SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549


FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report  (Date of earliest event reported):  March 22, 2005

 

McCormick & Company, Incorporated

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

0-748

(Commission File Number)

 

52-0408290

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

18 Loveton Circle

Sparks, Maryland

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

21152

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (410) 771-7301

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b).

 

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c).

 

 



Item 12.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On March 22, 2005, the Registrant issued a press release to report on the results of operations for the first quarter of fiscal year 2005, which ended on February 28, 2005.

 

Furnished with this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of the press release labeled “McCormick Reports First Quarter Results and Reaffirms Fiscal Year Goals,” which includes an unaudited Consolidated Income Statement for the three months ended February 28, 2005 and an unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet of the Registrant as of February 28, 2005, and an unaudited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended February 28, 2005.

 

 

 

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED

 

 

 

Date: March 22, 2005

By:

/s/ Robert W. Skelton

 

Robert W. Skelton

 

Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

 

2


Exhibit 99.1

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

McCORMICK REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS AND

REAFFIRMS FISCAL YEAR GOALS

 

 

SPARKS, MD, MARCH 22 - - - - McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC), today reported sales and earnings per share for the first quarter ended February 28, 2005.

 

Sales for the quarter rose 5% to $604 million compared to the first quarter of 2004.  Higher volume, pricing and product mix contributed 3% of the increase, of which 2% was due to the acquisition of Silvo.  Favorable foreign exchange rates added 2%.

 

Earnings per share for the first quarter were 26¢, compared to earnings per share of 27¢ reported in the first quarter of 2004.  Despite higher sales, a strong performance by the Company’s joint venture in Mexico, and lower shares outstanding, earnings declined as a result of a lower gross profit margin, higher interest rates and a higher tax rate.  In addition, special charges in 2005 reduced earnings per share by 1¢.

 

Gross profit margin for the first quarter of 2005 was significantly impacted by vanilla.  The Company purchased a strategic supply of vanilla beans in 2003 to ensure an ongoing supply of quality product for customers and manage the cost of this raw material.  However, a larger than expected crop has caused vanilla bean costs to drop rapidly and as projected, the Company is experiencing significant margin pressure, particularly in the industrial business.  This situation is expected to have a significant impact through the first half of 2005.  The performance of the industrial business in Europe also had a negative impact on first quarter gross profit margin.

 

During the quarter, the Company funded a $22 million pension plan contribution, $45 million of share repurchases and $22 million of dividends.  Dividend payments increased 13% compared to the first quarter of 2004.  The $45 million spent for share repurchase compares to $13 million of repurchases in the prior year.

 

 

Chairman’s Comments

 

Robert J. Lawless, Chairman, President & CEO, commented, “While sales and profits did not meet our expectations for the first quarter, we reaffirm our growth targets for 2005.

 

“Sales were positively impacted by the acquisition of Silvo, favorable foreign exchange rates, new product launches and effective marketing programs.  These sales gains were offset in part by a reduction in inventory levels by certain retail customers as well as the continuation of difficult market conditions in our European consumer business.  Margins were down in the quarter, and we are working through the situation with vanilla and lower profits from our industrial business in Europe.  Despite our first quarter results, our growth targets for the year remain unchanged.  We expect to increase sales 4-7% and achieve earnings per share of $1.70-$1.74.  We expect to achieve cost savings of $25 million in 2005, and our gross profit margin improvement will be back on track in the second half. For the second quarter, earnings per share are projected to be approximately 30¢.

 



 

“We are building upon the strength of our leading consumer brands, introducing consumer-preferred new products and pursuing meaningful acquisitions.  As our industrial business comes through this difficult period later in 2005, the impact of supply chain initiatives will lead to improved margins and further increases in cash flow.  We are confident that we will realize our goals for 2005 and are committed to delivering increased value to McCormick shareholders.”

 

 

Business Segment Results

 

Consumer Business

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

2/28/05

 

2/29/04

 

Net sales

 

$

322,054

 

$

299,054

 

Operating income

 

54,191

 

48,998

 

 

                For the first quarter, sales for McCormick’s consumer business rose 8% when compared to 2004.  Higher volume, price and product mix added 5% to sales with 4% of the increase due to the acquisition of Silvo.  Favorable foreign exchange added another 3%.  In the Americas, sales increased 4% primarily due to favorable price and product mix.  A reduction in inventory by retail trade customers adversely affected sales volumes during the quarter in this region.  Consumer sales in Europe increased 16% for the quarter, with 12% due to the acquisition of Silvo in November 2004 and 7% due to favorable foreign exchange.  The remaining decrease in this region was due to difficult market conditions, particularly in France, which more than offset progress made with new products and marketing programs.  In the Asia/Pacific region, consumer sales decreased 4%, despite favorable foreign exchange rates that added 2%.  In both Australia and China, sales were affected by trade retailers’ inventory reductions during the quarter.

 

Operating income for the consumer business increased 11%, due primarily to higher sales.  This follows an increase in operating income of 23% during the first quarter of 2004.

 

Industrial Business

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

2/28/05

 

2/29/04

 

Net sales

 

$

281,569

 

$

273,308

 

Operating income

 

16,165

 

25,358

 

 

For the first quarter of 2005, sales for McCormick’s industrial business increased 3% when compared to 2004. Favorable foreign exchange added 2% and higher volumes, price and product mix added 1%.  In the Americas, industrial sales rose 2%, with 1% added by favorable foreign exchange rates.  During the first quarter, higher sales of snack seasonings and sales to restaurants and food service distributors were offset mainly by lower vanilla prices.  Industrial sales in Europe increased 4% for the quarter, with foreign exchange contributing 6%. Steps to eliminate certain lower margin products began in 2004 and will continue to have an impact on sales in 2005. In the Asia/Pacific region, industrial sales rose 9% led by higher sales to quick service restaurants as well as other food processors.  In this region, 2% was added by favorable foreign exchange during the quarter.

 



 

Industrial business operating income was $16 million, a significant decrease compared to the prior year primarily due to lower vanilla pricing in the Americas and decreased income in Europe.  The situation with lower vanilla prices and high cost vanilla beans is expected to have a significant impact through the second quarter of 2005.  Operating income from the industrial business in Europe was adversely impacted by the mix of customer purchases and products sold during the quarter.

 

 

Live Webcast

As previously announced, McCormick will hold a conference call with the analysts today at 10:00 a.m. ET.  The conference call will be web cast live via the McCormick corporate web site http://www.mccormick.com.  Click on “Investors,” and follow directions to listen to the call.  At this same location, a replay of the call will be available following the live call.  Past press releases and additional information can be found at the Company’s website.

 

Forward-looking Statement

                Certain information contained in this release, including expected trends in net sales and earnings performance, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could be materially affected by external factors such as:  actions of competitors, customer relationships, market acceptance of new products, actual amount and timing of special charge items, removal and disposal costs, final negotiations of third-party contracts, the impact of the stock market conditions on its share repurchase program, fluctuations in the cost and availability of supply chain resources, global economic conditions, including interest and currency rate fluctuations, and inflation rates.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly, any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

About McCormick

                McCormick & Company, Incorporated is the global leader in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of spices, seasonings and flavors to the entire food industry — to foodservice and food processing businesses as well as to retail outlets.

 

# # #

For information contact:

Corporate Communications:  Mac Barrett (410-771-7310 or mac_barrett@mccormick.com)

Investor Relations:  Joyce Brooks (410-771-7244 or joyce_brooks@mccormick.com)

3/2005

 

 



 

Consolidated Income Statement

(In thousands except per-share date)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

2/28/2005

 

2/29/2004

 

Net sales

 

$

603,623

 

$

572,362

 

Cost of goods sold

 

375,455

 

350,676

 

Gross profit

 

228,168

 

221,686

 

Gross profit margin

 

37.8

%

38.7

%

Selling, general & administrative expense

 

168,910

 

160,233

 

Special charges

 

1,300

 

69

 

Operating income

 

57,958

 

61,384

 

Interest expense

 

11,084

 

9,572

 

Other (income)/expense, net

 

(54

)

(148

)

Income from consolidated operations before income taxes

 

46,928

 

51,960

 

Income taxes

 

15,017

 

16,056

 

Net income from consolidated operations

 

31,911

 

35,904

 

Income from unconsolidated operations

 

5,456

 

3,261

 

Minority interest

 

(1,332

)

(1,059

)

Net income

 

$

36,035

 

$

38,106

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - basic

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.28

 

Earnings per share - diluted

 

$

0.26

 

$

0.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average shares outstanding - basic

 

135,649

 

137,357

 

Average shares outstanding - diluted

 

140,457

 

141,817

 

 



 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(In thousands)

 

 

2/28/2005

 

2/29/2004

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

24,394

 

$

17,735

 

Receivables, net

 

362,790

 

321,968

 

Inventories

 

351,821

 

365,951

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

36,479

 

30,093

 

Total current assets

 

775,484

 

735,747

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

482,963

 

464,592

 

Goodwill and intangible assets, net

 

828,608

 

741,005

 

Prepaid allowances

 

52,708

 

86,404

 

Investments and other assets

 

136,912

 

132,851

 

Total assets

 

$

2,276,675

 

$

2,160,599

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt

 

$

367,385

 

$

179,686

 

Trade accounts payable

 

179,970

 

153,577

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

303,319

 

295,869

 

Total current liabilities

 

850,674

 

629,132

 

Long-term debt

 

295,524

 

450,024

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

193,724

 

219,839

 

Total liabilities

 

1,339,922

 

1,298,995

 

Minority interest

 

32,206

 

23,323

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

356,371

 

278,360

 

Retained earnings

 

425,826

 

495,827

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

122,350

 

64,094

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

904,547

 

838,281

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

2,276,675

 

$

2,160,599

 

 



 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

2/28/2005

 

2/29/2004

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

36,035

 

$

38,106

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

17,641

 

16,238

 

Income from unconsolidated operations

 

(5,456

)

(3,261

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

(55,650

)

(43,396

)

Dividends from unconsolidated affiliates

 

4,500

 

 

Net cash flow from operating activities

 

(2,930

)

7,687

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(13,982

)

(12,948

)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

24

 

875

 

Net cash flow from investing activities

 

(13,958

)

(12,073

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings, net

 

25,439

 

7,911

 

Long-term debt borrowings

 

5

 

130

 

Long-term debt repayments

 

(126

)

(130

)

Proceeds from exercised stock options

 

13,648

 

10,091

 

Common stock acquired by purchase

 

(45,241

)

(12,760

)

Dividends paid

 

(21,714

)

(19,236

)

Net cash flow from financing activities

 

(27,989

)

(13,994

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(1,064

)

10,974

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(45,941

)

(7,406

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

70,335

 

25,141

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

24,394

 

$

17,735