposes, passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, gains from the disposition of passive assets and gains from commodities and securities transactions (other than certain active business gains from the sale of commodities). In determining whether a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC, a pro rata portion of the income and assets of each corporation in which it owns, directly or indirectly, at least 25.0% interest (by value) is taken into account.

 

We do not believe that it was a PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for its preceding taxable year and does not expect to be a PFIC in its current taxable year or in the foreseeable future. However, because PFIC status depends upon the composition of a company’s income and assets, the market value of assets from time to time, and the application of rules that are not always clear, there can be no assurance that we will not be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year.

 

If we were to be classified a PFIC, a U.S. holder could be subject to material adverse tax consequences including being subject to greater amounts of tax on gains and certain distributions on the Series B Shares or ADSs as well as increased reporting obligations. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors about the possibility that we might be classified as a PFIC and the consequences if we were classified as a PFIC.

 

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income

 

A U.S. holder that is an individual, an estate or a trust (other than a trust that falls into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax) will be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the U.S. holder’s “net investment income” (in the case of individuals) or “undistributed net investment income” (in the case of estates and trusts) for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of the U.S. holder’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of individuals) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of estates and trusts) for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between U.S.$125,000 and U.S.$250,000 depending upon the individual’s circumstances). A U.S. holder’s net investment income generally will include its dividend income on the Series B Shares or ADSs, and its net gains from the disposition of the Series B Shares or ADSs. U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or trusts should consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to their income and gains in respect of the Series B Shares or ADSs.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Dividends on, and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, the Series B Shares or ADSs paid to a U.S. holder generally may be subject to the information reporting requirements of the Code and may be subject to backup withholding at the applicable rate unless the holder:

 

·                  establishes that it is an exempt holder; or

 

·                  provides an accurate taxpayer identification number on a properly completed IRS Form W-9 and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding has occurred.

 

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The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

Recently enacted legislation requires individual U.S. Holders to report information to the IRS with respect to their investment in Series B Shares or ADSs unless certain requirements are met.  Investors who are individuals and fail to report required information could become subject to substantial penalties.  Prospective investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this new legislation on their investment in Series B Shares or ADSs.

 

DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

 

We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC.  These materials, including this Form 20-F and the exhibits thereto, may be inspected and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

ITEM 11                    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

We are exposed to market risks arising from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices and commodity prices.  We use derivative instruments from time to time, on a selective basis, to manage these risks.  In addition, we have also historically used certain derivative instruments for trading purposes.  We adopted a risk management policy that precludes the use of derivative instruments for trading purposes.  We maintain and control our treasury operations and overall financial risk through practices approved by our senior management.

 

RISK MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

In 2008 we implemented specific improvements to our internal controls concerning the use of derivative financial instruments.  In addition, we implemented a new risk management policy that besides consolidating such improvements, prohibits us from entering into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes with the aim of obtaining profits based on changes in market values.  However, the use of financial derivative instruments for hedging purposes is allowed if used with the objective of mitigating financial risks and associated with a hedged item that is relevant to business activities.

 

INTEREST RATE RISK

 

We depend upon debt financing transactions, including debt securities, bank and vendor credit facilities and leases, to finance our operations.  All such financial instruments, as well as the related interest rate derivatives discussed further below, are entered into for other than trading purposes.  These transactions expose us to interest rate risk, with the primary interest-rate risk exposure resulting from changes in the relevant base rates (mostly LIBOR and to a lesser extent, TIIE and EUROLIBOR) which are used to determine the interest rates that are applicable to borrowings under our credit facilities.  We are also exposed to interest rate risk in connection with refinancing of maturing debt.  We had U.S.$402.34 million (Ps.5,921.74 million) of fixed rate debt and U.S.$334.41 million (Ps.4,921.98 million) in floating rate debt as of December 31, 2014.  A hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would not have a significant effect on the fair value of our fixed rate debt.  The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2014, principal cash flows and the related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates for our debt obligations.

 

 

 

Maturity Dates

 

 

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

 

2018

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 

(in millions of pesos, except percentages)

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Rate (Ps.)

 

$

20.11

 

$

14.43

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

5,887.20

 

$

5,921.74

 

$

6,098.35

 

Average Rate

 

4.86

%

4.85

%

0

%

0

%

4.875

%

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate (Ps.)

 

$

1,417.00

 

$

617.66

 

$

1,026.44

 

$

1,860.88

 

$

0.00

 

$

4,921.98

 

$

5,007.98

 

Average Rate

 

2.75

%

2.16

%

2.16

%

2.16

%

2.06

%

 

 

 

 

 

From time to time, we use derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps for purposes of hedging a portion of our debt, in order to reduce our exposure to increases in interest rates.  Several of these contracts, however, do not qualify for accounting treatment as hedging transactions.

 

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Since 2011, we have not entered into any additional interest rate swap transactions.

 

In the case of our cash and short-term investments, declines in interest rates decrease the interest return on floating rate cash deposits and short-term investments.  A hypothetical 100 basis point decrease in interest rates would not have a significant effect on our results of operations.

 

In the case of our floating interest rate debt, a rise in interest rates increases the interest expense on floating rate debt.  A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates would not have a significant effect on our results of operations.

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE RISK

 

Our net sales are denominated in U.S. dollars, Mexican pesos and other currencies.  During 2014, 53% of our revenues were generated in U.S. dollars, 30% in pesos and 17% in other currencies.  In addition, as of December 31, 2014, 70% of our total assets were denominated in currencies other than Mexican pesos, particularly U.S. dollars.  A significant portion of our operations is financed through U.S. dollar-denominated debt.

 

We believe that we have natural foreign exchange hedges incorporated in our balance sheet, in significant part because we have subsidiaries outside Mexico, and the peso-denominated value of our equity in these subsidiaries is also exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates.  Changes in the peso value of equity in our subsidiaries caused by movements in foreign exchange rates are recognized as a component of equity.  See Note 4 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

As of December 31, 2014, 90.62% of our debt obligations was denominated in U.S. dollars. The following table sets forth information concerning our U.S. dollar-denominated debt as of December 31, 2014. The table does not reflect our U.S. dollar sales or our U.S. dollar-denominated assets.

 

 

 

Expected Maturity Date (U.S.
dollar-denominated Debt) as of December 31, 2014

 

U.S. dollar-denominated debt

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 

(in millions of pesos)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.875% 10-year Bond

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

5,887.20

 

$

5,887.20

 

$

6,063.82

 

BBVA Syndicated Loan Facility

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

Rabobank Syndicated Facility

 

$

323.80

 

$

485.69

 

$

485.69

 

$

1,780.88

 

$

3,076.06

 

3,153.69

 

Other U.S. dollar loans

 

$

863.46

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

863.46

 

863.46

 

TOTAL

 

$

1,187.25

 

$

485.69

 

$

485.69

 

$

7,668.08

 

$

9,826.72

 

$

10,080.97

 

 

An important part of our foreign exchange rate risk relates to our substantial U.S. dollar-denominated debt for our non-U.S. subsidiaries.

 

As indicated in Notes 4 and 20 C to our audited consolidated financial statements, during 2014, we entered into forward transactions in order to hedge the Mexican peso to U.S. dollar foreign exchange rate risk related to the price of corn purchases for the summer and winter corn harvests in Mexico.  Since these exchange rate derivative financial instruments did not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, they were recognized at fair value and are subsequently re-measured at fair value.  As of December 31, 2014, we did not have open positions of foreign exchange derivative transactions. The operations of these instruments terminated as of December 31, 2014, represented an unfavorable effect of approximately Ps.23.4 million recognized in income as comprehensive financing cost, net.

 

As of March 31, 2015, we had foreign exchange derivative transactions in effect for a nominal amount of U.S.$201.9 million with different maturities from April through July. We recognized our currency derivative instruments at fair value. The purpose of these contracts was to hedge the risks related to exchange rate fluctuations on the price of corn and wheat, which is denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

In recent years, political and social instability has prevailed in Venezuela, and the Venezuelan government devalued its currency and established a two tier exchange structure on January 11, 2010.  On December 30, 2010, the Venezuelan government issued Exchange Agreement No. 14, which established a single exchange rate of 4.30 bolivars per U.S. dollar effective January 1, 2011.  We lost control of the Venezuelan Companies on January 22, 2013.  On February 8, 2013, the National Executive, through the Central Bank of Venezuela and the Ministry of Popular Power for Planning and Finance, amended the Exchange Agreement to the effect that an exchange rate of 6.30 bolivars per U.S. dollar is applicable to all operations conducted in foreign currency effective as of

 

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February 9, 2013. The Venezuelan Companies have been deconsolidated from our operations as of January 22, 2013. As indicated in Note 4 to our audited consolidated financial statements, in March 2013, the Venezuelan government announced the creation of an alternative exchange mechanism called the Supplementary System of Foreign Exchange Administration (Sistema Complementario de Administración de Divisas, SICAD). The SICAD operates as an auction system that allows entities of specific sectors to buy foreign currency for imports. This is not a free auction (that is, the counterpart that offers the highest price does not necessarily have the right to receive the foreign currency). Each auction may have different rules (for example, the minimum and maximum amount of foreign currency that may be offered to exchange). Limited amounts of dollars are available and entities do not commonly get the full amount for which they entered in auction. During December 2013, the Venezuelan government authorized the Central Bank of Venezuela to publish the average exchange rate resulting of SICAD auctions. During the weeks commencing on December 23 and December 30, 2013, the Central Bank of Venezuela published on its website the average exchange rate for auctions No.13 and No.14 (11.30 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar).

 

On January 24, 2014, Exchange Agreement No. 25 became effective, which establishes the cases to which the SICAD 1 exchange rate (Bs.11.30 per dollar) applies for sale of foreign currency transactions. In addition, the agreement also provides that the sale operation of foreign currency, whose clearance has been requested to the Central Bank of Venezuela before the Exchange Agreement No. 25 became effective, will be settled at the exchange rate effective on the date on which such operations were authorized. This Exchange Agreement No.25 will result in a net foreign exchange loss of Ps.17 million to us in 2014, which will be presented as discontinued operations, this exchange loss resulted from certain accounts receivable maintained with the Venezuelan companies as of December 31, 2014 which are expected to be settled at this SICAD 1 exchange rate (Bs.12.00 per dollar as of December 31,2014).

 

During 2014, the Venezuelan Government expanded the use of SICAD rate creating a third currency exchange mechanism called SICAD 2 which may be used by entities for certain transactions. SICAD 2 initiated operations in March 2014, at the time, the bolivar sold for an average of Bs.51.86 per U.S. dollar. The SICAD 2 daily average rate was published by the Central Bank of Venezuela. Based on a simulation exercise where a different exchange rate is used, such as the SICAD 2 (Bs.49.99 per dollar at December 31, 2014) , an additional foreign exchange loss of Ps.65 million will result from certain accounts receivable of the Venezuelan companies.

 

On February 10, 2015, Exchange Agreement No. 33 published in the Official Gazette of Venezuela, eliminated as of February 12, 2015 the foreign exchange rate SICAD 2 and created a new foreign exchange rate mechanism called SIMADI (Foreign Exchange Marginal System). According to the decree, the foreign exchange rate will be the one freely agreed by the parties involved in transactions for the purchase and sale of dollars in the market. The Central Bank of Venezuela will publish daily on its website the reference foreign exchange rate, corresponding to the weighted average exchange rate of the operations for each day in the markets of: a) trading transactions in local currency for foreign currency operations, and b) trading transactions in local currency for foreign currency securities. The SIMADI foreign exchange rate published on the date on which our consolidated financial statements were authorized, was Bs.171.03 per dollar.

 

COMMODITY AND DERIVATIVE PRICE RISK

 

The availability and price of corn and other agricultural commodities, as well as fuel, are subject to wide fluctuations due to factors outside our control, such as weather, plantings, government (domestic and foreign) farm programs and policies, changes in global demand/supply and global production of similar and competitive crops, as well as hydrocarbons. We hedge a portion of our production requirements through commodity futures and options contracts in order to reduce the risk created by price fluctuations and supply of corn, wheat, natural gas, diesel and soy oils which exist as part of ongoing business operations. The open positions for hedges of purchases do not exceed the maximum production requirements for a one-year period.

 

During 2014, we entered into short-term hedge transactions through commodity futures and options for a portion of our requirements. All derivative financial instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at their fair value as either assets or liabilities. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity, depending on whether the derivative qualifies for hedge accounting and is effective as part of a hedge transaction. Ineffectiveness results when the change in the fair value of the hedge instruments differs from the change in the fair value of the hedged item.

 

For hedge transactions that qualify and are effective, gains and losses are deferred until the underlying asset or liability is settled, and then are recognized as part of that transaction.

 

Gains and losses which represent hedge ineffectiveness and derivative transactions that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized in income.

 

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As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 financial instruments that qualify as hedge accounting represented an unfavorable effect of Ps. 25.1 million and Ps.71.5 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively, and a favorable effect of Ps.119.3 million, in 2012, which was recognized as comprehensive income in equity. From time to time we hedge commodity price risks utilizing futures and options strategies that do not qualify for hedge accounting. As a result of non-qualification, these derivative financial instruments are recognized at their estimated fair values and are marked to market with the associated effect recorded in current period earnings. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2012, we recognized a favorable effect of Ps.45.5 million and Ps.17.1 million, respectively. Additionally, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we realized Ps.76.6 million and Ps.30.2 million, respectively,  in net losses on commodity price risk hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting, while for the year ended December 31, 2012 we realized net gains of Ps.21.1 million.

 

Based on our commodity exposure hedged with derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 a hypothetical decrease or increase of 10 percent in market prices applied to the fair value of the instruments would result in a gain or loss to income of Ps.34.7 million, Ps.54.6 million and Ps.68.8 million, respectively (for non-qualifying contracts).

 

COUNTERPARTY RISK

 

We maintain centralized treasury operations in Mexico for our Mexican operations and in the United States for our U.S. operations. Liquid assets are invested primarily in government bonds, bank repos and short-term debt instruments with a minimum “A1/P1” rating for our U.S. operations and “A” for our Mexican operations. We face credit risk from the potential non-performance by the counterparties in respect of the financial instruments that we utilize. Substantially all of these financial instruments are unsecured. We do not anticipate non-performance by the counterparties, which are principally licensed commercial banks with long-term credit ratings. In addition, we minimize counterparty solvency risk by entering into derivative instruments only with major national and international financial institutions using standard International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) forms and long form confirmation agreements. For our operations in Europe, Oceania, Asia and Central America, we only invest cash reserves with well-known local banks and local branches of international banks.  In addition, we also keep small investments abroad.

 

The above discussion of the effects on us of changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices is not necessarily indicative of our actual results in the future. Future gains and losses will be affected by actual changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market exposures, as well as changes in the actual derivative instruments employed during any period.

 

ITEM 12                   Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities.

 

American Depositary Shares

 

Our Series B Shares have been traded on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A.B. de C.V., or Mexican Stock Exchange, since 1994. The ADSs, each representing four Series B Shares, commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange in November 1998. As of April 24, 2015, our capital stock was represented by 432,749,079 issued Series B shares, all of them fully subscribed and paid. As of December 31, 2014, 44,874,804 Series B shares of our common stock were represented by 11,218,701 ADSs held by five record holders in the United States.

 

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Fees and Expenses

 

The following table summarizes the fees and expenses payable by holders of ADSs to Citibank, N.A. (the “Depositary”) pursuant to the Deposit Agreement dated September 18, 1998:

 

Service

 

Rate

 

By Whom Paid

(1)

Issuance of ADSs upon deposit of Series B Shares (excluding issuances contemplated by paragraphs 3(b) and (5) below)

 

Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) issued

 

Party for whom deposits are made or party receiving ADSs

(2)

Delivery of Series B Shares, property and cash against surrender of ADSs

 

Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) surrendered

 

Party surrendering ADSs or making withdrawal

(3)

Distribution of (a) cash dividend or (b) ADSs pursuant to stock dividends (or other free distribution of stock)

 

No fee, so long as prohibited by the exchange upon which ADSs are listed

 

N/A

 

Service

 

Rate

 

By Whom Paid

(4)

Distribution of cash proceeds (i.e. upon sale of rights or the sale of any securities or property pursuant to Sections the Deposit Agreement)

 

Up to $2.00 per 100 ADSs held

 

Party to whom distribution is made

(5)

Distribution of ADSs pursuant to exercise of rights

 

Up to $2.00 per 100 ADSs issued

 

Party to whom distribution is made

 

In addition to the foregoing, holders of our ADSs are responsible for the following charges pursuant to the Deposit Agreement: (i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges; (ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Series B Shares on the share register and applicable to transfers of Series B Shares to or from the name of Citibank, S.A. (the “Custodian”), the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively; (iii) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing Series B Shares or holders of ADSs; (iv) the customary expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency; and (v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulatory requirements applicable to Series B Shares, ADSs and ADRs.

 

Pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may deduct the amount of any taxes or other governmental charges owed from any payments to holders. It may also sell deposited securities to pay any taxes owed. Holders may be required to indemnify the Depositary, us and the Custodian from any claims with respect to taxes.

 

PART II

 

ITEM 13                    Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 14                    Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 15                    Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)         Disclosure controls and procedures. We carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or

 

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overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b)         Management’s annual report on internal controls over financial reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and other personnel, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (v.2013) by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

Our 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 IFRS as issued by IASB. Our 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 our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our 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. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (v.2013), our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014.

 

(c)          Attestation Report of the registered public accounting firm. The report of PricewaterhouseCoopers, S.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, on our internal control over financial reporting is included herein at page F-2.

 

(d)         Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 16                    Reserved

 

ITEM 16A.                                Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Our Board of Directors has determined that Everardo Elizondo Almaguer qualifies as an independent member of the board and as an “audit committee financial expert”, within the meaning of this Item 16A.

 

ITEM 16B.                                Code of Ethics.

 

We have adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 16B of Form 20-F under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our code of ethics applies, among others, to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer,Chief Administrative Officer, persons performing similar functions, members of the board of directors, senior management and employees. Our code of ethics is available on our web site at www.gruma.com. If we amend any provisions of our code of ethics that apply to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and persons performing similar functions, or if we grant any waiver of such provisions to such persons, we will disclose such amendment or waiver on our web site at the same address.

 

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ITEM 16C.                                Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

 

The following table sets forth the fees billed to us and our subsidiaries by our independent registered public accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers, during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(thousands of Mexican pesos)

 

Audit fees

 

Ps.

53,025

 

Ps.

46,306

 

Tax fees

 

8,947

 

10,198

 

Other fees

 

1,591

 

1,190

 

Total fees

 

Ps.

63,563

 

Ps.

57,694

 

 

Audit fees in the above table are the aggregate fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers and its affiliates in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements, the review of our interim financial statements and statutory and regulatory audits.

 

Tax fees in the above table are fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers and its affiliates for tax compliance services, tax planning services and tax advice services.

 

Other fees in the above table are fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers and its affiliates for non-audit services, mainly related to accounting advice on the implementation of new accounting standards as well as accounting advice on derivative financial instruments, as permitted by the applicable independence rules.

 

Audit Committee Approval Policies and Procedures.

 

We have adopted pre-approval policies and procedures under which all audit and non-audit services provided by our external auditors must be pre-approved by the audit committee. Any service proposals submitted by external auditors need to be discussed and approved by the audit committee during its meetings, which take place at least four times a year. Once the proposed service is approved, we or our subsidiaries formalize the engagement of services. The approval of any audit and non-audit services to be provided by our external auditors is specified in the minutes of our audit committee. In addition, the members of our board of directors are briefed on matters discussed in the meetings of the audit committee.

 

ITEM 16D.                                Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees.

 

Not Applicable.

 

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ITEM 16E.                                Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities

 

Period

 

(a) Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased

 

(b) Average Price Paid
per Share (or Units)

 

(c) Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs

 

(d) Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares (or Units) that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs

 

January 1, 2014- January 31, 2014

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

February 1, 2014- February 28, 2014

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

March 1, 2014- March 31, 2014

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

April 1, 2014- April 30, 2014

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

May 1, 2014- May 31, 2014

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

June 1, 2014- June 30, 2014

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

July 1, 2014- July 31, 2014

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

August 1, 2014- August 31, 2014

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

September 1, 2014- September 30, 2014

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

October 1, 2014- October 31, 2014

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

November 1, 2014- November 30, 2014

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

December 1, 2014- December 31, 2014

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

0

 

Not applicable

 

 

In December 2012, we acquired the stake that Archer-Daniels-Midland owned in us and certain of our subsidiaries. We acquired 18.81% of our then outstanding shares directly and an additional 4.35% of our then outstanding shares indirectly via the acquisition of Valores Azteca. In 2013, we merged Valores Azteca into Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. and subsequently cancelled those shares.

 

ITEM 16F.                                 Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and through the date of this annual report, the principal independent registered public accountant engaged to audit our financial statements, PricewaterhouseCoopers, S.C., has not resigned, indicated that it has declined to stand for re-election after the completion of its current audit or been dismissed.

 

ITEM 16G.                               Corporate Governance.

 

We are a Mexican corporation with shares listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange and on the NYSE. Our corporate governance practices are governed by our bylaws and the Mexican corporate governance practices, including those set forth in the Mexican Securities Law, the Circular Única de Emisoras (the “Mexican Circular Única”) issued by the Mexican Banking and Securities Commission and the Reglamento Interior de la Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (the “Mexican Stock Exchange Rules”), and to applicable US securities laws including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”) and the rules of the NYSE (the “NYSE Rules”) to the extent SOX and the NYSE Rules apply to foreign private issuers like us. We adhere to the Code of Best Corporate Practices and the Code of Corporate Integrity and Ethics issued by the Consejo Coordinador Empresarial, or Mexican Entrepreneur Coordinating Board. Certain NYSE Rules relating to corporate governance are not applicable to us because of our status as a foreign private issuer. Specifically, we are permitted to follow home country practices in lieu of certain provisions of Section 303A of the NYSE Rules. In accordance with the requirement of Section 303A.11 of the NYSE Rules, the following is a summary of significant ways in which our

 

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corporate governance practices differ from those required to be followed by U.S. domestic companies under the NYSE’s listing standards.

 

Independence of our Board of Directors

 

Under the NYSE Rules, controlled companies like us (regardless of our status as a foreign private issuer) are not required to have a board of directors composed of a majority of independent directors. However, the Mexican Securities Law requires that, as a listed company in Mexico, at least 25% of the members of our Board of Directors be independent as determined under the Mexican Securities Law. We have an alternate director for each of our directors. The Mexican Securities Law further provides that alternates of independent directors be independent as well. The Mexican Securities Law sets forth detailed standards for establishing independence which differ from those set forth in the NYSE Rules.

 

Executive Sessions

 

Under the NYSE Rules, non-management directors must meet at executive sessions without management. We are not required, under Mexican law, to hold executive sessions in which non-management directors meet without the management or to hold meetings of only independent directors. Our Board of Directors must meet at least four times per year.

 

Audit Committee

 

Under the NYSE Rules, listed companies must have an audit committee with a minimum of three members who are independent directors. Under the Mexican Securities Law, listed companies are required to have an Audit Committee comprised solely of independent directors. The members of the Audit Committee are appointed by the Board of Directors, with the exception of its Chairman, who is appointed by the shareholders at the Shareholders’ Meeting. Currently, our Audit Committee is comprised of three members. Our Audit Committee operates pursuant to the provisions of the Mexican Securities Law and our Bylaws. A description of the specific functions of our Audit Committee can be found in Item 10. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Audit and Corporate Governance Committees” for further information about our Audit Committee.

 

Audit Committee Reports

 

Under the NYSE Rules, Audit Committees are required to prepare an Audit Committee Report as required by the SEC to be included in the listed company’s annual proxy statement. As a foreign private issuer, we are not required by the SEC to prepare and file proxy statements. In this regard, we are subject to Mexican securities law requirements. We have chosen to follow Mexican law and practice in this regard.

 

Corporate Governance Committee

 

Under both NYSE Rules and Mexican securities laws and regulations, listed companies are also required to have a Corporate Governance Committee comprised solely of independent directors. The company’s Board of Directors appoints the members of the Corporate Governance Committee, with the exception of its Chairman, who is appointed by the shareholders at a Shareholders’ Meeting. Currently, our Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of the same three members of our Audit Committee. Our Corporate Governance Committee operates pursuant to the provisions of the Mexican Securities Law and our Bylaws. A description of the specific functions of our Corporate Governance Committee can be found in Item 10. See “Item 10. Additional Information——Audit and Corporate Governance Committees” for further information about our Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Under NYSE Rules, listed companies must have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. Under our Bylaws and the Mexican securities laws and regulations, we are not required to have a compensation committee. Currently, we do not have such a committee.

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics

 

Domestic issuers listed on the NYSE are required to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines and a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees and promptly disclose any waivers of such code for directors or executive officers. We are not required to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines under Mexican law to the same extent as the NYSE Rules. However, pursuant to regulations of the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores or Mexican Stock Exchange we are required to annually file with the Mexican Stock Exchange a statement relating to our level of adherence to the Mexican Code of Best Corporate Practices. Our statement can be found on our corporate web page. We are not required to adopt a Code of Ethics under

 

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Mexican law. However, in April 2003, we adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees.  Our Code of Ethics can also be found on our corporate web page under “Corporate Governance.”

 

Solicitation of Proxies

 

Under NYSE Rules, listed companies are required to solicit proxies and provide proxy materials for all meetings of shareholders.  Such proxy solicitations are to be provided to the NYSE.  We are not required to solicit proxies from our shareholders.  Under our Bylaws and Mexican securities laws and regulations, we inform shareholders of all meetings by public notice, which states the requirements for admission to the meeting.  Under the deposit agreement relating to our ADSs, holders of our ADSs receive notice of shareholders’ meetings together with information explaining how to instruct the depositary bank to exercise the voting rights of the securities represented by ADSs.

 

ITEM 16H.                               Mine Safety Disclosure.

 

Not Applicable.

 

PART III

 

ITEM 17                    Financial Statements.

 

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 18                    Financial Statements.

 

See pages F-1 through F-81, incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 19                    Exhibits.

 

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, we have filed certain agreements as exhibits to this annual report on Form 20-F. These agreements may contain representations and warranties by the parties. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other party or parties to such agreements and (i) may be intended not as statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties to such agreements if those statements turn out to be inaccurate, (ii) may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to such other party or parties and that either have been reflected in the company’s filings or are not required to be disclosed in those filings, (iii) may apply materiality standards different from what may be viewed as material to investors, and (iv) were made only as of the date of such agreements or such other date(s) as may be specified in such agreements and are subject to more recent developments. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe our actual state of affairs at the date hereof.

 

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Documents filed as exhibits to this annual report:

 

Exhibit No.

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Our bylaws (estatutos sociales) as amended through May 15, 2013, together with an English translation. (1)

 

 

 

2(a)

 

Deposit Agreement, dated as of September 18, 1998, by and among us, Citibank, N.A. as Depositary and the Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares Evidenced by American Depositary Receipts Issued Thereunder (including form of American Depositary Receipt).(2)

 

 

 

2(b)

 

Indenture, dated as of December 5, 2014, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon., as Indenture Trustee representing up to U.S.$400,000,000 of our 4.875% Senior Notes due 2024.

 

 

 

4(a)(1)

 

U.S.$225 million credit facility by and among us, the Lenders party thereto and BBVA Bancomer, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer, as Administrative Agent, dated March 22, 2011(3) as amended as of December 3, 2012.(5)

 

 

 

4(a)(2)

 

U.S.$200 million revolving credit facility among Gruma Corporation, the Lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Documentation Agent, Swing Line Lender, and Letter of Credit Issuer, dated June 20, 2011,(4), as amended on November 21, 2012(4) and November 24, 2014

 

 

 

4(a)(3)

 

Ps.1,200 million credit facility by and among us, the Lenders party thereto and BBVA Bancomer, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer, as Administrative Agent, dated June 15, 2011(4), and its amendment dated December 3, 2012.(5)

 

 

 

4(a)(5)(1)

 

U.S.$50 million credit facility by and among us and Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A. dated June 15, 2011(4) as amended on June 28, 2012(5) and November 29, 2012(5).

 

 

 

4(a)(6)

 

U.S.$220 million syndicated credit facility dated June 13, 2013 with Rabobank Nederland(6)

 

 

 

4(a)(7)

 

Ps 2,300 million syndicated credit facility dated June 10, 2013 with Inbursa(6)

 

 

 

4(a)(8)

 

Equity Purchase Agreement by and among us, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, ADM Milling, Co., and ADM Bio Productos, S.A. de C.V. dated December 14, 2012.(5)

 

 

 

5

 

Trademark License Agreement by and among us and GIMSA, dated November 29, 2013. (6)

 

 

 

8

 

List of Principal Subsidiaries.

 

 

 

12(a)(1)

 

CEO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated April 30, 2015.

 

 

 

12(a)(2)

 

CFO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated April 30, 2015.

 

 

 

13

 

Officer Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated April 30, 2015.

 


(1)      Previously filed in annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-14852), originally filed with the SEC on April 30, 2014.  Incorporated herein by reference.

(2)      Previously filed in Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-9282), originally filed with the SEC on August 13, 1998.  Incorporated herein by reference.

(3)     Previously filed in annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-14852), originally filed with the SEC on June 8, 2011.  Incorporated herein by reference.

(4)      Previously filed in annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-14852), originally filed with the SEC on April 30, 2012. Incorporated herein by reference.

(5)      Previously filed in annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-14852), originally filed with the SEC on April 30, 2013. Incorporated herein by reference.

(6)      Previously filed in annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-14852), originally filed with the SEC on April 30, 2014. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

The registrant, Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V., hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V.

 

 

 

 

 

/S/ HOMERO HUERTA MORENO

 

Name: Homero Huerta Moreno

 

Title: Chief Administrative Officer

 

 

Dated: April 30, 2015

 

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

 

AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED

 

DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

 

CONTENT

 

 

Page

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-2

 

 

Consolidated financial statements:

 

Balance sheets

F-3

Income statements

F-4

Statements of comprehensive income

F-5

Statements of changes in equity

F-6

Statements of cash flows

F-8

 

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

F-9

 

F-1



Table of Contents

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Stockholders of

Gruma, S. A. B. de C. V.

 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, of comprehensive income, of changes in equity and of cash flows, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Gruma, S. A. B. de C. V. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”), at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.  Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company’s management is responsible for these 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 in Item 15.  Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits.  We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

We draw attention to the disclosed in notes to the financial statements: (i) Notes 2-D and 26, related to the sale of the wheat flour operations in México on December 2014 and as a result, the financial performance and cash flows for those operations, on the accompanying financial statements, were classified as discontinued operations, which were retrospectively presented on this manner, as required by IFRS; in addition, and in order to segregate the continued from the discontinued operations, some disclosures notes from prior years have been updated. (ii) Notes 26 and 28, where is mentioned that, on January 22, 2013, the Ministry of Justice and Internal Relations in Venezuela designated individuals as special managers representing the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, for the foreign subsidiaries located in that country, providing the right to take control over such subsidiaries. Consequently and as a result of the loss of control, the Company stopped consolidating the financial information of the Venezuelan subsidiaries as of January 22, 2013.

 

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 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.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers, S. C.

 

 

 

/S/ VICTOR A. ROBLEDO GÓMEZ

 

 

 

C.P.C. Víctor A. Robledo Gómez

 

 

 

Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

 

April 30, 2015

 

 

F-2



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos)

(Notes 1, 2 and 3)

 

 

 

Note

 

2014

 

2013

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

6

 

Ps.

 1,465,088

 

Ps.

 1,338,555

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

20

 

96,376

 

120,562

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

7

 

6,489,396

 

7,193,317

 

Inventories

 

8

 

6,556,777

 

7,644,130

 

Recoverable income tax

 

 

 

707,242

 

1,768,539

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

 

153,770

 

167,739

 

 

 

 

 

15,468,649

 

18,232,842

 

Asset held for sale

 

11

 

 

103,300

 

Total current assets

 

 

 

15,468,649

 

18,336,142

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term notes and accounts receivable

 

9

 

182,843

 

190,863

 

Investment in associate

 

10

 

 

148,881

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

11

 

17,814,336

 

17,904,972

 

Intangible assets, net

 

12

 

2,792,146

 

2,631,101

 

Deferred tax assets

 

13

 

1,269,743

 

287,668

 

Investment in Venezuela available for sale

 

26

 

3,109,013

 

3,109,013

 

Total non-current assets

 

 

 

25,168,081

 

24,272,498

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

 

 

Ps.

 40,636,730

 

Ps.

 42,608,640

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term debt

 

14

 

Ps.

 1,437,108

 

Ps.

 3,275,897

 

Trade accounts payable

 

 

 

3,555,521

 

3,547,498

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

20

 

49,024

 

71,540

 

Provisions

 

15

 

129,047

 

53,980

 

Income tax payable

 

 

 

623,867

 

1,525,933

 

Other current liabilities

 

16

 

3,011,424

 

2,875,593

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

 

8,805,991

 

11,350,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

14

 

9,324,052

 

13,096,443

 

Provision for deferred taxes

 

13

 

2,344,759

 

2,046,118

 

Employee benefits obligations

 

17

 

619,983

 

629,043

 

Provisions

 

15

 

445,177

 

323,804

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

29

 

1,012,522

 

735,931

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

 

 

13,746,493

 

16,831,339

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

 

22,552,484

 

28,181,780

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

18

 

5,363,595

 

5,363,595

 

Reserves

 

 

 

(171,932

)

(132,209

)

Retained earnings

 

18

 

11,371,983

 

7,741,678

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

16,563,646

 

12,973,064

 

Non-controlling interest

 

 

 

1,520,600

 

1,453,796

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Equity

 

 

 

18,084,246

 

14,426,860

 

Total Liabilities and Equity

 

 

 

Ps.

 40,636,730

 

Ps.

 42,608,640

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except per-share data)

(Notes 1, 2 and 3)

 

 

 

Note

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

 

Ps.

49,935,328

 

Ps.

49,035,523

 

Ps.

49,270,534

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

(31,574,750

)

(32,265,587

)

(33,548,061

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

18,360,578

 

16,769,936

 

15,722,473

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 

 

 

(12,040,402

)

(11,937,116

)

(13,040,182

)

Other expenses, net

 

22

 

(297,262

)

(193,069

)

(73,198

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

 

6,022,914

 

4,639,751

 

2,609,093

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive financing cost, net

 

24

 

(1,105,403

)

(987,625

)

(880,390

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax

 

 

 

4,917,511

 

3,652,126

 

1,728,703

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

25

 

(1,059,583

)

(195,361

)

(905,280

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net income from continuing operations

 

 

 

3,857,928

 

3,456,765

 

823,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net

 

26

 

598,852

 

(146,796

)

880,336

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net income

 

 

 

Ps.

4,456,780

 

Ps.

3,309,969

 

Ps.

1,703,759

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders

 

 

 

Ps.

4,287,310

 

Ps.

3,163,133

 

Ps.

1,115,338

 

Non-controlling interest

 

 

 

169,470

 

146,836

 

588,421

 

 

 

 

 

Ps.

4,456,780

 

Ps.

3,309,969

 

Ps.

1,703,759

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share (pesos)

 

 

 

Ps.

8.38

 

Ps.

7.28

 

Ps.

0.82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share (pesos)

 

 

 

Ps.

1.53

 

Ps.

(0.12

)

Ps.

1.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From continuing and discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share (pesos)

 

 

 

Ps.

9.91

 

Ps.

7.16

 

Ps.

2.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding (thousands)

 

 

 

432,749

 

441,835

 

558,712

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

(In thousands of Mexican pesos)

(Notes 1, 2 and 3)

 

 

 

Note

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net income

 

 

 

Ps.

4,456,780

 

Ps.

3,309,969

 

Ps.

1,703,759

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remeasurement of employment benefit obligations

 

17

 

(11,414

)

(170,618

)

(105,967

)

Income taxes

 

13

 

(4,223

)

42,298

 

10,783

 

 

 

 

 

(15,637

)

(128,320

)

(95,184

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments (net of the reclassification adjustment from discontinued operations of Ps.432,458 in 2013)

 

 

 

(162,033

)

156,847

 

29,130

 

Share of other comprehensive income of associated companies

 

 

 

 

 

71,217

 

Cash flow hedges

 

 

 

110,810

 

(585,811

)

461,687

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

(71,810

)

Income taxes

 

13

 

17,981

 

142,545

 

(125,113

)

 

 

 

 

(33,242

)

(286,419

)

365,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

(48,879

)

(414,739

)

269,927

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

Ps.

4,407,901

 

Ps.

2,895,230

 

Ps.

1,973,686

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders

 

 

 

Ps.

4,239,705

 

Ps.

2,630,867

 

Ps.

1,378,161

 

Non-controlling interest

 

 

 

168,196

 

264,363

 

595,525

 

 

 

 

 

Ps.

4,407,901

 

Ps.

2,895,230

 

Ps.

1,973,686

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

(In thousands of Mexican pesos)

(Notes 1, 2 and 3)

 

 

 

Common stock (Note 18-A)

 

Reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number
of shares 
(thousands)

 

Amount

 

Foreign 
currency 
translation

(Note 18-D)

 

Share of 
equity of 
associated 
companies

 

Cash flow hedges 
and other 
reserves

 

Retained 
earnings

(Note 18-B)

 

Total
shareholders’ 
equity

 

Non-
controlling 
interest

 

Total equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at January 1, 2012

 

563,651

 

Ps.

6,972,425

 

Ps.

(76,972

)

Ps.

(71,217

)

Ps.

3,953

 

Ps.

6,603,014

 

Ps.

13,431,203

 

Ps.

4,281,581

 

Ps.

17,712,784

 

Transactions with owners of the Company:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid from net tax profit account

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(96,187

)

(96,187

)

Contribution from non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

165,710

 

165,710

 

Acquisition of Company’s own shares

 

(106,335

)

(1,304,346

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,707,003

)

(4,011,349

)

 

(4,011,349

)

Contingent payment due to acquisition of Company’s own shares (Note 29)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(492,272

)

(492,272

)

 

(492,272

)

Effect of acquisition of non-controlling interest, net of taxes (Note 29)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

995,923

 

995,923

 

(1,914,578

)

(918,655

)

 

 

(106,335

)

(1,304,346

)

 

 

 

(2,203,352

)

(3,507,698

)

(1,845,055

)

(5,352,753

)

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income of the year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,115,338

 

1,115,338

 

588,421

 

1,703,759

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment (Net of taxes of Ps.825)

 

 

 

 

 

9,860

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,860

 

20,095

 

29,955

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

71,217

 

(328

)

(71,217

)

(328

)

(265

)

(593

)

Remeasurement of employment benefit obligations (Net of taxes of Ps.10,783)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(82,458

)

(82,458

)

(12,726

)

(95,184

)

Cash flow hedges (Net of taxes of Ps.(125,938))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

335,749

 

 

 

335,749

 

 

335,749

 

Comprehensive income of the year

 

 

 

9,860

 

71,217

 

335,421

 

961,663

 

1,378,161

 

595,525

 

1,973,686

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2012

 

457,316

 

5,668,079

 

(67,112

)

 

339,374

 

5,361,325

 

11,301,666

 

3,032,051

 

14,333,717

 

Transactions with owners of the Company:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid from CUFIN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(594,024

)

(594,024

)

Cancellation of Company’s own shares due to merger with shareholder (Note 10)

 

(24,567

)

(304,484

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(705,364

)

(1,009,848

)

 

(1,009,848

)

Decrease of non-controlling interest due to cease of consolidation of Venezuela (Note 26)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,057,497

)

(1,057,497

)

Effect on acquisition of non-controlling interest, net of taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,379

 

50,379

 

(191,097

)

(140,718

)

 

 

(24,567

)

(304,484

)

 

 

 

(654,985

)

(959,469

)

(1,842,618

)

(2,802,087

)

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income of the year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,163,133

 

3,163,133

 

146,836

 

3,309,969

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment (Net of taxes of Ps.(14,391))

 

 

 

 

 

(278,338

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(278,338

)

2,727

 

(275,611

)

Currency translation of discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

317,133

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

317,133

 

115,325

 

432,458

 

Remeasurement of employment benefit obligations (Net of taxes of Ps.42,298)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(127,795

)

(127,795

)

(525

)

(128,320

)

Cash flow hedges (Net of taxes of Ps.156,936)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(443,266

)

 

 

(443,266

)

 

(443,266

)

Comprehensive income of the year

 

 

 

38,795

 

 

(443,266

)

3,035,338

 

2,630,867

 

264,363

 

2,895,230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2013

 

432,749

 

Ps.

5,363,595

 

Ps.

(28,317

)

Ps.

 

Ps.

(103,892

)

Ps.

7,741,678

 

Ps.

12,973,064

 

Ps.

1,453,796

 

Ps.

14,426,860

 

 

F-6



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

(In thousands of Mexican pesos)

(Notes 1, 2 and 3)

 

 

 

Common stock (Note 19-A)

 

Reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number
of shares 
(thousands)

 

Amount

 

Foreign
currency
translation
(Note 19-D)

 

Share of
equity of
associated
companies

 

Cash flow hedges
and other
reserves

 

Retained
earnings

(Note 19-B)

 

Total
shareholders’
equity

 

Non-
controlling
interest

 

Total equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2013

 

432,749

 

Ps.

5,363,595

 

Ps.

(28,317

)

Ps.

 

Ps.

(103,892

)

Ps.

7,741,678

 

Ps.

12,973,064

 

Ps.

1,453,796

 

Ps.

14,426,860

 

Transactions with owners of the Company:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid (Ps.1.50 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(649,123

)

(649,123

)

(101,392

)

(750,515

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(649,123

)

(649,123

)

(101,392

)

(750,515

)

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income of the year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,287,310

 

4,287,310

 

169,470

 

4,456,780

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment (Net of taxes of Ps.30,712)

 

 

 

 

 

(137,802

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(137,802

)

6,481

 

(131,321

)

Remeasurement of employment benefit obligations (Net of taxes of Ps.(4,223))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,882

)

(7,882

)

(7,755

)

(15,637

)

Cash flow hedges (Net of taxes of Ps.(12,731))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

98,079

 

 

 

98,079

 

 

98,079

 

Comprehensive income of the year

 

 

 

(137,802

)

 

98,079

 

4,279,428

 

4,239,705

 

168,196

 

4,407,901

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2014

 

432,749

 

Ps.

5,363,595

 

Ps.

(166,119

)

Ps.

 

Ps.

(5,813

)

Ps.

11,371,983

 

Ps.

16,563,646

 

Ps.

1,520,600

 

Ps.

18,084,246

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

(In thousands of Mexican pesos)

(Notes 1, 2 and 3)

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before taxes

 

Ps.

4,917,511

 

Ps.

3,652,126

 

Ps.

1,728,703

 

Foreign exchange (gain) loss from working capital

 

(188,825

)

(7,712

)

91,630

 

Net cost of the year for employee benefit obligations

 

142,017

 

105,918

 

103,503

 

Items related with investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,460,451

 

1,569,376

 

1,522,778

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

14,395

 

45,235

 

4,014

 

Written-down fixed assets

 

64,503

 

 

37,681

 

Interest income

 

(13,273

)

(16,645

)

(15,057

)

Loss in sale of fixed assets and damaged assets

 

42,788

 

93,089

 

18,528

 

Items related with financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

145,274

 

(32,578

)

(93,501

)

Foreign exchange loss (gain) from debt

 

116,412

 

(38,761

)

(2,342

)

Interest expense

 

1,008,251

 

1,014,656

 

780,790

 

 

 

7,709,504

 

6,384,704

 

4,176,727

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

258,084

 

272,851

 

(206,899

)

Inventories

 

382,429

 

1,945,933

 

(1,397,041

)

Prepaid expenses

 

46,445

 

18,215

 

(7,688

)

Trade accounts payable

 

(110,409

)

(1,488,658

)

874,387

 

Accrued liabilities and other accounts payables

 

44,845

 

537,578

 

(62,932

)

Income taxes paid

 

(1,816,012

)

(1,016,629

)

(1,833,885

)

Employee benefits obligations and others, net

 

(135,532

)

(138,010

)

(60,455

)

Net cash flows from operating activities of discontinued operations

 

350,646

 

163,447

 

323,922

 

 

 

(979,504

)

294,727

 

(2,370,591

)

Net cash flows from operating activities

 

6,730,000

 

6,679,431

 

1,806,136

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment

 

(1,597,298

)

(1,408,730

)

(2,384,731

)

Sale of property, plant and equipment

 

115,574

 

115,354

 

74,714

 

Investment in Valores Azteca, S.A. de C.V. (associate)

 

 

 

(895,640

)

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

 

(122,081

)

 

 

Acquisition of intangible assets

 

(17,126

)

(2,580

)

(14,063

)

Sale of wheat flour operation in Mexico

 

3,677,788

 

 

 

Interests collected

 

13,273

 

16,498

 

15,057

 

Other

 

922

 

12,382

 

15,345

 

Net cash flows used in investing activities of discontinued operations

 

(75,464

)

(257,825

)

(266,311

)

Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

 

1,995,588

 

(1,524,901

)

(3,455,629

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash to be used in (provided by) financing activities

 

8,725,588

 

5,154,530

 

(1,649,493

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from debt

 

8,838,154

 

12,361,530

 

14,617,718

 

Payment of debt

 

(15,649,521

)

(15,873,548

)

(6,970,516

)

Interests paid

 

(1,010,976

)

(994,675

)

(767,618

)

Derivative financial instruments collected

 

(13,832

)

24,366

 

143,889

 

Acquisition of Company’s own shares

 

 

 

(4,011,348

)

Acquisition of non-controlling interest (1)

 

 

(37,418

)

(996,575

)

Capital contribution from non-controlling interest

 

 

 

165,710

 

Dividends paid

 

(750,515

)

(594,024

)

(96,187

)

Net cash flows used in financing activities of discontinued operations

 

(4,556

)

1,373

 

(267,398

)

Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(8,591,246

)

(5,112,396

)

1,817,675

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

134,342

 

42,134

 

168,182

 

Exchange differences on cash

 

(7,809

)

9,053

 

(60,465

)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

 

1,338,555

 

1,287,368

 

1,179,651

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

 

$

1,465,088

 

Ps.

1,338,555

 

Ps.

1,287,368

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 


(1) At December 31, 2013, an account payable for Ps.103,300 resulted from this transaction.

 

F-8



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

1.              ENTITY AND OPERATIONS

 

Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. (GRUMA) is a Mexican company with subsidiaries located in Mexico, the United States of America, Central America, Europe, Asia and Oceania, together referred to as the “Company”. The Company’s main activities are the production and sale of corn flour, tortillas and related products.

 

GRUMA is a publicly held corporation (Sociedad Anónima Bursátil de Capital Variable) organized under the laws of Mexico. The address of its registered office is Rio de la Plata 407 in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, Mexico. GRUMA is listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.

 

The consolidated financial statements were authorized by the Chief Administrative Office of the Company on February 25, 2015.

 

2.              BASIS OF PREPARATION

 

The consolidated financial statements of Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries for all the periods presented have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The IFRS also include the International Accounting Standards (IAS) in force, as well as all the related interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee, including those previously issued by the Standing Interpretations Committee.

 

The Company applied IFRS that were effective at December 31, 2014. The following standards have been adopted by the Company for the first time for the year beginning on January 1, 2014 and had the following impact:

 

·                  Amendment to IAS 32, “Financial instruments: Presentation”, issued in December 2011, included changes in the accounting requirements related with the offsetting of financial assets and liabilities. The implementation of these changes had no impact on the Company’s financial position or performance.

 

·                  Amendment to IAS 39, “Financial instruments: Recognition and Measurement”, issued in June 2013 to clarify that there is no need to discontinue hedge accounting if a hedging derivative is novated, as long as certain criteria are met. The application of this amendment had no impact on the Company’s financial position or performance.

 

·                  IFRIC Interpretation 21, “Levies”, issued in May 2013, clarifies that an entity recognizes a liability for a levy when the activity that triggers payment, as identified by the relevant legislation, occurs. It also clarifies that a levy liability is accrued progressively only if the activity that triggers payment occurs over a period of time, in accordance with the relevant legislation. For a levy that is triggered upon reaching a minimum threshold, the interpretation clarifies that no liability should be recognized before the specified minimum threshold is reached. The interpretation had no impact on the Company’s financial position or performance.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

A)  BASIS OF MEASUREMENT

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of historical cost, except for Venezuela’s financial information for the year 2012, due to its hyperinflationary environment, and for the fair value of certain financial instruments as described in the policies shown below (see Note 3-K).

 

The preparation of financial statements requires that management make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

B)  FUNCTIONAL AND PRESENTATION CURRENCY

 

The consolidated financial statements are presented in Mexican pesos, which is the functional currency of GRUMA.

 

C)  USE OF ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

 

The relevant estimates and assumptions are reviewed on a regular basis. The review of accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate was reviewed and in any future period that is affected.

 

In particular, the information for assumptions, uncertainties from estimates, and critical judgments in the application of accounting policies, that have the most significant effect in the recognized amounts in these consolidated financial statements are described below:

 

·                  The assumptions used for the determination of fair values of financial instruments (Note 20).

·                  The assumptions and uncertainties with respect to the interpretation of complex tax regulations, changes in tax laws, and the amount and timing of future taxable income (Notes 13 and 25).

·                  The key assumptions in impairment testing for long-lived assets used for the determination of the recoverable amount for the different cash generating units (Notes 11 and 12).

·                  The actuarial assumptions used for the determination of employee benefits obligations (Note 17).

·                  The key assumptions in impairment testing of the investment in Venezuela (Notes 26 and 28).

 

D)  RECLASSIFICATIONS IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES

 

As mentioned in Note 26 “Discontinued Operations”, in December 2014, the Company concluded the sale of its wheat flour operations in Mexico. Therefore, the income and cash flows provided by the wheat flour operations in Mexico, for the periods presented, are classified as a discontinued operation. As indicated by IFRS, the presentation as a discontinued operation was applied retrospectively for the periods presented in these financial statements. Additionally, certain other disclosures have also been updated to segregate amounts between continuing and discontinued operations for the periods presented.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

3.        SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

A)  BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION

 

a. Subsidiaries

 

The subsidiaries are all entities (including structured entities) over which the Company has control. The Company controls an entity when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns through its power over the investee. The financial statements of subsidiaries are incorporated in the consolidated financial statements commencing on the date on which the control begins, until the date when that control ceases.

 

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated. Unrealized losses are also eliminated. Subsidiaries’ accounting policies have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Company.

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the main subsidiaries included in the consolidation were:

 

 

 

% of ownership

 

 

 

At December 
31, 2014

 

At December 
31, 2013

 

Gruma Corporation and subsidiaries

 

100.00

 

100.00

 

Grupo Industrial Maseca, S.A.B. de C.V. and subsidiaries

 

83.18

 

83.18

 

Molinera de México, S.A. de C.V. and subsidiaries (Note 26 and 29)

 

 

100.00

 

Gruma International Foods, S.L. and subsidiaries

 

100.00

 

100.00

 

Productos y Distribuidora Azteca, S.A. de C.V

 

100.00

 

100.00

 

Investigación de Tecnología Avanzada, S.A. de C.V. and subsidiaries (1)

 

 

100.00

 

 


(1)         During March 2014, Investigación de Tecnología Avanzada, S.A. de C.V. was merged with Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V.

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no significant restrictions for the investment in the subsidiaries mentioned above, except for those described in Note 26.

 

b. Transactions with non-controlling interest without change of control

 

The Company applies a policy of treating transactions with non-controlling interest as transactions with equity owners of the Company. When purchases from non-controlling interest take place, the difference between any consideration paid and the relevant share acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is recognized as operations with holders of equity instruments; therefore, no goodwill is recognized with these acquisitions. Disposals to non-controlling interests result in gains and losses for the group and are also recorded in equity when there is no loss of control.

 

c. Business combinations

 

Business combinations are recognized through the acquisition method of accounting. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary is measured as the fair value of the assets given, the

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

liabilities incurred by the Company with the previous owners and the equity instruments issued by the Company. The cost of an acquisition also includes the fair value of any contingent payment.

 

The related acquisition costs are recognized in the income statement when incurred.

 

Identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and contingent liabilities in a business combination are measured at fair value at the acquisition date.

 

The Company recognizes any non-controlling interest as the proportional share of the net identifiable assets of the acquired entity.

 

The Company recognizes goodwill when the cost including any amount of non-controlling interest in the acquired entity exceeds the fair value at acquisition date of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

 

B)  FOREIGN CURRENCY

 

a. Transactions in foreign currency

 

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency of the Company using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at year-end exchange rates. The differences that arise from the translation of foreign currency transactions are recognized in the income statement.

 

b. Foreign currency translation

 

The financial statements of the Company’s entities are measured using the currency of the main economic environment where each entity operates (functional currency). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Mexican pesos, currency that corresponds to the presentation currency of the Company.

 

The financial position and results of all of the group entities that have a functional currency which differs from the Company’s presentation currency are translated as follows:

 

·                  Assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate of the period.

·                  Income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates when it has not fluctuated significantly during the year.

·                  Equity is translated at the exchange rate in effect at the date when the contributions were made and the earnings were generated.

·                  All resulting exchange differences are recognized in other comprehensive income as a separate component of equity denominated “Foreign currency translation adjustments”.

 

Previous to the translation to Mexican pesos, the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries with functional currency from a hyperinflationary environment are adjusted by inflation in order to reflect the changes in purchasing power of the local currency. Subsequently, assets, liabilities, equity, income, costs, and expenses are translated to the presentation currency at the closing rate at the date of the most recent balance sheet. To determine the existence of hyperinflation, the Company evaluates the qualitative characteristics of the economic environment, as well as the quantitative characteristics established by IFRS of an accumulated inflation rate equal or higher than 100% in the past three years.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

The Company applies hedge accounting to foreign exchange differences originated between the functional currency of a foreign subsidiary and the functional currency of the Company. Exchange differences resulting from the translation of a financial liability designated as hedge for a net investment in a foreign subsidiary, are recognized in other comprehensive income as a separate component denominated “Foreign currency translation adjustments” while the hedge is effective. See Note 3-L for the accounting of the net investment hedge.

 

The closing exchange rates used for preparing the financial statements are as follows:

 

 

 

As of 
December 31,
 2014

 

As of 
December 31, 
2013

 

Pesos per U.S. dollar

 

14.7180

 

13.0765

 

Pesos per Euro

 

17.8912

 

18.0430

 

Pesos per Swiss franc

 

14.8847

 

14.7241

 

Pesos per Venezuelan bolivar (Bs.)

 

1.2265

 

2.0756

 

Pesos per Australian dollar

 

12.0462

 

11.6443

 

Pesos per Chinese yuan

 

2.4040

 

2.1428

 

Pesos per Pound sterling

 

22.9042

 

21.5684

 

Pesos per Malaysian ringgit

 

4.2081

 

3.9692

 

Pesos per Costa Rica colon

 

0.0270

 

0.0258

 

Pesos per Ukrainian hryvnia

 

0.9302

 

1.6341

 

Pesos per Russian ruble

 

0.2616

 

0.3995

 

Pesos per Turkish lira

 

6.3470

 

6.1268

 

 

C)  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short term highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than three months. These items are recognized at historical cost, which do not differ significantly from its fair value.

 

D)  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

Trade receivables are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently valued at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment. The Company has determined that the amortized cost does not represent significant differences with respect to the invoiced amount from short-term trade receivables, since the transactions do not have relevant associated costs.

 

Allowances for doubtful accounts or impairment represent the Company’s estimates of losses that could arise from the failure or inability of customers to make payments when due. These estimates are based on the ageing of customers’ balances, specific credit circumstances and the Company’s historical bad receivables experience.

 

E)  INVENTORIES

 

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the average cost method. The net realizable value is the estimated selling price of inventory in the normal course of business, less applicable variable selling expenses. The cost of finished goods and production in process comprises raw materials, direct labor, other direct costs and related production overheads.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Cost of inventories may also include the transfer from equity of any gains or losses on qualifying cash flow hedges for purchases of raw materials.

 

F)  INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

 

Associates are all entities over which the Company has significant influence over, but does not control the financial and operative decisions. It is assumed that significant influence exists when there is a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights of the other entity or less than 20% when it is clearly demonstrated that such significant influence exists.

 

Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognized at cost. The Company’s investment in associates includes goodwill identified on acquisition, net of any accumulated impairment losses.

 

The Company’s share of its associates’ post-acquisition profits or losses is recognized in the income statement, and its share of post-acquisition movements in other comprehensive income is recognized in other comprehensive income. The cumulative post-acquisition movements are adjusted against the carrying value of the investment. When the group’s share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the associate, including any other unsecured receivables, the Company does not recognize further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate. Unrealized gains and losses from transactions held with associates are eliminated from the investment in proportion to the Company’s share in the entity.

 

Accounting policies of associates have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Company.

 

G)  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property, plant and equipment are valued at acquisition cost, less accumulated depreciation and recognized impairment losses. Cost includes expenses that are directly attributable to the asset acquisition.

 

Subsequent costs, including major improvements, are capitalized and are included in the carrying value of the asset or recognized as a separate asset as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the specific asset will flow to the Company and the costs can be measured reliably. Repairs and maintenance are recognized in the income statement when incurred. Major improvements are depreciated during the remaining useful life of the related asset. Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the lower of the lease term or useful life. Land is not depreciated.

 

Costs of borrowings, general and specific, of qualifying assets that require a substantial period of time (over one year) for acquisition or construction, are capitalized as part of the acquisition cost of these assets, until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale.

 

Depreciation is calculated over the asset cost less residual value, considering its components separately. Depreciation is recognized in income using the straight-line method and applying annual rates that reflect the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are summarized as follows:

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

Years

 

 

 

 

 

Buildings

 

25 — 50

 

Machinery and equipment

 

5 — 25

 

Leasehold improvements

 

10 *

 

 


* The lesser of 10 years or the term of the leasehold agreement.

 

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period.

 

Gains and losses from sale of assets result from the difference between revenues of the transaction and the book value of the assets, which is included in the income statement as other expenses, net.

 

H)  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

a. Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Company’s share of the net identifiable assets of the acquired subsidiary at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment, or whenever the circumstances indicate that the value of the asset might be impaired. Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill related to the entity sold.

 

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. The allocation is made to those cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose, identified according to operating segment.

 

b. Intangible assets with finite lives

 

Intangible assets with finite lives are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

 

 

Years

 

 

 

 

 

Non-compete agreements

 

3 - 20

 

Patents and trademarks

 

3 - 20

 

Customer lists

 

5 - 20

 

Software for internal use

 

3 - 7

 

 

c. Indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but subject to impairment tests on an annual basis or whenever the circumstances indicate that the value of the asset might be impaired.

 

d. Research and development

 

Research costs are expensed when incurred.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Costs from development activities are recognized as an intangible asset when such costs can be measured reliably, the product or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits will be obtained, and the Company pretends and has sufficient resources in order to complete the development and use or sell the asset. The amortization is recognized in income based on the straight-line method during the estimated useful life of the asset.

 

Development costs that do not qualify as intangible assets are recognized in income when incurred.

 

I)  IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATES

 

The Company performs impairment tests for its property, plant and equipment, intangible assets with finite lives, and investment in associates, when certain events and circumstances suggest that the carrying value of the assets might not be recovered. Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are subject to impairment tests at least once a year.

 

An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. To determine value in use, estimated future cash flows are discounted at present value, using a pre-tax discount rate that reflect time value of money and considering the specific risks associated with the asset. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-generating unit).

 

Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed. For other assets, impairment losses are reversed if a change in the estimates used for determining the recoverable amount has occurred. Impairment losses are reversed to the extent that the book value does not exceed the book value that was determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss was recognized.

 

J)  LONG-LIVED ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

Long-lived assets are classified as held for sale when (a) their carrying amount is to be recovered mainly through a sale transaction, rather than through continuing use, (b) the assets are held immediately for sale and (c) the sale is considered highly probable in its current condition.

 

For the sale to be considered highly probable:

 

·                  Management must be committed to a sale plan.

·                  An active program must have begun in order to locate a buyer and to complete the plan.

·                  The asset must actively be quoted for its sale at a price that is reasonable to its current fair value; and

·                  The sale is expected to be completed within a year starting the date of classification.

 

Non-current assets held for sale are stated at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.

 

Discontinued operations are the operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the entity, that either have been disposed of or are classified as held for sale, and:

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

·                  Represent a line of business or geographical area of operations.

·                  Are part of a single coordinated plan to dispose of a line of business or geographical area of operations, or

·                  Is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale.

 

K)  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Regular purchases and sales of financial instruments are recognized in the balance sheet on the trade date, which is the date when the Company commits to purchase or sell the instrument.

 

a. Financial assets

 

Classification

 

In its initial recognition and based on its nature and characteristics, the Company classifies its financial assets in the following categories: (i) financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, (ii) loans and receivables, (iii) financial assets held until maturity, and (iv) available-for-sale financial assets. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. Balances of financial instruments held by the Company at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are disclosed in Note 20-A.

 

i. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

 

A financial asset is classified at fair value through profit or loss when designated as held for trading or classified as such in its initial recognition. A financial asset is classified in this category if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short term. Assets in this category are carried at fair value, and directly attributable transaction costs and corresponding changes of fair value are recognized in the income statement. Derivatives are also categorized as held for trading unless they are designated as hedges. Assets in this category are classified as current assets if expected to be settled within 12 months; otherwise, they are classified as non-current.

 

ii. Loans and receivables

 

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They are included in current assets, except for assets with maturities greater than 12 months. Initially, these assets are carried at fair value plus any transaction costs directly attributable to them; subsequently, these assets are recognized at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.

 

iii. Financial assets held until maturity

 

When the Company has the intention and capacity to keep debt instruments until maturity, these financial assets are classified as held until maturity. Initially, these assets are carried at fair value plus any transaction costs directly attributable to them; subsequently, these assets are recognized at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.

 

iv. Available-for-sale financial assets

 

Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivative financial assets that are designated in this category or not classified in any of the other categories. They are included in current assets, except for assets with maturities greater than 12 months. These assets are initially recognized at fair value

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

plus any transaction costs directly attributable to them; subsequently, these assets are recognized at fair value. If these assets cannot be measured through an active market, then they are measured at cost (See Note 26). Profit or losses from changes in the fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income in the period when incurred. At disposition date, such profit or losses are recognized in income.

 

Interest on available-for-sale securities calculated using the effective interest method is recognized in the income statement as part of interest income. Dividends on available-for-sale equity instruments are recognized in the income statement when the Company’s right to receive payments is established.

 

Impairment

 

The Company assesses at each reporting date whether there is any objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. A financial asset or a group of financial assets is deemed to be impaired if, and only if, there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that have occurred after the initial recognition of the asset (an incurred “loss event”) and that loss event has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or the group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated. See Note 3-D for the accounting policy for the impairment of accounts receivable.

 

b. Financial liabilities

 

i. Debt and financial liabilities

 

Debt and financial liabilities that are non-derivatives are initially recognized at fair value, net of transaction costs directly attributable to them: subsequently, these liabilities are recognized at amortized cost. The difference between the net proceeds and the amount payable is recognized in the income statement during the debt term, using the effective interest rate method.

 

ii. Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

 

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities for trading and financial liabilities designated at initial recognition.

 

L)  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

Derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value; the transaction costs are recognized in the income statement when incurred. Derivative financial instruments are classified as current, except for maturities exceeding 12 months.

 

Fair value is determined based on recognized market prices. When not quoted in markets, fair value is determined using valuation techniques commonly used in the financial sector. Fair value reflects the credit risk of the instrument and includes adjustments to consider the credit risk of the Company or the counterparty, when applicable.

 

The method for recognizing the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedge and, if so, the nature of the item being hedged. The Company designates derivative financial instruments as follows:

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

·                        Hedges of the fair value of recognized assets or liabilities or a firm commitment (fair value hedge);

·                        Hedges of a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction (cash flow hedge); or

·                        Hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation (net investment hedge).

 

The Company documents at the inception of the transaction the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, including objectives, strategies for risk management and the method for assessing effectiveness in the hedge relationship.

 

a. Fair value hedges

 

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded in the income statement, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not have this type of hedging.

 

b. Cash flow hedges

 

For cash flow hedge transactions, changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instrument are included as other comprehensive income in equity, based on the evaluation of the hedge effectiveness, and are reclassified to the income statement in the periods when the projected transaction is realized, see Note 20-C.

 

Hedge effectiveness is determined when changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged position are compensated with changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedge instrument in a quotient that ranges between 80% and 125% of inverse correlation. Ineffective portions from changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are recognized immediately in the income statement.

 

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognized when the forecasted transaction is ultimately registered in the income statement.

 

c. Net investment hedge

 

Hedges of net investments in foreign operations are accounted for similarly to cash flow hedges. Any gain or loss on the hedging instrument relating to the effective portion of the hedge is recognized in other comprehensive income. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized in the income statement. Gains and losses accumulated in equity are included in the income statement when the foreign operation is partially disposed of or sold, see Note 18-D.

 

M) LEASES

 

a. Operating leases

 

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are recognized in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

b. Finance leases

 

Leases where the Company has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership, are classified as finance leases.

 

Under finance leases, at the initial date, both assets and liabilities are recognized at the lower of the fair value of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments. In order to discount the minimum payments, the Company uses the interest rate implicit in the lease, if this practicable to determine; if not, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate is used.

 

Lease payments are allocated between the interest expense and the reduction of the pending liability. Interest income is recognized in each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic interest rate on the remaining balance of the liability.

 

Property, plant and equipment acquired under finance leases is depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the asset and the lease term.

 

N)  EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

 

a. Post-employment benefits

 

In Mexico, the Company has the following defined benefit plans:

 

·                  Single-payment retirement plan, when employees reach the required retirement age, which is 60.

 

·                  Seniority premium, after 15 years of service.

 

The Company has established trust funds in order to meet its obligations for the seniority premium. Employees do not contribute to these funds.

 

The liability recognized in the balance sheet in respect of defined benefit plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligation, less the fair value of plan assets. The Company determines the net interest expense (income) on the net defined benefit liability (asset) for the period by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period to the net defined benefit liability (asset). The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method.

 

The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated cash outflows using discount rates in accordance with IAS-19, that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms to maturity approximating to the terms of the related liability.

 

Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are charged or credited to equity in other comprehensive income in the period in which they arise. Past service costs are recognized immediately in the income statement.

 

In the United States, the Company has a savings and investment plan that incorporates voluntary employee 401 (k) contributions with matching contributions of the Company in this country. The Company’s contributions are recognized in the income statement when incurred.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

b. Termination benefits

 

Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated by decision of the Company, before the normal retirement date.

 

The Company recognizes termination benefits as a liability at the earlier of the following dates: (a) when the Company can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits; and (b) when the Company recognizes costs for a restructuring representing a provision and involves the payment of termination benefits. Termination benefits that do not meet this requirement are recognized in the income statement in the period when incurred.

 

c. Short term benefits

 

Short term employee benefits are measured at nominal base and are recognized as expenses as the service is rendered. If the Company has the legal or constructive obligation to pay as a result of a service rendered by the employee in the past and the amount can be estimated, an obligation is recognized for short term bonuses or profit sharing.

 

O)  PROVISIONS

 

Provisions are recognized when (a) the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events; (b) it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and (c) the amount has been reliably estimated.

 

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the specific risks of the obligation. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as interest expense.

 

P)  SHARE CAPITAL

 

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

 

Q)  REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

Sales are recognized upon shipment to, and acceptance by, the Company’s customers or when the risk of ownership has passed to the customers. Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of returns, discounts, and rebates. Provisions for discounts and rebates to customers, returns and other adjustments are recognized in the same period that the related sales are recorded and are based upon either historical estimates or actual terms.

 

R)  INCOME TAXES

 

The tax expense of the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognized in the income statement, except to the extent that it relates to items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date in the countries where the Company and its subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation. It establishes provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

 

Deferred income tax is recognized from the analysis of the balance sheet considering temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates that have been approved or substantially approved at the date of the balance sheet and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

 

Deferred income tax assets are recognized for tax loss carry-forwards not used, tax credits and deductible temporary differences, only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized. In each period-end deferred income tax assets are reviewed and reduced to the extent that it is not probable that the benefits will be realized.

 

Deferred income tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, except where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the Company and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if the entity has a legally enforceable right to set off assets against liabilities and are related to income tax levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

 

S)  EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year, excluding ordinary shares purchased by the Company and held as treasury shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares, which include convertible debt and share options.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no dilutive instruments issued.

 

T)  SEGMENT REPORTING

 

An operating segment is a component of the Company that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses relating to transactions with other components of the same entity. Operating results from an operating segment are regularly reviewed by the entity’s chief executive officer to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available.

 

4.        RISK AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

 

A)  RISK MANAGEMENT

 

The Company is exposed to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, interest rate risk, and commodity price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The group’s overall risk management

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on financial performance. The Company uses derivative financial instruments to hedge some of these risks.

 

Currency risk

 

The Company operates internationally and thus, is exposed to currency risks, particularly with the U.S. dollar. Currency risks arise from commercial operations, recognized assets and liabilities and net investments in foreign subsidiaries.

 

The following tables detail the exposure of the Company to currency risks at December 31, 2014 and 2013. The tables show the carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments denominated in currencies other than Mexican pesos.

 

At December 31, 2014:

 

 

 

Amounts in thousands of Mexican pesos

 

 

 

U.S. Dollar

 

Pound sterling

 

Euros

 

Costa Rica
colons and
others

 

Total

 

Monetary assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current (1)

 

Ps.

2,917,159

 

Ps.

370,185

 

Ps.

384,298

 

Ps.

1,402,849

 

Ps.

5,074,491

 

Non-current

 

9,994

 

 

836

 

19,742

 

30,572

 

Monetary liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

(5,476,106

)

(278,869

)

(291,244

)

(869,436

)

(6,915,655

)

Non-current

 

(9,100,161

)

(2,075

)

(36,458

)

(180,569

)

(9,319,263

)

Net position

 

Ps.

(11,649,114

)

Ps.

89,241

 

Ps.

57,432

 

Ps.

372,586

 

Ps.

(11,129,855

)

 

At December 31, 2013:

 

 

 

Amounts in thousands of Mexican pesos

 

 

 

U.S. Dollar

 

Pound sterling

 

Euros

 

Costa Rica
colons and
others

 

Total

 

Monetary assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current (1)

 

Ps.

2,776,046

 

Ps.

265,952

 

Ps.

764,541

 

Ps.

1,077,969

 

Ps.

4,884,508

 

Non-current

 

9,912

 

 

7,406

 

10,854

 

28,172

 

Monetary liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

(5,459,193

)

(271,561

)

(247,916

)

(544,162

)

(6,522,832

)

Non-current

 

(9,536,365

)

(2,157

)

(20,864

)

(53,503

)

(9,612,889

)

Net position

 

Ps.

(12,209,600

)

Ps.

(7,766

)

Ps.

503,167

 

Ps.

491,158

 

Ps.

(11,223,041

)

 


(1)         Approximately 70% of this balance corresponds to accounts receivable.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the effects of exchange rate differences on the Company’s monetary assets and liabilities were recognized as follows:

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Exchange differences arising from foreign currency liabilities accounted for as a hedge of the Company’s net investment in foreign subsidiaries, recorded directly to equity as an effect of foreign currency translation adjustments

 

Ps.

(961,855

)

Ps.

(46,412

)

Ps.

468,381

 

Exchange differences arising from foreign currency transactions recognized in the income statement

 

72,413

 

46,473

 

(82,577

)

 

 

Ps.

(889,442

)

Ps.

61

 

Ps.

385,804

 

 

Net sales are denominated in Mexican pesos, U.S. dollars, and other currencies. Sales generated in Mexican pesos were 30% in 2014, 33% in 2013 and 35% in 2012 of total net sales. Sales generated in U.S. dollars were 53% in 2014, 51% in 2013 and 50% in 2012 of total net sales. Additionally, at December 31, 2014 and 2013, 70% and 71%, respectively, of total assets were denominated in different currencies other than Mexican pesos, mainly in U.S. dollars. An important portion of operations are financed through debt denominated in U.S. dollars. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, net sales in currencies other than Mexican pesos amounted to Ps.34,825,230, Ps.32,925,736 and Ps.32,139,710, respectively.

 

An important currency risk for the debt denominated in U.S. dollars is present in subsidiaries that are not located in the United States, which represented 100% of total debt denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

At December 31, 2014, the Company had no open positions of foreign exchange derivative instruments. At December 31, 2013, the Company had foreign exchange derivative instruments for a nominal amount of U.S.$65 million maturing in January 2014. The purpose of these instruments is to hedge the risks related to exchange rate variations on corn price, in those cases in which is denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

The effect of foreign exchange differences recognized in the income statements for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, related with the assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency, totaled a gain of Ps.72,413, a gain of Ps.46,473 and a loss of Ps.(82,577), respectively. Considering the exposure at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, and assuming an increase or decrease of 10% in the exchange rates while keeping constant the rest of the variables such as interest rates, the effect after taxes in the Company’s consolidated results will be an increase or a decrease of Ps.12,521, Ps.35,796 and Ps.458,069, respectively.

 

Interest rate risk

 

The variations in interest rates could affect the interest expense of financial liabilities bearing variable interest rates, and could also modify the fair value of financial liabilities bearing fixed interest rates.

 

For the Company, interest rate risk is mainly derived from debt financing transactions, including debt securities, bank and vendor credit facilities and leases. These financing transactions generate exposure to interest rate risk, principally due to changes in relevant base rates (mainly, LIBOR, and to a lesser extent, TIIE and EUROLIBOR) that are used to determine the interest rates applicable to the borrowings.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

The following table shows, at December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s debt at fixed and variable rates:

 

 

 

Amounts in thousands of Mexican pesos

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Debt at fixed interest rate

 

Ps.

5,855,096

 

Ps.

3,747,511

 

Debt at variable interest rate

 

 

4,906,064

 

 

12,624,829

 

Total

 

Ps.

10,761,160

 

Ps.

16,372,340

 

 

From time to time, the Company uses derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps for the purposes of hedging a portion of its debt, in order to reduce the Company’s exposure to increases in interest rates.

 

For variable rate debt, an increase in interest rates will increase interest expense. A hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in interest rates on debt at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 will have an effect on the results of the Company of Ps.49,061, Ps.126,248 and Ps.161,370, respectively, considering debt and interest rates at that date, and assuming that the rest of the variables remain constant.

 

Commodity price risk and derivatives

 

The availability and price of corn, wheat and other agricultural commodities and fuels, are subject to wide fluctuations due to factors outside of the Company’s control, such as weather, plantings, government (domestic and foreign) farm programs and policies, changes in global demand/supply and global production of similar and competitive crops, as well as fuels. The Company hedges a portion of its production requirements through commodity futures and options contracts in order to reduce the risk created by price fluctuations and supply of corn, wheat, natural gas, diesel and soy oils which exist as part of ongoing business operations. The open positions for hedges of purchases do not exceed the maximum production requirements for a period no longer than 18 months, based on the Company’s corporate policies.

 

During 2014, the Company entered into short-term hedge transactions through commodity futures and options to hedge a portion of its requirements. All derivative financial instruments are recorded at their fair value as either assets or liabilities. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income in equity, depending on whether the derivative qualifies for hedge accounting and is effective as part of a hedge transaction. Ineffectiveness results when the change in the fair value of the hedge instruments differs from the change in the fair value of the position.

 

For hedge transactions that qualify and are effective, gains and losses are deferred until the underlying asset or liability is settled, and then are recognized as part of that transaction.

 

Gains and losses which represent hedge ineffectiveness and derivative transactions that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized in the income statement.

 

At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, financial instruments that qualify as hedge accounting represented a unfavorable effect of Ps.25,133 and Ps.71,540 in 2014 and 2013, respectively, and a favorable effect of Ps.119,275 in 2012, which was recognized as comprehensive income in equity.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

From time to time the Company hedges commodity price risks utilizing futures and options strategies that do not qualify for hedge accounting. As a result of non-qualification, these derivative financial instruments are recognized at their fair values and the associated effect is recorded in current period earnings. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2012, the Company recognized a favorable effect of Ps.45,534 and Ps.17,090, respectively. Additionally, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company realized Ps.76,635 and Ps.30,160, respectively, in net losses on commodity price risk hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting; likewise, as of December 31, 2012, realized net gains of Ps.21,058.

 

Based on the Company’s overall commodity exposure at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, a decrease or increase of 10 percent in market prices applied to the fair value of these instruments would result in a gain or loss to the income statement of Ps.34,693, Ps.54,568 and Ps.68,811, respectively (for non-qualifying contracts).

 

In Mexico, to support the commercialization of corn for Mexican corn growers, Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food Ministry (Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación, or SAGARPA), through the Agricultural Incentives and Services Agency (Apoyos y Servicios a la Comercialización Agropecuaria, or ASERCA), a government agency founded in 1991, implemented a program designed to promote corn sales in Mexico. The program includes the following objectives:

 

·                  Ensure that the corn harvest is brought to market, providing certainty to farmers concerning the sale of their crops and supply security for the buyer.

·                  Establish a minimum price for the farmer and a maximum price for the buyer, which are determined based on international market prices, plus a basic formula specific for each region.

·                  Implement a corn hedging program to allow both farmers and buyers to minimize their exposure to price fluctuations in the international markets.

 

To the extent that this or other similar programs are canceled by the Mexican government, we may be required to incur additional costs in purchasing corn for our operations, and therefore we may need to increase the prices of our products to reflect such additional costs.

 

Credit risk

 

The Company’s regular operations expose it to defaults when customers and counterparties are unable to comply with their financial or other commitments. The Company seeks to mitigate this risk by entering into transactions with a diverse pool of counterparties. However, the Company continues to remain subject to unexpected third party financial failures that could disrupt its operations.

 

The Company is also exposed to risks in connection with its cash management activities and temporary investments, and any disruption that affects its financial intermediaries could also adversely affect its operations.

 

The Company’s exposure to risk due to trade receivables is limited given the large number of its customers located in different parts of Mexico, the United States, Central America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. For this reason, there is not a significant concentration of credit risk. However, the Company still maintains allowances for doubtful accounts. Risk control assesses the credit quality of the customer, taking into account its financial position, past experience and other factors.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Since most of the clients do not have an independent rating of credit quality, the Company’s management determines the maximum credit risk for each one, taking into account its financial position, past experience, and other factors. Credit limits are established according to policies set by the Company, which also includes controls that assure its compliance.

 

During 2014 and 2013, credit limits were complied with and, consequently, management does not expect any important losses from trade accounts receivable.

 

The Company has centralized its treasury operations in Mexico and in the United States for its operations in that country. Liquid assets are invested primarily in government bonds and short term debt instruments with a minimum grade of “A1/P1” in the case of operations in the United States and “A” for operations in Mexico. For operations in Central America, only invests cash reserves with leading local banks and local branches of international banks. Additionally, small investments are maintained abroad. The Company faces credit risk from potential defaults of their counterparts with respect to financial instruments they use. Substantially all of these financial instruments are not guaranteed. Additionally, when the Company enters into hedge contracts for exchange rates, interest rates and/or commodities, it minimizes the risk of default by the counterparts by contracting derivative financial instruments only with major national and international financial institutions using contracts and standard forms issued by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) and operations standard confirmation formats.

 

Investment risk in Venezuela

 

The recent political and civil instability that has prevailed in Venezuela represents a risk to the Company’s investment in this country. The Company does not have insurance for the risk of expropriation of its investments. See Note 26 for additional information.

 

The exchange rate controlled by the Foreign Exchange Administration Commission (Comisión de Administración de Divisas, CADIVI ) at December 31, 2012 was 4.30 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar. Certain entities in specific sectors such as the food industry, were allowed to use foreign currency to settle accounts payable or to remit dividends using the exchange rate established by CADIVI. There are often substantial delays to obtain foreign currency through this mechanism.

 

In March 2013, the Venezuelan government announced the creation of an alternative exchange mechanism called the Supplementary System of Foreign Exchange Administration (Sistema Complementario de Administración de Divisas, SICAD). The SICAD operates as an auction system that allows entities of specific sectors to buy foreign currency for imports. This is not a free auction (that is, the counterpart that offers the highest price does not necessarily have the right to receive the foreign currency). Each auction may have different rules (for example, the minimum and maximum amount of foreign currency that may be offered to exchange). Limited amounts of dollars are available and entities do not commonly get the full amount for which they entered in auction. During December 2013, the Venezuelan government authorized the Central Bank of Venezuela to publish the average exchange rate resulting of SICAD auctions. During weeks of December 23 and December 30, 2013, the Central Bank of Venezuela published on its website the average exchange rate for auctions No.13 and No.14 (11.30 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar).

 

On January 24, 2014, Exchange Agreement No. 25 became effective, which establishes the concepts to which the SICAD exchange rate (11.30 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar) applies to, for foreign currency transactions. In addition, the agreement also provides that the sale operation of foreign currency, whose clearance has been requested to the Central Bank of Venezuela before the Exchange

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Agreement No. 25 became effective, will be settled at the exchange rate effective on the date on which such operations were authorized. This Exchange Agreement No.25 resulted in a net foreign exchange loss of Ps.16,642 in 2014, which was presented as discontinued operations. This exchange loss is originated by certain accounts receivable maintained with the Venezuelan companies as of December 31, 2014 which are expected to be settled at this new exchange rate (12.00 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar).

 

During 2014, the Venezuelan Government expanded the use of SICAD rate creating a third currency exchange mechanism called SICAD 2 which may be used by entities for certain transactions. SICAD 2 initiated operations in March 2014, at this date the average exchange rate was 51.86 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar. The SICAD 2 daily average rate is published by the Central Bank of Venezuela. See Note 26-B.

 

Liquidity risk

 

The Company funds its liquidity and capital resource requirements, in the ordinary course of business, through a variety of sources, including:

 

·                  cash generated from operations;

·                  committed and uncommitted short-term and long-term lines of credit;

·                  medium- and long-term debt contracting;

·                  offerings in Bond markets; and

·                  sales of its equity securities and those of its subsidiaries and affiliates from time to time.

 

Factors that could decrease the sources of liquidity include a significant decrease in the demand for, or price of, products, each of which could limit the amount of cash generated from operations, and a lowering of the corporate credit rating or any other credit downgrade, which could further impair the liquidity and increase costs with respect to new debt and cause stock price to suffer. The Company’s liquidity is also affected by factors such as the depreciation or appreciation of the peso and changes in interest rates.

 

The following tables show the remaining contractual maturities of financial liabilities of the Company:

 

At December 31, 2014:

 

 

 

Less than a
year

 

From 1 to 3
years

 

From 3 to 5
years

 

More than 5
years

 

Total

 

Short and long term debt

 

Ps.

1,428,641

 

Ps.

1,647,598

 

Ps.

1,860,880

 

Ps.

5,887,200

 

Ps.

10,824,319

 

Interest payable from short and long term debt

 

 

387,229

 

 

692,162

 

 

589,194

 

 

287,001

 

 

 

1,955,586

 

Financing leases

 

 

8,467

 

 

10,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,398

 

Trade accounts and other payables

 

 

7,319,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,319,859

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

823,960

 

 

 

 

 

 

823,960

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

49,024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49,024

 

 

 

Ps.

9,193,220

 

Ps.

3,174,651

 

Ps.

2,450,074

 

Ps.

6,174,201

 

Ps.

20,992,146

 

 

F-28



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

At December 31, 2013:

 

 

 

Less than a
year

 

From 1 to 3
years

 

From 3 to 5
years

 

More than 5
years

 

Total

 

Short and long term debt

 

Ps.

3,272,118

 

Ps.

4,262,055

 

Ps.

5,153,781

 

Ps.

3,922,950

 

Ps.

16,610,904

 

Interest payable from short and long term debt

 

687,821

 

1,214,130

 

897,858

 

304,029

 

3,103,838

 

Financing leases

 

3,771

 

11,024

 

 

 

14,795

 

Trade accounts and other payables

 

8,003,004

 

 

 

 

8,003,004

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

671,069

 

 

 

671,069

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

71,540

 

 

 

 

71,540

 

 

 

Ps.

12,038,254

 

Ps.

6,158,278

 

Ps.

6,051,639

 

Ps.

4,226,979

 

Ps.

28,475,150

 

 

The Company expects to meet its obligations with cash flows generated by operations. Additionally, the Company has access to credit line agreements with various banks to address potential cash needs.

 

B) CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

 

The Company’s objectives when managing capital (which includes share capital, borrowings, working capital and cash and cash equivalents) are to maintain a flexible capital structure that reduces the cost of capital to an acceptable level of risk, to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern while taking advantage of strategic opportunities in order to provide sustainable returns for shareholders and benefits to stockholders.

 

The Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain the capital structure, the Company may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, repurchase shares currently issued, issue new shares, issue new debt, issue new debt to replace existing debt with different characteristics and/or sell assets to reduce debt.

 

In addition, to monitor capital, debt agreements contain financial covenants which are disclosed in Note 14.

 

5.        SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products in different geographical regions. These business units are managed separately because each business segment requires different technology and marketing strategies.

 

The Company’s reportable segments are as follows:

 

·                  Corn flour and packaged tortilla division (United States and Europe):

Manufactures and distributes more than 20 varieties of corn flour that are used mainly to produce and distribute different types of tortillas and tortilla chip products in the United States. The main brands are MASECA for corn flour and MISSION and GUERRERO for packaged tortillas.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

·                  Corn flour division (Mexico):

Engaged principally in the production, distribution and sale of corn flour in Mexico under MASECA brand. Corn flour produced by this division is used mainly in the preparation of tortillas and other related products.

 

·                  Corn flour, wheat flour and other products division (Venezuela) — Discontinued operation:

Engaged, mainly, in producing and distributing grains used principally for industrial and human consumption. The main brands are JUANA, TIA BERTA and DECASA for corn flour; ROBIN HOOD and POLAR for wheat flour; MONICA for rice and LASSIE for oats.

 

·                  Other segments:

This section represents those segments whose amounts on an individual basis do not exceed 10% of the consolidated total of net sales, operating income and assets. These segments are:

a)             Corn flour, hearts of palm, rice, and other products (Central America).

b)             Wheat flour (México) — Discontinued operation.

c)              Packaged tortillas (México).

d)             Wheat flour tortillas and snacks (Asia and Oceania).

e)              Technology and equipment, which conducts research and development regarding flour and tortilla manufacturing equipment, produces machinery for corn flour and tortilla production and is engaged in the construction of the Company’s corn flour manufacturing facilities.

 

All inter-segment sales prices are market-based. The Chief Executive Officer evaluates performance based on operating income of the respective business units. The accounting policies for the reportable segments are the same as the policies described in Notes 2 and 3.

 

Segment information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

 

 

Corn flour and
packaged
tortilla division
(United States
and Europe)

 

Corn flour
division
(Mexico)

 

Other segments

 

Eliminations
and corporate
expenses

 

Total

 

Net sales to external customers

 

Ps.

29,278,747

 

Ps.

14,601,217

 

Ps.

6,033,808

 

Ps.

21,556

 

Ps.

49,935,328

 

Inter-segment net sales

 

44,162

 

472,889

 

1,128,571

 

(1,645,622

)

 

Operating income (loss)

 

2,861,967

 

2,129,365

 

355,281

 

676,301

 

6,022,914

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,066,561

 

698,493

 

242,269

 

(467,974

)

1,539,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

18,742,701

 

10,908,911

 

8,327,030

 

2,658,088

 

40,636,730

 

Total liabilities

 

7,452,455

 

2,943,529

 

3,688,623

 

8,467,877

 

22,552,484

 

Expenditures for fixed assets

 

796,255

 

343,813

 

426,239

 

30,991

 

1,597,298

 

 

F-30



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Segment information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013:

 

 

 

Corn flour and
packaged tortilla
division (United
States and
Europe)

 

Corn flour
division
(Mexico)

 

Other segments

 

Eliminations
and corporate
expenses

 

Total

 

Net sales to external customers

 

Ps.

27,760,984

 

Ps.

15,575,243

 

Ps.

5,626,457

 

Ps.

72,839

 

Ps.

49,035,523

 

Inter-segment net sales

 

39,639

 

368,796

 

1,172,465

 

(1,580,900

)

 

Operating income (loss)

 

2,136,570

 

2,447,975

 

266,692

 

(211,486

)

4,639,751

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,066,910

 

321,244

 

220,988

 

5,469

 

1,614,611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

17,364,824

 

11,547,873

 

10,384,077

 

3,311,866

 

42,608,640

 

Investment in associates

 

 

 

64,713

 

84,168

 

148,881

 

Total liabilities

 

8,942,631

 

4,238,286

 

3,204,957

 

11,795,906

 

28,181,780

 

Expenditures for fixed assets

 

849,693

 

566,512

 

187,260

 

(194,735

)

1,408,730

 

 

Segment information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012:

 

 

 

Corn flour
and
packaged
tortilla
division
(United
States and
Europe)

 

Corn flour
division
(Mexico)

 

Corn flour,
wheat flour
and other
products
division
(Venezuela)-
Discontinued
operation

 

Other
segments

 

Eliminations
and
corporate
expenses

 

Total

 

Net sales to external customers

 

Ps.

26,900,883

 

Ps.

16,510,471

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

5,822,755

 

Ps.

36,425

 

Ps.

49,270,534

 

Inter-segment net sales

 

30,672

 

437,189

 

 

1,097,289

 

(1,565,150

)

 

Operating income (loss)

 

1,334,615

 

1,749,125

 

 

(60,064

)

(414,583

)

2,609,093

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,058,384

 

346,146

 

 

255,372

 

(95,429

)

1,564,473

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

17,600,503

 

12,793,474

 

7,087,569

 

11,318,494

 

660,362

 

49,460,402

 

Investment in associates

 

 

 

 

146,388

 

1,009,863

 

1,156,251

 

Total liabilities

 

7,931,084

 

3,808,836

 

2,948,192

 

4,630,339

 

15,808,234

 

35,126,685

 

Expenditures for fixed assets

 

1,630,227

 

451,771

 

 

184,794

 

117,939

 

2,384,731

 

 

F-31



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

A summary of information by geographic segment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is presented below:

 

 

 

2014

 

%

 

2013

 

%

 

2012

 

%

 

Net sales to external customers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States and Europe

 

Ps.

29,278,747

 

59

 

Ps.

27,760,984

 

57

 

Ps.

26,900,883

 

55

 

Mexico

 

15,110,099

 

30

 

16,109,787

 

33

 

17,130,824

 

34

 

Central America

 

3,478,894

 

7

 

3,385,916

 

7

 

3,368,693

 

7

 

Asia and Oceania

 

2,067,588

 

4

 

1,778,836

 

3

 

1,870,134

 

4

 

 

 

Ps.

49,935,328

 

100

 

Ps.

49,035,523

 

100

 

Ps.

49,270,534

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States and Europe

 

Ps.

796,255

 

47

 

Ps.

849,693

 

60

 

Ps.

1,630,227

 

68

 

Mexico

 

621,123

 

36

 

385,242

 

27

 

631,359

 

27

 

Central America

 

83,213

 

5

 

49,614

 

4

 

70,078

 

3

 

Asia and Oceania

 

96,707

 

12

 

124,181

 

9

 

53,067

 

2

 

 

 

Ps.

1,597,298

 

100

 

Ps.

1,408,730

 

100

 

Ps.

2,384,731

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identifiable assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States and Europe

 

Ps.

18,742,701

 

46

 

Ps.

17,364,824

 

41

 

Ps.

17,600,503

 

36

 

Mexico

 

16,397,034

 

40

 

19,510,613

 

46

 

18,695,391

 

38

 

Venezuela — Discontinued operation

 

 

 

 

 

7,087,569

 

14

 

Central America

 

2,416,331

 

6

 

2,239,126

 

5

 

2,376,482

 

5

 

Asia and Oceania

 

3,080,664

 

8

 

3,494,077

 

8

 

3,700,457

 

7

 

 

 

Ps.

40,636,730

 

100

 

Ps.

42,608,640

 

100

 

Ps.

49,460,402

 

100

 

 

6. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

Cash and cash equivalents include:

 

 

 

At December 31,
2014

 

At December 31,
2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at bank

 

Ps.

1,250,167

 

Ps.

809,905

 

Short-term investments (less than 3 months)

 

214,921

 

528,650

 

 

 

Ps.

1,465,088

 

Ps.

1,338,555

 

 

7. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

Accounts receivable comprised the following:

 

 

 

At December 31,
 2014

 

At December 31,
 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts and notes receivable

 

Ps.

4,893,079

 

Ps.

5,177,963

 

Accounts receivable with Venezuelan companies

 

1,123,900

 

1,137,718

 

Employees

 

2,647

 

9,545

 

Recoverable value-added tax

 

327,938

 

901,570

 

Other debtors

 

396,899

 

294,377

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(255,067

)

(327,856

)

 

 

Ps.

6,489,396

 

Ps.

7,193,317

 

 

F-32



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

The age analysis of accounts receivable is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Not past due

 

Past due balances

 

 

 

Total

 

date
balances

 

1 to 120
days

 

121 to 240
days

 

More than
240 days

 

Accounts receivable

 

Ps.

6,744,463

 

Ps.

4,327,191

 

Ps.

1,196,623

 

Ps.

39,869

 

Ps.

1,180,780

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(255,067

)

(132,714

)

(55,424

)

(5,285

)

(61,644

)

Total at December 31, 2014

 

Ps.

6,489,396

 

Ps.

4,194,477

 

Ps.

1,141,199

 

Ps.

34,584

 

Ps.

1,119,136

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not past due

 

Past due balances

 

 

 

Total

 

date
balances

 

1 to 120
days

 

121 to 240
days

 

More than
240 days

 

Accounts receivable

 

Ps.

7,521,173

 

Ps.

4,577,857

 

Ps.

1,494,638

 

Ps.

82,260

 

Ps.

1,366,418

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(327,856

)

(60,217

)

(40,619

)

(50,217

)

(176,803

)

Total at December 31, 2013

 

Ps.

7,193,317

 

Ps.

4,517,640

 

Ps.

1,454,019

 

Ps.

32,043

 

Ps.

1,189,615

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the movements on the allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Beginning balance

 

Ps.

 (327,856

)

Ps.

 (368,234

)

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(20,426

)

(52,208

)

Receivables written off during the year

 

99,870

 

92,700

 

Exchange differences

 

(6,655

)

(114

)

Ending balance

 

Ps.

 (255,067

)

Ps.

 (327,856

)

 

8. INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

 

 

At December
31, 2014

 

At December
31, 2013

 

Raw materials, mainly corn and wheat

 

Ps.

3971,721

 

Ps.

5,182,139

 

Finished products

 

939,410

 

925,917

 

Materials and spare parts

 

1,223,602

 

1,132,007

 

Production in process

 

160,243

 

148,755

 

Advances to suppliers

 

90,267

 

76,223

 

Inventory in transit

 

171,534

 

179,089

 

 

 

Ps.

6,556,777

 

Ps.

7,644,130

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the cost of raw materials consumed and the changes in the inventories of production in process and finished goods, recognized as cost of sales amounted to Ps.19,047,263, Ps.20,036,893 and Ps.22,735,345, respectively.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized Ps.93,013, Ps.69,178 and Ps.88,713, respectively, for inventory that was damaged, slow-moving and obsolete.

 

F-33



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

9. LONG-TERM NOTES AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

Long-term notes and accounts receivable are as follows:

 

 

 

At December 31,
2014

 

At December 31,
2013

 

Long-term notes receivable from sale of tortilla machines

 

Ps.

 134,502

 

Ps.

 144,142

 

Guarantee deposits

 

29,596

 

29,874

 

Long-term recoverable value-added tax

 

7,453

 

6,531

 

Other

 

11,292

 

10,316

 

 

 

Ps.

 182,843

 

Ps.

 190,863

 

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, long-term notes receivable are denominated in pesos, maturing from 2016 to 2018 and bearing monthly interests at an annual average rate of 16.5% for both years.

 

10. INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATE

 

Investment in associate is comprised of the following:

 

 

 

At
December 31, 2014

 

At
December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harinera de Monterrey, S.A. de C.V (Mexican company)

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 148,881

 

 

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 148,881

 

 

The percentage of interest held in associate is:

 

 

 

At
December 31, 2014

 

At
December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harinera de Monterrey, S.A. de C.V

 

 

40

%

 

Harinera de Monterrey, S.A. de C.V.

 

On June 10, 2014, GRUMA reached an agreement with Grupo Trimex, S.A. de C.V. for the sale of its wheat flour operations in Mexico. The sale concluded in December 2014. The associate Harinera de Monterrey, S.A. de C.V. was part of this sale operation. See Note 26-A for additional information.

 

F-34



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Valores Azteca, S.A. de C.V.

 

The Extraordinary Stockholders’ Meeting held on May 15, 2013 agreed on the merger by incorporation of Valores Azteca as merged company that is extinguished, with GRUMA as merging company. In accordance with this merger, GRUMA as owner of 45% of the capital stock of Valores Azteca, received 24,566,561 ordinary shares, with no par value, Series B, Class I, of GRUMA. The effect in the Company’s equity as a result of this merger was $1,009,848, derived from cancellation of the Company’s investment in Valores Azteca, whose only asset was represented by GRUMA’s shares.

 

At December 31, 2012, Valores Azteca had 9.66% of the outstanding shares of the Company. As of December 31, 2012 and until the date of the merger, Valores Azteca had assets amounting to Ps.1,094,016 and no liabilities. From January 1, 2013 and until the date of the merger, Valores Azteca did not perform any operation and for the year ended December 31, 2012, had no revenues and reported a net profit of Ps.107,963. Valores Azteca was a private company and did not perform any operation or activity besides owning the shares of GRUMA. Derived from the multiple transactions completed on December 14, 2012 (see Note 29), the Company acquired 45% of the outstanding shares of Valores Azteca.

 

11. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

Changes in property, plant and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

 

 

Land and 
buildings

 

Machinery 
and 
equipment

 

Leasehold 
improvements

 

Construction 
in progress

 

Total

 

At December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Ps.

 8,908,549

 

Ps.

 28,915,146

 

Ps.

 1,152,567

 

Ps.

 1,403,066

 

Ps.

 40,379,328

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(2,923,702

)

(16,009,897

)

(528,195

)

 

(19,461,794

)

Net book value

 

Ps.

 5,984,847

 

Ps.

 12,905,249

 

Ps.

 624,372

 

Ps.

 1,403,066

 

Ps.

 20,917,534

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening net book value

 

Ps.

 5,984,847

 

Ps.

 12,905,249

 

Ps.

 624,372

 

Ps.

 1,403,066

 

Ps.

 20,917,534

 

Exchange differences

 

(53,934

)

(46,458

)

6,951

 

2,659

 

(90,782

)

Additions

 

6,691

 

384,303

 

1,953

 

1,075,379

 

1,468,326

 

Disposals

 

(7,680

)

(221,036

)

(8,578

)

(11,919

)

(249,213

)

Depreciation charge from continuing operations

 

(163,255

)

(1,098,155

)

(90,264

)

 

(1,351,674

)

Transfers to assets held for sale

 

 

(103,300

)

 

 

(103,300

)

Transfers (1)

 

160,523

 

1,196,601

 

209,329

 

(1,566,453

)

 

Impairment

 

 

(16,930

)

 

 

(16,930

)

Discontinued operations

 

(875,211

)

(1,657,813

)

(6,058

)

(129,907

)

(2,668,989

)

Closing net book value

 

Ps.

 5,051,981

 

Ps.

 11,342,461

 

Ps.

 737,705

 

Ps.

 772,825

 

Ps.

 17,904,972

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Ps.

 7,747,517

 

Ps.

 26,801,643

 

Ps.

 1,314,759

 

Ps.

 772,825

 

Ps.

 36,636,744

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(2,695,536

)

(15,459,182

)

(577,054

)

 

(18,731,772

)

Net book value

 

Ps.

 5,051,981

 

Ps.

 11,342,461

 

Ps.

 737,705

 

Ps.

 772,825

 

Ps.

 17,904,972

 

 

F-35



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

Land and 
buildings

 

Machinery 
and 
equipment

 

Leasehold 
improvements

 

Construction 
in progress

 

Total

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening net book value

 

Ps.

 5,051,981

 

Ps.

 11,342,461

 

Ps.

 737,705

 

Ps.

 772,825

 

Ps.

 17,904,972

 

Exchange differences

 

278,400

 

699,298

 

80,285

 

36,649

 

1,094,632

 

Additions

 

138,727

 

427,996

 

13,791

 

1,132,298

 

1,712,812

 

Disposals

 

(4,684

)

(232,215

)

(2,341

)

(14,095

)

(253,335

)

Depreciation charge from continuing operations

 

(176,029

)

(1,090,620

)

(88,750

)

 

(1,355,399

)

Transfers (1)

 

404,565

 

967,484

 

31,194

 

(1,403,243

)

 

Acquisition through business combinations

 

 

26,282

 

 

 

26,282

 

Impairment

 

(14,395

)

 

 

 

(14,395

)

Discontinued operations

 

(596,689

)

(681,295

)

(658

)

(22,591

)

(1,301,233

)

Closing net book value

 

Ps.

 5,081,876

 

Ps.

 11,459,391

 

Ps.

 771,226

 

Ps.

 501,843

 

Ps.

 17,814,336

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Ps.

 7,661,597

 

Ps.

 27,864,912

 

Ps.

 1,504,589

 

Ps.

 501,843

 

Ps.

 37,532,941

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(2,579,721

)

(16,405,521

)

(733,363

)

 

(19,718,605

)

Net book value

 

Ps.

 5,081,876

 

Ps.

 11,459,391

 

Ps.

 771,226

 

Ps.

 501,843

 

Ps.

 17,814,336

 

 


(1)         Transfers correspond to capitalizations of construction in progress.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, depreciation expense was recognized as follows:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

Ps.

 1,094,832

 

Ps.

 1,073,355

 

Ps.

 1,111,572

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 

260,567

 

278,319

 

290,385

 

 

 

Ps.

 1,355,399

 

Ps.

 1,351,674

 

Ps.

 1,401,957

 

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, property, plant and equipment included idle assets with a carrying value of approximately Ps.476,760 and Ps.668,068, respectively, resulting from the temporary shut-down of the productive operations of various plants in Mexico and the United States, mainly in the corn flour division in Mexico and packaged tortilla division in the United States.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized impairment losses on fixed assets by Ps.14,395 and Ps. 16,930, respectively, within “Other expenses”.

 

The impairment loss recognized in 2014 for Ps.14,395 referred to the subsidiary Gruma Centroamérica, which is part of “other segments”. This impairment loss reflects a decrease in the recoverable value of the fixed assets of this CGU since these assets will not be used for the purposes they were acquired for.

 

F-36



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

The impairment loss recognized in 2013 for Ps.16,930 referred to the subsidiary Transporte Aéreo Técnico Ejecutivo, S.A. de C.V., which is part of “other segments”. On December 16, 2013, the Company entered into a purchase-sale contract with retention of title to sell an Eurocopter aircraft for a total of Ps.103,300. At December 31, 2013, the Company reclassified this item as “Asset held for sale” within current assets and the difference between its carrying value and its sale price was recognized in income as an impairment loss. During January 2014, the sale was terminated at the agreed price.

 

The Company recognized equipment under finance lease arrangements that are described in Note 27-B.

 

12. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Changes in intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

 

 

Intangible assets acquired

 

Internally 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

Covenants 
not to 
compete

 

Patents 
and trade-
marks

 

Customer 
lists

 

Software 
for 
internal 
use

 

generated 
intangible 
assets and 
others

 

Total

 

At December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Ps.

 2,505,839

 

Ps.

 478,820

 

Ps.

 137,370

 

Ps.

 146,260

 

Ps.

 667,243

 

Ps.

 72,134

 

Ps.

 4,007,666

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

(386,061

)

(88,315

)

(62,224

)

(631,699

)

(63,923

)

(1,232,222

)

Net book value

 

Ps.

 2,505,839

 

Ps.

 92,759

 

Ps.

 49,055

 

Ps.

 84,036

 

Ps.

 35,544

 

Ps.

 8,211

 

Ps.

 2,775,444

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening net book value

 

Ps.

 2,505,839

 

Ps.

 92,759

 

Ps.

 49,055

 

Ps.

 84,036

 

Ps.

 35,544

 

Ps.

 8,211

 

Ps.

 2,775,444

 

Exchange differences

 

(33,147

)

(26

)

148

 

(575

)

(37

)

5,936

 

(27,701

)

Additions

 

 

 

 

 

809

 

2,592

 

3,401

 

Disposals

 

 

 

(3

)

 

(69

)

(838

)

(910

)

Amortization charge from continuing operations

 

 

(47,252

)

(9,315

)

(8,817

)

(1,521

)

(3,394

)

(70,299

)

Impairment

 

 

 

(761

)

(27,544

)

 

 

(28,305

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

(19,619

)

(910

)

(20,529

)

Closing net book value

 

Ps.

 2,472,692

 

Ps.

 45,481

 

Ps.

 39,124

 

Ps.

 47,100

 

Ps.

 15,107

 

Ps.

 11,597

 

Ps.

 2,631,101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Ps.

 2,472,692

 

Ps.

 465,125

 

Ps.

 135,508

 

Ps.

 71,657

 

Ps.

 417,002

 

Ps.

 23,980

 

Ps.

 3,585,964

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

(419,644

)

(96,384

)

(24,557

)

(401,895

)

(12,383

)

(954,863

)

Net book value

 

Ps.

 2,472,692

 

Ps.

 45,481

 

Ps.

 39,124

 

Ps.

 47,100

 

Ps.

 15,107

 

Ps.

 11,597

 

Ps.

 2,631,101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening net book value

 

Ps.

 2,472,692

 

Ps.

 45,481

 

Ps.

 39,124

 

Ps.

 47,100

 

Ps.

 15,107

 

Ps.

 11,597

 

Ps.

 2,631,101

 

Exchange differences

 

67,676

 

401

 

5,679

 

5,416

 

995

 

(474

)

79,693

 

Additions

 

 

 

 

 

10,434

 

6,692

 

17,126

 

Disposals

 

 

 

 

 

(34

)

(3,326

)

(3,360

)

Amortization charge from continuing operations

 

 

(43,012

)

(5,684

)

(6,561

)

(1,836

)

(849

)

(57,942

)

Acquisition through business combinations

 

84,089

 

 

44,287

 

29,049

 

 

 

157,425

 

Discontinued operations

 

(28,774

)

 

 

 

(1,742

)

(1,381

)

(31,897

)

Closing net book value

 

Ps.

 2,595,683

 

Ps.

 2,870

 

Ps.

 83,406

 

Ps.

 75,004

 

Ps.

 22,924

 

Ps.

 12,259

 

Ps.

 2,792,146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Ps.

 2,595,683

 

Ps.

 467,357

 

Ps.

 197,384

 

Ps.

 109,748

 

Ps.

 389,933

 

Ps.

 23,138

 

Ps.

 3,783,243

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

(464,487

)

(113,978

)

(34,744

)

(367,009

)

(10,879

)

(991,097

)

Net book value

 

Ps.

 2,595,683

 

Ps.

 2,870

 

Ps.

 83,406

 

Ps.

 75,004

 

Ps.

 22,924

 

Ps.

 12,259

 

Ps.

 2,792,146

 

 

F-37



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, except for goodwill, the Company does not have indefinite-lived intangible assets.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, amortization expense of intangible assets from continuing operations amounted to Ps.57,942, Ps.70,299 and Ps.62,416, respectively, which were recognized in the income statement as selling and administrative expenses.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized an impairment loss of intangible assets amounting Ps.28,305, within “Other expenses”. The impairment loss recognized in 2013 referred to “other segments” and was originated by a decrease of the asset’s ability to generate future economic benefits.

 

Research and development costs of Ps.152,967, Ps.144,563 and Ps.136,826 that did not qualify for capitalization were recognized in the income statement for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Goodwill acquired in business combinations is allocated at acquisition date to the cash-generating units (CGU) that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combinations. The carrying values of goodwill allocated to the CGU or a group of CGU are as follows:

 

Cash-generating unit

 

At December 
31, 2014

 

At December 
31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mission Foods Division (1)

 

Ps.

 875,427

 

Ps.

 802,845

 

Gruma Seaham Ltd (2)

 

335,748

 

338,596

 

Gruma Corporation

 

212,765

 

212,765

 

Rositas Investments Pty, Ltd (2)

 

177,676

 

171,748

 

Semolina, A.S (2)

 

158,582

 

153,084

 

Gruma Holding Netherlands B.V (1)

 

137,643

 

123,507

 

Azteca Milling, L.P (1)

 

108,369

 

71,228

 

Grupo Industrial Maseca, S.A.B. de C.V

 

98,622

 

98,622

 

NDF Azteca Milling Europe SRL (2)

 

92,177

 

93,317

 

Agroindustrias Integradas del Norte, S.A. de C.V (3)

 

86,325

 

115,099

 

MexiFoods, S.L. (2)

 

84,089

 

 

Altera LLC (2)

 

54,510

 

95,755

 

Gruma Centroamérica (2)

 

51,207

 

51,207

 

Solntse Mexico (2)

 

42,443

 

64,819

 

Molinos Azteca de Chiapas, S.A. de C.V (3)

 

28,158

 

28,158

 

Harinera de Yucatán, S.A. de C.V (3)

 

18,886

 

18,886

 

Harinera de Maíz de Mexicali, S.A. de C.V (3)

 

17,424

 

17,424

 

Molinos Azteca, S.A. de C.V (3)

 

8,926

 

8,926

 

Harinera de Maíz de Jalisco, S.A. de C.V (3)

 

6,706

 

6,706

 

 

 

Ps.

 2,595,683

 

Ps.

 2,472,692

 

 


(1) Subsidiary of Gruma Corporation

(2) Subsidiary of Gruma International Foods, S.L.

(3) Subsidiary of Grupo Industrial Maseca, S.A.B. de C.V.

 

F-38



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

In 2014 and 2013, the discount rates and growth rates in perpetuity used by the Company for determining the discounted cash flows of the CGU with the main balances of goodwill are the following:

 

 

 

After-tax discount rates

 

Growth rates

 

Cash-generating unit

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

Mission Foods Division

 

7.0

%

6.4

%

1.8

%

2.5

%

Azteca Milling, L.P

 

7.0

%

6.4

%

1.8

%

2.5

%

Gruma Seaham

 

7.9

%

8.5

%

2.5

%

2.5

%

Gruma Corporation

 

6.1

%

6.4

%

2.5

%

2.5

%

Rositas Investment PTY, LTD

 

7.3

%

7.7

%

3.0

%

3.0

%

Gruma Holding Netherlands B.V

 

7.4

%

8.4

%

1.9

%

1.9

%

Agroindustrias Integradas del Norte, S.A. de C.V

 

8.6

%

9.0

%

2.5

%

2.5

%

Semolina A.S

 

9.4

%

10.6

%

2.5

%

2.5

%

 

The discount rate used reflects the Company’s specific risks related to its operations. The long-term growth rate used is consistent with projections included in industry reports.

 

With respect to the determination of the CGU’s value in use, the Company’s management considered that a reasonably possible change in the key assumptions used, will not cause that the CGU’s carrying value to materially exceed their value in use. The recovery amount of cash-generating units has been determined based on calculations of the values in use. These calculations use cash flow projections based on financial budgets approved by the Company’s management for a 5-year period.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, no impairment losses on goodwill were recognized.

 

13. DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

A) COMPONENTS OF DEFERRED TAX

 

The analysis of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities is as follows:

 

 

 

At December 
31, 2014

 

At December 
31, 2013

 

Deferred tax asset:

 

 

 

 

 

To be recovered after more than 12 months

 

Ps.

 (803,084

)

Ps.

 (280,424

)

To be recovered within 12 months

 

(466,659

)

(7,244

)

 

 

(1,269,743

)

(287,668

)

Deferred tax liability:

 

 

 

 

 

To be recovered after more than 12 months

 

2,273,512

 

1,964,789

 

To be recovered within 12 months

 

71,247

 

81,329

 

 

 

2,344,759

 

2,046,118

 

Deferred tax liability, net

 

Ps.

 1,075,016

 

Ps.

 1,758,450

 

 

F-39



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

The principal components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

(Asset) Liability

 

 

 

At December 
31, 2014

 

At December 
31, 2013

 

Net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits

 

Ps.

 (252,872

)

Ps.

 (322,530

)

Customer advances

 

(956

)

(3,884

)

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(3,460

)

(17,858

)

Provisions

 

(643,612

)

(516,933

)

Deferred income for trademarks license with subsidiary

 

(586,119

)

(703,269

)

Derivative financial instruments

 

(18,780

)

(30,377

)

Other

 

(114,107

)

(115,040

)

Deferred tax asset

 

(1,619,906

)

(1,709,891

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

2,143,603

 

1,758,421

 

Prepaid expenses

 

1,515

 

3,376

 

Inventories

 

2,188

 

15,133

 

Intangible assets and others

 

372,632

 

352,573

 

Investment in associates

 

 

403,384

 

Other

 

(18,946

)

24,836

 

 

 

2,500,992

 

2,557,723

 

Tax consolidation effect

 

193,930

 

910,618

 

Deferred tax liability

 

2,694,922

 

3,468,341

 

Net provision for deferred taxes

 

Ps.

 1,075,016

 

Ps.

 1,758,450

 

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not recognize a deferred income tax asset of Ps.1,634,646 and Ps.1,817,029, respectively, for tax loss carryforwards, since sufficient evidence was not available to determine that these tax loss carryforwards will be realized during their amortization period. These tax losses expire in the year 2024. During 2013, the Company amortized tax losses of Ps.1,648,249 for which a deferred income tax asset was not previously recognized.

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, undistributed taxable income of subsidiaries amounted to Ps.1,930,922 and Ps.2,462,656, respectively. No deferred income tax has been recognized for this concept, since the Company has the ability to control the time for its reversal and it is probable that in the foreseeable future these temporary differences will not reverse.

 

F-40



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

The changes in the temporary differences during the year were as follows:

 

 

 

Balance at 
January 1, 
2014

 

Recognized in 
income

 

Recognized 
in other 
comprehensive 
income

 

Reclassifications

 

Discontinued 
operations

 

Foreign 
currency 
translation

 

Balance at 
December 
31, 2014

 

Net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits

 

Ps.

 (322,530

)

Ps.

 49,757

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 (933

)

Ps.

 30,056

 

Ps.

 (9,222

)

Ps.

 (252,872

)

Customer advances

 

(3,884

)

(956

)

 

3,866

 

18

 

 

(956

)

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(17,858

)

1,289

 

 

42

 

13,134

 

(67

)

(3,460

)

Provisions

 

(516,933

)

(112,509

)

4,593

 

1,132

 

22,360

 

(42,255

)

(643,612

)

Deferred income from trademark license with subsidiary

 

(703,269

)

117,150

 

 

 

 

 

(586,119

)

Derivative financial instruments

 

(30,377

)

 

12,731

 

 

 

(1,134

)

(18,780

)

Others

 

(115,040

)

2,131

 

 

(32

)

 

(1,166

)

(114,107

)

Deferred tax asset

 

(1,709,891

)

56,862

 

17,324

 

4,075

 

65,568

 

(53,844

)

(1,619,906

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

1,758,421

 

363,920

 

 

5,937

 

(78,161

)

93,486

 

2,143,603

 

Prepaid expenses

 

3,376

 

(681

)

 

 

(1,180

)

 

1,515

 

Inventories

 

15,133

 

(16,375

)

 

3,020

 

 

410

 

2,188

 

Intangible assets and others

 

352,573

 

(38,978

)

 

17,346

 

1,091

 

40,600

 

372,632

 

Investment in associates

 

403,384

 

(490,059

)

 

 

 

86,675

 

 

Others

 

24,836

 

(7,755

)

(31,082

)

(3,966

)

 

(979

)

(18,946

)

 

 

2,557,723

 

(189,928

)

(31,082

)

22,337

 

(78,250

)

220,192

 

2,500,992

 

Tax consolidation effect

 

910,618

 

(716,688

)

 

 

 

 

193,930

 

Deferred tax liability

 

3,468,341

 

(906,616

)

(31,082

)

22,337

 

(78,250

)

220,192

 

2,694,922

 

Net provision for deferred taxes

 

Ps.

1,758,450

 

Ps.

 (849,754

)

Ps.

 (13,758

)

Ps.

 26,412

 

Ps.

 (12,682

)

Ps.

 166,348

 

Ps.

 1,075,016

 

 

F-41



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

Balance at 
January 1, 
2013

 

Recognized in 
income

 

Recognized 
in other 
comprehensive 
income

 

Reclassifications

 

Discontinued 
operations

 

Foreign 
currency 
translation

 

Balance at 
December 
31, 2013

 

Net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits

 

Ps.

 (686,260

)

Ps.

 364,975

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 (30,056

)

Ps.

 28,811

 

Ps.

 (322,530

)

Customer advances

 

(3,722

)

(144

)

 

 

(18

)

 

(3,884

)

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(4,637

)

(43

)

 

(71

)

(13,134

)

27

 

(17,858

)

Provisions

 

(799,140

)

34,495

 

(42,298

)

7,335

 

282,062

 

613

 

(516,933

)

Deferred income from trademark license with subsidiary

 

 

(703,269

)

 

 

 

 

(703,269

)

Derivative financial instruments

 

125,938

 

 

(156,936

)

 

 

621

 

(30,377

)

Others

 

(102,387

)

(13,168

)

 

45

 

766

 

(296

)

(115,040

)

Deferred tax asset

 

(1,470,208

)

(317,154

)

(199,234

)

7,309

 

239,620

 

29,776

 

(1,709,891

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

2,075,116

 

(166,724

)

 

(280

)

(156,831

)

7,140

 

1,758,421

 

Prepaid expenses

 

3,782

 

246

 

 

 

(652

)

 

3,376

 

Inventories

 

38,458

 

(15,461

)

 

 

(7,864

)

 

15,133

 

Intangible assets and others

 

322,962

 

29,238

 

 

 

(1,091

)

1,464

 

352,573

 

Investment in associates

 

407,958

 

(6,821

)

 

 

 

2,247

 

403,384

 

Others

 

8,792

 

8,870

 

14,391

 

(1,343

)

 

(5,874

)

24,836

 

 

 

2,857,068

 

(150,652

)

14,391

 

(1,623

)

(166,438

)

4,977

 

2,557,723

 

Tax consolidation effect

 

2,189,312

 

(1,278,694

)

 

 

 

 

910,618

 

Deferred tax liability

 

5,046,380

 

(1,429,346

)

14,391

 

(1,623

)

(166,438

)

4,977

 

3,468,341

 

Net provision for deferred taxes

 

Ps.

3,576,172

 

Ps.

(1,746,500

)

Ps.

 (184,843

)

Ps.

 5,686

 

Ps.

 73,182

 

Ps.

 34,753

 

Ps.

1,758,450

 

 

B) TAX LOSS CARRYFORWARDS

 

At December 31, 2014, the Company had tax loss carryforwards which amounted to approximately Ps.5,605,486. Based on projections prepared by the Company’s management of expected future taxable income, it has been determined that only tax losses for an amount of Ps.156,670 will be used. Therefore, the Company did not recognize a deferred tax asset for the difference. Tax losses that will be used have the following expiration dates:

 

Year

 

Amount

 

2015

 

Ps.

 48,392

 

2016

 

9,683

 

2017

 

7,604

 

2018

 

5,453

 

2019 to 2023

 

85,538

 

Total

 

Ps.

 156,670

 

 

C) UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized a liability for uncertain tax positions of Ps.41,200 and Ps. 41,421, respectively, excluding interest and penalties, and it is included in Other non-current liabilities. The following table shows a reconciliation of the Company’s uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties:

 

F-42



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Uncertain tax positions at beginning of year

 

Ps.

41,421

 

Ps.

38,688

 

Translation adjustment of the beginning balance

 

 

(7,178

)

 

(1,758

)

Increase as result of uncertain tax positions taken in the year

 

 

5,225

 

 

6,538

 

Reductions due to a lapse of the statute of limitations

 

 

1,732

 

 

(2,047

)

Uncertain tax positions at end of year

 

Ps.

41,200

 

Ps.

41,421

 

 

It is expected that the amount of uncertain tax positions will change in the next 12 months; however, the Company does not expect the change to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Company had accrued interest and penalties of approximately Ps.4,298 and Ps. 3,609 related to uncertain tax positions for 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

D) TAX EFFECTS FROM OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Deferred taxes related to other comprehensive income are comprised of:

 

 

 

At December
31, 2014

 

At December
31, 2013

 

At December
31, 2012

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

Ps.

(30,712

)

Ps.

14,391

 

Ps.

14,701

 

Remeasurement of employment benefit obligations

 

 

4,223

 

 

(42,298

)

 

(10,783

)

Cash flow hedges

 

 

12,731

 

 

(156,936

)

 

125,938

 

Total

 

Ps.

(13,758

)

Ps.

(184,843

)

Ps.

129,856

 

 

E) TAX CONSOLIDATION

 

Until December 31, 2013, Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. determined its income tax under the tax consolidation regime, together with its subsidiaries in Mexico.This, due to the abrogation of the Income Tax Law effective until December 31, 2013, which eliminated this tax regime. The Company decided not to join the new Optional Regime for Company Groups for the year 2014.

 

Due to the elimination of the tax consolidation regime, the Company has the obligation to pay the deferred tax determined at that time during the following five-year period. The payment corresponding to the 25% of the income tax resulting from the deconsolidation was paid in 2014 and the remaining income tax (restated with inflation factors) must be paid to the tax authority in accordance with the following deadlines:

 

1.              25% no later than April 30, 2015.

2.              20% no later than April 30, 2016.

3.              15% no later than April 30, 2017.

4.              15% no later than April 30, 2018.

 

In accordance with subsection d) of section XV of the transitional Article 9 of the 2014 Income Tax Law, and since the Company was the parent entity at December 31, 2013 and at such date was subject to the payment schedule contained in the section VI of Article 4 of the transitional provisions of the Income Tax Law published in the Official Gazette on December 7, 2009, or Article 70-A of the 2013

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Income Tax Law that was abrogated, the Company shall continue to settle its deferred income tax from tax consolidation pertaining to 2007 and previous years, under the provisions above mentioned, until its payment is completed.

 

At December 31, 2014, the liability arising from tax consolidation regime effective December 31, 2013 amounted to Ps.305,493 and is estimated to be incurred as follows:

 

Year of payment

 

Amount

 

2015

 

Ps.

111,563

 

2016

 

 

83,439

 

2017

 

 

58,400

 

2018

 

 

52,091

 

Total

 

Ps.

305,493

 

 

At December 31, 2014, income tax to be settled in the next 12 months was classified in the statement of financial position as short-term income tax payable for Ps.111,563. The remaining liability considered as long-term for Ps.193,930 in accordance with the requirements of the Income Tax Law, was included as a component of the deferred income taxes.

 

14. DEBT

 

Debt is summarized as follows:

 

Short-term:

 

 

 

At December 31,
2014

 

At December 31,
2013

 

Bank loans

 

Ps.

973,499

 

Ps.

2,612,997

 

Current portion of long-term bank loans

 

 

455,142

 

 

659,129

 

Current portion of financing lease liabilities

 

 

8,467

 

 

3,771

 

 

 

Ps.

1,437,108

 

Ps.

3,275,897

 

 

Long-term:

 

 

 

At December 31,
2014

 

At December 31,
2013

 

Bank loans

 

Ps.

9,768,263

 

Ps.

10,011,831

 

Perpetual notes

 

 

 

 

3,732,717

 

Financing lease liabilities

 

 

19,398

 

 

14,795

 

 

 

Ps.

9,787,661

 

Ps.

13,759,343

 

Current portion of long-term bank loans

 

 

(455,142

)

 

(659,129

)

Current portion of financing lease liabilities

 

 

(8,467

)

 

(3,771

)

 

 

Ps.

9,324,052

 

Ps.

13,096,443

 

 

F-44



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

The terms, conditions and carrying values of debt are as follows:

 

 

 

Currency

 

Interest
rate

 

Maturity
date

 

At December
31, 2014

 

At December
31, 2013

 

10-year Senior notes

 

U.S.$

 

4.875%

 

2024

 

Ps.

5,820,558

 

Ps.

 

Syndicated loan

 

U.S.$

 

LIBOR + 1.5%

 

2015-2018

 

 

3,060,147

 

 

2,855,248

 

Credit

 

U.S.$

 

2.55% - 3.50%

 

2015

 

 

863,457

 

 

725,750

 

Syndicated loan

 

Pesos

 

TIIE + 1.625%

 

2015-2018

 

 

800,000

 

 

1,193,683

 

Credit

 

Liras

 

5.00%

 

2015

 

 

101,096

 

 

75,717

 

Credit

 

Pesos

 

3.51% - 6.53%

 

2017

 

 

81,364

 

 

88,082

 

Financing lease liability

 

Euros

 

1.70% - 5.73%

 

2014-2017

 

 

19,398

 

 

14,795

 

Credit

 

Euros

 

1.50% - 4.00%

 

2015-2020

 

 

15,140

 

 

 

Perpetual notes

 

U.S.$

 

7.75%

 

(a)

 

 

 

 

3,732,717

 

Syndicated loan

 

Pesos

 

TIIE +2% (b)

 

2014-2018

 

 

 

 

2,284,283

 

Credit

 

U.S.$

 

LIBOR + 1.75%

 

2014-2016

 

 

 

 

1,951,575

 

Credit

 

Pesos

 

5.19%

 

2014

 

 

 

 

1,550,000

 

Revolving credit

 

U.S.$

 

LIBOR + 1.375%

 

2019

 

 

 

 

1,038,800

 

Credit

 

Pesos

 

TIIE + 1.875%

 

2015-2018

 

 

 

 

597,702

 

Credit

 

U.S.$

 

LIBOR + 0.9935%

 

2014

 

 

 

 

261,530

 

Credit

 

U.S.$

 

LIBOR + 2%

 

2014

 

 

 

 

2,458

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ps.

10,761,160

 

Ps.

16,372,340

 

 


(a)  Redeemable starting 2009 at the Company’s option.

(b) Interbank Equilibrium Interest Rate.

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, short-term debt bore interest at an average rate of 3.42% and 4.13%, respectively. At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, interest expense included interest related to debt amounting Ps.1,008,251, Ps.1,014,656 and Ps.780,790, respectively.

 

At December 31, 2014, the annual maturities of long-term debt outstanding were as follows:

 

Year

 

Amount

 

2016

 

Ps.

632,090

 

2017

 

 

1,026,440

 

2018

 

 

1,844,964

 

2019

 

 

 

2020 and thereafter

 

 

5,820,558

 

Total

 

Ps.

9,324,052

 

 

To perform the acquisition of the non-controlling interest from ADM mentioned in Note 29, GRUMA obtained bridge loan facilities with maturity dates of up to a year for a total amount of Ps.5,103,360 (U.S.$400 million), lent by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Banco Santander and Banco Inbursa (the “Short-Term Loan Facilities”), and used Ps.637,920 (U.S.$50 million) of Gruma Corporation’s revolving syndicated long term credit facility with Bank of America, which matures in 2016. For the execution of the Short-Term Loan Facilities, GRUMA’s permitted leverage ratios established under the loan facilities as of December 31, 2012 were increased to allow GRUMA to increase its leverage as a result of the obtainment of the Short-Term Loan Facilities.

 

In order to refinance the Short-Term Loan Facilities, on June 10, 2013, the Company obtained a 5-year Syndicated Credit Facility for Ps.$2,300,000 with Inbursa, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero Inbursa, as administrative agent, with an average life of 4.2 years and amortizations starting on December 2014, at a rate of TIIE plus a spread between 162.5 and 262.5 basis points based on the

 

F-45



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Company’s leverage ratio. Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior, S.N.C., Banca de Desarrollo and HSBC México, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero HSBC, also participated in this facility. On December 10, 2014, this credit facility was fully paid in advance.

 

Likewise, on June 13, 2013, the Company obtained a 5-year Syndicated Credit Facility for U.S.$220 million with Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland”, New York Branch, as administrative agent, with an average life of 4.2 years and semiannual amortizations starting on December 2014, at a rate of LIBOR plus a spread between 150 and 300 basis points based on the Company’s leverage ratio. BBVA Bancomer, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer and Bank of America, N.A., also participated in this facility.

 

On November 24, 2014 the conditions were renegotiated for Gruma Corporation revolving credit with Bank of America, N.A., which was carried out on June 20, 2011 for U.S.$250 million. Its maturity date was extended from June 2016 to November 2019, and the interest rate was reduced by 25 basis points to LIBOR plus a spread between 112.5 and 175 basis points, based on the Company’s leverage ratio.

 

In order to refinance the perpetual notes, on December 5, 2014 the Company issued 10-year senior notes of Ps.5,820,558 (U.S.$400 million) in international markets, payable at maturity on December 1, 2024. The senior notes have an annual fixed interest rate of 4.875% payable semi-annually. The senior notes were placed by Goldman Sachs & Co. and Santander Investment Securities Inc., as leading agents, and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA, Credit Agricole Securities and Scotia Capital Inc., as secondary agents. The proceeds were used to redeem the Perpetual Notes on December 15, 2014 and for the repayment of additional indebtedness of U.S.$100 million.

 

The Company has credit line agreements for Ps.6,255,150 (U.S.$425 million), which are fully available as of December 31, 2014. These credit line agreements require a quarterly payment of a commitment fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.60% over the unused amounts, which is recognized as interest expense of the year.

 

The outstanding credit agreements contain covenants mainly related to compliance with certain financial ratios and delivery of financial information, which, if not complied with during the period, as determined by creditors, may be considered a cause for early maturity of the debt.

 

Financial ratios are calculated according to formulas established in the credit agreements. The main financial ratios contained in the credit agreements are the following:

 

·            Interest coverage ratio, defined as the ratio of consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of the last twelve months to consolidated interest charges, should not be less than 2.50 to 1.00.

 

·            Leverage ratio, defined as the ratio of total consolidated indebtedness (as described in the credit agreements) to consolidated EBITDA, should be as follows:

 

Period

 

Leverage ratio

 

From December 8, 2012 to September 30, 2013

 

No greater than 4.75 to 1.00

 

From October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014

 

No greater than 4.50 to 1.00

 

From October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015

 

No greater than 4.00 to 1.00

 

From October 1, 2015 and thereafter

 

No greater than 3.50 to 1.00

 

 

F-46



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants, as well as with the delivery of the required financial information.

 

15. PROVISIONS

 

The movements of provisions are as follows:

 

 

 

Labor
provisions

 

Restoration
provision

 

Tax provision

 

Compensation
for import of
contaminated
rice

 

Subtotal

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

 

Ps.

236,582

 

Ps.

128,659

 

Ps.

21,232

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

386,473

 

Charge (credit) to income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional provisions

 

 

73,636

 

 

 

 

1,501

 

 

 

 

75,137

 

Unused amounts reversed

 

 

 

 

(5,800

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5,800

)

Used during the year

 

 

(45,989

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(45,989

)

Exchange differences

 

 

1,715

 

 

623

 

 

214

 

 

 

 

2,552

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

(34,589

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(34,589

)

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

 

231,355

 

 

123,482

 

 

22,947

 

 

 

 

377,784

 

Charge (credit) to income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional provisions

 

 

289,715

 

 

14,729

 

 

15,719

 

 

12,146

 

 

332,309

 

Unused amounts reversed

 

 

(1,481

)

 

(1,763

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3,244

)

Used during the year

 

 

(190,719

)

 

(1,015

)

 

(62

)

 

 

 

(191,796

)

Exchange differences

 

 

38,551

 

 

16,637

 

 

2,715

 

 

1,268

 

 

59,171

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

 

Ps.

367,421

 

Ps.

152,070

 

Ps.

41,319

 

Ps.

13,414

 

Ps.

574,224

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of which current

 

Ps.

126,074

 

Ps.

2,973

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

129,047

 

Of which non-current

 

 

241,347

 

 

149,097

 

 

41,319

 

 

13,414

 

 

445,177

 

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

Unregulated
labor security
obligations

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

 

Ps.

386,473

 

Ps.

1,070

 

Ps.

387,543

 

Charge (credit) to income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional provisions

 

 

75,137

 

 

 

 

75,137

 

Unused amounts reversed

 

 

(5,800

)

 

 

 

(5,800

)

Used during the year

 

 

(45,989

)

 

 

 

(45,989

)

Exchange differences

 

 

2,552

 

 

 

 

2,552

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

(34,589

)

 

(1,070

)

 

(35,659

)

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

 

377,784

 

 

 

 

377,784

 

Charge (credit) to income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional provisions

 

 

332,309

 

 

 

 

332,309

 

Unused amounts reversed

 

 

(3,244

)

 

 

 

(3,244

)

Used during the year

 

 

(191,796

)

 

 

 

(191,796

)

Exchange differences

 

 

59,171

 

 

 

 

59,171

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

 

Ps.

574,224

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

574,224

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of which current

 

Ps.

129,047

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

129,047

 

Of which non-current

 

 

445,177

 

 

 

 

445,177

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Labor provisions

 

In the United States, when permitted by law, the Company self insures against workers’ compensation claims.  As claims are filed for workers’ compensation, the Company recognizes an obligation to settle these claims. Certain actuarial information is used to estimate the expected outflows of economic resources and projected timing of the settlement of these claims. The discount rate applied during 2014 was 3.20%.

 

Likewise, the subsidiary in Italy esablished a provision to meet legal costs arising from labor claims related mainly to work accidents.

 

Subsidiaries in Venezuela established a provision for labor claims filed against the Company related to work accidents and the payment of certain labor benefits, and to meet the terms of the collective labor contracts that, as of the date hereof, are still being negotiated with workers’ unions.

 

Restoration provision

 

In the United States and Europe, the Company has recognized an obligation to remove equipment and leasehold improvements from certain of its leased manufacturing facilities in order to restore the facilities to their original condition, less normal wear and tear as determined by the terms of the lease. The Company has estimated the expected outflows of economic resources associated with these obligations and the probability of possible settlement dates based upon the terms of the lease. These estimates are used to calculate the present value of the estimated expenditures using a pre-tax discount rate and taking into account any specific risks associated with these obligations. The discount rate applied during 2014 was 4.99%.

 

Tax provision

 

In Central America, for the periods from 2005 to 2011, tax authorities have lodged tax assessments against the Company for approximately Ps.26,000 (971 million colons) in connection with sales and income tax. Based on the criteria of the Company’s management and the opinion of tax consultants hired for the Company´s defense, there is a probability that some of the tax assessments will be settled. For this reason, the Company has accrued the necessary amounts to cover the payment of these obligations.

 

Additionally in Central America, during 2014 tax authorities have decided not to issue authorizations for the use of tax loss carryforwards from previous years, arguing that they are reviewing the procedure for granting such tax benefit. Tax loss carryforwards prescribing during 2014 amounted to Ps.53,000 (1,988 million colons); therefore, the Company has accrued approximately Ps.16,000 (596 million colons) corresponding to the tax impact of this matter, considering that the Company will excercise its right in court, where a favorable outcome is reserved.

 

Compensation for import of contaminated rice

 

At December 31, 2014 in Central America, the Company recognized a provision for $13,414 (496 million colons) corresponding to the probable loss due to the refusal of the government due to its determination of excess of agrochemicals in imported rice.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Unregulated labor security obligations

 

In Venezuela, the Organic Law of Prevention, Conditions and Work Environment (Ley Orgánica de Prevención, Condiciones y Medio Ambiente de Trabajo) establishes the substitution of certain security obligations for other more onerous. This regulation has not been officially released by the Venezuelan government, making it difficult to determine the payment date for this obligation.

 

16. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, Other current liabilities includes the following:

 

 

 

At December 31,
2014

 

At December 31,
2013

 

Employee benefits payable

 

Ps.

802,706

 

Ps.

590,722

 

Promotion and advertising payable

 

 

255,694

 

 

224,099

 

 

The rest of the items that comprise Other current liabilities correspond to accrued expenses payable.

 

17. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS OBLIGATIONS

 

Employee benefits obligations recognized in the balance sheet, by country, were as follows:

 

Country

 

At December 31,
2014

 

At December 31,
2013

 

Mexico

 

Ps.

505,798

 

Ps.

523,427

 

United States and Europe

 

 

103,864

 

 

96,871

 

Central America

 

 

10,321

 

 

8,745

 

Total

 

Ps.

619,983

 

Ps.

629,043

 

 

A) MEXICO

 

In Mexico, labor obligations recognized by the Company correspond to the single-payment retirement plan and seniority premium. The benefits for the retirement plan and seniority premium are defined benefit plans, based on the projected salary at the date in which the employee is assumed to receive the benefits. Currently, the plan operates under Mexican law, which does not require minimum funding.

 

The plans in Mexico typically expose the Company to actuarial risks such as: investment risk, interest rate risk, longevity risk and salary risk:

 

·                  Investment risk. The expected return rate for investment funds is equivalent to the discount rate, which is calculated using a discount rate determined by reference to long-term government bonds; if the return on plan asset is below this rate, it will create a plan deficit. Currently the plan has a relatively balanced investment in equity securities and fixed-rate instruments. Due to the long-term nature of the plan liabilities, the Company considers appropriate that a reasonable portion of the plan assets should be invested in equity securities to leverage the return generated by the fund; however, a minimum 30% must be invested in government bonds as required by Mexican tax laws.

 

F-49



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

·                  Interest risk. A decrease in the interest rate will increase the plan liability; the volatility in interest rates depends exclusively in the economic environment.

 

·                  Longevity risk. The present value of the defined benefit plan liability is calculated by reference to the best estimate of mortality of plan participants. An increase in the life expectancy of the plan participants will increase the plan’s liability.

 

·                  Salary risk. The present value of the defined benefit plan liability is calculated by reference to the future salaries of plan participants. As such, an increase in the salary expectancy of the plan participants will increase the plan’s liability.

 

The reconciliation between the beginning and ending balances of the present value of the defined benefit obligations (DBO) is as follows:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

DBO at beginning of the year

 

Ps.

579,667

 

Ps.

456,691

 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current service cost

 

 

28,083

 

 

16,032

 

Financial cost

 

 

31,591

 

 

21,852

 

Remeasurement for the period

 

 

7,851

 

 

167,985

 

Benefits paid

 

 

(85,747

)

 

(84,445

)

Past service cost

 

 

 

 

1,552

 

DBO at end of the year

 

Ps.

561,445

 

Ps.

579,667

 

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, liabilities relating to vested employee benefits amounted to Ps.337,619 and Ps.391,860, respectively.

 

The reconciliation between the beginning and ending balances of the employee benefit plan assets at fair value for the years 2014 and 2013 is shown below:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Plan assets at fair value at beginning of the year

 

Ps.

56,240

 

Ps.

48,910

 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on plan assets

 

 

2,970

 

 

2,494

 

Return on plan assets recognized in other comprehensive income

 

 

(3,563

)

 

4,836

 

Plan assets at fair value at end of the year

 

Ps.

55,647

 

Ps.

56,240

 

 

The following table shows the reconciliation between the present value of the defined benefit obligation and the plan assets at fair value, and the projected net liability included in the balance sheet:

 

 

 

At December 31,
2014

 

At December 31,
2013

 

Employee benefit (assets) liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

DBO

 

Ps.

561,445

 

Ps.

579,667

 

Plan assets

 

 

(55,647

)

 

(56,240

)

Employee benefits obligations

 

Ps.

505,798

 

Ps.

523,427

 

 

F-50



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

The value of the DBO related to the pension plan amounted to Ps.495,808 and Ps.507,826 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, while the value of the DBO related to seniority premiums amounted to Ps.65,637 and Ps.71,841, respectively.

 

At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the components of net cost comprised the following:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Current service cost

 

Ps.

28,083

 

Ps.

16,032

 

Ps.

19,907

 

Past service cost

 

 

 

 

1,552

 

 

 

Financial cost

 

 

31,591

 

 

21,852

 

 

22,296

 

Return on plan assets

 

 

(2,970

)

 

(2,494

)

 

(4,085

)

Net cost for the year

 

Ps.

56,704

 

Ps.

36,942

 

Ps.

38,118

 

 

The net cost for the year 2014, 2013 and 2012 of Ps.56,704, Ps.36,942 and Ps.38,118, respectively, was recognized as follows:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Cost of sales

 

Ps.

10,150

 

Ps.

10,470

 

Ps.

3,640

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 

 

41,498

 

 

21,993

 

 

30,711

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

5,056

 

 

4,479

 

 

3,767

 

Net cost for the year

 

Ps.

56,704

 

Ps.

36,942

 

Ps.

38,118

 

 

Remeasurements of the defined benefit obligation recognized in other comprehensive income are comprised of:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net cost of the year)

 

Ps.

3,563

 

Ps.

(4,836

)

Ps.

(5,975

)

Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in demographic assumptions

 

 

59,940

 

 

 

 

 

Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in financial assumptions

 

 

(15,234

)

 

(19,366

)

 

67,269

 

Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments

 

 

(36,855

)

 

187,351

 

 

44,621

 

Acquisition/disposal or excision of business

 

 

 

 

 

 

52

 

 

 

Ps.

11,414

 

Ps.

163,149

 

Ps.

105,967

 

 

The total amount recognized in other comprehensive income is described below:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Balance at the beginning of the year

 

Ps.

274,004

 

Ps.

110,885

 

Remeasurements that occurred during the year

 

 

11,414

 

 

163,149

 

Balance at the end of the year

 

Ps.

285,418

 

Ps.

274,004

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, plan assets stated at fair value and related percentages with respect to total plan assets were analyzed as follows:

 

 

 

At December 31,
2014

 

At December 31,
2013

 

Equity securities, classified by type of industry:

 

Ps.

42,508

76

%

Ps.

42,180

75

%

Consumer industry

 

 

10,191

 

 

 

7,907

 

 

Financial institutions

 

 

32,317

 

 

 

34,273

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed rate securities

 

 

13,139

24

%

 

14,060

25

%

Fair value of plan assets

 

Ps.

55,647

100

%

Ps.

56,240

100

%

 

The Company has a policy of maintaining at least 30% of its trust assets in Mexican Federal Government instruments. Guidelines have been established for the remaining 70% and investment decisions are taken in accordance with these guidelines to the extent market conditions and available funds allow it.

 

As of December 31, 2014, the funds maintained in plan assets were considered sufficient to face the Company’s short-term needs; therefore, the Company’s management has determined that for the time being there is no need for additional contributions to increase these assets.

 

The main actuarial assumptions used were as follows:

 

 

 

At December
31, 2014

 

At December
31, 2013

 

Discount rate

 

6.25

%

5.75

%

Future increase rate in compensation levels

 

4.50

%

4.50

%

Long-term inflation rate

 

3.50

%

3.50

%

 

At December 31 2014 and 2013, the impact in DBO for a decrease of 25 basis points in the discount rate amounts to Ps.10,147 and Ps.9,470, respectively.

 

The sensitivity analysis mentioned above is based on the change in the discount rate while keeping constant the rest of the assumptions. In practice, this is unlikely to occur, and changes in some of the assumptions can be correlated.

 

The methods used in preparing the sensitivity analysis did not change from those used in prior years.

 

The average duration of the benefit obligation at December 31, 2014 and 2013 is 13 and 14 years, respectively.

 

The Company does not expect to contribute during the next fiscal year.

 

B) OTHER COUNTRIES

 

In the United States, the Company has a savings and investment plan that incorporates voluntary employee 401(k) contributions with matching contributions from the Company in this country. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, total expenses related to this plan amounted to Ps.81,215, Ps.68,658 and Ps.62,340, respectively (U.S.$6,082, U.S.$5,351 and U.S.$4,737 thousand, respectively).

 

F-52



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Additionally, the Company has established an unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation plan for a selected group of management and highly compensated employees. The plan is voluntary and allows employees to defer a portion of their salary or bonus in excess of the savings and investment plan limitations. The employees elect investment options and the Company monitors the result of those investments and records a liability for the obligation. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, total expenses related to this plan were approximately Ps.7,184, Ps.2,515 and Ps.6,014, respectively (U.S.$538, U.S.$196 and U.S.$457 thousand, respectively). At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the liability recognized for these items amounted to Ps.94,151 and Ps.87,469, respectively (U.S.$6,397 and U.S.$6,689 thousand, respectively).

 

In Central America, the retirement and severance provisions are determined according to the current Labor Legislation of each country. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the liability recognized for this item amounted to Ps.10,321 and Ps.8,745, respectively, and the total labor obligation cost amounted Ps.1,586 and Ps.1,843, respectively.

 

18. EQUITY

 

A)  COMMON STOCK

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s outstanding common stock consisted of 432,749,079 Series “B” shares, with no par value, fully subscribed and paid, which can only be withdrawn with stockholders’ approval.

 

The Extraordinary Stockholders’ Meeting held on May 15, 2013 agreed on the merger by incorporation of Valores Azteca, S.A. de C.V. as merged company that is extinguished, with GRUMA as merging company. In accordance with this merger, GRUMA as owner of 45% of the capital stock of Valores Azteca, received 24,566,561 ordinary shares, with no par value, Series B, Class I, of GRUMA. The effect in the Company’s equity as a result of this merger was $1,009,848.

 

Additionally, the following shares of GRUMA were approved to be cancelled:

 

Amount of shares cancelled

 

Description

1,523,900 shares

 

Shares held in Treasury, repurchased by GRUMA

106,335,069 shares

 

Shares held in Treasury, acquired by GRUMA from ADM in December 2012 (Note 29)

24,566,561 shares

 

Shares received by GRUMA, due to the merger of Valores Azteca with GRUMA (Note 10)

 

B)  RETAINED EARNINGS

 

In accordance with Mexican Corporate Law, the legal reserve must be increased annually by 5% of annual net profits until it reaches a fifth of the fully paid common stock amount. The legal reserve is included within retained earnings.

 

F-53



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Movements in the legal reserve for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

 

 

 

Amount

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

 

Ps.

304,631

 

Increases during the year

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

304,631

 

Increases during the year

 

283,674

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

 

Ps.

588,305

 

 

In October 2013, the Chamber of Senators and Deputies approved the issuance of the new Income Tax Law, effective starting January 1, 2014. Among other, the Law establishes a 10% tax rate on earnings from 2014 and thereafter, for dividend paid to foreign residents and Mexican individuals; additionally, this law states that for the years 2001 to 2013, the net taxable income will be determined in accordance with the Income Tax Law that was effective for each year.

 

Dividends paid are not subject to income tax if paid from the Net Tax Profit Account (CUFIN) and will be taxed at a rate that fluctuates between 32% and 35% if they are paid from the reinvested Net Tax Profit Account. Dividends paid that exceed CUFIN and reinvested CUFIN are subject to an income tax payable at a rate of 30% if paid in 2015. The tax is payable by the Company and may be credited against the normal income tax payable by the Company in the year in which the dividends are paid or in the following two years. Dividends paid from earnings previously taxed are not subject to any withholding or additional tax payment.

 

C) PURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK

 

The Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 26, 2013 approved to increase the reserve to repurchase the Company’s own shares up to Ps.650,000, while the Shareholders’ Meeting held on December 13, 2012 approved to increase the reserve to repurchase the Company’s own shares up to Ps.4,500,000. The maximum amount of proceeds that can be used to purchase the Company’s own shares cannot exceed, in any case, the net earnings of the entity, including retained earnings. The difference between the acquisition cost of the repurchased shares and their stated value, composed of common stock and share premium, is recognized as part of the reserve to repurchase the Company’s own shares, which is included within retained earnings from prior years. The gain or loss on the sale of the Company’s own shares is recorded in retained earnings.

 

Movements in the reserve for acquisition of Company’s own shares for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows. During 2014, no movements were recognized in this reserve.

 

 

 

Amount

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

 

Ps.

467,388

 

Increase in reserve for repurchase of Company’s own shares approved by the Stockholders’ Meeting in April 26, 2013

 

650,000

 

Cancellation of repurchased shares in 2013

 

(467,388

)

Balance at December 31, 2014 and 2013

 

Ps.

650,000

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

D) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENTS

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments consisted of the following as of December 31:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

Ps.

(10,895

)

Ps.

(64,081

)

Effect of the year from translating net investment in foreign subsidiaries

 

793,342

 

(217,535

)

Reclassification adjustment for foreign currency translation from discontinued operations (1)

 

 

317,133

 

Exchange differences arising from foreign currency liabilities accounted for as a hedge of the Company’s net investments in foreign subsidiaries

 

(961,855

)

(46,412

)

Balance at end of year

 

Ps.

(179,408

)

Ps.

(10,895

)

 


(1)         Corresponds to the shareholders’ portion of the foreign currency translation effect. The non-controlling portion of the foreign currency translation effect at December 31, 2013 amounts to Ps.115,325.

 

The investment that the Company maintains in its operations in the United States and Europe generated a hedge of up to U.S.$597 and U.S.$651 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the accumulated effect of translating net investment in foreign subsidiaries impacted non-controlling interest in the amounts of Ps.6,481 and Ps.(8,769), respectively.

 

19. SUBSIDIARIES

 

The table below shows details of non-wholly subsidiaries of the Company that have material non-controlling interests:

 

 

 

Country of
incorpora-tion and

 

% of non-controlling interest
At December 31,

 

Income allocated to non-controlling interest
For the years ended December 31,

 

Name of subsidiary

 

business

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Grupo Industrial Maseca, S.A.B. de C.V.

 

Mexico

 

16.82

%

16.82

%

Ps.

201,651

 

Ps.

301,328

 

Ps.

241,575

 

 

 

 

Accumulated non-controlling interest
At December 31,

 

Name of subsidiary

 

2014

 

2013

 

Grupo Industrial Maseca, S.A.B. de C.V.

 

Ps.

1,566,037

 

Ps.

1,473,531

 

 

Summarized financial information in respect of the Company’s subsidiary that has material non-controlling interests is set out below. The summarized financial information below represents amounts before inter-company eliminations.

 

F-55



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Grupo Industrial Maseca, S.A.B. de C.V.

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

 

At December 31, 2013

 

Current assets

 

Ps.

4,375,184

 

Ps.

4,440,185

 

Non-current assets

 

6,533,727

 

7,141,225

 

Current liabilities

 

2,291,459

 

3,647,105

 

Non-current liabilities

 

652,070

 

624,718

 

Equity attributable to owners of the Company

 

6,513,209

 

5,836,056

 

Non-controlling interests

 

1,566,037

 

1,473,531

 

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

 

101,392

 

594,024

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Net sales

 

Ps.

5,074,107

 

Ps.

15,944,039

 

Ps.

16,947,660

 

Net income

 

1,199,763

 

1,767,978

 

1,352,888

 

Comprehensive income

 

1,162,092

 

1,760,949

 

1,295,452

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

Ps.

2,481,087

 

Ps.

4,473,355

 

Ps.

842,946

 

Investment activities

 

(171,624

)

(2,792,669

)

(457,388

)

Financing activities

 

(2,111,933

)

(1,886,033

)

(351,475

)

 

20. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

A) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BY CATEGORY

 

The carrying values of financial instruments by category are presented below:

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

 

 

 

Loans,
receivables
and
liabilities at
amortized
cost

 

Financial
assets and
liabilities at
fair value
through
profit or loss

 

Hedge
derivatives

 

Assets
available
for sale

 

Total
categories

 

Financial assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

Ps.

1,465,088

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

1,465,088

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

8,575

 

87,801

 

 

96,376

 

Accounts receivable

 

6,489,396

 

 

 

 

6,489,396

 

Investment in Venezuela available for sale

 

 

 

 

3,109,013

 

3,109,013

 

Long term notes receivable from sale of tortilla machines and other (Note 9)

 

145,794

 

 

 

 

145,794

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

 

 

 

Loans,
receivables
and
liabilities at
amortized
cost

 

Financial
assets and
liabilities at
fair value
through
profit or loss

 

Hedge
derivatives

 

Assets
available
for sale

 

Total
categories

 

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current debt

 

Ps.

1,437,108

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

1,437,108

 

Trade accounts payable

 

3,555,521

 

 

 

 

3,555,521

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

49,024

 

 

 

49,024

 

Long-term debt

 

9,324,052

 

 

 

 

9,324,052

 

Contingent payment due to repurchase of the Company’s own shares (Note 29)

 

 

823,960

 

 

 

823,960

 

Other liabilities (excludes non-financial liabilities)

 

27,053

 

 

 

 

27,053

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013

 

 

 

Loans,
receivables
and
liabilities at
amortized
cost

 

Financial
assets and
liabilities at
fair value
through
profit or loss

 

Hedge
derivatives

 

Assets
available
for sale

 

Total
categories

 

Financial assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

Ps.

1,338,555

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

1,338,555

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

12,282

 

108,280

 

 

120,562

 

Accounts receivable

 

7,193,317

 

 

 

 

7,193,317

 

Investment in Venezuela available for sale

 

 

 

 

3,109,013

 

3,109,013

 

Long term notes receivable from sale of tortilla machines and other (Note 9)

 

154,458

 

 

 

 

154,458

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013

 

 

 

Loans,
receivables
and
liabilities at
amortized
cost

 

Financial
assets and
liabilities at
fair value
through
profit or loss

 

Hedge
derivatives

 

Assets
available
for sale

 

Total
categories

 

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current debt

 

Ps.

3,275,897

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

3,275,897

 

Trade accounts payable

 

3,547,498

 

 

 

 

3,547,498

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

71,540

 

 

71,540

 

Long-term debt

 

13,096,443

 

 

 

 

13,096,443

 

Contingent payment due to repurchase of the Company’s own shares (Note 29)

 

 

671,069

 

 

 

671,069

 

Other liabilities (excludes non-financial liabilities)

 

51,924

 

 

 

 

51,924

 

 

B) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, trade accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate their fair value, due to their short maturity. In addition, the net book value of accounts receivable and recoverable taxes represent the expected cash flow to be received.

 

The estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is as follows:

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

 

 

 

Carrying amount

 

Fair value

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments — fuel (1)

 

Ps.

7,804

 

Ps.

7,804

 

Derivative financial instruments — corn (1)

 

88,572

 

88,572

 

Investment in Venezuela available for sale

 

3,109,013

 

3,109,013

(2)

Long-term notes receivable from sale of tortilla machines

 

134,502

 

145,780

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

10-year Bonds in U.S. dollars bearing fixed interest at an annual rate of 4.875%

 

5,820,558

 

6,063,816

 

Short and long-term debt

 

4,940,602

 

5,042,515

 

Contingent payment due to repurchase of the Company’s own shares

 

823,960

 

823,960

 

Derivative financial instruments - other raw materials

 

49,024

 

49,024

 

 


(1)         At December 31, 2014, the balance of derivative financial instruments receivable amounted to Ps.96,376, and is comprised of Ps.23,127 corresponding to the gain from the valuation of open positions in corn and fuel derivative financial instruments at the end of the year, and Ps.119,503 corresponding to revolving funds or margin calls that arise from price changes in the underlying asset that the Company maintains with the third party, to be applied against payments, related to corn and fuel derivatives.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

(2)         Following the applicable guidelines and considering that the range of reasonable fair-value estimates was significant and the probabilities of the various estimates within the range could not be reasonably assessed, the Company recognized this financial asset at its carrying value and not at its fair value. See Note 26.

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013

 

 

 

Carrying amount

 

Fair value

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments — exchange rate (1)

 

Ps.

12,282

 

Ps.

12,282

 

Investment in Venezuela available for sale

 

3,109,013

 

3,109,013

(2)

Long-term notes receivable from sale of tortilla machines

 

144,142

 

127,182

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Perpetual bonds in U.S. dollars bearing fixed interest at an annual rate of 7.75%

 

3,732,717

 

3,967,083

 

Short and long-term debt

 

12,639,623

 

12,924,889

 

Contingent payment due to repurchase of the Company’s own shares

 

671,069

 

671,069

 

Derivative financial instruments - other raw materials

 

71,540

 

71,540

 

 


(1)         At December 31, 2013, the balance of derivative financial instruments receivable amounted to Ps.120,562, and is comprised of Ps.12,282 corresponding to the gain from the valuation of open positions in exchange rate derivative financial instruments at the end of the year, and Ps.108,280 corresponding to revolving funds or margin calls that arise from price changes in the underlying asset that the Company maintains with the third party, to be applied against payments, related to corn derivatives.

 

(2)         Following the applicable guidelines and considering that the range of reasonable fair-value estimates was significant and the probabilities of the various estimates within the range could not be reasonably assessed, the Company recognized this financial asset at its carrying value and not at its fair value. See Note 26.

 

The fair values al December 31, 2014 and 2013 were determined by the Company as follows:

 

·                  The fair values of bonds in U.S. dollars were determined based on available market prices. Fair values of bonds are classified as level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

·                  The fair value for the rest of the long-term debt was based on the present value of the cash flows discounted at interest rates based on readily observable market inputs. Fair value of long-term debt is classified as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The average discount rate used was 3.34% in 2014 and 3.74% in 2013.

 

·                  Long-term notes receivable from sale of tortilla machines are classified as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Its fair value was based on the present value of future cash flows using a discount rate of 9.01% in 2014 and 2013.

 

F-59



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

C) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

At December 31, 2014 derivative financial instruments comprised the following:

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

Type of contract

 

Notional amount

 

Asset

 

Liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corn futures

 

12,345,000 Bushels

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 21,249

 

Natural gas swaps

 

3,360,000 Mmbtu

 

 

49,024

 

Fuel swaps

 

5,544,000 Gallons

 

 

1,878

 

 

At December 31, 2014, open positions of corn derivatives were recorded at fair value. The result of the valuation of financial instruments that qualified as cash flow hedge represented a loss of Ps.25,133, which was recognized in comprehensive income within equity. At December 31, 2014, the Company had open positions of financial instruments for corn, natural gas and fuel that did not qualify as hedge accounting. These open positions represented a loss of Ps.45,534, which was recognized in income as other expenses, net.

 

Operations terminated at December 31, 2014 on corn and natural gas derivatives represented a loss of Ps.76,365 which was recognized in income as other expenses, net (Note 22).

 

Exchange rate derivative financial instruments were recorded at fair value. At December 31, 2014, the Company had no open positions of these instruments. Likewise, for the year ended December 31, 2014, terminated operations of these instruments represented a loss of Ps.23,375, which was recognized in income as comprehensive financing cost, net (Note 24).

 

At December 31, 2014, the Company had revolving funds denominated “margin calls” amounting Ps.119,503, which are required to be applied against payments, due to price changes in the underlying asset.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company reclassified the amount of Ps.251,746 from comprehensive income and recognized it as part of inventory. This amount refers to the loss from the terminated operations for corn hedges, in which the grain, subject to these hedges, was received. Additionally, the corn hedges terminated during the period and for which no corn has been received, originated a gain of Ps.2,395, which was recognized in comprehensive income.

 

At December 31, 2013 derivative financial instruments comprised the following:

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

Type of contract

 

Notional amount

 

Asset

 

Liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corn futures

 

6,365,000 Bushels

 

 

 

Ps.

 71,540

 

Exchange rate forwards

 

$

65,280,000 USD

 

Ps.

 12,282

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013, open positions of corn derivatives were recorded at fair value. The result of the valuation of financial instruments that qualified as cash flow hedge represented a loss of Ps.71,540, which was recognized in comprehensive income within equity. At December 31, 2013, the Company had no open positions of financial instruments that did not qualify as hedge accounting.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Operations terminated at December 31, 2013 on corn and natural gas derivatives represented a loss of Ps.30,160 which was recognized in income as other expenses, net (Note 22).

 

Exchange rate derivative financial instruments were recorded at fair value. At December 31, 2013, the open positions of exchange rate derivatives represented a gain of Ps.9,543 which was recognized in income as comprehensive financing cost, net (Note 24). Likewise, for the year ended December 31, 2013, terminated operations of these instruments represented a gain of Ps.24,377, which was recognized in income as comprehensive financing cost, net (Note 24).

 

At December 31, 2013, the Company had revolving funds denominated “margin calls” amounting Ps.108,280, which are required to be applied against payments, due to price changes in the underlying asset.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company reclassified the amount of Ps.207,241 from comprehensive income and recognized it as part of inventory. This amount refers to the gain from the terminated operations for corn hedges, in which the grain, subject to these hedges, was received. Additionally, the corn hedges terminated during the period and for which no corn has been received, originated a loss of Ps.62,009, which was recognized in comprehensive income.

 

D) FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY

 

A three-level hierarchy is used to measure and disclose fair values. An instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation.

 

The following is a description of the three hierarchy levels:

 

·                        Level 1—Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

·                        Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

·                        Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

 

This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The Company considers relevant and observable market prices in its valuations where possible.

 

a. Determination of fair value

 

When available, the Company generally uses quoted market prices to determine fair value and classifies such items in Level 1. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is valued using industry standard valuation models. When applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs, including interest rates, currency rates, volatilities, etc. Items valued using such inputs are classified according to the lowest level input or value driver that is significant to the valuation. Thus, an item may be classified in Level 3 even though there may be some inputs that are readily observable. In addition, the Company considers assumptions for its own credit risk and the respective counterparty risk.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

b. Measurement

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are summarized below:

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan assets — seniority premium fund

 

Ps.

 55,647

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 55,647

 

Derivative financial instruments — corn

 

88,572

 

 

88,572

 

Derivative financial instruments — fuel

 

7,804

 

 

7,804

 

Investment in Venezuela available for sale

 

 

3,109,013

 

3,109,013

(1)

 

 

Ps.

 152,023

 

Ps.

 3,109,013

 

Ps.

 3,261,036

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments — natural gas

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 49,024

 

Ps.

 49,024

 

Contingent payment due to repurchase of the Company’s own shares

 

 

823,960

 

823,960

 

 

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 872,984

 

Ps.

 872,984

 

 


(1)         Following the applicable guidelines and considering that the range of reasonable fair-value estimates was significant and the probabilities of the various estimates within the range could not be reasonably assessed, the Company recognized this financial asset at its carrying value and not at its fair value. See Note 26.

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan assets — seniority premium fund

 

Ps.

 56,240

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 56,240

 

Derivative financial instruments — exchange rate

 

 

12,282

 

 

12,282

 

Investment in Venezuela available for sale

 

 

 

3,109,013

 

3,109,013

(1)

 

 

Ps.

 56,240

 

Ps.

 12,282

 

Ps.

 3,109,013

 

Ps.

 3,177,535

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments — corn

 

Ps.

 71,540

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 71,540

 

Contingent payment due to repurchase of the Company’s own shares

 

 

 

671,069

 

671,069

 

 

 

Ps.

 71,540

 

Ps.

 —

 

Ps.

 671,069

 

Ps.

 742,609

 

 


(2)         Following the applicable guidelines and considering that the range of reasonable fair-value estimates was significant and the probabilities of the various estimates within the range could not be reasonably assessed, the Company recognized this financial asset at its carrying value and not at its fair value. See Note 26.

 

There were no transfers between the three levels in the period.

 

F-62



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets

 

Financial instruments that are negotiated in active markets are classified as Level 1. The inputs used in the Company’s financial statements to measure the fair value include quoted market prices of corn listed on the Chicago Board of Trade.

 

Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets

 

Financial instruments that are classified as Level 2 refer mainly to quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, as well as model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

 

Derivative financial instruments — exchange rate

 

Exchange rate financial instruments were recorded at fair value, which was determined based on future cash flows discounted to present value. Significant data used to determine the fair value of these instruments were as follows:

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

Forward exchange rate

 

13.12

 

Discount rate

 

3.79

%

 

Level 3 - Valuation techniques

 

The Company has classified as Level 3 those financial instruments whose fair values are obtained using valuation models that include observable inputs but also include certain unobservable inputs.

 

The table below includes a roll-forward of the balance sheet amounts for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 for financial instruments classified by the Company within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. When a determination is made to classify a financial instrument within Level 3, it is due to the use of significant unobservable inputs. However, Level 3 financial instruments typically include, in addition to the unobservable or level 3 components, observable components (that is, components that are actively quoted and can be validated to external sources); accordingly, the gains and losses in the table below include changes in fair value due, in part, to observable factors that are part of the valuation methodology:

 

F-63



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

Contingent 
payment due to 
repurchase of the 
Company’s own 
shares

 

Derivative 
financial 
instruments — 
other raw 
materials

 

Investment 
available for sale

 

Balance as of December 31, 2012

 

Ps.

 606,495

 

Ps.

 28,832

 

Ps.

 —

 

Investment in Venezuela available for sale

 

 

 

3,109,013

 

Total gains or losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the income statement

 

64,574

 

(28,832

)

 

In the comprehensive income statement

 

 

 

 

Additional provision

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

 

671,069

 

 

3,109,013

 

Investment in Venezuela available for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gains or losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the income statement

 

152,891

 

49,024

 

 

In the comprehensive income statement

 

 

 

 

Additional provision

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

 

Ps.

 823,960

 

Ps.

 49,024

 

Ps.

 3,109,013

 

 

Contingent payment due to repurchase of the Company’s own shares

 

Regarding the contingent payment due to repurchase of the Company’s own shares and as mentioned in Note 29, the Company recognized a contingent payment liability amounting to Ps.823,960 (U.S.$55,983 million) and Ps. 671,069 (U.S.$ 51.3 million) at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, regarding the scenario identified as (i) in that Note. This provision is related to the increase in GRUMA’s shares market price, over the closing price of GRUMA’s shares determined for purposes of the transaction, at the end of a 42-month period.

 

The contingent payment liability was recognized at fair value, which was determined using discounted future cash flows and a discount rate which represented the average rate of return of bonds issued by companies comparable to GRUMA. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent payment liability will be recognized in the income statement. The Monte Carlo simulation model was used to estimate the future price of the shares; this model includes the expected return and weighted volatility of historical prices of GRUMA’s shares over a period of 42 months.

 

Significant data used to determine the fair value of the contingent payment liability is as follows:

 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Weighted volatility of historical prices of GRUMA’s shares

 

27.05

%

38.83

%

Weighted average price of GRUMA’s shares (simulated)

 

Ps.

364.97 per share

 

Ps.

316.95 per share

 

Forward exchange rate

 

Ps.

 15.27 per dollar

 

Ps.

14.07 per dollar

 

Discount rate

 

4.87

%

6.80

%

 

An increase or decrease of 10% in the discount rate used for the calculation of fair value, would result in an effect of Ps.5,480 and Ps.9,571, at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

Derivative financial instruments — natural gas

 

Natural gas derivative financial instruments were recognized at fair value, which was determined using future cash flow discounted to present value, using quoted market prices of natural gas listed on the NYMEX Exchange.

 

For the Company, the unobservable input included in the valuation of this Level 3 financial instrument refers solely to the Company’s own credit risk. For the year 2014 the Company’s management believes that a possible reasonable change in this unobservable assumption will not cause a change where the fair value can materially exceed the carrying value.

 

Investment available for sale

 

The investment in Venezuela available for sale is recognized at the best estimated amount considered by the Company, which is represented by its carrying value, since no active market exists for this investment. See Note 26 for more information.

 

21. EXPENSES BY NATURE

 

Expenses by nature are presented in the income statement within the captions of cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses and are analyzed as follows:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Cost of raw materials consumed and changes in inventory (Note 8)

 

Ps.

 19,047,263

 

Ps.

 20,036,893

 

Ps.

 22,735,345

 

Employee benefit expenses (Note 23)

 

11,824,788

 

11,127,071

 

11,211,456

 

Depreciation

 

1,402,509

 

1,400,412

 

1,447,034

 

Amortization

 

57,942

 

168,964

 

75,744

 

Rental expense of operating leases (Note 27)

 

875,293

 

733,861

 

722,739

 

Research and development expenses (Note 12)

 

152,967

 

144,563

 

136,826

 

 

22. OTHER EXPENSES, NET

 

Other expenses, net comprised the following:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss from sale of fixed assets

 

Ps.

 (40,981

)

Ps.

 (89,941

)

Ps.

 (17,966

)

Net gain from sale of scrap

 

1,845

 

1,073

 

2,092

 

Impairment loss on long-lived assets

 

(14,395

)

(45,235

)

(4,014

)

Cost of written-down fixed assets

 

(64,503

)

 

(37,681

)

Current employees’ statutory profit sharing

 

(53,677

)

(53,415

)

(51,123

)

Non-recoverable cost of damaged assets

 

(3,652

)

(4,221

)

(2,654

)

Result from derivative financial instruments

 

(121,899

)

(1,330

)

38,148

 

Total

 

Ps.

 (297,262

)

Ps.

 (193,069

)

Ps.

 (73,198

)

 

F-65



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

23. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT EXPENSES

 

Employee benefit expenses are comprised of the following:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Salaries, wages and benefits (including termination benefits)

 

Ps.

11,028,190

 

Ps.

10,408,024

 

Ps.

10,481,833

 

Social security contributions

 

654,581

 

613,129

 

626,120

 

Employment benefits (Note 17)

 

142,017

 

105,918

 

103,503

 

Total

 

Ps.

11,824,788

 

Ps.

11,127,071

 

Ps.

11,211,456

 

 

24.  COMPREHENSIVE FINANCING COST

 

Comprehensive financing cost, net is comprised by:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Interest expense (Note 14)

 

Ps.

(1,189,993

)

Ps.

(1,105,268

)

Ps.

(897,021

)

Interest income

 

35,552

 

37,250

 

43,856

 

Gain from derivative financial instruments (Note 20)

 

(23,375

)

33,920

 

55,352

 

Gain (loss) from foreign exchange differences, net

 

72,413

 

46,473

 

(82,577

)

Comprehensive financing cost, net

 

Ps.

 (1,105,403

)

Ps.

(987,625

)

Ps.

(880,390

)

 

25.  INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

A)  INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX

 

The domestic and foreign components of income before income tax are the following:

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Domestic

 

Ps.

1,987,178

 

Ps.

1,361,499

 

Ps.

671,136

 

Foreign

 

2,930,333

 

2,290,627

 

1,057,567

 

 

 

Ps.

4,917,511

 

Ps.

3,652,126

 

Ps.

1,728,703

 

 

B)  COMPONENTS OF INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

The components of income tax expense are the following:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current tax on profits for the year

 

Ps.

(2,103,594

)

Ps.

(2,079,506

)

Ps.

(530,500

)

Adjustments in respect of prior years

 

194,257

 

137,645

 

(38,568

)

Total current tax

 

(1,909,337

)

(1,941,861

)

(569,068

)

 

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Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Deferred tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin and reversal of temporary differences

 

865,992

 

98,251

 

(474,286

)

Tax credit derived from foreign dividends

 

 

 

138,074

 

Use of tax loss carryforwards not previously recognized

 

(16,238

)

1,648,249

 

 

Total deferred tax

 

849,754

 

1,746,500

 

(336,212

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total income tax expense

 

Ps.

(1,059,583

)

Ps.

(195,361

)

Ps.

(905,280

)

 

Domestic federal, foreign federal and state income taxes in the consolidated statements of income consisted of the following components:

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic federal

 

Ps.

(714,311

)

Ps.

(1,022,764

)

Ps.

(210,103

)

Foreign federal

 

(1,082,163

)

(810,651

)

(315,224

)

Foreign state

 

(112,863

)

(108,446

)

(43,741

)

 

 

(1,909,337

)

(1,941,861

)

(569,068

)

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic federal

 

709,553

 

1,601,949

 

(187,958

)

Foreign federal

 

156,612

 

160,320

 

(153,677

)

Foreign state

 

(16,411

)

(15,769

)

5,423

 

 

 

849,754

 

1,746,500

 

(336,212

)

Total income taxes

 

Ps.

(1,059,583

)

Ps.

(195,361

)

Ps.

(905,280

)

 

C)  RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL AND TAXABLE INCOME

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the reconciliation between statutory income tax amounts and the effective income tax amounts is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Statutory federal income tax (30% for 2014, 2013 and 2012)

 

Ps.

 (1,475,253

)

Ps.

 (1,095,638

)

Ps.

 (518,611

)

Effects related to inflation

 

(109,626

)

(146,883

)

(99,747

)

Foreign income tax rate differences

 

(41,826

)

(86,918

)

(57,008

)

Tax credit derived from foreign dividends

 

718,135

 

 

383,740

 

Recoverable asset tax written off

 

 

 

(209,940

)

Tax loss carryforwards used

 

23,341

 

1,131,434

 

(86,620

)

Recovery of asset tax from previous years

 

 

216,204

 

 

Nondeductible expenses and others

 

(174,354

)

(213,560

)

(317,094

)

Effective income tax (21.55%, 5.35% and 52.37% for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)

 

Ps.

 (1,059,583

)

Ps.

 (195,361

)

Ps.

 (905,280

)

 

F-67



Table of Contents

 

GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

In October 2013, the Chamber of Senators and Deputies approved the issuance of the new Income Tax Law, effective starting January 1, 2014, abrogating the Income Tax Law published on January 1, 2002. The new Income Tax Law captures the essence of the previous Income Tax Law; however, this new law makes significant changes, including an income tax rate of 30% for 2014 and the following years; compared to the previous Income Tax Law, which established tax rates of 30%, 29% and 28% for 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. This change had no significant effect in the income of the year.

 

26. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

A) AGREEMENT FOR THE SALE OF THE WHEAT FLOUR OPERATIONS IN MEXICO

 

On June 10, 2014, GRUMA reached an agreement with Grupo Trimex, S.A. de C.V. (“Grupo Trimex”) for the sale of its wheat flour operations in Mexico. This transaction is in line with the Company’s strategy of focusing on its core businesses. Through this transaction, Grupo Trimex acquired all the shares representing Molinera de México, S.A. de C.V.’s capital stock (including transfer of personnel and assets), as well as the assets owned by Agroindustrias Integradas del Norte, S.A. de C.V., subsidiary of Grupo Industrial Maseca, S.A. B. de C.V. related to wheat flour production.

 

During December 2014, the Company concluded the sale of its wheat flour operations in Mexico. The total sale price was Ps.3,677,788.

 

The Company recognized in income a gain of Ps.214,755 as discontinued operations.

 

Income and cash flows related to the wheat flour operations in Mexico for the periods presented were classified as discontinued operations.

 

The assets and liabilities of the wheat flour operations in Mexico, at November 30, 2014 and at December 31, 2013 are shown below:

 

 

 

At November 30,
2014

 

At December 31,
2013

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

Ps.

823,764

 

Ps.

917,417

 

Inventories

 

1,332,661

 

1,095,199

 

Other current assets

 

119,895

 

38,613

 

Total current assets

 

2,276,320

 

2,051,229

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

1,323,744

 

1,301,233

 

Other non-current assets

 

233,284

 

230,874

 

Total non-current assets

 

1,557,028

 

1,532,107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

Ps.

3,833,348

 

Ps.

3,583,336

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

268,971

 

204,662

 

Non-current liabilities

 

101,344

 

45,811

 

Total liabilities

 

Ps.

370,315

 

Ps.

250,473

 

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

The analysis of the gain or loss from discontinued operations related with the sale of the wheat flour operations in Mexico is as follows:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Net sales

 

Ps.

4,807,420

 

Ps.

5,070,781

 

Ps.

5,138,916

 

Cost of sales

 

(3,824,071

)

(4,245,166

)

(4,301,215

)

Gross profit

 

983,349

 

825,615

 

837,701

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 

(540,674

)

(635,341

)

(605,014

)

Other expenses, net

 

(8,411

)

574

 

(27,771

)

Operating income

 

434,264

 

190,848

 

204,916

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share of profits of associated company

 

3,036

 

2,562

 

2,976

 

Comprehensive financing cost, net

 

(9,652

)

19,211

 

53,697

 

Income before income taxes

 

427,648

 

212,621

 

261,589

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

(3,516

)

(3,088

)

42,499

 

Income from discontinued operation, net

 

Ps.

424,132

 

Ps.

209,533

 

Ps.

304,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gain from the sale of wheat flour operations in Mexico

 

214,755

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations of wheat flour operations in Mexico

 

Ps.

638,887

 

Ps.

209,533

 

Ps.

304,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders

 

Ps.

670,907

 

Ps.

210,455

 

Ps.

221,062

 

Non-controlling interest

 

(32,020

)

(922

)

83,026

 

 

 

Ps.

638,887

 

Ps.

209,533

 

Ps.

304,088

 

 

B) LOSS OF CONTROL OF VENEZUELA

 

The Ministry of Popular Power for Internal Relations and Justice published on January 22, 2013 Administrative Providence number 004-13 dated January 21, 2013 (the “Providence”) in the Official Gazette of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (the “Republic”). Given this Providence, which designated special managers with the broadest management faculties conferred by the Republic, GRUMA determined that it had lost control of the subsidiaries in Venezuela: Molinos Nacionales, C.A. (“MONACA”) and Derivados de Maíz Seleccionado, DEMASECA, C.A. (“DEMASECA”). Refer to Note 28 for additional detail on the processes in Venezuela.

 

Following the principles set by IFRS, the Company lost the ability to affect the variable returns and concluded that it had lost the control of MONACA and DEMASECA on January 22, 2013. Consequently and as a result of such loss of control, the Company proceeded with the following:

 

a)             Ceased the consolidation of the financial information of MONACA and DEMASECA starting January 22, 2013 and derecognized the assets and liabilities of these companies from the consolidated balance sheet. For disclosure and presentation purposes, the Company considered these subsidiaries as a significant segment and therefore, applied the guidelines from IFRS 5 for their accounting treatment as discontinued operations. Consequently, the results and cash flows generated by the Venezuelan companies for the periods presented were classified as discontinued operations.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

b)             The amounts recognized in other comprehensive income relating to these companies were reclassified in the year 2013 to the consolidated income statement as part of the results from discontinued operations, considering that MONACA and DEMASECA were disposed of due to the loss of control.

 

c)              Recognized the investment in MONACA and DEMASECA as a financial asset, classifying it as an available-for-sale financial asset. The Company classified its investment in these companies as available for sale since management believed that is the appropriate treatment applicable to a non-voluntary disposition of assets and the asset did not fulfill the requirements of classification in another category of financial assets. Following the applicable guidelines and considering that the range of reasonable fair-value estimates was significant and the probabilities of the various estimates within the range could not be reasonably assessed, the Company recognized this financial asset at its carrying value translated to the functional currency of the Company using an exchange rate of $2.9566 Mexican pesos per bolivar (Bs.4.3 per U.S. dollar), which was effective at the date of the loss of control, and not at its fair value. The investment in MONACA and DEMASECA is subject to impairment tests at the end of each reporting period when there is objective evidence that the financial asset is impaired.

 

While negotiations with the government may take place from time to time, the Company cannot assure that such negotiations will be successful or will result in the Investors receiving adequate compensation, if any, for their investments subject to the Expropriation Decree. Additionally, the Company cannot predict the results of any arbitral proceeding, or the ramifications that costly and prolonged legal disputes could have on its results of operations or financial position, or the likelihood of collecting a successful arbitration award. The Company and its subsidiaries reserve and intend to continue to reserve the right to seek full compensation for any and all expropriated assets and investments under applicable law, including investment treaties and customary international law.

 

As required by IFRS, GRUMA performed impairment tests on the investments in MONACA and DEMASECA to determine a potential recoverable amount, using two valuation techniques: 1) an income approach considering estimated future cash flows as a going concern business, discounted at present value using an appropriate discount rate (weighted average cost of capital), and 2) a market approach, such as the public company market multiple method using implied multiples such as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and revenues of comparable companies adjusted for liquidity, control and disposal expenses. In both cases, the potential recoverable amounts using the income and market approach were higher than the carrying value of these investments and therefore, no impairment adjustment was deemed necessary at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Regarding the calculations to determine the potential recoverable amount, the Company’s management believes that a possible reasonable change in the key assumptions would not cause the carrying value of the Company’s investment in MONACA and DEMASECA materially exceed the potential recoverable amount before described.

 

For purposes of these calculations, the Company used the SICAD 1 available exchange rate (12.00 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2014 and 11.30 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2013) which is the reference considered by Management for settlement, based on its legal ability to do so. The Venezuelan exchange system, comprising the SICAD, involves different rates at which certain transactions should be executed, including “foreign investments and payment of royalties” for which the reference rate is 12.00 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar. For a simulation exercise where a different exchange rate is used for impairment tests, such as the SICAD 2 (49.99 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar at December 31, 2014), the calculations would result in an

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

impairment loss in income of Ps.124,578 related with the Company’s investment in MONACA and DEMASECA.

 

The historical value of the net investment in MONACA and DEMASECA at January 22, 2013, the date when the Company ceased the consolidation of the financial information of these entities, was Ps.2,913,760 and Ps.195,253, respectively.

 

On January 24, 2014, Exchange Agreement No. 25 became effective, which establishes the concepts to which the SICAD 1 exchange rate applies, for foreign currency transactions. In addition, the agreement also provides that the sale operation of foreign currency, whose clearance has been requested to the Central Bank of Venezuela before the Exchange Agreement No.25 became effective, will be settled at the exchange rate effective on the date on which such operations were authorized. This Exchange Agreement No.25 resulted in a net foreign exchange loss of Ps.16,642 to the Company for the year 2014, which was presented as discontinued operations. This exchange loss is originated by certain accounts receivable maintained with the Venezuelan companies as of December 31, 2014 which are expected to be settled at this SICAD 1 exchange rate (12.00 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2014). For a simulation exercise where a different exchange rate is used, such as the SICAD 2, an additional foreign exchange loss of Ps.64,745 will result from certain accounts receivable maintained with the Venezuelan companies.

 

The financial information of MONACA and DEMASECA at January 22, 2013 and December 31, 2012  is:

 

 

 

At January 22,
2013*

 

At December 31,
2012*

 

Current assets

 

Ps.

4,345,709

 

Ps.

4,463,157

 

Non-current assets

 

2,558,444

 

2,624,411

 

Total assets

 

6,904,153

 

7,087,569

 

Percentage of consolidated total assets

 

14.0

%

14.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

2,641,540

 

2,853,060

 

Non-current liabilities

 

96,103

 

95,132

 

Total liabilities

 

2,737,643

 

2,948,192

 

Percentage of consolidated total liabilities

 

7.8

%

8.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net assets

 

4,166,510

 

4,139,377

 

Percentage of consolidated total net assets

 

29.1

%

28.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

 

1,057,497

 

1,049,088

 

Interest of Gruma in total net assets

 

Ps.

3,109,013

 

Ps.

3,090,289

 

 


* No material transactions between MONACA and DEMASECA and the Company need to be eliminated.

 

Additionally, at December 31, 2014 and 2013 certain subsidiaries of GRUMA have accounts receivable with the Venezuelan companies for a total amount of Ps.1,123,904 and Ps.1,137,718, respectively. According to tests performed by the Company, these receivables are not impaired (see Note 7).

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

The analysis of the gain or loss from discontinued operation related to the loss of control of the Venezuelan subsidiaries is:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Net sales

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

880,991

 

Ps.

9,907,182

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

 

(668,091

)

 

(7,500,396

)

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

 

212,900

 

 

2,406,786

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 

 

(23,393

)

 

(129,960

)

 

(1,707,076

)

Other expenses, net

 

 

 

 

(1,431

)

 

(687

)

Operating income

 

 

(23,393

)

 

81,509

 

 

699,023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive financing cost, net

 

 

 

 

21,471

 

 

97,735

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

(23,393

)

 

102,980

 

 

796,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

(26,850

)

 

(220,510

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

(23,393

)

 

76,130

 

 

576,248

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange loss of accounts receivable with Venezuela

 

 

(16,642

)

 

 

 

 

Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

(432,459

)

 

 

(Loss) gain from discontinued operations

 

Ps.

(40,035

)

Ps.

(356,329

)

Ps.

576,248

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders

 

Ps.

(8,048

)

Ps.

(261,461

)

Ps.

439,010

 

Non-controlling interest

 

 

(31,987

)

 

(94,868

)

 

137,238

 

 

 

Ps.

(40,035

)

Ps.

(356,329

)

Ps.

576,248

 

 

27. COMMITMENTS

 

A) OPERATING LEASES

 

The Company is leasing certain facilities and equipment under long-term lease agreements in effect through 2027, which include an option for renewal. These agreements are recognized as operating leases, since the contracts do not transfer substantially all risks and advantages inherent to ownership.

 

Future minimum lease payments under operating lease agreements are as follows:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

No later than 1 year

 

Ps.

586,002

 

Ps.

586,314

 

Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years

 

 

1,116,360

 

 

1,056,789

 

Later than 5 years

 

 

271,441

 

 

308,252

 

 

 

Ps.

1,973,803

 

Ps.

1,951,355

 

 

Rental expense was approximately Ps.875,293, Ps.733,861 and Ps.722,739 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

B) FINANCE LEASES

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the net carrying values of assets recorded under finance leases totaled Ps.26,264 and Ps.20,298, respectively, and corresponded to transportation and production equipment.

 

Future minimum lease payments under finance lease agreements are as follows:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

No later than 1 year

 

Ps.

8,467

 

Ps.

3,771

 

Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years

 

 

11,576

 

 

11,024

 

 

 

 

20,043

 

 

14,795

 

Future finance charges on finance leases

 

 

(645

)

 

 

Present value of finance lease liabilities

 

Ps.

19,398

 

Ps.

14,795

 

 

The present value of finance lease liabilities is as follows:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

No later than 1 year

 

Ps.

8,467

 

Ps.

3,771

 

Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years

 

 

10,931

 

 

11,024

 

Total

 

Ps.

19,398

 

Ps.

14,795

 

 

C) OTHER COMMITMENTS

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had various outstanding commitments to purchase commodities and raw materials in the United States for approximately Ps.4,466,913 and Ps.3,112,207, respectively (U.S.$303.5 million and U.S.$238 million, respectively) and in Mexico for approximately Ps.3,576,474 and Ps.2,850,677, respectively (U.S.$243 million and U.S.$218 million, respectively), which will be delivered during 2015. The Company has concluded that there are not embedded derivatives resulting from these contracts.

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had outstanding commitments to purchase machinery and equipment in the United States amounting to approximately Ps.110,385 and Ps.128,689, respectively.

 

28. CONTINGENCIES

 

MEXICO

 

Income Tax Claim.- The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit has lodged certain tax assessments against the Company for an amount of Ps.29,900 plus penalties, updates and charges, in connection with withholding on interest payments to our foreign creditors during the years 2001 and 2002. Mexican tax authorities claim that the Company should have withheld at a higher rate than the 4.9% actually withheld by the Company. The Company filed several motions to annul these assessments, which later were relinquished, in order to be eligible for the tax amnesty program set forth in the Provisional Article Third of the Federal Income Law for the 2013 Fiscal Year.

 

Thereafter on May 2013, the partial tax assessment relief was authorized, by which the Company paid Ps.3,310 on May 21, 2013 to finalize the dispute.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

On January 29, 2014, the Company was notified of an official letter whereby the International Taxation Central Administration Office lodged a tax assessment for the amount of Ps.41,192 in connection with the 2001 and 2002 years, and derived from the initial allegation made in 2005. Given that the assessment subject to allegation was partially relieved (80%) and, that the remaining amount was paid on May of 2013, on April 7, 2014, the Company filed a challenge to such assessment, same which was resolved on September 12, 2014, whereby the assessment lodged by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit was completely annulled.

 

UNITED STATES

 

Cox v. Gruma Corporation. On or about December 21, 2012, a consumer filed a putative class action against Gruma Corporation, claiming that Mission tortilla chips should not be labeled “All Natural” if they contain certain non-natural ingredients. The plaintiff sought restitution or other actual damages including attorneys’ fees.  On July 2014, this matter was dismissed with prejudice.

 

VENEZUELA

 

Expropriation Proceedings by the Venezuelan Government.- On May 12, 2010, the Venezuelan Government published in the Official Gazette of Venezuela decree number 7,394 (the “Expropriation Decree”), which announced the forced acquisition of all assets, property and real estate of MONACA. The Venezuelan Government has expressed to GRUMA’s representatives that the Expropriation Decree extends to DEMASECA.

 

GRUMA’s interests in MONACA and DEMASECA are held through two Spanish companies: Valores Mundiales, S.L. (“Valores Mundiales”) and Consorcio Andino, S.L. (“Consorcio Andino”). In 2010, Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino (collectively, the “Investors”) commenced discussions with the Venezuelan Govenment regarding the Expropriation Decree and related measures affecting MONACA and DEMASECA. Through Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino, GRUMA participated in these discussions which have explored the possibility of (i) entering into a joint venture with the Venezuelan government; and/or (ii) obtaining adequate compensation for the assets subject to expropriation. As of this date, these discussions have not resulted in an agreement with the Venezuelan Government.

 

Venezuela and the Kingdom of Spain are parties to a Treaty on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments, dated November 2, 1995 (the “Investment Treaty”), under which the Investors may settle investment disputes by means of arbitration before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”). On November 9, 2011, the Investors, MONACA and DEMASECA validly provided formal notice to Venezuela that an investment dispute had arisen as a consequence of the Expropriation Decree and related measures adopted by the Venezuelan Government. In that notification, the Investors, MONACA and DEMASECA also agreed to submit the dispute to ICSID arbitration if the parties were unable to reach an amicable agreement.

 

In January 2013, the Venezuelan Government issued a resolution (providencia administrativa) granting the “broadest powers of administration” over MONACA and DEMASECA to special managers (administradores especiales) that had been imposed on those companies since 2009 and 2010, respectively.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

On May 10, 2013, Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino submitted a Request for Arbitration to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”), which was registered on June 11, 2013 under case No. ARB/13/11. The purpose of the arbitration is to seek compensation for the damages caused by Venezuela’s violation of the Investment Treaty.

 

The tribunal that presides over this arbitration proceeding was constituted in January 2014. Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino filed their memorial on jurisdiction and merits in July 2014. On September 14, 2014, Venezuela filed a motion to bifurcate the proceeding into separate jurisdictional and merits phases. On October 1, 2014, the tribunal rejected Venezuela’s request. Venezuela filed its counter-memorial on jurisdiction and merits in March, 2015. The arbitration proceedings are ongoing.

 

While discussions with the government may take place from time to time, the Company cannot assure that such discussions will be successful or will result in the Investors receiving adequate compensation, if any, for their investments subject to the Expropriation Decree and related measures. Additionally, the Company cannot predict the results of any arbitral proceeding, or the ramifications that costly and prolonged legal disputes could have on its results of operations or financial position, or the likelihood of collecting a successful arbitration award.

 

While awaiting resolution of this matter and as required by the IFRS, GRUMA performed impairment tests on the investments in MONACA and DEMASECA to determine a potential recoverable amount, using two valuation techniques: 1) an income approach considering estimated future cash flows as a going concern business, discounted at present value using an appropriate discount rate (weighted average cost of capital) and 2) a market approach, such as the public company market multiple method using implied multiples such as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and revenues of comparable companies adjusted for liquidity, control and disposal expenses. In both cases, the potential recoverable amounts using the income and market approach were higher than the carrying value of these investments and therefore, no impairment adjustment was deemed necessary.

 

The historical value of the net investment in MONACA and DEMASECA at January 22, 2013, the date when the Company ceased the consolidation of the financial information of MONACA and DEMASECA, was Ps.2,913,760 and Ps.195,253, respectively. Additionally, at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 certain subsidiaries of GRUMA have accounts receivable with the Venezuelan companies totaling Ps.1,123,904 and Ps.1,137,718, respectively. The Company does not have insurance for the risk of expropriation of its investments.

 

Intervention Proceedings by the Venezuelan Government.- On December 4, 2009, the Eleventh Investigations Court for Criminal Affairs of Caracas issued an order authorizing the precautionary seizure of assets in which Ricardo Fernández Barrueco had any interest. Purportedly due to Ricardo Fernández Barrueco’s indirect non-controlling interest in MONACA and DEMASECA, these subsidiaries were subject to the precautionary measure. Between 2009 and 2012, the Ministry of Finance of Venezuela, pursuant to the precautionary measure ordered by the court, designated several special managers of the indirect minority shareholding that Ricardo Fernández Barrueco previously owned in MONACA and designated several special managers of DEMASECA. On January 22, 2013, the Ministry of Justice and Internal Relations revoked the prior designations made by the Ministry of Finance of Venezuela and made a new designation of individuals as special managers and representatives on behalf of the Republic of MONACA and DEMASECA, granting those managers the “broadest powers of administration” over both companies.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

As a result of the foregoing, MONACA and DEMASECA, as well as Consorcio Andino and Valores Mundiales, as direct shareholders of the Venezuelan subsidiaries, filed a petition as aggrieved third-parties to the proceedings against Ricardo Fernández Barrueco challenging the precautionary measures and all related actions. On November 19, 2010, the Eleventh Investigations Court for Criminal Affairs of Caracas ruled that MONACA and DEMASECA are companies wholly owned and controlled by Valores Mundiales and Consorcio Andino, respectively. In spite of this ruling, the court kept the precautionary measures issued on December 4, 2009 in effect. An appeal has been filed, which is pending resolution as of this date.

 

The People’s Defense Institute for the Access of Goods and Services of Venezuela (“INDEPABIS”)(1) issued an order, authorizing the temporary occupation and operation of MONACA for a period of 90 calendar days from December 16, 2009, which was renewed for 90 days on March 16, 2010. The order expired on June 16, 2010 and as of the date hereof MONACA has not been notified of any extension. INDEPABIS has also initiated a regulatory proceeding against MONACA in connection with the alleged failure to comply with regulations governing precooked corn flour and for allegedly refusing to sell this product as a result of the December 4, 2009 precautionary asset seizure described above. MONACA filed an appeal against these proceedings that has not been resolved as of this date.

 

Additionally, INDEPABIS initiated an investigation of DEMASECA and issued an order authorizing the temporary occupation and operation of DEMASECA for a period of 90 calendar days from May 25, 2010, which was extended until November 21, 2010. INDEPABIS issued a new precautionary measure of occupation and temporary operation of DEMASECA, valid for the duration of this investigation. DEMASECA has challenged these measures but as of the date hereof, no resolution has been issued. The proceedings are still ongoing.

 

The Company intends to exhaust all legal remedies available in order to safeguard and protect the Company’s legitimate interests.

 

Finally, the Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various pending litigations filed in the normal course of business. It is the opinion of the Company that the outcome of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operation, or cash flows of the Company.

 

29. TRANSACTIONS WITH NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

 

A) ACQUISITION OF NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST FROM ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND

 

On December 14, 2012, GRUMA acquired from ADM its investment owned directly and indirectly in GRUMA and certain of its subsidiaries, consisting of:

 

a.              23.16% of the issued shares of GRUMA, through the acquisition of 18.81% of the issued shares of GRUMA and 45% of the issued shares of Valores Azteca, a company that owns 9.66% of the issued shares of GRUMA. The acquisition was carried out against GRUMA’s shareholders equity, using funds reserved for the purchase of own shares authorized by GRUMA’s General Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting;

 


(1) By means of the “Decreto-Ley contentivo de la Ley Orgánica de Precios Justos” published on the Official Gazette of Venezuela Nº 40.340 dated January 23, 2014, INDEPABIS was absorbed by the “Superintendencia Nacional para la Defensa de los Derechos Socioeconómicos” (SUNDDE).

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

b.              3% of the capital stock of Valores Mundiales, S.L. and Consorcio Andino, S.L., holding companies of GRUMA’s subsidiaries in Venezuela, Molinos Nacionales, C.A. (“MONACA”) and Derivados de Maíz Seleccionado, C.A. (“DEMASECA”), respectively;

 

c.               40% of the shares of Molinera de México; and

 

d.              20% of the shares of Azteca Milling (subsidiary of Gruma Corporation), through the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Valley Holding Inc., which has no assets or liabilities other than the investment in shares of Azteca Milling.

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, Other long-term liabilities included Ps.823,960 and Ps.671,069, respectively, corresponding to a contingent payment from the agreement for the acquisition of the non-controlling interest from ADM in December 2012. This liability corresponds to a contingent payment of up to U.S.$60 million, proportionally distributed between GRUMA’s and Valores Azteca’s shares that are part of the equity interests, payable only if during the following 42 months after closing the transaction, certain conditions are met in connection with (i) GRUMA’s stock market price increase over the closing price of GRUMA’s stock determined for purposes of the transaction (the “Closing Price”), at the end of the 42 months’ period; (ii) the difference between GRUMA’s stock price established for public offers made by GRUMA and the Closing Price; (iii) the acquisition, by a strategic investor, of 15% or more of GRUMA’s capital stock; or (iv) the reduction of the percentage of GRUMA’s shares that are considered to be held by the public at any time, starting from 26%.

 

The Company has recognized a liability solely regarding the scenario (i) as mentioned in the previous paragraph, in connection to GRUMA’s stock market price increase, over GRUMA’s stock Closing Price determined for purposes of the purchase of the Equity Interests, at the end of the 42 months’ period. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not consider as probable scenarios (ii), (iii) and (iv) for the contingent payment abovementioned, so there was no contingent payment obligation recorded in connection with these cases.

 

The contingent payment liability was registered at fair value, which was determined using projected future cash flows discounted to present value and the discount rate used is the average rate of return of any corporate bonds issued by companies comparable to GRUMA. The Monte Carlo simulation model was used to estimate the future shares price, which includes the expected return and the weighted volatility of historical prices of GRUMA’s stock over a period of 42 months. The significant data used to determine the fair value of the contingent payment liability as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 is presented in Note 20-D.

 

Subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent payment liability are recognized in the income statement. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the effect in income was Ps.152,891 and Ps.64,574, respectively, and were recognized as “Comprehensive financing cost, net”.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

30.  RELATED PARTIES

 

Related party transactions were carried out at market value.

 

A)  SALES OF GOODS AND SERVICES

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of goods:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associate

 

Ps.

39,156

 

Ps.

50,821

 

Ps.

49,783

 

Sale of services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entities that have significant influence over the Company

 

 

 

 

18,203

 

 

34,106

 

Associate

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,294

 

 

 

Ps.

39,156

 

Ps.

69,024

 

Ps.

85,183

 

 

B)  PURCHASES OF GOODS AND SERVICES

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Purchases of goods:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entities that have significant influence over the Company

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

 

Ps.

2,350,350

 

Associate

 

 

 

 

 

 

931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associate

 

 

32,413

 

 

35,719

 

 

33,385

 

Other related parties

 

 

 

 

18,379

 

 

114,422

 

 

 

Ps.

32,413

 

Ps.

54,098

 

Ps.

2,499,088

 

 

Other transactions with related parties are identified in Note 29.

 

C)  KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

 

Key management includes Board members, alternate Board members, officers and members of the Audit Committee and Corporate Practice Committee. The compensation paid to key management for employee services is shown below:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits

 

Ps.

145,739

 

Ps.

132,371

 

Ps.

179,492

 

Termination benefits

 

 

25,322

 

 

66,561

 

 

33,527

 

Total

 

Ps.

171,061

 

Ps.

198,932

 

Ps.

213,019

 

 

At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the reserve for deferred compensation amounted to Ps.36,648, Ps.34,800 and Ps.62,300, respectively.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

D)  BALANCES WITH RELATED PARTIES

 

At December 31, 2014 the Company had no balances with related parties. At December 31, 2013, the balances with related parties were as follows:

 

 

 

Nature
of the
transaction

 

At
December 31,

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables from related parties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associate

 

Commercial and services

 

Ps.

592

 

Other related parties

 

 

 

 

2,352

 

 

 

 

 

Ps.

2,944

 

 

31.  FINANCIAL STANDARDS ISSUED BUT NOT YET EFFECTIVE

 

The new IFRS, which will become effective after the issuance of the Company’s financial statements, are explained below. This list includes those IFRS standards which the Company reasonably expects to apply in the future. The Company has the intention of adopting these new IFRS on the date they become effective.

 

A)           NEW STANDARDS

 

a. IFRS 15, “Revenue from contracts with customers”

 

IFRS 15, “Revenue from contracts with customers”, issued in May 2014, deals with revenue recognition and establishes principles for reporting useful information to users of financial statements about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of a good or service and thus, has the ability to direct the use and obtain the benefits from the good or service. The standard replaces IAS 18, “Revenue”, and IAS 11, “Construction contracts”, and related interpretations. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017 and earlier adoption is permitted.

 

b. IFRS 9, “Financial instruments”

 

IFRS 9, “Financial instruments”, addresses the classification, measurement and recognition of financial assets and financial liabilities. The complete version of IFRS 9 was issued in July 2014. It replaces the guidance in IAS 39 that relates to the classification and measurement of financial instruments. IFRS 9 retains but simplifies the mixed measurement model and establishes three primary measurement categories for financial assets: amortized cost, fair value through other comprehensive income and fair value through profit and loss. A new expected credit losses model replaces the incurred loss impairment model used in IAS 39. IFRS relaxes the requirements for hedge effectiveness by replacing the bright line hedge effectiveness tests. The standard is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted.

 

The Company is assessing the potential impact on its financial statements resulting from the application of these new standards.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

B)           AMENDMENTS

 

a. IAS 16, “Property, plant and equipment” and IAS 38, “Intangible assets”

 

In May 2014 the IASB amended IAS 16 and IAS 38 to establish that the determination of the useful life of an asset requires the consideration that the expected future reductions in the selling price of an item that was produced using an asset could indicate the expectation of technical or commercial obsolescence of the asset might reflect a reduction of the future economic benefits of the asset. Additionally, the amendment includes that a depreciation or amortization method that is based on revenue that is generated by an activity that includes the use of an asset may not be appropriate. These amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016.

 

b. IFRS 10, “Consolidated financial statements” and IAS 28, “Investments in associates and joint ventures”  — Sale or contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint venture

 

In September 2014 the IASB amended IFRS 10 and IAS 28 to establish the guidelines for the sale or contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint venture. The amendment helps clarify a current inconsistency between IFRS 10 and IAS 28. The amendment address that the accounting treatment will depend if the non-monetary assets that are sold or contributed to an associate or joint venture constitute a “business”. Additionally, it states that a total gain or loss will be recognized by the investor when the non-monetary assets involve a business. If the assets do not comply with the definition of business, then a partial gain or loss is recognized by the investor up to the interest of the other investors. The amendment to IFRS 10 and IAS 28 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016.

 

The Company’s management expects that the adoption of the amendments explained above will not have significant effects in its financial statements.

 

32.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

A)           PUBLICATION OF NEW FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE IN VENEZUELA

 

On February 10, 2015, the Exchange Agreement No. 33 published in the Official Gazette of Venezuela, established as of February 12, 2015 the elimination of the foreign exchange rate SICAD 2 and the creation of a new foreign exchange rate mechanism called SIMADI (Foreign Exchange Marginal System).

 

According to the decree, the foreign exchange rate will be the one freely agreed by the parties involved in transactions of purchase and sale of dollars in the market. The Central Bank of Venezuela will publish daily on its website the reference foreign exchange rate, corresponding to the weighted average exchange rate of the operations for each day in the markets of: a) trading transactions in local currency of foreign currencies, and b) trading transactions in local currency of foreign currency securities. The SIMADI foreign exchange rate published at the date in which the consolidated financial statements were authorized, was 171.03 Venezuelan bolivars per U.S. dollar.

 

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GRUMA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

(In thousands of Mexican pesos, except where otherwise indicated)

 

B)           ACQUISITION OF AZTECA FOODS EUROPE

 

As of March 31, 2015, the Company executed a purchase agreement through its subsidiary Gruma International Foods, S.L. together with Fat Taco, S.L. and Azteca Foods, Inc., by means of which the company acquired the operations for the production and distribution of tortillas, wraps, corn chips, salsas and processed foods in Spain.

 

All of the shares and ownership interests representing the capital stock of Azteca Foods Europe, S.A. and AFIFT Azteca, S.L. (jointly, “Azteca Foods Europe”) were acquired through this transaction.

 

The price agreed for this transaction is approximately Ps.682 million (EUR$45 million) and is subject to adjustments resulting from the final calculations for working capital and net financial debt of the acquired company.

 

Azteca Foods Europe owns one plant in Spain and distributes its products in Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa.

 

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