Note 6 - Operating Segments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 6.  Operating Segments.

The Company’s operations are classified into three reportable segments:  distillery products, ingredient solutions and other. The distillery products segment consists of food grade alcohol, along with fuel grade alcohol, and distillers feed, which are co-products of the Company’s distillery operations.  Ingredient solutions consist of specialty starches and proteins, commodity starch and vital wheat gluten (commodity protein).  The other segment products are comprised of plant-based polymers and composite resins manufactured through the further processing of certain of the Company’s proteins and starches and wood.

As further discussed in Note 9. Sale of Bioplastics Manufacturing Business, on February 8, 2013, the Company sold this business through a sale of assets included in its other segment.

Operating profit (loss) for each segment is based on net sales less identifiable operating expenses.  Non-direct selling, general and administrative, interest expense, investment income and other general miscellaneous expenses have been excluded from segment operations and classified as Corporate.   Receivables, inventories and equipment have been identified with the segments to which they relate.  All other assets are considered as Corporate.

	Quarter Ended
	March 31, 2013			March 31, 2012
Net Sales to Customers
Distillery products	$	70,804		$	72,485
Ingredient solutions		15,402			13,578
Other		198			281
Total		86,404			86,344
Depreciation and Amortization
Distillery products		2,001			1,747
Ingredient solutions		585			650
Other		20			61
Corporate		362			477
Total		2,968			2,935
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
Distillery products		4,318			2,686
Ingredient solutions		1,572			1,638
Other		(90	)		(96	)
Corporate		(5,729	)		(6,239	)
Gain on sale of assets and joint venture interest(i)		-			4,007
Total	$	71		$	1,996

(i) The Company’s management reporting does not assign or allocate special charges to the Company’s operating segments.   For purposes of comparative analysis, the gain on sale of joint venture interest for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 has been excluded from the Company’s segments.

	As of March 31, 2013		As of December 31, 2012
Identifiable Assets
Distillery products	$	106,800	$	107,140
Ingredient solutions		28,937		27,038
Other		-		1,247
Corporate		25,477		27,746
Total	$	161,214	$	163,171