-----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, QOZZOSf4WqeobYU/qjBViEbX9r/tnZC2MMEmDlNesBxBMN/IdEalN9gxkT60Mvto hlkZgvJGhifBBrYkM8n7LA== 0001144204-07-058743.txt : 20071107 0001144204-07-058743.hdr.sgml : 20071107 20071107144531 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001144204-07-058743 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20070930 FILED AS OF DATE: 20071107 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20071107 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: 071220976 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 v092665_10q.htm
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007
 
or
 
o
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 0-15661

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.)
     
1500 West Shure Drive, Suite 500, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004-7803
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(847) 394-8730

 (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 No o

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
 
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 October 26, 2007
(Common stock, $.01 par value)
 
30,071,314 Shares



AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

INDEX
   
Page No.
Part I - Financial Information
 
     
Item 1
Financial Statements
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
3
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income – three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
5
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
6
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
7
     
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
8
     
Item 2
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
16
     
Item 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
32
     
Item 4
Controls and Procedures
32
     
Part II - Other Information
 
     
Item 1A
Risk Factors
33
     
Item 2
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
33
     
Item 6
Exhibits
34

2


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

Item 1. Financial Statements

   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
*
 
ASSETS
         
Current assets:
 
 
     
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
20,773
 
$
17,805
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
173,401
   
133,432
 
Inventories
   
91,919
   
84,612
 
Prepaid expenses
   
12,375
   
10,142
 
Deferred income taxes
   
5,905
   
4,648
 
Other
   
565
   
1,045
 
Total current assets
   
304,938
   
251,684
 
               
Investment in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures
   
47,010
   
31,049
 
               
Property, plant, equipment, and mineral rights and reserves:
             
Land and mineral rights
   
20,233
   
17,428
 
Depreciable assets
   
336,249
   
305,013
 
     
356,482
   
322,441
 
Less: accumulated depreciation
   
190,975
   
181,669
 
     
165,507
   
140,772
 
Other assets:
             
Goodwill
   
51,384
   
40,341
 
Intangible assets, net
   
43,501
   
25,611
 
Deferred income taxes
   
7,914
   
6,643
 
Other assets
   
17,771
   
15,124
 
     
120,570
   
87,719
 
   
$
638,025
 
$
511,224
 

Continued…

3


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

 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
   
(unaudited)
 
*
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
         
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
   
 
Accounts payable
 
$
45,290
 
$
26,107
 
Accrued income taxes
   
3,107
   
4,844
 
Accrued liabilities
   
54,492
   
47,432
 
Total current liabilities
   
102,889
   
78,383
 
               
Long-term debt
   
164,241
   
112,448
 
               
Minority interests in subsidiaries
   
77
   
276
 
Pension liabilities
   
13,480
   
13,209
 
Other liabilities
   
19,279
   
12,090
 
     
32,836
   
25,575
 
Stockholders’ equity:
             
Common stock
   
320
   
320
 
Additional paid in capital
   
80,310
   
76,686
 
Retained earnings
   
252,198
   
219,690
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
26,567
   
16,658
 
     
359,395
   
313,354
 
Less:
             
Treasury stock
   
21,336
   
18,536
 
     
338,059
   
294,818
 
   
$
638,025
 
$
511,224
 

*Condensed from audited financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4



AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Net sales
 
$
549,780
 
$
455,637
 
$
203,598
 
$
160,172
 
Cost of sales
   
402,190
   
337,995
   
149,298
   
117,954
 
Gross profit
   
147,590
   
117,642
   
54,300
   
42,218
 
General, selling and administrative expenses
   
87,756
   
74,359
   
28,297
   
25,810
 
Operating profit
   
59,834
   
43,283
   
26,003
   
16,408
 
Other income (expense):
                 
Interest expense, net
   
(6,506
)
 
(1,835
)
 
(2,409
)
 
(740
)
Other, net
   
(1,000
)
 
259
   
(830
)
 
(273
)
 
   
(7,506
)
 
(1,576
)
 
(3,239
)
 
(1,013
)
Income before income taxes and income from affiliates and joint ventures
   
52,328
   
41,707
   
22,764
   
15,395
 
Income tax expense
   
12,205
   
8,505
   
4,704
   
1,237
 
Income before income from affiliates and joint ventures
   
40,123
   
33,202
   
18,060
   
14,158
 
Income from affiliates and joint ventures
   
6,118
   
4,462
   
2,086
   
1,876
 
Income from continuing operations
   
46,241
   
37,664
   
20,146
   
16,034
 
 
                 
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
   
(286
)
 
585
   
-
   
585
 
Net income
 
$
45,955
 
$
38,249
 
$
20,146
 
$
16,619
 
 
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
30,146
   
29,903
   
30,130
   
29,962
 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
   
30,934
   
30,874
   
30,887
   
30,825
 
 
                 
Basic earnings per share:
                 
Continuing operations
 
$
1.53
 
$
1.26
 
$
0.67
 
$
0.54
 
Discontinued operations
   
(0.01
)
 
0.02
   
-
   
0.02
 
Basic earnings per share
 
$
1.52
 
$
1.28
 
$
0.67
 
$
0.56
 
 
                 
Diluted earnings per share:
                 
Continuing operations
 
$
1.49
 
$
1.22
 
$
0.65
 
$
0.52
 
Discontinued operations
   
(0.01
)
 
0.02
   
-
   
0.02
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
1.48
 
$
1.24
 
$
0.65
 
$
0.54
 
 
                 
Dividends declared per share
 
$
0.44
 
$
0.35
 
$
0.16
 
$
0.12
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
5

 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
Net income
 
$
45,955
 
$
38,249
 
$
20,146
 
$
16,619
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
9,737
   
5,292
   
5,170
   
1,078
 
Other
   
172
   
-
   
32
   
-
 
Comprehensive income
 
$
55,864
 
$
43,541
 
$
25,348
 
$
17,697
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
6

 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
Cash flow from operating activities:
 
   
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
45,955
 
$
38,249
 
Adjustments to reconcile from net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
         
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
   
21,688
   
14,606
 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
         
Decrease (increase) in current assets
   
(44,716
)
 
(33,693
)
Decrease (increase) in noncurrent assets
   
(1,620
)
 
(2,171
)
Increase (decrease) in current liabilities
   
23,435
   
13,240
 
Increase (decrease) in noncurrent liabilities
   
6,382
   
1,703
 
Other
   
(9,102
)
 
(3,064
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
   
42,022
   
28,870
 
Cash flow from investing activities:
         
Capital expenditures
   
(37,577
)
 
(29,980
)
Acquisitions, net of cash
   
(38,783
)
 
(11,722
)
Investments in and advances to affiliates and joint ventures
   
(7,369
)
 
(5,260
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
   
6,636
   
1,196
 
Investments in restricted cash
   
(856
)
 
-
 
Other
   
(173
)
 
615
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(78,122
)
 
(45,151
)
Cash flow from financing activities:
         
Net change in outstanding debt
   
50,368
   
22,257
 
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock
   
2,574
   
2,517
 
Purchases of treasury stock
   
(6,115
)
 
(5,625
)
Dividends
   
(13,194
)
 
(10,488
)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
   
1,463
   
1,931
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
35,096
   
10,592
 
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash
   
3,972
   
5,011
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
2,968
   
(678
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
17,805
   
15,997
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
20,773
 
$
15,319
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
7

 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Note 1:  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Company Operations

AMCOL International Corporation (the Company) operates in five segments: Minerals, Environmental, Oilfield services, Transportation and Corporate. The Minerals segment mines, processes and distributes clays and products with similar applications to various industrial and consumer markets. The Environmental segment processes and distributes clays and products with similar applications for use as a moisture barrier in commercial construction, landfill liners and in a variety of other industrial and commercial applications. The Oilfield services segment provides onshore and offshore water treatment filtration, pipeline separation, waste fluid treatment, rental tools and well testing data services for the oil and gas industry. The Transportation segment includes a long-haul trucking business and a freight brokerage business, which provide services to our other segments as well as third-party customers. Intersegment sales are insignificant, other than intersegment shipping, which is eliminated in the Corporate segment. The composition of our revenues by segment is as follows:

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
Minerals
 
48%
 
52%
 
45%
 
49%
 
Environmental
 
35%
 
33%
 
37%
 
37%
 
Oilfield services
 
13%
 
9%
 
13%
 
9%
 
Transportation
 
7%
 
8%
 
7%
 
8%
 
Intersegment shipping
 
-3%
 
-2%
 
-2%
 
-3%
 
 
 
100%
 
100%
 
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, 2006, is unaudited. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006 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, 2006. The information furnished herein includes all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, and the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2007, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

8

 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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.

Reclassifications

In addition to segment disclosures contained in Note 4, certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

New Accounting Standards

In May 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position No. FIN 48-1, Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FSP FIN 48-1”). This guidance amends FASB Interpretation 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, to provide guidance on how an enterprise should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purposes of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits. Our adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect 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 by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period.  Diluted earnings per share was computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding after consideration of the dilutive effect of stock options outstanding during each period.

 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
   
30,145,918
   
29,902,831
   
30,129,934
   
29,962,153
 
Dilutive impact of stock options
   
788,234
   
971,084
   
757,540
   
862,675
 
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares for the period
   
30,934,152
   
30,873,915
   
30,887,474
   
30,824,828
 
Number of common shares outstanding at the end of the period
   
30,031,014
   
29,914,446
   
30,031,014
   
29,914,446
 
 
                 
Weighted average number of anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share  
   
300,730
   
232,660
   
375,675
   
290,200
 

9


 


AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Note 3: ADDITIONAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

Our inventories at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are comprised of the following components:

   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
Crude stockpile inventories
 
$
26,108
 
$
26,390
 
In-process inventories
   
37,273
   
32,640
 
Other raw material, container, and supplies inventories
   
28,538
   
25,582
 
   
$
91,919
 
$
84,612
 

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:

   
Nine Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2007
 
2007
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
5,715
 
$
6,173
 
Settlement of obligations
   
(1,531
)
 
(679
)
Liabilities incurred and accretion expense
   
1,396
   
86
 
               
Balance at end of period
 
$
5,580
 
$
5,580
 

A reconciliation of the activity within our accrued warranty obligation is as follows:

   
Nine Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2007
 
2007
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
911
 
$
1,046
 
Charged to costs and expenses
   
500
   
71
 
Net settlements
   
(413
)
 
(107
)
Foreign currency translation
   
17
   
5
 
               
Balance at end of period
 
$
1,015
 
$
1,015
 
 
Note 4: BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
As previously mentioned, we operate in five business segments. We identify segments based on management responsibility and the nature of the business activities of each component of the Company. 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 interest 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.
 
10

 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Effective beginning in the first quarter of 2007, we included our nanocomposite business within the Minerals segment. Those expenses were previously included within the Corporate segment. The 2006 segment results also reflect the change in reporting. Operating results and profit margins for both reporting periods were not materially impacted by the change.
 
The following summaries set forth certain financial information by business segment:
 
   
Nine Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
Net sales:
                 
Minerals
 
$
262,432
 
$
237,463
 
$
90,906
 
$
79,274
 
Environmental
   
189,927
   
151,996
   
76,121
   
59,120
 
Oilfield services
   
72,137
   
43,270
   
27,143
   
14,157
 
Transportation
   
38,654
   
38,619
   
14,381
   
13,300
 
Intersegment shipping
   
(13,370
)
 
(15,711
)
 
(4,953
)
 
(5,679
)
Total
 
$
549,780
 
$
455,637
 
$
203,598
 
$
160,172
 
                           
Operating profit (loss):
                         
Minerals
 
$
26,706
 
$
26,172
 
$
9,135
 
$
9,584
 
Environmental
   
31,016
   
21,275
   
14,838
   
8,849
 
Oilfield services
   
13,843
   
7,237
   
5,753
   
2,270
 
Transportation
   
2,002
   
2,190
   
730
   
775
 
Corporate
   
(13,733
)
 
(13,591
)
 
(4,453
)
 
(5,070
)
Total
 
$
59,834
 
$
43,283
 
$
26,003
 
$
16,408
 
 
 
 
 As of Sept. 30,
2007
 
As of Dec. 31,
2006
 
Assets:
             
Minerals
 
$
306,582
 
$
245,417
 
Environmental
   
194,031
   
145,884
 
Oilfield services
   
94,730
   
84,917
 
Transportation
    4,130    
3,722
 
Corporate
    38,552    
31,284
 
Total
  $ 638,025  
$
511,224
 
 
11

 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
 September 30,
 
   
2007
   2006  
 2007
 
2006
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization:
                  
Minerals
 
$
11,301
 
$
9,013
 
$
4,156
 
$
2,736
 
Environmental
   
4,605
   
3,027
   
1,628
   
1,032
 
Oilfield services
   
4,900
   
1,688
   
1,734
   
454
 
Transportation
   
42
   
58
   
11
   
22
 
Corporate
   
840
   
820
   
354
   
265
 
Total
 
$
21,688
 
$
14,606
 
$
7,883
 
$
4,509
 
                           
Capital expenditures:
                         
Minerals
 
$
14,960
 
$
19,616
 
$
5,818
 
$
7,154
 
Environmental
   
6,918
   
7,265
   
2,531
   
1,561
 
Oilfield services
   
7,235
   
2,560
   
3,155
   
579
 
Transportation
   
61
   
51
   
45
   
30
 
Corporate
   
8,403
   
488
   
4,122
   
131
 
Total
 
$
37,577
 
$
29,980
 
$
15,671
 
$
9,455
 
                           
Research and development expense:
                         
Minerals
 
$
3,107
 
$
2,826
 
$
1,253
 
$
856
 
Environmental
   
1,673
   
1,794
   
585
   
672
 
Oilfield services
   
133
   
-
   
45
   
-
 
Corporate
   
758
   
88
   
323
   
25
 
Total
 
$
5,671
 
$
4,708
 
$
2,206
 
$
1,553
 

Note 5: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

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

   
Nine Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
Service cost
 
$
1,245
 
$
1,303
 
$
415
  $ 434  
Interest cost
   
1,656
   
1,490
   
552
    497  
Expected return on plan assets
   
(2,021
)
 
(1,891
)
 
(674
)
  (630 )
Amortization of prior service cost
   
50
   
23
   
17
    8  
                           
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
930
 
$
925
 
$
310
  $ 309  
 
We previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 that we expected to contribute $1,000 to our pension plan in 2007. That full contribution was made in the first quarter of 2007.
 
12

 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Note 6: INCOME TAXES

Our effective tax rate from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was 23.32%, which differs from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% largely due to depletion deductions and differences in local tax rates on the income from our foreign subsidiaries. Additionally, the 23.32% includes a decrease to income tax expense of $590 largely due to the release of liabilities for uncertain tax positions for which the statute of limitations has expired. Excluding the $590, the effective tax rate would have been 24.45%.
 
Our effective tax rate from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was 20.4%, which varies from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% for the same depletion and foreign tax rates mentioned above. Additionally, the 20.4% includes a decrease to income tax expense of $2,962 largely due to our settling an IRS audit (benefit of $3,412) offset by a $450 increase in tax expense primarily for other differences. Excluding the $2,962, the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 would have been 27.1%.

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 U.S. federal, state, local, or non-US income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2001. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has examined our U.S. federal income tax returns for all years through 2003.

Effective January 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”). Our adoption of FIN 48 resulted in a $252 decrease in retained earnings and increases to income taxes payable of $2,065, deferred tax assets of $1,876 and income tax receivables of $189. In addition, we reclassified $4,379 of income tax liabilities from current liabilities to non-current liabilities as we do not anticipate settling these liabilities within the next twelve months.

At January 1, 2007, our worldwide liability for uncertain tax positions was $4,846. Unrecognized tax benefits of $2,778 at January 1, 2007 would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. Excluding amounts related to the expiration of statutes of limitations mentioned above, there were no significant changes in components of the liability in the nine months ending September 30, 2007.

We record penalties and interest relating to uncertain tax positions in the income tax expense line item within our consolidated statement of income. At January 1, 2007, our balance sheet includes a liability of $2,064 for the possible payment of interest and penalties.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we recognized a portion of our previously unrecognized benefits as a result of the expiry of statutes of limitations in certain jurisdictions. As discussed above, the amounts recognized favorably impacted our effective tax rate in the period. As a result of these closed tax years, our worldwide liability for uncertain tax positions has decreased to $4,639, of which $2,551 would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. Furthermore, our balance sheet at September 30, 2007 includes a liability of $1,626 for interest and penalties.
 
13

 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
At September 30, 2007, approximately $1,095 of unrecognized tax benefits relate to items that are affected by expiring statute of limitations within the next 12 months. Of this amount, $850 could have an impact on our effective tax rate.
 
Note 7: ACQUISITIONS

In the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we paid former owners of businesses we acquired pursuant to contingent payment arrangements associated with those acquisitions and resulted in $1,063 of additional goodwill.

In January 2007, our Environmental segment acquired the business assets of LBI Technologies, Inc., whose product, Liquid Boot ®, is a spray-applied, asphalt based coating used under slabs and / or backfilled walls as part of a barrier system to prevent the intrusion of gas or organic vapors into occupied structures or buildings. We paid approximately $17,762 for the business and recognized $7,796 of goodwill and $7,150 of intangible assets. The allocation of this purchase price has not been finalized as we are in the process of determining the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The acquisition agreement provides for contingent consideration which, if the consideration is recognized, would result in additional goodwill.

In March 2007, our Minerals segment acquired the Microsponge ® technology and all related business assets, including an existing customer base and patent portfolio. Microsponge ® is a system of biologically inert particles that is used to deliver active ingredients in dermatological products such as lotions and ointments. We paid approximately $8,085 for the business and recognized $1,179 of goodwill and $9,010 of intangible assets for this acquisition as of September 30, 2007. The allocation of this purchase price has not been finalized as we are in the process of determining the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The acquisition agreement provides for contingent consideration which, if the consideration is recognized, would result in additional goodwill.

In June 2007, our Minerals segment acquired all of the shares of Bensan Aktiflestirilmis Bentonit Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., a Turkish bentonite company which owns or controls considerable bentonite reserves and serves a diverse market base, including bleaching earth (edible oil industry), general-purpose drilling, foundry, detergents and desiccants. Turkey is the leading producer of white bentonites for specialized applications. We paid approximately $11,656 for the business and recognized $897 and $5,000 of goodwill and intangible assets, respectively, as of September 30, 2007. The allocation of this purchase price has not been finalized as we are in the process of determining the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

14

 
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Note 8: DEBT

On March 9, 2007, we amended our revolving credit agreement to increase the borrowing capacity from $120,000 to $150,000 and extend the maturity to April 1, 2012; all other substantive terms and conditions remained the same.

On April 2, 2007, we issued and sold $75,000 of senior notes (the “Notes”) to a qualified institutional buyer which are payable at maturity on April 2, 2017, subject to certain acceleration features upon default. The Notes are comprised of (a) $45,000 aggregate principal amount of Series 2007-A Adjustable Fixed Rate Guaranteed Senior Notes, Tranche 1, due April 2, 2017 (the “Tranche 1” notes) and (b) $30,000 aggregate principal amount of Series 2007-A Adjustable Floating Rate Guaranteed Senior Notes, Tranche 2 (the “Tranche 2” notes). Tranche 1 bears interest at 5.78%, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 2nd and October 2nd of each year, beginning October 2, 2007. Tranche 2 bears interest at an annual rate of 0.55% plus LIBOR in effect from time to time, adjusted quarterly, and is payable in arrears beginning July 2, 2007.

In conjunction with the issuance of the Notes, we also entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Interest Rate Swap Agreement”) which has the effect of converting the Tranche 2 floating interest rate into a fixed rate of 5.6% per annum over the term of the Tranche 2 notes.

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.
 
15

 
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 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 materially 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 industries; operating costs; 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. We undertake no duty to update any forward looking statements to actual results or changes in our expectations.

Overview

We are a global, specialty minerals company and earn our revenues and profits from a diverse group of industrial and consumer product lines. Our principal operations are located in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

We operate in five segments: Minerals, Environmental, Oilfield services, Transportation and Corporate. Our Minerals segment operates in three principal markets: metalcasting, pet products and specialty minerals. The Environmental segment’s principal markets include lining technologies and building materials. Our Oilfield services segment provides both onshore and offshore water treatment filtration, pipeline separation, rental tools, well testing data services and nitrogen blanketing services. Our Transportation segment operates a national truckload carrier business through contracted relationships with owner-operators of Class 8 trucks and a leased fleet of flat-bed and dry-van trailers. It also operates a brokered truckload freight business. Intersegment shipping revenues are eliminated in our Corporate segment.

The principal mineral that we utilize to generate revenues is bentonite. We own or lease bentonite reserves in the United States, China, Turkey and Australia. Additionally, through our affiliates and joint ventures, we have access to bentonite reserves in Egypt, India and Mexico. Bentonite deposits have varying physical properties which require us to identify which markets our reserves can serve. We believe that our understanding of bentonite properties, mining methods, processing and application to markets are the core components of our longevity and future prospects.

16

 
Our customers are engaged in various end-markets and geographies. Customers in the Minerals 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 box filler, cosmetics and detergents. The customers for our Environmental segment’s lining technologies and building materials products are predominantly engineering contractors. The Oilfield services customer base is primarily comprised of oil service or exploration 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 business is performed under short-term agreements; therefore, terms of sale, such as pricing and volume, can change within our fiscal year.
 
The majority of our revenues are generated in North America; consequently, the state of the United States economy impacts our revenues. Our fastest growing markets are in the Asia-Pacific and Central European regions, which have continued to outpace the United States in economic growth in recent years.

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 and using this resource to bring 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: We have expanded our manufacturing and marketing organizations into European and Asia-Pacific regions over the last 40 years. This operating experience enables us to expand further into emerging markets. We see significant opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region for expanding our revenues and earnings over the long-term as a number of markets we serve, such as metalcasting and lining technologies, are expected to grow. We expect to take advantage of these growth areas either through our wholly-owned subsidiaries or investments in affiliates and joint ventures.

·
Mineral development: Bentonite is a component in a majority of the products we produce. 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 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 opportunities to add complementary businesses to our portfolio of products. Over the last four years, we have acquired a number of businesses. A strong financial position will enable us to continue to acquire businesses which, in our assessment, are fairly valued and fit with our growth strategy.

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 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, 2006. In general, the significance of these risks has not materially changed over the past year.

17


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements 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, one should also read our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

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. In addition, as discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1, we have reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to the current year’s presentation. The following discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition are based upon such reclassified financial data.

Three months ended September 30, 2007 vs. September 30, 2006

Results of operations (in millions):
 
Net sales:
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$
203.6
 
$
160.2
   
27
%
 
The following table details the quarter’s consolidated sales growth components over the prior year’s comparable period:

   
 
Base Business
 
Acquisitions
 
Foreign
Exchange
 
Total
 
Minerals
   
2.1
%
 
4.0
%
 
1.2
%
 
7.3
%
Environmental
   
7.1
%
 
1.7
%
 
1.8
%
 
10.6
%
Oilfield services
   
3.8
%
 
4.2
%
 
0.1
%
 
8.1
%
Transportation
   
1.1
%
 
0
%
 
0.0
%
 
1.1
%
Total
   
14.1
%
 
9.9
%
 
3.1
%
 
27.1
%
% of growth
   
52.3
%
 
36.3
%
 
11.4
%
 
100.0
%

In addition, the next table shows the distribution of the quarter’s 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:

18



   
 
Americas
 
EMEA
 
Asia Pacific
 
Total
 
Minerals
   
32.2
%
 
7.5
%
 
5.0
%
 
44.7
%
Environmental
   
19.6
%
 
15.9
%
 
1.9
%
 
37.4
%
Oilfield services
   
11.3
%
 
2.0
%
 
0.0
%
 
13.3
%
Transportation
   
4.6
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
 
4.6
%
Total - current year's quarter
   
67.8
%
 
25.4
%
 
6.9
%
 
100.0
%
Total from prior year's comparable quarter
   
68.8
%
 
23.9
%
 
7.3
%
 
100.0
%

The increase in Americas-based sales (in absolute dollar value) was due to acquisitions and the relatively large base business growth generated by our Oilfield Services segment.
 
Gross profit:
 
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$
54.3
 
$
42.2
   
29
%
Margin
   
26.7
%
 
26.4
%
 
N/A
 
 
Increased sales were responsible for the increase in gross profit in the period. Gross margin improved by 30 basis points due to favorable segment sales distribution. Our higher growth segments, Environmental and Oilfield services, also have the highest gross margins.
 
General, selling &  administrative expenses:
 
   
 2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
     $
 28.3
 
$
25.8
   
10
%

The increase over the 2006 third quarter includes the benefit of a gain on the sale of vacant land, which reduced our Environmental segment’s GS&A by $2.4 million in the current 2007 quarter. Excluding this benefit, GS&A would have increased by $4.9 million, or 19 percent, over the prior-year quarter. In aggregate, acquired businesses, including amortization of intangible assets, accounted for approximately $3.3 million of the increase in the 2007 third quarter.
 
Operating profit:
 
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$
26.0
 
$
16.4
   
59
%
Margin
   
12.8
%
 
10.2
%
 
N/A
 

Sales and gross profit growth led to the improvement in operating profit over the 2006 third quarter. The improvement in operating margin was principally due to the higher gross margin reported in the current period and the benefit from the gain on sale of vacant land. Excluding this benefit, operating profit would have grown by 44.0 percent and operating margin would have been 11.6 percent in the 2007 third quarter.
 
Interest expense, net:
 
   
 2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
     $
( 2.4)
   $
( 0.7
)
 
243
%

Interest expense in the current-year quarter increased due both to greater average long-term debt compared with the prior-year period and increased interest rates. The increase in long-term debt was attributed to increased capital expenditures, acquisitions and working capital funding in the current-year period. The majority of our long-term debt has a variable rate of interest which is primarily influenced by the changes in LIBOR.

19

 
Other income / (expense):
 
   
 2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
     $
( 0.8)
 
$
( 0.3
)
 
167
%

In the current reporting period, we recognized greater foreign exchange losses primarily resulting from transactions originated at our international subsidiaries. We do not actively hedge our exposures to foreign currencies.
 
Income tax expense:
 
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$
4.7
 
$
1.2
   
292
%
Effective tax rate
   
20.7
%
 
8.0
%
 
N/A
 
 
Favorable adjustments to liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reduced the effective tax rate in the 2007 quarter. These adjustments benefited income by approximately $1.0 million. Excluding these adjustments, the effective tax rate would have been 24.9 percent in this year’s quarter. Favorable tax reductions of approximately $3.4 million related to the settlement of an IRS audit caused the low tax rate in the 2006 quarter.
 
Income from affiliates & joint ventures:
 
   
 2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
     $
2.1
 
$
1.9
   
11
%

Our India-based investments contributed the increase in income from joint ventures and affiliates in the current period. Those investments also accounted for a large majority of the income reported in both periods.
 
Net income:
 
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$
20.1
 
$
16.6
   
21
%
Margin
   
9.9
%
 
10.4
%
 
N/A
 

Current-period net income improved due largely to greater operating profit.
 
   
 2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
     $
 0.65
 
$
0.54
   
20
%

Earnings per share improved commensurate with greater net income. The gain from discontinued operations mentioned above resulted in a $0.02 per share decrease in the current-year period as compared to the prior-year period. Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding remained relatively unchanged at 30.9 million in the current-year period compared with 30.8 million the 2006 period.

20


Segment analysis:

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

Minerals
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2007 vs. 2006
 
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
       
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
Net sales
 
$
90,906
   
100.0
%
$
79,274
   
100.0
%
$
11,632
   
14.7
%
Cost of sales
   
73,610
   
81.0
%
 
63,503
   
80.1
%
       
Gross profit
   
17,296
   
19.0
%
 
15,771
   
19.9
%
 
1,525
   
9.7
%
General, selling and administrative expenses 
   
8,161
   
9.0
%
 
6,187
   
7.8
%
 
1,974
   
31.9
%
Operating profit
   
9,135
   
10.0
%
 
9,584
   
12.1
%
 
(449
)
 
-4.7
%

Base business sales, on a constant currency basis, increased by 4.3 percent from the prior-year period primarily due to export shipments from the U.S., as well as increased shipments and pricing in pet products and greater shipments in the Asia-Pacific region. An acquisition and favorable exchange rates grew sales by 8.0 percent and 2.4 percent over the prior-year quarter, respectively. The acquired business was purchased in October 2006 and is a part of our metalcasting product line. Favorable exchange rates provided growth due to strengthening of the British Pound and Asian currencies against the US dollar.

This table provides further details on net sales by geographical area for the segment:

 
 
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
Americas
 
$
65,533
 
$
57,056
   
14.9
%
EMEA
   
15,174
   
13,940
   
8.9
%
Asia Pacific
   
10,199
   
8,278
   
23.2
%
Total segment
 
$
90,906
 
$
79,274
   
14.7
%

The segment suffered a 90 basis point decline in gross margin compared with the 2006 quarter. Higher freight revenues, which generate minimal profit, in the current-year quarter caused the gross margin decline.

Acquired business expenses were approximately $1.0 million of the increase over the prior-year quarter. Base business GS&A (general, selling and administrative expenses) grew in the Asia Pacific region due to higher marketing expenses and start-up costs at the Tianjin, China facility.

Operating margin declined 210 basis points from the 2006 period in conjunction with the lower gross margin and increase in GS&A.

Effective beginning in the first quarter of 2007, we included our nanocomposite business within the Minerals segment. Those expenses were previously included within the Corporate segment. The 2006 segment results also reflect the change in reporting. Operating results and profit margins for both reporting periods were not materially impacted by the change.

21




 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 Environmental
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007 vs. 2006
 
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
                         
Net sales
 
$
76,121
   
100.0
%
$
59,120
   
100.0
%
$
17,001
   
28.8
%
Cost of sales
   
50,839
   
66.8
%
 
39,303
   
66.5
%
           
Gross profit
   
25,282
   
33.2
%
 
19,817
   
33.5
%
 
5,465
   
27.6
%
General, selling and administrative expenses
   
10,444
   
13.7
%
 
10,968
   
18.6
%
 
(524
)
 
-4.8
%
Operating profit
   
14,838
   
19.5
%
 
8,849
   
14.9
%
 
5,989
   
67.7
%
 
Base business sales, on a constant currency basis, increased by 19.3 percent over the prior-year period. Growth in contracting services (based in the U.S.) and greater lining technologies and building materials shipments in Europe contributed to the base business growth over the 2006 quarter. Acquired businesses and favorable foreign currencies grew sales by 4.6 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively. Relative strengthening of the Polish Zloty, British Pound and the Asian currencies against the US dollar led to the foreign currency-based growth.

This table provides further details on net sales by geographical area for the segment:
 
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
 
             
Americas
 
$
39,987
 
$
33,304
   
20.1
%
EMEA
   
32,358
   
22,367
   
44.7
%
Asia Pacific
   
3,776
   
3,449
   
9.5
%
Total segment
 
$
76,121
 
$
59,120
   
28.8
%
 
Higher relative contribution from contracting services caused the 30 basis point decline in the Environmental segment gross margin compared with the prior-year period.

A benefit from a gain on the sale of vacant land reduced Environmental segment GS&A by $2.4 million in the current-year quarter. Acquired businesses accounted for approximately $0.8 million of the increase over the prior-year quarter within the Environmental segment. Base business GS&A increased primarily due to higher marketing and sales expenses at the European operations.

Operating margin improved by 460 basis points primarily due to the benefit from the land sale and lower relative increase in GS&A expenses in the current-year quarter. Excluding the benefit from the land sale, operating margin would have been 16.3 percent in the 2007 quarter.

22



   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Oilfield Services
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007 vs. 2006
 
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
                         
Net sales
 
$
27,143
   
100.0
%
$
14,157
   
100.0
%
$
12,986
   
91.7
%
Cost of sales
   
16,896
   
62.2
%
 
9,090
   
64.2
%
           
Gross profit
   
10,247
   
37.8
%
 
5,067
   
35.8
%
 
5,180
   
102.2
%
General, selling and administrative expenses
   
4,494
   
16.6
%
 
2,797
   
19.8
%
 
1,697
   
60.7
%
Operating profit
   
5,753
   
21.2
%
 
2,270
   
16.0
%
 
3,483
   
153.4
%
 
Base business sales, on a constant currency basis, increased by 43.5 percent over the prior-year period. Growth was led by increased filtration and pipeline service levels in the Gulf of Mexico. International markets, principally in the North Sea and West Africa, also improved over the prior-year quarter. Acquired businesses and favorable foreign currencies grew sales by 47.1 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively. The two acquired businesses - Nitrogen Services and Rental Tools and Equipment -also experienced growth over their respective annual sales rates prior to our ownership.

This table provides further details on net sales by geographical area for the segment:

 
 
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
 
             
Americas
 
$
23,023
 
$
12,178
   
89.1
%
EMEA
   
4,120
   
1,979
   
108.2
%
Asia Pacific
   
-
   
-
   
N/A
 
 
                   
Total segment
 
$
27,143
 
$
14,157
   
91.7
%
 
Gross margin improved by 200 basis points primarily due to higher relative profitability contributed by the acquired businesses. Additionally, margins improved in the base business operations due to more favorable product/service mix.

Approximately $1.4 million of the increase in general, selling and administrative expenses was due to acquired businesses. Base business GS&A increased due to higher personnel costs. Operating margin improved 520 basis points due to the higher relative increase in gross profit than GS&Aover the prior-year period.
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Transportation
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007 vs. 2006
 
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
                         
Net sales
 
$
14,381
   
100.0
%
$
13,300
   
100.0
%
$
1,081
   
8.1
%
Cost of sales
   
12,906
   
89.7
%
 
11,737
   
88.2
%
           
Gross profit
   
1,475
   
10.3
%
 
1,563
   
11.8
%
 
(88
)
 
-5.6
%
General, selling and administrative expenses
   
745
   
5.2
%
 
788
   
5.9
%
 
(43
)
 
-5.5
%
Operating profit
   
730
   
5.1
%
 
775
   
5.9
%
 
(45
)
 
-5.8
%
 
23

 
Traffic levels and revenue mix improved over the prior-year period. Gross profit and margins were negatively impacted by the higher net fuel surcharge costs. GS&A spending declined over the 2006 quarter in several categories.

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Corporate
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007 vs. 2006
 
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Intersegment shipping sales
 
$
(4,953
)
$
(5,679
)
           
Intersegment shipping costs
   
(4,953
)
 
(5,679
)
           
Gross profit
   
-
   
-
             
Corporate general, selling and administrative expenses
   
4,453
   
5,070
   
(617
)
 
-12.2
%
Operating loss
   
4,453
   
5,070
   
(617
)
 
-12.2
%
 
Intersegment shipping revenues and costs are related to billings from the Transportation segment to the domestic Minerals and Environmental segments for services. These services are invoiced to the Minerals and Environmental segments 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 increased principally due to professional service expenses incurred in the 2006 third quarter that related to the previously described income tax refunds.

Nine months ended September 30, 2007 vs. September 30, 2006

Results of operations (in millions):
 
Net sales:

 
 
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$
549.8
 
$
455.6
   
21
%

The following table details the period’s consolidated sales growth components over the prior year’s comparable period:
 
   
Base Business
 
Acquisitions
 
Foreign Exchange
 
Total 
 
Minerals
   
0.7
%
 
3.6
%
 
1.2
%
 
5.5
%
Environmental
   
5.0
%
 
1.7
%
 
1.6
%
 
8.3
%
Oilfield services
   
1.9
%
 
4.2
%
 
0.2
%
 
6.3
%
Transportation
   
0.5
%
 
0
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.5
%
Total
   
8.1
%
 
9.5
%
 
3.0
%
 
20.6
%
% of growth
   
39.2
%
 
46.3
%
 
14.5
%
 
100.0
%
 
In addition, the next table shows the distribution of the period’s 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:

24

 
   
Americas
 
EMEA
 
Asia Pacific
 
Total
 
Minerals
   
34.9
%
 
7.2
%
 
5.6
%
 
47.7
%
Environmental
   
18.0
%
 
14.5
%
 
2.0
%
 
34.5
%
Oilfield services
   
11.2
%
 
1.9
%
 
0.0
%
 
13.1
%
Transportation
   
4.6
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
 
4.6
%
Total - current year's period
   
68.8
%
 
23.7
%
 
7.5
%
 
100.0
%
Total from prior year's comparable period
   
69.2
%
 
23.3
%
 
7.5
%
 
100.0
%

Acquired businesses largely generated the sales growth in the Americas. Base business growth was primarily generated in the Asia-Pacific region.

Gross profit:

 
 
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$147.6
 
$117.6
 
 26%
 
Margin
   
26.8
%
 
25.8
%
 
N/A
 
 
Increased sales were responsible for the increase in gross profit in the period. Gross margin improved by 100 basis points due to favorable segment sales distribution. Our higher growth segments, Environmental and Oilfield services, have the highest gross margins.
 
General, selling & administrative expenses:
 
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$
87.8
 
$
74.4
   
18
%

Current-period GS&A is net of a benefit from a gain on the sale of vacant land, which was described earlier in this report. Excluding this benefit, GS&A would have increased by $15.8 million, or 21.2 percent, over the prior-year period. In aggregate, operating expenses associated with acquired businesses accounted for approximately $8.8 million of the increase in operating expenses over the prior-year period. Higher personnel levels and professional fee expenses represented the largest portion of the remaining increase.
 
Operating profit:
 
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$
59.8
 
$
43.3
   
38
%
Margin
   
10.9
%
 
9.5
%
 
N/A
 

Sales and gross profit growth, as well as the gain on the land sale described above, led to the improvement in operating profit over the 2006 period. Excluding the benefit from the land sale, operating profit would have grown by 32.6 percent and operating margin would have been 10.4 percent in the 2007 period.
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$
6.5
 
$
1.8
   
261
%

Interest expense in the current-year period increased due both to greater average long-term debt compared with the prior-year period and increased interest rates. The increase in long-term debt was attributed to increased capital expenditures, acquisitions and working capital funding in the current-year period. The majority of our long-term debt has a variable rate of interest which is primarily influenced by the changes in LIBOR.

25

Other income / (expense):
 
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
% Change
 
 
 
$
(1.0
)
$
0.3
   
N/A
 
 
In the current reporting period, we recognized foreign exchange losses primarily resulting from transactions originated at our international subsidiaries. Conversely, we recognized foreign exchange gains in the prior-year reporting period. Fluctuation between the Polish Zloty to Euro exchange rates was the primary contributor to the losses in the current-year period. We do not actively hedge our exposures to foreign currencies.

Income tax expense:
 
     
2007
   
2006
   
% Change
 
   
$
12.2
 
$
8.5
   
44
%
Effective tax rate
   
23.3
%
 
20.4
%
 
N/A
 

Our effective tax rate in both reporting periods continues to differ from the U.S. Federal statutory 35% rate due to depletion deductions and differences in local tax rates on the income of our foreign subsidiaries which are generally lower than the U.S. rates. The 2006 period included an additional benefit for adjustments related to previously recorded tax liabilities. The decline in the tax rate in the 2007 period also reflects updated estimates of taxable income distribution between our domestic and overseas businesses and adjustments of previously recorded tax liabilities.

Income from affiliates & joint ventures:

   
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$
6.1
 
$
4.5
   
36
%
 
Our India-based investments contributed the increase in income from joint ventures and affiliates in the current-year period. Those investments also accounted for a large majority of the income reported in both periods.

Net income:

   
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$
46.0
 
$
38.2
   
20
%
Margin
   
8.4
%
 
8.4
%
 
N/A
 

Current-period net income improved due to higher operating profit and increased contribution from affiliate and joint venture investments. Discontinued operations accounted for a loss of $0.3 million in the current-year reporting period and a gain of $0.6 million in the prior-year period. The current-period loss was caused by the sale of a business based in the U.K., which was part of our Minerals segment, while the gain recorded in the prior year was generated by receipt of tax refunds that related to a business sold in 2000.

Diluted earnings per share:


   
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
   
$
1.48
 
$
1.24
   
19
%

Earnings per share improved commensurate with greater net income. Discontinued operations related to the sale of one of our U.K. businesses resulted in a $0.01 per share decrease in the current-year period whereas a gain recorded in the prior-year period accounted for $0.02 per share. Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding were 30.9 million for both reporting periods.

26


Segment analysis:

Following is a review of operating results for each of our five reporting segments:
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Minerals
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007 vs. 2006
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
                         
Net sales
 
$
262,432
   
100.0
%
$
237,463
   
100.0
%
$
24,969
   
10.5
%
Cost of sales
   
212,005
   
80.8
%
 
191,152
   
80.5
%
           
Gross profit
   
50,427
   
19.2
%
 
46,311
   
19.5
%
 
4,116
   
8.9
%
                                       
General, selling and administrative expenses
   
23,721
   
9.0
%
 
20,139
   
8.5
%
 
3,582
   
17.8
%
Operating profit
   
26,706
   
10.2
%
 
26,172
   
11.0
%
 
534
   
2.0
%
 
Base business sales, on a constant currency basis, improved by 1.2 percent from the prior-year period. Pet products and specialty materials product line sales grew due to increased shipments and pricing in certain sectors. Higher shipments in the metalcasting business in the Asia-Pacific region also contributed to base business growth. Domestic metalcasting shipments declined due to soft end-markets.

An acquisition and favorable exchange rates grew sales 7.0 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively, over the prior-year period. The acquired business was purchased in October 2006 and is a part of our metalcasting product line. Favorable exchange rates provided the growth due to strengthening of the British Pound and Asian currencies against the US dollar.

This table provides further details on net sales by geographical area for the segment:


   
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
Americas
 
$
192,057
 
$
175,334
   
9.5
%
EMEA
   
39,817
   
36,882
   
8.0
%
Asia Pacific
   
30,558
   
25,247
   
21.0
%
 
                   
Total segment
 
$
262,432
 
$
237,463
   
10.5
%
 
Gross margin declined by 30 basis points due to a number of factors. Higher sales from the pass-through of freight costs and high start-up costs at the Tianjin, China, facility accounted for the negative margin impact.

Approximately $1.9 million of the increase in general, selling and administrative expenses was due to an acquired business. Higher operating expenses at the Asia-Pacific operations caused the largest portion of the increase in base business GS&A.

27

 
Operating margin declined by 80 basis points from the 2006 period in conjunction with the lower gross margin and increase in GS&A expenses.

Effective beginning in the first quarter of 2007, we included our nanocomposite business within the Minerals segment. Those expenses were previously included within the Corporate segment. The 2006 segment results also reflect the change in reporting. Operating results and profit margins for both reporting periods were not materially impacted by the change.

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Environmental
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007 vs. 2006
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
       
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
$
189,927
   
100.0
%
$
151,996
   
100.0
%
$
37,931
   
25.0
%
Cost of sales
   
124,523
   
65.6
%
 
99,934
   
65.7
%
           
Gross profit
   
65,404
   
34.4
%
 
52,062
   
34.3
%
 
13,342
   
25.6
%
General, selling and administrative expenses 
   
34,388
   
18.1
%
 
30,787
   
20.3
%
 
3,601
   
11.7
%
Operating profit
   
31,016
   
16.3
%
 
21,275
   
14.0
%
 
9,741
   
45.8
%

Base business sales, on a constant currency basis, increased by 15.0 percent over the prior-year period. Improved shipments of lining technology and building material products in the Europe contributed the largest portion of the increase. The U.S.-based contracting services business also increased sales over the prior-year period. Acquired businesses and favorable foreign currencies grew sales 5.1 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively. Relative strengthening of the Polish Zloty, British Pound and the Asian currencies against the US dollar led to the foreign currency-based growth.

This table provides further details on net sales by geographical area for the segment:

   
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
Americas
 
$
99,117
 
$
81,724
   
21.3
%
EMEA
   
79,899
   
61,446
   
30.0
%
Asia Pacific
   
10,911
   
8,826
   
23.6
%
Total segment
 
$
189,927
 
$
151,996
   
25.0
%


Gross profit improved in conjunction with sales. The 10 basis point improvement in gross margin was due to product mix and lower manufacturing costs in the U.S. operations.

A benefit from a gain on the sale of vacant land reduced GS&A by $2.4 million in the current-year period. Acquired businesses accounted for approximately $2.5 million of the increase over the prior-year period within the segment. Base business GS&A increased primarily due to higher marketing and sales expenses at the European operations. Stronger foreign currencies also caused the increase.

Operating margin improved by 230 basis points primarily due to the benefit from the land sale and lower relative increase in GS&A expenses in the current-year period. Excluding the benefit from the land sale, operating margin would have been 15.1 percent in the 2007 period.
 
28

 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Oilfield Services
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007 vs. 2006
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                           
Net sales
 
$
72,137
   
100.0
%
$
43,270
   
100.0
%
$
28,867
   
66.7
%
Cost of sales
   
44,633
   
61.9
%
 
28,558
   
66.0
%
           
Gross profit
   
27,504
   
38.1
%
 
14,712
   
34.0
%
 
12,792
   
86.9
%
General, selling and administrative expenses 
   
13,661
   
18.9
%
 
7,475
   
17.3
%
 
6,186
   
82.8
%
Operating profit
   
13,843
   
19.2
%
 
7,237
   
16.7
%
 
6,606
   
91.3
%


Base businesses sales, on a constant currency basis, increased by 20.5 percent over the prior-year period. Growth was led by higher well testing and pipeline service revenues primarily generated in Texas and the Gulf of Mexico. Acquired businesses and favorable foreign currencies grew sales 44.5 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively, over the prior year’s period. The two acquired businesses - Nitrogen Services and Rental Tools and Equipment -also experienced growth over their respective annual sales rates prior to our ownership.

This table provides further details on net sales by geographical area for the segment:

   
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
Americas
 
$
61,623
 
$
35,341
   
74.4
%
EMEA
   
10,514
   
7,929
   
32.6
%
Asia Pacific
   
-
   
-
   
N/A
 
 
                   
Total segment
 
$
72,137
 
$
43,270
   
66.7
%

Gross margin improved by 410 basis points primarily due to product/service mix. The two acquired businesses also both generate higher margins than our base businesses.

Approximately $4.3 million of the increase in general, selling and administrative expenses was due to acquired businesses. Base business GS&A increased due to higher personnel costs. Operating margin improved 250 basis points due to the higher relative increase in gross profit than GS&A over the prior-year period.

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Transportation
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007 vs. 2006
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
$
38,654
   
100.0
%
$
38,619
   
100.0
%
$
35
   
0.1
%
Cost of sales
   
34,399
   
89.0
%
 
34,062
   
88.2
%
           
Gross profit
   
4,255
   
11.0
%
 
4,557
   
11.8
%
 
(302
)
 
-6.6
%
General, selling and administrative expenses
   
2,253
   
5.8
%
 
2,367
   
6.1
%
 
(114
)
 
-4.8
%
Operating profit
   
2,002
   
5.2
%
 
2,190
   
5.7
%
 
(188
)
 
-8.6
%
 
29

Overall traffic levels declined in the current-year period. Transportation services for the Environmental segment primarily led to the decline. Pricing was relatively constant compared with the prior-year period. Gross profit and margins were negatively impacted by revenue mix and higher net fuel costs. GS&A spending declined over the 2006 period in several categories.

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Corporate
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007 vs. 2006
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Intersegment shipping sales
 
$
(13,370
)
$
(15,711
)
           
Intersegment shipping costs
   
(13,370
)
 
(15,711
)
           
Gross profit
   
-
   
-
             
Corporate general, selling and administrative expenses
   
13,733
   
13,591
   
142
   
1.0
%
Operating loss
   
13,733
   
13,591
   
142
   
1.0
%

Intersegment shipping revenues and costs are related to billings from the Transportation segment to the domestic Minerals and Environmental segments for services. These services are invoiced to the Minerals and Environmental segments 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 increased primarily due to higher personnel and professional service expenses.

Liquidity and capital resources

Cash flows from operations, borrowings from a revolving credit facility and proceeds from the exercise of stock options by employees have been our sources of funds to purchase property, plant and equipment; acquire businesses; repurchase common stock; and pay dividends to shareholders. We believe cash flows from operations and borrowings from an unused and committed revolving credit facility will be adequate to support our operating plans for the foreseeable future. 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 of this report.

 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Cash Flows
September 30,
 
($ in millions)
 
2007
2006
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
42.0
 
$
28.9
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
$
(78.1
)
$
(45.2
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
$
35.1
 
$
10.6
 

Cash flows from operating activities improved largely due to higher current-year net income and non-cash charges such as depreciation and amortization. Historically, cash flows from operations have increased over the course of the year and we anticipate this pattern will continue for the remainder of 2007.
 
30

 
Cash flows used in investing activities increased in the 2007 period primarily due to acquisitions. We acquired three businesses in the current-year period, Liquid Boot Technologies, included in our Environmental segment, the Microsponge® business of Cardinal Health Care Company and a Turkish minerals company, Bensan A.S., both included in our Minerals segment. Capital expenditures totaled $37.6 million for the 2007 period compared with $30.0 million in the prior-year period. Equipment purchases for the Oilfield Services segment and expenditures related to Corporate segment projects accounted for the increase. Capital expenditures for 2007 are estimated to be in the range of $42 million to $47 million. Investments and advances to affiliates and joint ventures increased primarily due to funding for new investments in Europe and Mexico. The European venture, in which we own 50% of the shares, will be engaged in processing, marketing and selling specialty minerals to the European market. Our partner is Ashapura Minechem Limited, an industrial minerals company based in India, in which we own approximately 21% of the outstanding shares. Other investing activities are primarily represented by cash proceeds associated with the sale of land and depreciable assets.

Cash flows provided by financing activities increased in the 2007 period primarily due to additional debt borrowings to fund acquisitions. We filed a current report, on Form 8-K, in March 2007 which described principal terms of a new bank credit agreement. The agreement increased our borrowing capability to $150 million and extended the term to April 2, 2012. Financial covenants and interest rate pricing remained the same as the prior agreement. We also filed a current report, on Form 8-K, in April 2007 describing our $75 million private debt placement with Metlife Insurance Company. The debt is payable in a lump-sum on April 2, 2017. The purpose of the transaction was to fix the interest cost of a portion of our debt. The proceeds from the placement were used to repay an equivalent amount of revolving credit notes outstanding under the bank credit facility mentioned above. We also entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Wells Fargo Bank to convert the variable interest rate on $30 million of the private placement debt into a fixed interest rate.

Year-to-date dividends increased to $0.44 per share from $0.35 per share in the prior-year period, consequently increasing the financing needs this year. We spent $6.1 million repurchasing our stock on the open market through September 30, 2007. As of that date, we have $8.9 million of funds available to repurchase shares. Our Board of Directors authorized these funds on November 9, 2006; the authorization will expire on November 10, 2008.

   
As at
 
Financial Position
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
($ in millions)
 
2007
 
2006
 
Working capital
 
$
202.0
 
$
173.3
 
Goodwill & intangible assets
 
$
94.9
 
$
66.0
 
Total assets
 
$
638.0
 
$
511.2
 
               
Long-term debt
 
$
164.2
 
$
112.4
 
Other long-term obligations
 
$
32.8
 
$
25.6
 
Stockholder's equity
 
$
338.1
 
$
294.8
 

Working capital at September 30, 2007, increased over the amount at December 31, 2006 due principally to an increase in accounts receivable commensurate with the growth in sales. Current ratio was 3.0-to-1 and 3.2-to-1 at September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006, respectively.

Long-term debt increased commensurate with funding of the aforementioned acquisitions, greater working capital requirements and funding of capital expenditures. Consequently, long-term debt relative to total capitalization rose to 33% at September 30, 2007, compared with 28% at December 31, 2006. As described above, we renegotiated the bank credit agreement in the first quarter of 2007. We have approximately $72 million of borrowing capacity available from our revolving credit facility. We are in compliance with financial covenants related to our debt facilities as of September 30, 2007.
 
31

 
We have evaluated the funding requirements of our defined benefit pension plan following passage of the Pension Reform Act of 2006. At this time, we do not anticipate any material funding requirement for our plan as a consequence of the Act.

We believe future cash flows from operations combined with financing capability from our revolving credit facility will be adequate to fund necessary investing activities planned in the future.

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.

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements (in millions)

Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 discloses our contractual obligations and off-balance sheet arrangements. Other than the increase in our long-term bank debt as disclosed in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein and the contribution to our defined benefit plan as discussed in Note 5 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements within this Form 10-Q, 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, 2006.

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, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer 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.
 
32

 
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 1A: Risk Factors

Information regarding risk factors appears in Part 1, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed therein.

Item 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On November 9, 2006, the Board of Directors announced a program to repurchase up to $15 million of our outstanding stock; this authorization expires November 10, 2008. The table below illustrates our stock repurchases in 2007 and the amount remaining under this program.

   
Total Number of
 
 
 
Maximum Value of
 
 
 
Shares Repurchased
 
Average
 
Shares that May Yet Be
 
 
 
as Part of the Stock
 
Price Paid
 
Repurchased Under the
 
2007
 
Repurchase Program
   
Per Share
   
Program
 
Balance at the beginning of the year
 
 
 
       
$
15,000,000
 
Activity in 2007 calendar month of:
                   
January
   
-
 
$
-
 
$
15,000,000
 
February
   
-
 
$
-
 
$
15,000,000
 
March
   
-
 
$
-
 
$
15,000,000
 
April
   
-
 
$
-
 
$
15,000,000
 
May
   
250,000
 
$
24.34
 
$
8,915,000
 
June
   
-
 
$
-
 
$
8,915,000
 
July
   
-
 
$
-
 
$
8,915,000
 
August
   
-
 
$
-
 
$
8,915,000
 
September
   
-
 
$
-
 
$
8,915,000
 
                     
 
   
250,000
 
$
24.34
 
$
8,915,000
 
 
33

 
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.

34


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:
November 7, 2007
 
/s/ Lawrence E. Washow
     
Lawrence E. Washow
     
President and Chief Executive Officer
       
       
Date:
November 7, 2007
 
/s/ Gary L. Castagna
     
Gary L. Castagna
     
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
     
and Principal Accounting Officer

35

 
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.
 
36

EX-31.1 2 v092665_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
 
 
1

 
 
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: November 7, 2007
/s/ Lawrence E. Washow
 
   
 
Lawrence E. Washow
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
2

 
EX-31.2 3 v092665_ex31-2.htm
Exhibit 31.2

AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) / 15d-14(a)
 
I, Gary L. Castagna, 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
 
1

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: November 7, 2007
/s/ Gary L. Castagna
 
 
Gary L. Castagna
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
 
Principal Accounting Officer
 
2

EX-32 4 v092665_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 September 30, 2007 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:  November 7, 2007
/s/ Lawrence E. Washow
 
Lawrence E. Washow
 
Chief Executive Officer
   
 
 
Date:  November 7, 2007
/s/ Gary L. Castagna
 
Gary L. Castagna
 
Chief Financial Officer

 
1

 


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