-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, RrO5OB/ybiAbkYo+ftF9SQ/6tWOO2Hz4oRKGR7P4R2ExMpbKvcHAA+3yAfTIia0j Kz+tVZd4Rxpzn+9VHANVxA== 0001140361-10-017753.txt : 20100428 0001140361-10-017753.hdr.sgml : 20100428 20100428103405 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001140361-10-017753 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20100331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20100428 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100428 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000813621 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MINING, QUARRYING OF NONMETALLIC MINERALS (NO FUELS) [1400] IRS NUMBER: 360724340 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-14447 FILM NUMBER: 10775603 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1500 W SHURE DR CITY: ARLINGTON HEIGHTS STATE: IL ZIP: 60004-7803 BUSINESS PHONE: 8473948730 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1500 W SHURE DR CITY: ARLINGTON HEIGHTS STATE: IL ZIP: 60004-7803 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN COLLOID CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 10-Q 1 form10q.htm AMCOL INTERNATIONAL 10-Q 3-31-2010 form10q.htm


UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, D.C.  20549
 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
(Mark One)
T
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 

For the quarterly period ended 
March 31, 2010
  Or
£
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 

For the transition period from 
 
to
 

Commission file number 
1-14447

AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
 
36-0724340
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

2870 Forbs Avenue, Hoffman Estates, IL
 
60192
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(847) 851-1500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Large accelerated filer  £
 
Accelerated filer  T
 
Non-accelerated filer  £
Smaller reporting company  £
       
 


 
1

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes £       No T

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
Outstanding at April 21, 2010
(Common stock, $.01 par value)
 
30,955,356 Shares
 
 
2

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
 
INDEX
 

       
Page No.
Part I - Financial Information
   
         
Item 1:
 
Financial Statements
   
   
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009
  4
         
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations – three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
  6
         
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
  7
         
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity – three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
  8
         
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – three months March 31, 2010 and 2009
  9
         
   
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
10
         
Item 2:
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
  19
         
Item 3:
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
30
         
Item 4:
 
Controls and Procedures
 
30
         
Part II - Other Information
   
         
Item 6:
 
Exhibits
 
30

 
3

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

Item 1:  Financial Statements

    March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
ASSETS
 
(unaudited)
   
*
 
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 23,387     $ 27,669  
Accounts receivable, net
    150,238       148,260  
Inventories
    95,037       96,173  
Prepaid expenses
    13,150       12,509  
Deferred income taxes
    7,143       6,525  
Income tax receivable
    5,352       2,431  
Other
    5,490       463  
                 
Total current assets
    299,797       294,030  
                 
Investment in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures
    31,587       32,228  
                 
Property, plant, equipment, and mineral rights and reserves:
               
Land and mineral rights
    58,075       57,898  
Depreciable assets
    425,327       414,617  
                 
      483,402       472,515  
Less: accumulated depreciation and depletion
    239,723       236,269  
                 
      243,679       236,246  
Other assets:
               
Goodwill
    70,311       71,156  
Intangible assets, net
    46,139       47,185  
Available-for-sale securities
    22,452       25,563  
Deferred income taxes
    2,074       2,513  
Other assets
    21,827       25,339  
      162,803       171,756  
    $ 737,866     $ 734,260  

Continued…

 
4

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
    March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
(unaudited)
   
*
 
Current liabilities:
           
Accounts payable
  $ 45,867     $ 40,335  
Accrued liabilities
    41,958       49,981  
Total current liabilities
    87,825       90,316  
                 
Long-term debt
    212,993       207,017  
                 
Pension liabilities
    20,399       20,403  
Deferred compensation
    7,913       7,544  
Other long-term liabilities
    29,361       29,208  
      57,673       57,155  
Equity:
               
Common stock
    320       320  
Additional paid in capital
    86,133       84,830  
Retained earnings
    275,762       275,200  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    28,302       32,174  
      390,517       392,524  
Treasury stock
    (12,455 )     (14,377 )
Total AMCOL shareholders' equity
    378,062       378,147  
                 
Noncontrolling interest
    1,313       1,625  
Total equity
    379,375       379,772  
    $ 737,866     $ 734,260  

*Condensed from audited financial statements.

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Net sales
  $ 174,951     $ 164,419  
Cost of sales
    130,404       121,199  
Gross profit
    44,547       43,220  
General, selling and administrative expenses
    33,787       33,053  
Operating profit
    10,760       10,167  
Other income (expense):
               
Interest expense, net
    (2,216 )     (3,407 )
Other, net
    (447 )     (1,212 )
      (2,663 )     (4,619 )
Income before income taxes and income (loss) from affiliates and joint ventures
    8,097       5,548  
Income tax expense
    2,182       1,571  
Income before income (loss) from affiliates and joint ventures
    5,915       3,977  
Income (loss) from affiliates and joint ventures
    (91 )     (8 )
Net income (loss)
    5,824       3,969  
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (304 )     (207 )
Net income (loss) attributable to AMCOL shareholders
  $ 6,128     $ 4,176  
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    31,041       30,694  
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
    31,419       30,909  
                 
Basic earnings per share attributable to AMCOL shareholders
  $ 0.20     $ 0.14  
                 
Diluted earnings per share attributable to AMCOL shareholders
  $ 0.20     $ 0.14  
                 
Dividends declared per share
  $ 0.18     $ 0.18  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
6

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
   
Total
   
AMCOL Shareholders
   
Noncontrolling Interest
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 5,824     $ 3,969     $ 6,128     $ 4,176     $ (304 )   $ (207 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    (1,338 )     (8,966 )     (1,330 )     (8,923 )     (8 )     (43 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
    (1,986 )     -       (1,986 )     -       -       -  
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap agreement, net of tax
    (586 )     168       (586 )     168       -       -  
Other, net of tax
    30       (60 )     30       (60 )     -       -  
                                                 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 1,944     $ (4,889 )   $ 2,256     $ (4,639 )   $ (312 )   $ (250 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
7

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
         
AMCOL Shareholders
       
   
Total Equity
   
Retained Earnings
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
   
Common Stock
   
Treasury Stock
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 328,355     $ 262,453     $ (4,721 )   $ 320     $ (18,196 )   $ 86,350     $ 2,149  
Net income (loss)
    3,969       4,176                                       (207 )
Cash dividends
    (5,505 )     (5,505 )                                        
Purchase of treasury stock
    (175 )                             (175 )                
Issuance of treasury shares pursuant to employee stock compensation plans
    753                               1,908       (1,155 )        
Tax benefit from employee stock compensation plans
    315                                       315          
Vesting of common stock in connection with employee stock compensation plans
    715                                       715          
Comprehensive income (loss)
    (8,858 )             (8,815 )                             (43 )
                                                         
Balance at March 31, 2009
    319,569       261,124       (13,536 )     320       (16,463 )     86,225       1,899  
                                                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 379,772     $ 275,200     $ 32,174     $ 320     $ (14,377 )   $ 84,830     $ 1,625  
Net income (loss)
    5,824       6,128                                       (304 )
Cash dividends
    (5,566 )     (5,566 )                                        
Issuance of treasury shares pursuant to employee stock compensation plans
    2,419                               1,922       497          
Tax benefit from employee stock compensation plans
    25                                       25          
Vesting of common stock in connection with employee stock compensation plans
    781                                       781          
Comprehensive income (loss)
    (3,880 )             (3,872 )                             (8 )
                                                         
Balance at March 31, 2010
    379,375       275,762       28,302       320       (12,455 )     86,133       1,313  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
8

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Cash flow from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 5,824     $ 3,969  
Adjustments to reconcile from net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
    8,552       8,958  
Other non-cash charges
    2,008       2,349  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
               
Decrease (increase) in current assets
    (4,185 )     38,898  
Decrease (increase) in noncurrent assets
    (1,193 )     446  
Increase (decrease) in current liabilities
    (1,674 )     (14,677 )
Increase  (decrease) in noncurrent liabilities
    (771 )     710  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    8,561       40,653  
Cash flow from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (16,077 )     (23,597 )
Capital expenditures - corporate building
    -       (6,400 )
Proceeds fron sale of depreciable assets - corporate building
    -       6,400  
Receipts from (advances to) Chrome Corp
    -       6,000  
Investments in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures
    (110 )     (575 )
Other
    269       479  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (15,918 )     (17,693 )
Cash flow from financing activities:
               
Net change in outstanding debt
    6,882       (3,227 )
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock
    1,995       743  
Purchases of treasury stock
    -       (165 )
Dividends
    (5,566 )     (5,505 )
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
    22       612  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    3,333       (7,542 )
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash
    (258 )     (2,298 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (4,282 )     13,120  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    27,669       19,441  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 23,387     $ 32,561  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
9

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Note 1:
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Company Operations

We, AMCOL International Corporation (the “Company”), operate in five segments:  minerals and materials, environmental, oilfield services, transportation and corporate.  Our minerals and materials segment mines, processes and distributes minerals and products with similar applications for use in various industrial and consumer markets, including metalcasting, pet care, detergents, iron ore pelletizing, and drilling industries. Our environmental segment manufactures and distributes products and related services for use as a moisture barrier in commercial construction, landfill liners and a variety of other industrial and commercial applications. Our oilfield services segment provides both onshore and offshore water treatment filtration, pipeline separation, waste fluid treatment, nitrogen, rental tools, coil tubing and well testing data services for the oil and natural gas industry.  Our transportation segment includes both a long-haul trucking business and a freight brokerage business for our domestic subsidiaries as well as third parties. Our corporate segment includes the elimination of intersegment shipping revenues as well as certain expenses associated with research and development, management, benefits and information technology activities for our Company.  The composition of our revenues by segment is as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Minerals and materials
    56 %     49 %
Environmental
    22 %     27 %
Oilfield services
    17 %     19 %
Transportation
    7 %     7 %
Intersegment shipping
    -2 %     -2 %
      100 %     100 %

Further discussion of segment information is included in Note 4, “Business Segment Information.”

Basis of Presentation

The financial information included herein has been prepared by management and, other than the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, is unaudited.  The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 has been derived from, but does not include all of the disclosures contained in, the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009.  The information furnished herein includes all adjustments that are, in our opinion, necessary for a fair presentation of our results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, and our financial position as of March 31, 2010, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  The accompanying condensed consolidated financial information should be read in conjun ction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 
10

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Certain items in the prior year’s condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the condensed consolidated financial statement presentation for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  These reclassifications did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.

The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year for a variety of reasons, including the seasonality of our environmental segment, which varies due to the seasonal nature of the construction industry, and our oilfield services segment, which varies due to seasonality of weather in its various markets.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued guidance codified in ASC Topic 810, which amends consolidation guidance applicable to variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and requires additional disclosures concerning an enterprise’s continual involvement with VIEs.  The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2010 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance codified in ASC Topic 820, which requires separate disclosure and reasoning of amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements.  The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2010 relating to new disclosures for Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements did not have a material impact on our financial statements.


Note 2:
EARNINGS PER SHARE

The table below provides further share information used in computing our earnings per share for the periods presented herein.  Basic earnings per share was computed by dividing net income attributable to AMCOL shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period.  Diluted earnings per share was computed by dividing net income attributable to AMCOL shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding after consideration of the dilutive effect of stock based compensation outstanding during each period.

 
11

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    31,041,398       30,694,053  
Dilutive impact of stock based compensation
    377,284       215,126  
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding for the period
    31,418,682       30,909,179  
Number of common shares outstanding at the end of the period
    30,939,931       30,591,488  
                 
Weighted average number of anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share
    497,764       1,530,997  


Note 3:
ADDITIONAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

Our inventories at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are comprised of the following components:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Crude stockpile inventories
  $ 28,915     $ 30,510  
In-process and finished goods inventories
    41,548       40,368  
Other raw material, container, and supplies inventories
    24,574       25,295  
    $ 95,037     $ 96,173  

We mine various minerals using a surface mining process that requires the removal of overburden.  Under various governmental regulations, we are obligated to restore the land comprising each mining site to its original condition at the completion of mining activity.  The obligation is adjusted to reflect the passage of time and changes in estimated future cash outflows.  A reconciliation of the activity within our reclamation obligation is as follows:

   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 6,584     $ 5,649  
Settlement of obligations
    (303 )     (590 )
Liabilities incurred and accretion expense
    407       1,073  
Balance at end of period
  $ 6,688     $ 6,132  

 
12

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Note 4:
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

As previously mentioned, we operate in five segments.  We measure segment performance based on operating profit, which is defined as net sales less cost of sales and general, selling and administrative expenses related to a segment’s operations.  The costs deducted to arrive at operating profit do not include several items, such as net interest expense or income taxes.  Segment assets are those assets used in the operations of that segment.  Corporate assets include cash and cash equivalents, corporate leasehold improvements, and other miscellaneous equipment.

The following summaries set forth certain financial information by business segment:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net sales:
           
Minerals and materials
  $ 97,688     $ 80,157  
Environmental
    38,175       44,233  
Oilfield services
    30,204       31,898  
Transportation
    12,120       11,291  
Intersegment shipping
    (3,236 )     (3,160 )
Total
  $ 174,951     $ 164,419  
                 
Operating profit (loss):
               
Minerals and materials
  $ 14,306     $ 7,608  
Environmental
    (217 )     3,694  
Oilfield services
    1,228       4,917  
Transportation
    511       481  
Corporate
    (5,068 )     (6,533 )
Total
  $ 10,760     $ 10,167  
                 
   
As of Mar. 31, 2010
   
As of Dec. 31, 2009
 
Assets:
               
Minerals and materials
  $ 396,290     $ 384,896  
Environmental
    140,471       151,265  
Oilfield services
    149,124       145,981  
Transportation
    4,513       3,552  
Corporate
    47,468       48,566  
Total
  $ 737,866     $ 734,260  

 
13

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization:
           
Minerals and materials
  $ 3,796     $ 4,113  
Environmental
    1,384       1,484  
Oilfield services
    2,924       2,950  
Transportation
    8       11  
Corporate
    440       400  
Total
  $ 8,552     $ 8,958  
                 
Capital expenditures:
               
Minerals and materials
  $ 13,001     $ 19,815  
Environmental
    453       536  
Oilfield services
    2,502       2,465  
Transportation
    37       -  
Corporate
    84       7,181  
Total
  $ 16,077     $ 29,997  
                 
Research and development expense:
               
Minerals and materials
  $ 1,323     $ 1,335  
Environmental
    646       527  
Oilfield services
    159       167  
Corporate
    81       86  
Total
  $ 2,209     $ 2,115  


Note 5:
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Our net periodic benefit cost for our defined benefit pension plan was as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Service cost
  $ 350     $ 412  
Interest cost
    623       651  
Expected return on plan assets
    (654 )     (554 )
Amortization of acturial (gain) / loss
    -       107  
Amortization of prior service cost
    16       16  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 335     $ 632  

As previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2009, we expect to contribute up to $1,500 to our pension plan in 2010, of which $500 was contributed in the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

 
14

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Note 6:
INCOME TAXES

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was 26.9% and 28.3%, respectively. For both periods, the rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0% largely due to depletion deductions and differences in local tax rates on the income from our foreign subsidiaries.
 
 
In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world.  With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2004.  The United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has examined our federal income tax returns for all open years through 2007.


Note 7:
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITES

As a multinational corporation with operations throughout the world, we are subject to certain market risks. We use a variety of practices to manage these market risks, including, when considered appropriate, derivative financial instruments. We use derivative financial instruments only for risk management and not for trading or speculative purposes.

The following table sets forth the fair values of our derivative instruments and where they are recorded within our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet:

       
Fair Value as of
 
Liability Derivatives
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
March 31, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
               
                 
Interest rate swaps
 
Other long-term liabilities
  $ 4,003     $ 3,082  

Cash flow hedges
 
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
 
 
(Effective Portion)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Interest rate swaps, net of tax
  $ (586 )   $ 168  

 
15

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

We use interest rate swaps to manage floating interest rate risk on debt securities.  Interest rate differentials are paid or received on these arrangements over the life of the agreements.  As of March 31, 2010 and 2009, we had an interest rate swap outstanding which effectively hedges the variable interest rate on $30,000 of our senior notes to a fixed rate of 5.6% per annum.  As of March 31, 2010, we also had another interest rate swap outstanding which effectively hedges the variable interest rate on $23,000 of our borrowings under our revolving credit agreement to a fixed rate of 3.6% per annum plus credit spread over the term of the borrowing.

Other

We are exposed to potential gains or losses from foreign currency fluctuations affecting net investments and earnings denominated in foreign currencies.  Our primary exposures are to fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Euro, British pound and Polish zloty.  We also have significant exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates between the British pound and the Euro as well as between the Polish zloty and the Euro.  Occasionally, we enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts to mitigate the risk of currency fluctuations on these exposures.  We may also enter into derivative instruments to mitigate the effect of fluctuations in exchange rates on future cash flows, such as we did for the February 2009 purchase of an interest in the chromite sand mine in South Africa, the purchase price of which was denominated in Australian dollars.

We have not designated these contracts for hedge accounting treatment and therefore, changes in fair value of these contracts are recorded in earnings as follows:

 
 
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
     
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
   
2010
   
2009
 
                 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
 
Other, net
  $ 1     $ (882 )

We did not have any significant foreign exchange derivative instruments outstanding as of March 31, 2010 or December 31, 2009.


Note 8:
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  Our calculation of the fair value of derivative instruments includes several assumptions.  The fair value hierarchy prioritizes these input assumptions in the following three broad levels:

 
16

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Level 1 – Valuation is based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities we have the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 – Valuation is based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and model based valuations for which all significant inputs are observable in the market.

Level 3 – Valuation is based on model based techniques that use unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. These inputs reflect our own assumption about the assumption market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The following tables categorize our fair value instruments, measured on a recurring basis, according to the assumptions used to calculate those values:

         
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
    Balance at    
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
Description  
3/31/2010
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                         
Interest rate swaps
  $ 4,003     $ -     $ 4,003     $ -  
                                 
Available-for-sale securities
    22,452       22,452       -       -  
                                 
Deferred compensation plan assets
    7,419       -       7,419       -  
                                 
Supplementary pension plan assets
    6,149       -       6,149       -  

         
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
    Balance at    
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
Description
 
12/31/2009
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                         
Interest rate swaps
  $ 3,082     $ -     $ 3,082     $ -  
                                 
Available-for-sale securities
    25,563       25,563       -       -  
                                 
Deferred compensation plan assets
    7,285       -       7,285       -  
                                 
Supplementary pension plan assets
    5,885       -       5,885       -  

 
17

 
 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Interest rate swaps are valued using discounted cash flows.  The key input used is the LIBOR swap rate, which is observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full term of the swap.  Available-for-sale securities are valued using quoted market prices.  Deferred compensation and supplementary pension plan assets are valued using quoted prices for similar assets in active markets.

We did not have any significant assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2010 or December 31, 2009.


Note 9:
CONTINGENCIES

We are party to a number of lawsuits arising in the normal course of business.  We do not believe that any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 
18

 

Item 2:
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

From time to time, certain statements we make, including statements in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section, constitute "forward-looking statements" made in reliance upon the safe harbor contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to our Company or our operations that are preceded by terms such as "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends" and similar expressions, and statements relating to anticipated growth and levels of capital expenditures. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ mater ially from the results, performance or achievements expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including without limitation the following: actual performance in our various markets; conditions in the metalcasting and construction markets; oil and gas prices and conditions in those industries; operating costs; seasonality of our environmental and oilfield services segments; competition; currency exchange rates and devaluations; delays in development, production and marketing of new products; integration of acquired businesses; and other factors set forth from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  We undertake no duty to update any forward looking statements to actual results or changes in our expectations.

Overview

We are a global company focused on long term profitability growth through the development and application of minerals and technology products and services to various industrial and consumer markets.  Although some of our products are based on minerals, primarily bentonite, the majority of our revenue growth has been achieved by sustaining our products’ technological advantages, developing new products and applying them in innovative ways, and bringing additional products and services to markets we already serve.  We focus our research and development activities in areas where we can either leverage our current customer relationships and mineral reserves or enhance existing or related products and services.

The principal mineral that we utilize to generate revenues is bentonite.  We own or lease bentonite reserves in the U.S., Australia, China and Turkey.  Additionally, through our affiliates and joint ventures, we have access to bentonite reserves in Egypt, India, Russia, Azerbaijan and Mexico.

Bentonite is surface mined when it is commercially feasible to have it shipped to a plant for further processing, including crushing, drying, milling, and packaging.  Bentonite deposits have varying physical properties which require us to identify which markets our reserves can serve.  Nicknamed the mineral of a thousand uses, bentonite has several unique characteristics including its ability to bind, swell, adsorb, control rheology, soften fabrics, and have its surface modified through chemical and physical reactions.  Our research and development activities, including our understanding of bentonite properties, mining methods, processing and application to markets are core components of our longevity and future prospects.

 
19

 

We operate in five segments:  minerals and materials, environmental, oilfield services, transportation and corporate.  Both our minerals and materials and environmental segments operate manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.  Our minerals and materials segment also owns and operates a chrome mine in South Africa.  Our oilfield services segment principally operates in North America’s Gulf of Mexico and surrounding states and also has a growing presence in South America, Africa and Asia.  Additionally, we have a transportation segment that performs trucking services for our domestic minerals and materials and environmental businesses as well as third parties.

Our customers are engaged in various end-markets and geographic regions. Customers in the minerals and materials segment range from foundries that produce castings for automotive, industrial, and transportation equipment, including heavy-duty trucks and railroad cars, to producers of consumer goods, including cat litter box filler, cosmetics and detergents.  Customers in our environmental segment include construction contractors, engineering contractors and government agencies.  The oilfield services segment’s customer base is primarily comprised of oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) companies.  A significant portion of our products have been used in the same applications for decades and have experienced minimal technological obsolescence.  A majority of our sales a re made pursuant to short-term agreements; therefore, terms of sale, such as pricing and volume, can change within our fiscal year.

A majority of our revenues are generated in the Americas, principally North America.  Consequently, the state of the U.S. economy, and especially the metalcasting and industrial construction industries, impacts our revenues.  Our fastest growing markets are in the Asia-Pacific and European regions, which have continued to outpace the U.S. in economic growth.

Sustainable, long-term profit growth is our primary objective.  We employ a number of strategic initiatives to achieve this goal:

 
·
Organic growth:  The central component of our growth strategy is expansion of our product lines and market presence.  We have a history of commitment to research and development activities directed at bringing innovative products to market.  We believe this approach to growth offers the best probability of achieving our long-term goals at the lowest risk.

 
·
Globalization:  As we have done for decades, we continue to expand our manufacturing and marketing organizations into emerging geographic markets.  We see significant opportunities in the Asia-Pacific and Eastern European regions for expanding our revenues and earnings over the long-term as a number of markets we serve, such as metalcasting, contracting services, and lining technologies, are expected to grow in these areas.  We expect to take advantage of these growth areas, either through our wholly-owned subsidiaries or investments in affiliates and joint ventures.

 
20

 

 
·
Mineral development: Bentonite is a component in a majority of the products we supply.  Since it is a natural material, we must continually expand our reserve base to maintain a long-term business.  Our goal is to add new reserves to replace the bentonite mined each year.  Furthermore, we need to assure that new reserves meet the physical property requirements for our diverse product lines and are economical to mine.  Our organization is committed to developing its global reserve base to meet these requirements.

 
·
Acquisitions: We continually seek to acquire complementary businesses, as appropriate, when we believe those businesses are fairly valued and fit into our growth strategy.  However, the global economic and credit crisis that exists as we begin fiscal 2010 continues to make it more challenging for us to do this than in periods prior to the crisis.

A number of risks will challenge us in meeting these long-term objectives, and there can be no assurance that we will achieve success in implementing any one or more of them.  We describe certain risks throughout this report as well as under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk” within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  In general, the significance of these risks has not materially changed since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations describes relevant aspects of our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  We evaluate the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare the financial statements on an ongoing basis.  We consider the accounting policies used in preparing our financial statements to be critical accounting policies when they are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations, and require us to make estimates, complex judgments, and assumptions, including with respect to events which are inherently uncertain.  As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.   For more information on our critical accounting policies, please read our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Analysis of Results of Operations
 
Following is a discussion and analysis that describes certain factors that have affected, and may continue to affect, our financial position and operating results.  This discussion should be read with the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

The following consolidated income statement review and segment analysis discuss the results for the three month period ended March 31, 2010 and the comparable results in the prior year.

 
21

 

Three months ended March 31, 2010 vs. March 31, 2009

Consolidated Income Statement Review

The table below compares our operating results for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  The comments in this section discuss our results overall and are followed with a more detailed discussion of each segment’s key operating results.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Consolidated
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010 vs. 2009
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
Net sales
  $ 174,951     $ 164,419       6.4 %
Cost of sales
    130,404       121,199          
Gross profit
    44,547       43,220       3.1 %
margin %
    25.5 %     26.3 %        
General, selling and administrative expenses
    33,787       33,053       2.2 %
Operating profit
    10,760       10,167       5.8 %
margin %
    6.2 %     6.2 %        
Other income (expense):
                       
Interest expense, net
    (2,216 )     (3,407 )     -35.0 %
Other, net
    (447 )     (1,212 )     -63.1 %
      (2,663 )     (4,619 )        
                         
Income before income taxes and income (loss) from affiliates and joint ventures
    8,097       5,548          
Income tax expense
    2,182       1,571       38.9 %
effective tax rate
    26.9 %     28.3 %        
                         
Income before income (loss) from affiliates and joint ventures
    5,915       3,977          
Income (loss) from affiliates and joint ventures
    (91 )     (8 )     1037.5 %
                         
Net income (loss)
    5,824       3,969          
                         
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (304 )     (207 )     46.9 %
                         
Net income (loss) attributable to AMCOL shareholders
  $ 6,128     $ 4,176       46.7 %
                         
Basic earnings per share attributable to AMCOL shareholders
  $ 0.20     $ 0.14       42.9 %
                         
Diluted earnings per share attributable to AMCOL shareholders
  $ 0.20     $ 0.14       42.9 %

 
22

 

We measure sales fluctuations by the relevant components: organic, acquisitions, and foreign currency exchange. Fluctuation due to foreign currency exchange is measured as the change in revenues resulting from differences in currency exchange rates between periods. Fluctuation due to acquisitions is measured as the changes in revenues resulting from businesses within the first year (twelve consecutive months) we own them. Any remaining fluctuation is due to organic components. The following table details the consolidated sales fluctuations by components over the prior year’s comparable period:

   
Organic
   
Acquisitions
   
Foreign Exchange
   
Total
 
Minerals and materials
    8.9 %     0.0 %     1.7 %     10.6 %
Environmental
    -5.3 %     0.1 %     1.5 %     -3.7 %
Oilfield services
    -1.6 %     0.0 %     0.6 %     -1.0 %
Transportation & intersegment shipping
    0.5 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     0.5 %
Total
    2.5 %     0.1 %     3.8 %     6.4 %
% of change
    39.4 %     2.0 %     58.6 %     100.0 %

In addition, the following table shows the distribution of sales across our three principal geographic regions (Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); and Asia Pacific) and the comparable total from the prior year’s period:

   
Americas
   
EMEA
   
Asia Pacific
   
Total
 
Minerals and materials
    35.3 %     9.8 %     10.7 %     55.8 %
Environmental
    10.4 %     9.2 %     2.2 %     21.8 %
Oilfield services
    14.4 %     0.6 %     2.3 %     17.3 %
Transportation
    5.1 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     5.1 %
                                 
Total - current year's period
    65.2 %     19.6 %     15.2 %     100.0 %
Total from prior year's comparable period
    70.3 %     20.0 %     9.7 %     100.0 %

Net sales:

Net sales increased largely due to organic growth in our minerals and materials segment offset by organic decreases in our environmental segment.  Sales are more concentrated in our Asia Pacific businesses, which are recovering more quickly from the previous year’s economic recession.

Gross profit:

Overall gross profit increased slightly due to the increase in sales as mentioned above.  Our minerals and materials segment continued to increase its gross margins.  However, continued margin pressures in our oilfield services segment combined, to a lesser extent, with decreased margins in our environmental segment resulted in a slight overall decrease in gross margins.

General, selling & administrative expenses (GS&A):

GS&A expenses increased slightly overall.  Each of our minerals and materials, environmental, and oilfield services segments’ GS&A costs increased, offset by a large decrease in our corporate segment.

 
23

 

Operating profit:

Operating profit increased due to the increase in gross profit mentioned earlier, partially offset by the overall increase in GS&A expenses.  Operating profit margin remained flat overall.  It decreased across all segments except the minerals and materials segment, and our environmental segment experienced its first operating loss in history due to various factors as discussed later herein.

Interest expense, net:

Net interest expense decreased due to decreased average debt levels.  The majority of our long-term debt has a variable rate of interest which is primarily influenced by changes in LIBOR rates, which have also decreased as compared to the prior year period.  We decreased our debt levels throughout 2009 as our working capital levels decreased and as we curtailed discretionary capital expenditures in response to the economic recession occurring at that time.  Thus, we began fiscal 2010 with debt levels significantly less than those that existed in the comparable 2009 period.  In 2010, we would expect our debt levels to fluctuate with the seasonal nature of our businesses, our level of capital expenditures and the working capital needs of our businesses.

Other income (expense):

Other expense primarily represents foreign currency transaction gains and losses for third party and intercompany related transactions as well as gains and losses on foreign currency derivatives.  In the 2010 period, we had fewer intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies, resulting in a reduced amount of losses from changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Income tax expense:

Our effective tax rate decreased due to a greater concentration of income in lower tax rate jurisdictions, both domestic and foreign.

Diluted earnings per share:                                                      

Diluted EPS increased commensurate with the increase in net income as opposed to a change in the weighted average shares outstanding, which remained relatively constant.

 
24

 

Review of Each Segment’s Results

Following is a review of operating results for each of our five reporting segments:

Minerals and Materials Segment

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Minerals and Materials
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010 vs. 2009
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                                     
Net sales
  $ 97,688       100.0 %   $ 80,157       100.0 %   $ 17,531       21.9 %
Cost of sales
    73,478       75.2 %     63,975       79.8 %                
Gross profit
    24,210       24.8 %     16,182       20.2 %     8,028       49.6 %
General, selling and administrative expenses
    9,904       10.1 %     8,574       10.7 %     1,330       15.5 %
Operating profit
    14,306       14.7 %     7,608       9.5 %     6,698       88.0 %

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Minerals and Materials Product Line Sales
 
2010
   
2009
   
% change
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Metalcasting
  $ 44,340     $ 31,541       40.6 %
Specialty materials
    25,808       22,662       13.9 %
Pet products
    16,438       17,415       -5.6 %
Basic minerals
    9,346       7,850       19.1 %
Other product lines
    1,756       689       *  
Total
    97,688       80,157          
                         
* Not meaningful.
                       

Increased volumes drove the increase in revenues over the prior year quarter.  These volumes were generated in our domestic and Asian operations primarily in our metalcasting product line as demand for iron castings for heavy equipment and automobiles increased.  Favorable foreign currency fluctuations (primarily a weakening of the U.S. dollar and the Great British pound, the Australian dollar, and the Korean won) also contributed to the increase in revenues.  These increases in volumes also accounted for the increase in gross profit and gross margins.  We have made significant improvements in our operations, especially domestically, which have allowed us to capitalize on increased volumes without equal increases in cost of goods sold.

Approximately half of the increase in GS&A expenses arises from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations as well as the start up of our South African operations, which commenced in the second quarter of 2009.  In addition, our employee and employee related expenses increased as a result of greater sales and profit levels.  Operating margins increased due to the significant increase in gross profit margin mentioned previously.

 
25

 

Environmental Segment

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Environmental
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010 vs. 2009
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                                     
Net sales
  $ 38,175       100.0 %   $ 44,233       100.0 %   $ (6,058 )     -13.7 %
Cost of sales
    27,179       71.2 %     30,134       68.1 %                
Gross profit
    10,996       28.8 %     14,099       31.9 %     (3,103 )     -22.0 %
General, selling and administrative expenses
    11,213       29.4 %     10,405       23.5 %     808       7.8 %
Operating profit (loss)
    (217 )     -0.6 %     3,694       8.4 %     (3,911 )     -105.9 %

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Environmental Product Line Sales
 
2010
 
2009
 
% change
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Lining technologies
  $ 16,565     $ 20,105       -17.6 %
Building materials
    12,501       12,378       1.0 %
Contracting services
    4,214       6,648       -36.6 %
Drilling products
    4,895       5,102       -4.1 %
Total
    38,175       44,233          

Revenues in the environmental segment decreased primarily due to inclement weather conditions, partially offset by favorable effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations mostly from the Polish zloty and the Great British pound.  The inclement weather conditions affected our domestic and European businesses, especially within our lining technologies and contracting services product lines.  Gross profits declined with the decrease in sales and volumes, which also contributed to the decrease in gross margins.  A larger concentration of sales within our building materials division helped to ameliorate the decrease in gross margins to some extent as our building materials products are generally more profitable.

The slight increase in GS&A expenses within this segment is due mainly to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, notably the Polish zloty and other European currencies.  Overall operating profits and margins followed the decrease in gross profits and margins.

Oilfield Services Segment

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Oilfield Services
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010 vs. 2009
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                                     
Net sales
  $ 30,204       100.0 %   $ 31,898       100.0 %   $ (1,694 )     -5.3 %
Cost of sales
    22,190       73.5 %     20,293       63.6 %                
Gross profit
    8,014       26.5 %     11,605       36.4 %     (3,591 )     -30.9 %
General, selling and administrative expenses
    6,786       22.5 %     6,688       21.0 %     98       1.5 %
Operating profit
    1,228       4.0 %     4,917       15.4 %     (3,689 )     -75.0 %

 
26

 

Our international oilfield services operations increased their revenues by $2.3 million whereas our domestic operations experienced a decrease of $4.0 million.  Our domestic operations continue to suffer from increased competition and uncertainty as to future natural gas prices; the uncertainty of these prices affects the demand for our services.   In addition, the first quarter of 2009 benefited from work following the hurricanes that occurred in late 2008; there were no significant hurricanes in 2009 in the Gulf of Mexico region.  Our filtration operations continue to suffer from the lack of testing activities on pipelines, partly due to the lack of hurricane activity.

These factors have also affected our international operations, but to a lesser extent as our foreign operations are significantly more dependent upon individual customer relationships and large, individual contracts with those customers.  The increase in our revenues from foreign operations arose mostly from our Australian operations, where we serviced a large international customer’s needs.

Our gross profits decreased due to the increased competition mentioned above as well as a decrease in revenues from our larger service offerings, such as filtration and well testing, which contain a greater fixed cost structure.  In addition, our cost structure increased in anticipation of jobs and contracts which were delayed.  These factors led to the decrease in gross margin.

GS&A expenses remained relatively stable.  The decrease in operating profits and related margin followed from the decrease in gross profit and related margin.

Transportation Segment

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Transportation
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010 vs. 2009
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                                     
Net sales
  $ 12,120       100.0 %   $ 11,291       100.0 %   $ 829       7.3 %
Cost of sales
    10,793       89.1 %     9,957       88.2 %                
Gross profit
    1,327       10.9 %     1,334       11.8 %     (7 )     -0.5 %
General, selling and administrative expenses
    816       6.7 %     853       7.6 %     (37 )     -4.3 %
Operating profit
    511       4.2 %     481       4.2 %     30       6.2 %

Fuel surcharges drove the increase in revenues with minimal impact from increased traffic levels as compared to the prior year period.  With decreased freight traffic overall in the United States, freight rates charged to customers have decreased in response to competition; this resulted in slight decreases in gross margins and gross profit.  Operating profits remained fairly constant.

 
27

 

Corporate Segment

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Corporate
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010 vs. 2009
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                         
Intersegment shipping sales
  $ (3,236 )   $ (3,160 )     (76 )      
Intersegment shipping costs
    (3,236 )     (3,160 )              
Gross profit
    -       -       -        
General, selling and administrative expenses
    5,068       6,533       (1,465 )     -22.4 %
Operating loss
    (5,068 )     (6,533 )     1,465       -22.4 %

Intersegment shipping revenues and costs reflect billings from our transportation segment to its domestic minerals and materials and environmental segment sister companies for services.  These services are invoiced at arms-length rates and those costs are subsequently charged to customers.  Intersegment sales and costs reported above reflect the elimination of these transactions.

Corporate GS&A expenses decreased due to reduced employee benefit related expenses, especially those related to our pension plans.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash flows from operations, an ability to issue new debt instruments, and borrowings from our revolving credit facility have been our sources of funds used to provide working capital, make capital expenditures, acquire businesses, repurchase common stock, and pay dividends to shareholders.  We believe cash flows from operations and borrowings from our unused and committed credit facility will be adequate to support our current business needs for the foreseeable future.  Should the need arise or should we choose to, we can issue additional equity or debt instruments on a publicly traded securities exchange via a shelf registration which became effective with the SEC in January 2010.

We may need additional debt or equity facilities in order to pursue acquisitions, when and if these opportunities become available, and we may or may not be able to obtain such facilities on terms substantially similar to our current facilities as discussed in Item 1A – Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for 2009.  Terms of any new facilities, especially interest rates or covenants, may be significantly different from those we currently have.

Following is a discussion and analysis of our cash flow activities as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows presented within Part 1, Item 1 of this report.

   
Three Months Ended
Cash Flows
 
March 31,
($ in millions)
 
2010
 
2009
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 8.6     $ 40.7  
Net cash used in investing activities
  $ (15.9 )   $ (17.7 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  $ 3.3     $ (7.5 )

 
28

 

Cash flows from operating activities were not as large as the prior year comparable period as the change in our working capital levels did not decrease in 2010 as much as they did in 2009.  As the recession got underway in 2009, our working capital levels decreased significantly and allowed us to harvest a significant amount of cash through these reductions.  In 2010, although our business levels increased, rather than decreasing as they had in the prior year period, we still generated positive cash flows from operations through the profitability of our business and other non-cash charges.  Historically, working capital levels increase in the early and middle of the year and then decrease later in the year in conjunction with the seasonality of our business; we do not see a reason why this trend would not co ntinue.

We did not expend as much cash in investing activities in 2010 as we did in 2009 as our expenditures for the construction of our corporate facility have been made and our capital needs have not been as great.  Investing activities in 2009 include the repayment of a $6 million loan from the entity from whom we purchased our chromite mine in South Africa.

In 2010, given the differences in the changes in working capital levels mentioned previously between 2009 and 2010, we were not able to pay down as much debt as we had in the 2009 comparable prior year.  Year-to-date dividends were $0.18 per share in both periods.
 
   
As at
 
Financial Position
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
($ in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Working capital
  $ 212.0     $ 203.7  
Goodwill & intangible assets
  $ 116.5     $ 118.3  
Total assets
  $ 737.9     $ 734.3  
                 
Long-term debt
  $ 213.0     $ 207.0  
Other long-term obligations
  $ 57.7     $ 57.2  
Total equity
  $ 379.4     $ 379.8  

Working capital at March 31, 2010 increased over the amount at December 31, 2009 due to increases in accounts receivable due to the increased sales levels and the reclassification of certain loan receivables which come due in January 2011.  Given the seasonality of our environmental segment and the project nature of some of our services provided in the oilfield services segment, working capital needs are typically greater in the second and third quarters of the year.

Long-term debt increased as we needed more cash to fund increased working capital levels and purchase equipment.  Long-term debt relative to total capitalization remained fairly constant at 36.0% at March 31, 2010 versus 35.3% at December 31, 2009.  We have approximately $108.7 million of borrowing capacity available from our revolving credit facility at March 31, 2010.  We are in compliance with financial covenants related to the revolving credit facility as of the period covered by this report.

Since the mid 1980’s, we have been named as one of a number of defendants in product liability lawsuits relating to the minor free-silica content within our bentonite products used in the metalcasting industry.  The plaintiffs in these lawsuits are primarily employees of our former and current customers.  To date, we have not incurred significant costs in defending these matters.  We believe we have adequate insurance coverage and do not believe the litigation will have a material adverse impact on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

 
29

 

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2009 discloses our contractual obligations and off-balance sheet arrangements.  There were no material changes in our contractual obligations and off-balance sheet arrangements.

Item 3:
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There were no material changes in our market risk from the disclosures made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 other than those discussed in Part 1, Item 2 of this report.

Item 4:
Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, they concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting, on a timely basis, information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6:
Exhibits

Exhibit
Number

31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)*
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)*
32
Certification of Periodic Financial Report Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*
 
* Filed herewith.

 
30

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

   
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
       
       
Date:
April 28, 2010
 
   /s/ Lawrence E. Washow
     
Lawrence E. Washow
     
President and Chief Executive Officer
       
       
Date:
April 28, 2010
 
   /s/ Donald W. Pearson
     
Donald W. Pearson
     
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 
31

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)*
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)*
32
Certification of Periodic Financial Report Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*
* Filed herewith.
 
 
32

EX-31.1 2 ex31_1.htm EXHIBIT 31.1 ex31_1.htm

Exhibit 31.1
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) / 15d-14(a)


I, Lawrence E. Washow, certify that:
 
 
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AMCOL International Corporation;
 
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;  and
 
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
 
 

 
     
Exhibit 31.1
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) / 15d-14(a)
   
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Date:     April 28, 2010
/s/ Lawrence E. Washow
   
 
Lawrence E. Washow
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 

EX-31.2 3 ex31_2.htm EXHIBIT 31.2 ex31_2.htm

Exhibit 31.2
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) / 15d-14(a)

 

 
I, Donald W. Pearson, certify that:
 
 
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AMCOL International Corporation;
 
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;  and
 
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
 
 

 
   
Exhibit 31.2
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) / 15d-14(a)
   
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 

Date:    April 28, 2010
/s/ Donald W. Pearson
   
 
Donald W. Pearson
 
Vice President and  Chief Financial Officer
 
 

EX-32 4 ex32.htm EXHIBIT 32 ex32.htm

Exhibit 32
Certification of Periodic Financial Report
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350


Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned officers of AMCOL International Corporation (the “Company”) certifies that the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2010 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in that Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


Date:  April 28, 2010
 /s/ Lawrence E. Washow
 
 
Lawrence E. Washow
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
Date:  April 28, 2010
 /s/ Donald W. Pearson
 
 
Donald W. Pearson
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 

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