(14)合格人員(「QP」)使用Benchmark Mineral Intelligence報告的過去五年(2018年至2022年)LCE平均價格13,086美元/噸LCE和一水氫利索(LHM)15,765美元/噸,確定了大鹽湖環境鹽水中鋰濃度的截止等級爲9毫克/升。然而,QC認爲,在鋰濃度低於估計截止等級後,SOP操作可能會繼續耗盡大鹽湖環境水中的鋰,並且該公司將繼續在其蒸發池工藝中濃縮鋰,直到大鹽湖的鋰濃度達到零。有關截止品位分析基礎的重大假設的討論,請參閱奧格登鋰TRS(定義如下)的第11節。
水權是通過向猶他州自然資源部水權司申請獲得的,後者根據水文學和/或與可用水相關的先前主張,審查申請並評估擬議的使用性質、使用地點和分流點,以及擬議的使用是否會損害現有的水權持有人。申請張貼供公衆審查和評論,國家工程師評估申請的優劣,批准或拒絕申請,有時還會對申請進行修改或對未來的使用提出條件。水權控制着大鹽湖礦物的實際開採,並規定了每年可以從大鹽湖抽出的鹽水數量。根據Five Water Right,該公司擁有大鹽湖北岸156,000英畝英尺的開採權,目前的生產依賴於該開採權。本公司持有另外205,000英畝英尺的取水權利,可根據目前尚未利用的兩個水權在大鹽湖的南北兩個分支上使用。作爲對每年可以從湖裏抽出的鹽水數量的限制,水權實際上限制了任何一年可能的鹽分總產量。該公司已經認證了促成156,000英畝英尺開採權的水權,這意味着爲永久保留權利而進行的實際使用示範已獲得批准和授權。
(4)QP使用Benchmark Mineral Intelligence報告的過去五年(2018年至2022年)LCE平均價格,確定了大鹽湖環境鹽水中鋰濃度的截止等級爲9毫克/升,LCE平均價格爲13,086美元/噸,LHm平均價格爲15,765美元/噸。然而,QC認爲,在鋰濃度低於估計截止等級後,SOP操作可能會繼續耗盡大鹽湖環境水中的鋰,並且該公司將繼續在其蒸發池工藝中濃縮鋰,直到大鹽湖的鋰濃度達到零。
Goderich礦場已採購並正在遵守所有所需的運營許可證,包括與礦物開採、廢水排放和空氣許可有關的許可證。安大略省能源、北方開發和礦業部負責監管Goderich礦場的關閉。最近的關閉計劃於2021年獲得該部批准。現場的長期清理基本上包括拆除地表設施、拆除地表基礎設施和恢復地表天然阿爾瓦生態社區、淹沒工作場所以及退役(封堵)。Goderich礦根據安大略省環境、保護和公園部頒發的兩份空氣許可證運營,一份用於實驗室(8-1131-96-007),另一份用於焊接廢氣車庫(5522- 78 NUN 2)。現場排水進入斯努格港和
瑪麗·L Frontczak,首席法律和行政官兼公司秘書,於2019年11月加入Compass Minerals,並於2020年2月就任目前職位。在擔任現任職務之前,她曾擔任公司首席法律官和公司秘書。在加入Compass Minerals之前,Frontczak女士自2017年以來一直擔任乙醇和其他生物精煉產品生產商POEt LLC的高級副總裁兼總法律顧問。在加入POEt之前,她於2015年至2017年在農業綜合企業和食品配料公司Bunge North America擔任法律部門負責人,並於2005年至2015年在全球最大的私營煤炭公司皮博迪能源公司(Peabody Energy Corporation)擔任越來越多的職責,並於1996年至2005年在May百貨公司(The May Department Store Company)擔任職務。她的經驗還包括五年的私人執業經歷。
George J. Schuller,首席運營官,2019年9月加入Compass Minerals並擔任現任職位。在加入公司之前,舒勒先生在全球最大的私營煤炭公司皮博迪能源公司工作了三十多年。在皮博迪能源公司任職期間,他曾在美國和澳大利亞擔任地面和地下采礦業務,最近擔任2017年至2019年澳大利亞總裁和2013年至2017年澳大利亞首席運營官。在擔任這些職位之前,舒勒先生在皮博迪能源公司擔任了越來越重要的職位,在健康、安全、運營、銷售和營銷、產品交付和支持職能領域的持續改進和技術服務方面積累了經驗。
James D.斯坦登,首席商務官,於2006年4月加入Compass Minerals,並於2021年12月就任現任職位。在擔任此職位之前,斯坦登先生從2017年8月開始擔任公司首席財務官,並從2017年4月開始擔任臨時首席財務官和財務主管。他還於2016年10月至2017年4月擔任公司副總裁、財務和財務主管,於2011年7月至2016年10月擔任財務主管,並於2006年4月至2011年6月擔任助理財務主管。在加入公司之前,斯坦登先生在公共會計師事務所Mayer Hoffman McCann PC工作了兩年後,在堪薩斯城南方公司工作了六年,擔任各種財務職位
圖表上顯示的股價表現不一定表明未來的價格表現。圖表中使用的信息由Zacks Investment Research,Inc.準備。經許可使用。All rights reserved.版權所有1980-2023。指數數據:版權所有Russell Investments。經許可使用。All rights reserved.上述績效圖表是根據《證券法》和《交易法》提供的,並非歸檔。性能圖表不徵求受第14 A條約束的材料。
2020年6月30日,我們的某些美國子公司與PNC Bank,National Association作爲行政代理和貸方,PNC Capital Markets,LLC作爲結構代理,與PNC Capital Markets,LLC簽訂了一項爲期三年的承諾循環應收賬款融資機制,提供高達1億美元的借款。2022年6月27日,我們的某些美國子公司對AR設施進行了修訂,將該設施延長至2025年6月。2023年1月,公司部分美國子公司
2021年3月23日,我們達成最終協議,將南美特種植物營養業務出售給ICL Brasil Ltd. ICL Group Ltd.的子公司。交易於2021年7月1日完成。收盤時,我們記錄的總收益約爲4.211億美元,其中包括2021財年第三季度敲定的營運資金調整收益減少620萬美元,相關銷售成本爲840萬美元,包括現金支付約3.184億美元和額外美元ICL Brasil Ltd承擔的淨債務爲1.027億美元。巴西債務已從交易總收益中扣除。最終協議的條款規定了高達8800萬巴西雷亞爾的額外收益付款。2022年4月7日,根據當時的匯率,我們收到了1850萬美元的最高收入。
我們審計了Compass Minerals International,Inc.'截至2023年9月30日,其對財務報告的內部控制基於特雷德韋委員會贊助組織委員會發布的內部控制綜合框架(2013年框架)中制定的標準(COSO標準)。我們認爲,由於下文描述的材料弱點對實現控制標準目標的影響,Compass Minerals International Inc. (the公司)根據COSO標準,截至2023年9月30日,尚未對財務報告保持有效的內部控制。
如隨附的管理層關於財務報告內部控制的報告所示,管理層對財務報告內部控制有效性的評估和結論不包括Fortress North America,LLC的內部控制,該金額已納入公司2023年合併財務報表,截至2023年9月30日,分別占總資產和淨資產的7%和16%,分別占截至該日止年度銷售額和淨利潤的1%。我們對公司財務報告內部控制的審計也不包括對Fortress North America,LLC財務報告內部控制的評估。
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
November 29, 2023, except for the effects of the material weakness described in the third paragraph above, as to which the date is October 29, 2024
Compass Minerals International, Inc. (“CMI”), through its subsidiaries (collectively, “CMP,” “Compass Minerals” or the “Company”), is a leading global provider of essential minerals focused on safely delivering where and when it matters to help solve nature’s challenges for customers and communities. The Company’s salt products help keep roadways safe during winter weather and are used in numerous other consumer, industrial, chemical and agricultural applications. Its plant nutrition business is the leading North American producer of sulfate of potash (“SOP”), which is used in the production of specialty fertilizers for high-value crops and turf and helps improve the quality and yield of crops, while supporting sustainable agriculture. The Company’s principal products are salt, consisting of sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, and SOP. Our next-generation fire retardants help to slow, stop and prevent wildfires through the use of high-performing and environmentally-friendly products. Additionally, the Company has been pursuing the development of a sustainable lithium salt resource to support the North American battery market, although subsequent to September 30, 2023, this project has been suspended indefinitely beyond certain already committed items associated with the early stages of construction of our commercial scale demonstration unit. The Company’s production sites are located in the United States (“U.S.”), Canada and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). The Company also provides records management services in the U.K.
CMI is a holding company with no significant operations other than those of its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Change in Fiscal Year
On June 23, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a change in its fiscal year end from December 31st to September 30th. As a result, the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, and all transactions impacting shareholders equity presented in this Form 10-K/A are for the twelve months ended September 30, 2023 (“fiscal 2023”), the twelve months ended September 30, 2022 (“fiscal 2022”) and the nine month transition period ended September 30, 2021 (“fiscal 2021”), unless otherwise noted. As such, the Company’s fiscal year 2023, or fiscal 2023, refers to the period from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. This Form 10-K/A also includes an unaudited consolidated statement of operations for the comparable period of October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021; see Note 21 for additional information.
Strategic Evaluation and Plan to Sell Businesses
Following an evaluation of the strategic fit of certain of the Company’s businesses and subsequent restructuring of its former South American Plant Nutrition segment to enable separate sales processes for its chemicals and specialty plant nutrition businesses and equity investment in Fermavi Eletroquímica Ltda. (“Fermavi”), in fiscal 2021 the Company’s Board of Directors approved the plan to sell each of these businesses and the North America micronutrient business (the “Specialty Businesses”) with a goal of reducing the Company’s leverage and enabling increased focus on optimizing the Company’s core businesses.
The Company concluded that the sale of the Specialty Businesses represented a strategic shift for the Company that would have a material effect on its operations and financial results. Consequently, the Specialty businesses were reclassified as discontinued operations on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 4 for further discussion of the sales of these businesses.
Unless otherwise indicated, amounts provided in these Notes pertain to continuing operations.
Restatement of Prior Period Consolidated Financial Statements
In connection with its review of future fire-retardant business cash outflows, the Company identified misstatements related to the measurement of the milestone contingent consideration liability to be paid in cash and/or common stock of the Company at a fixed price of approximately $32 per share upon the achievement of certain performance measures within five years of May 5, 2023, the effective date of the Fortress North America, LLC (“Fortress”) acquisition. These misstatements were the result of a failure to factor the option value of the potential share settlement into the fair value measurement adjustments of the milestone contingent consideration liability in the initial purchase price allocation and at each period subsequent to the acquisition. As such, the Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 have been restated.The Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021 have also been revised to correct the misstatements noted below.
The Company operates a solar evaporation facility in Ogden, Utah, whereby brine sourced from the Great Salt Lake is separated and processed into potassium, sodium and magnesium salts. Previously, the Company accounted for the pond costs incurred prior to harvest as period costs rather than a component of work in process inventory, resulting in a misstatement. Corrections for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are reflected in this restatement.
The Company also identified certain immaterial misstatements in the historical presentation of its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The misstatements were the result of the Company not reflecting the appropriate amount of non-cash capital expenditures in accounts payable in its operating and investing cash flows and had no effect on the Company’s Consolidated
Balance Sheets or its Consolidated Statements of Operations. These corrections for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023, September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021 are also reflected in this restatement.
In addition, the Company has corrected certain immaterial errors that were previously identified and concluded as immaterial, individually and in the aggregate, to the financial statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) as included in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
b. Basis of Consolidation:
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CMI and its wholly-owned domestic and foreign subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
c. Business Combinations:
The Company accounts for its business combinations using the acquisition accounting method, which requires it to determine the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including any contingent consideration, to properly allocate the purchase price to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed and record any residual purchase price as goodwill at the date of the acquisition in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board “(FASB”) ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations”. Management uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed and contingent consideration at the acquisition date. Such estimates are inherently uncertain and may be subject to refinement. The determination of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires estimates and the use of valuation techniques when a market value is not readily available. Any excess of purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired is allocated to goodwill. If the initial accounting for the business combination has not been completed by the end of the reporting period in which the business combination occurs, provisional amounts are reported to present information about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill, to the extent such information was not available to the Company at the acquisition date to determine such amounts. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Accounting for business combinations requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions at the acquisition date. Significant assumptions relevant to the determination of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows, contract renewal rates, discount rates, terminal growth rate and other assumptions. The approach to valuing the initial contingent consideration associated with the purchase price, including milestone achievement and the earn-out, also uses similar unobservable factors such as projected revenues and expenses over the term of the contingent milestone achievement and earn-out periods, discounted for the period of time over which the initial contingent consideration is measured. Based upon these assumptions, the initial earn-out contingent consideration is then adjusted for relevant volatility rates and valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. The milestone contingent consideration can be paid in cash and/or Compass Minerals common stock,. at the Company’s discretion, at a fixed price of approximately $32 per share upon the achievement of certain performance measures. This fixed share price settlement option is also factored into the fair value of the milestone contingent consideration.
All acquisition-related costs, other than the costs to issue debt or equity securities, are accounted for as expenses in the period in which they are incurred. The fair value of contingent consideration arrangements is remeasured each reporting period until resolved. Any changes that are not measurement period adjustments are recognized in earnings. In the event the Company acquires an entity with which the Company has a preexisting relationship, the Company will generally recognize a gain or loss
to remeasure its previously held equity interest at acquisition date fair value on its Consolidated Statements of Operations.
d. Discontinued Operations:
The Company reports its financial results from discontinued operations and continuing operations separately to distinguish the financial impact of disposal transactions from ongoing operations. Discontinued operations reporting occurs when a component or a group of components of an entity has been disposed of or classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results. In the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the cash flows from discontinued operations are not separately classified. Significant components of cash flows related to discontinued operations are disclosed in Note 4. See Note 4 for information on discontinued operations and Note 15 for information on the Company’s reportable segments.
e. Foreign Currency:
Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at end of period exchange rates. Sales and expenses are translated using the monthly average rates of exchange during the year. Adjustments resulting from the translation of foreign-currency financial statements into the reporting currency, U.S. dollars, are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company recorded foreign exchange (loss) gain of $(1.6) million, $6.7 million and $(17.7) million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to intercompany notes which, had been deemed to be of long-term investment nature. As discussed in Note 4, the Company completed the disposition of certain foreign entities and assets during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022. There are certain monetary assets and liabilities that are currently being held in Brazil that will be remeasured each period with changes in foreign currency exchange rates included in earnings until they are settled or transferred to a U.S. subsidiary. Aggregate exchange losses and gains from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, which are included in other expense (income) for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, were $2.3 million, $(14.9) million and $(0.6) million, respectively. These amounts include the effect of translating intercompany notes which were deemed to be temporary in nature.
f. Revenue Recognition:
The FASB revenue recognition guidance provides a single, comprehensive model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The revenue recognition model requires revenue to be recognized upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration an entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company’s revenue arrangements generally consist of a single performance obligation to transfer promised goods or services. The Company also derives revenue from a full-service air base fire retardant contract with the United States Forest Service (“USFS”), which is comprised of three performance obligations, namely product sales, providing operations and maintenance personnel services and leasing of specified equipment. Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is recognized at a point in time when control of the goods transfers to the customer.
The Company typically recognizes revenue at the time of shipment to the customer, which coincides with the transfer of title and risk of ownership to the customer. Sales represent billings to customers net of sales taxes charged for the sale of the product. Sales include amounts charged to customers for shipping and handling costs, which are expensed when the related product is sold.
g. Cash and Cash Equivalents:
The Company considers all investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains the majority of its cash in bank deposit accounts with several commercial banks with high credit ratings in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Brazil. Typically, the Company has bank deposits in excess of federally insured limits. Currently, the Company does not believe it is exposed to significant credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents.
h. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
Receivables consist almost entirely of trade accounts receivable. Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in its existing trade accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience by business line and a current assessment of its portfolio, including information regarding individual customers. The Company reviews its past due account balances for collectability and adjusts its allowance for doubtful accounts accordingly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company believes it is probable that the trade accounts receivable will not be recovered.
i. Inventories:
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Finished goods, work in process and raw material and supply costs are predominately valued using the average cost method on a first-in-first-out basis. Work in process costs
primarily consist of costs incurred to operate our evaporation ponds prior to their harvest. Raw materials and supply costs primarily consist of raw materials purchased to aid in the production of mineral products, maintenance materials and packaging materials. Finished goods are primarily comprised of salt, magnesium chloride, SOP products and fire retardants readily available for sale. Substantially all costs associated with the production of finished goods at the Company’s production locations are captured as inventory costs. As required by GAAP, a portion of the fixed costs at a location are not included in inventory and are expensed as a product cost if production at that location is determined to be abnormally low in any period or if the nature of the cost incurred is not attributable to its production processes. Additionally, since the Company’s products are often stored at warehousing locations, the Company includes in the cost of inventory the freight and handling costs necessary to move the product to storage until the product is sold to a customer.
j. Other Current Assets:
The items included in other current assets as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, consist principally of prepaid expenses of $33.3 million and $44.3 million, respectively.
k. Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost and includes capitalized interest. The costs of replacements or renewals, which improve or extend the life of existing property, are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or disposition of an asset, any resulting gain or loss is included in the Company’s operating results.
Property, plant and equipment also includes mineral interests. The mineral interests for the Company’s Winsford U.K. mine are owned. The Company leases probable mineral reserves at its Cote Blanche and Goderich mines, its Ogden facility and several of its other North American facilities. These leases have varying terms, and many provide for a royalty payment to the lessor based on a specific amount per ton of mineral extracted or as a percentage of sales. The Company’s rights to extract minerals are contractually limited by time. The Cote Blanche mine is operated under land and mineral leases, and the mineral lease expires in 2060 with two additional 25-year renewal periods. The Company continues to operate under the Goderich mine mineral reserve lease that expired in 2022, and the Company is in the process of renewing its option until 2043 after demonstrating to the lessor that the mine’s useful life is greater than the lease’s term. The Ogden facility mineral reserve lease renews annually. The Company believes it will be able to continue to extend lease agreements as it has in the past, at commercially reasonable terms, without incurring substantial costs or material modifications to the existing lease terms and conditions, and therefore, management believes that assigned lives are appropriate. The Company’s mineral interests are depleted on a units-of-production basis based upon the latest available mineral study. The weighted average amortization period for the leased probable mineral reserves is 86 years as of September 30, 2023. The Company also owns other mineral properties. The weighted average life for the probable owned mineral reserves is 35 years as of September 30, 2023, based upon management’s current production estimates.
Buildings and structures are depreciated on a straight-line basis over lives generally ranging from 10 to 30 years. Portable buildings generally have shorter lives than permanent structures. Leasehold and building improvements have estimated lives of 5 to 40 years or lower based on the life of the lease to which the improvement relates.
The Company’s fixed assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective lives. The following table summarizes the estimated useful lives of the Company’s different classes of property, plant and equipment:
Years
Land improvements
10 to 25
Buildings and structures
10 to 30
Leasehold and building improvements
5 to 40
Machinery and equipment – vehicles
2 to 10
Machinery and equipment – other mining and production
> 1 to 50
Office furniture and equipment
2 to 10
Mineral interests
20 to 99
The Company has finance leases which are recorded in property, plant and equipment at the beginning of the lease at the lower of the fair value of the leased property or the present value of the minimum lease payments. Lease payments are recorded as interest expense and a reduction of the lease liability. A finance lease asset is depreciated over the lower of its useful life or the lease term.
The Company has capitalized computer software costs of $3.7 million and $4.3 million as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, recorded in property, plant and equipment. The capitalized costs are being amortized over five years. The Company recorded $3.3 million, $7.6 million and $5.0 million of amortization expense related to capitalized computer software for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
The Company recognizes and measures obligations related to the retirement of tangible long-lived assets in accordance with applicable U.S. GAAP. Asset retirement obligations are not material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company reviews its long-lived assets and the related mineral reserves for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amounts of such assets may not be recoverable. If an indication of a potential impairment exists, recoverability of the respective assets is determined by comparing the forecasted undiscounted net cash flows of the operation to which the assets relate, to the carrying amount, including associated intangible assets, of such operation. If the operation is determined to be unable to recover the carrying amount of its assets, then intangible assets are written down first, followed by the other long-lived assets of the operation, to fair value. Fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values, depending upon the nature of the assets.
l. Leases:
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, lessees are required to recognize on their balance sheet a right-of-use asset which represents a lessee’s right to use the underlying asset, and a lease liability which represents a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments for the right to use the asset. In addition, the guidance requires expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures. Refer to Note 6 for additional details.
m. Goodwill and Intangible Assets:
The Company amortizes its intangible assets deemed to have finite lives on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives which, for the Company, range from 5 to 50 years. The Company reviews goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment. In addition, goodwill and other intangible assets are reviewed when an event or change in circumstances indicates the carrying amounts of such assets may not be recoverable.
n. Investments:
The Company uses the equity method of accounting for equity securities when it has significant influence or when it has more than a minor ownership interest or more than minor influence over an investee’s operations but does not have a controlling financial interest. Initial investments are recorded at cost (including certain transaction costs) and are adjusted by the Company’s share of the investees’ undistributed earnings and losses. The Company may recognize its share of an investee’s earnings on a lag, if an investee’s financial results are not available in a timely manner.
For certain of the Company's equity method investments, such as investments where the capital structure of the equity investment results in different liquidation rights and priorities than what is reflected by the underlying percentage ownership interests, the Company's proportionate share of net earnings is accounted for using the Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value ("HLBV") methodology available under the equity method of accounting. When applying HLBV, the Company determines the amount that would be received if the investment were to liquidate all of its assets and distribute the resulting cash to the investors based on contractually defined liquidation priorities, assuming the net assets were liquidated at their net book values.
The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable.
o. Other Noncurrent Assets:
Other noncurrent assets include certain inventories of spare parts, net of reserve, of $35.8 million and $35.3 million at September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which will be utilized with respect to long-lived assets. As of September 30, 2023 and 2022, other noncurrent assets also include net operating lease assets of $54.7 million and $58.1 million, respectively.
The Company sponsors a non-qualified defined contribution plan for certain of its executive officers and key employees as described in Note 12. As of September 30, 2023 and 2022, investments in marketable securities representing amounts deferred by employees, Company contributions and unrealized gains or losses totaling $2.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, were included in other noncurrent assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The marketable securities are classified as trading securities and accordingly, gains and losses are recorded as a component of other expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
p. Income Taxes:
The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in accordance with the provisions of U.S. GAAP. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the differences between the consolidated financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries file separate company returns in their respective jurisdictions.
The Company recognizes potential liabilities in accordance with applicable U.S. GAAP for anticipated tax issues in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions based on its estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. If payment of these amounts ultimately proves to be unnecessary, the reversal of the liabilities would result in tax benefits being recognized in the period when the Company determines the liabilities are no longer necessary. If the Company’s estimate of tax liabilities
proves to be less than the ultimate assessment, a further charge to expense would result. Any penalties and interest that are accrued on the Company’s uncertain tax positions are included as a component of income tax expense.
In evaluating the Company’s ability to realize deferred tax assets, the Company considers the sources and timing of taxable income, including the reversal of existing temporary differences, the ability to carryback tax attributes to prior periods, qualifying tax-planning strategies, and estimates of future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences. In determining future taxable income, the Company’s assumptions include the amount of pre-tax operating income according to different state, federal and international taxing jurisdictions, the origination of future temporary differences, and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax-planning strategies.
If the Company determines that a portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded in the period that such determination is made. In the future, if the Company determines, based on the existence of sufficient evidence, that more or less of the deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized, an adjustment to the valuation allowance will be made in the period such a determination is made.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which subjects U.S. shareholders, including the Company, to tax on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) earned by certain foreign subsidiaries. The FASB issued guidance stating that an entity can make an accounting policy election to either recognize deferred taxes for temporary basis differences expected to reverse as GILTI in future years or to provide for the tax expense related to GILTI in the year the tax is incurred as a period expense only. The Company has elected to account for GILTI as a period expense only.
q. Environmental Costs:
Environmental costs, other than those of a capital nature, are accrued at the time the exposure becomes known and costs can be reasonably estimated. Costs are accrued based upon management’s estimates of all direct costs. Amounts reserved for environmental matters were not material at September 30, 2023 or 2022.
r. Equity Compensation Plans:
The Company has equity compensation plans under the oversight of the Company’s Board of Directors, whereby stock options, restricted stock units, performance stock units, deferred stock units and shares of common stock are granted to the Company’s employees and directors. See Note 16 for additional discussion.
s. Earnings per Share:
When calculating earnings per share, the Company’s participating securities are accounted for under the two-class method. The two-class method requires allocating the Company’s net earnings to both common shares and participating securities based upon their rights to receive dividends. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur under the more dilutive of either the treasury stock method or the two-class method for calculating the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares. The treasury stock method is calculated assuming unrecognized compensation expense, income tax benefits and proceeds from the potential exercise of employee stock options are used to repurchase common stock.
t. Derivatives:
The Company is exposed to the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates on its borrowings and fluctuations in the purchase price of natural gas, diesel fuel consumed in operations and fuel costs incurred to deliver its products to its customers. The Company may hedge portions of these risks through the use of derivative agreements.
The Company records derivative financial instruments as assets or liabilities measured at fair value. Accounting for the changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on its designation and effectiveness. Derivatives qualify for treatment as hedges when there is a high correlation between the change in fair value of the derivative instrument and the related change in value of the underlying hedged item. For qualifying hedges, the effective portion of the change in fair value is recognized through earnings when the underlying transaction being hedged affects earnings, allowing a derivative’s gains and losses to offset related results from the hedged item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Until the effective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, the change in fair value is recognized in other comprehensive income. For derivative instruments that are not accounted for as hedges, or for the ineffective portions of qualifying hedges, the change in fair value is recorded through earnings in the period of change. The Company formally documents, designates and assesses the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting treatment initially and on an ongoing basis.
u. Concentration of Credit Risk:
The Company sells its salt and magnesium chloride products to various governmental agencies, manufacturers, distributors and retailers primarily in the Midwestern U.S. and throughout Canada and the U.K. The Company’s plant nutrition products are sold across the Western Hemisphere and globally. No single customer or group of affiliated customers accounted for more than
10% of the Company’s sales during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 or 2022, or the nine months ended September 30, 2021, or more than 10% of receivables at September 30, 2023 or 2022. Although less than 10% of the Company’s sales during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, fire retardant sales were primarily sold to a single customer, the USFS.
v. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
In October 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2021-08 requires the company acquiring contract assets and contract liabilities obtained in a business combination to recognize and measure them in accordance with ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. Following the acquisition date, the company acquiring the business should record related revenue as if it had originated the contracts. Before the update, contract assets and contract liabilities from acquired contracts were recognized by the acquiring company at fair value on the acquisition date. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including in interim periods, for any financial statements that have not yet been issued. The Company early adopted these requirements, effective on January 1, 2023, with no material impact to its consolidated financial statements.
3. BUSINESS ACQUISITION
Background
On November 2, 2021, the Company announced its increased investment in Fortress, a next-generation fire retardant business dedicated to developing and producing a portfolio of magnesium chloride-based fire retardant products to help combat wildfires. On May 5, 2023, the Company acquired the remaining 55% interest in Fortress not previously owned in exchange for an initial cash payment of $18.9 million (net of cash held by Fortress of $6.5 million), and additional contingent consideration of up to $28 million to be paid in cash and/or Compass Minerals common stock upon the achievement of certain performance measures over the next five years, and a cash earn-out based on financial performance and volumes of certain Fortress fire retardant products sold over a 10-year period. Building upon the previous 45% minority ownership stake in Fortress, the transaction provided the Company full ownership of all Fortress assets, contracts, and intellectual property.
Purchase Price Allocation
The fair value of the milestone contingent consideration is estimated using a combination of a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model and the Black-Scholes option pricing model, each with significant inputs not observable in the market and is therefore considered a Level 3 measurement (see Note 18 for a discussion of the levels in the fair value hierarchy) while the earn-out is valued using a Monte Carlo simulation, also a Level 3 measurement. A summary of the estimated acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred, and subsequently revised for measurement period adjustments, is presented in the table below (in millions):
May 5, 2023
Measurement Period Adjustments
September 30, 2023
Cash paid at closing(a)
$
25.4
$
—
$
25.4
Fair value of contingent consideration(b)
43.0
(3.1)
39.9
Fair value of 45% equity investment
56.0
(2.5)
53.5
Total
$
124.4
$
(5.6)
$
118.8
(a) Amount of cash paid before consideration of $6.5 million of cash held at Fortress at the time of the acquisition.
(b) Contingent consideration includes the fair value of payments to be made upon the achievement of certain performance measures ($18.5 million) and the 10-year cash earn-out ($24.5 million at May 5, 2023 and $21.4 million at September 30, 2023), both described in the Background section above.
Prior to the acquisition date, the Company accounted for its 45% interest in Fortress as an equity method investment. The acquisition-date fair value of the previously held equity investment was $53.5 million and is included in the consideration transferred. To measure the acquisition-date fair value of the previously held equity interest, the Company utilized a market-based approach which relied on Level 3 inputs (see Note 18 for a discussion of the levels in the fair value hierarchy). The Company initially recognized a $12.6 million non-cash gain in the period ended June 30, 2023, as a result of remeasuring the value of its prior equity interest in Fortress, which is generally attributable to Fortress’ advancement from a pre-revenue, development-stage company to commercialization. The gain was reduced to $10.1 million in the period ended September 30, 2023 as a result of the measurement period adjustments noted below. The gain is reported in the “Gain from remeasurement of equity method investment” line in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Acquisition-related expenses were not material.
Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total purchase price is allocated to Fortress’ assets and liabilities based upon their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The preliminary allocation of purchase price recorded as of the May
5, 2023 acquisition date, and subsequently revised for measurement period adjustments as of September 30, 2023, is presented in the table below (in millions):
Initial Purchase Price Allocation
Measurement Period Adjustments
Updated Purchase Price Allocation
Cash and cash equivalents
$
6.5
$
—
$
6.5
Inventories
3.7
—
3.7
Other current assets
0.5
—
0.5
Property, plant and equipment
2.5
—
2.5
Identified intangible assets
75.3
0.5
75.8
Other noncurrent assets
0.8
—
0.8
Accounts payable
(0.3)
—
(0.3)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
(1.4)
—
(1.4)
Other noncurrent liabilities
(1.3)
—
(1.3)
Total identified intangible assets
$
86.3
$
0.5
$
86.8
Goodwill
38.1
(6.1)
32.0
Total fair value of business combination
$
124.4
$
(5.6)
$
118.8
The purchase price has been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the Company’s best estimates and assumptions using the information available as of the acquisition date through the date of this filing. During the period ended September 30, 2023, the Company further refined its valuation assumptions related to the customer-related intangible asset and the earnout contingent consideration. As a result of these updates, the Company recorded measurement period adjustments to the provisional amounts initially recorded. Following the measurement period adjustments, the Company estimated the fair value of the customer-related intangible assets acquired to be $57.3 million and the fair value of the milestone and earnout contingent consideration to be $18.5 million and $21.4 million, respectively, as of the date of the acquisition. As a result, the fair value of the customer-related intangible asset was increased by $0.5 million and the fair value of the earn-out portion of the contingent consideration decreased by $3.1 million. The measurement period adjustments also resulted in a reduction in the gain related to the remeasurement of equity method investment in Fortress of $2.5 million (initially reported as a gain of $12.6 million for the period ended June 30, 2023) with a corresponding decrease to goodwill of $6.1 million. The adjustments to amortization expense associated with these measurement period adjustments were not material to the consolidated financial statements.
The amount of goodwill recorded including the measurement period adjustments is $32.0 million as of the acquisition date and has been reported in the Company’s Corporate & Other segment. The goodwill recognized reflects expected earnings potential of the business, synergies associated with the use of the Company’s existing systems and resources and logistics and production synergies including use the Company’s magnesium chloride products in the fire retardant products. Currently, the Company expects the full amount of goodwill to be deductible for tax purposes.
In connection with the acquisition, the Company acquired identifiable intangible assets which consisted of customer relationships, developed technology, in-process research and development and trade name. The fair values were determined using Level 3 inputs (see Note 18 for a discussion of the levels in the fair value hierarchy). The fair value of the customer relationships was estimated using an income approach method while the fair values of developed technology, in-process research and development and trade name were estimated using the relief from royalty method. The estimated fair values and weighted average amortization periods of the identifiable intangible assets are presented in the table below:
Pro forma results of operations for this acquisition are not presented because the acquisition is not material to the Company's consolidated results of operations for the period ended September 30, 2023.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company updated its contingent consideration calculation based upon new information that was not available to the Company at the acquisition date which resulted in a $0.8 million reduction in the contingent consideration liability as of September 30, 2023. The Company determined that this adjustment, and any future remeasurement adjustments, would not be considered a measurement period adjustment under the accounting guidance. As such, the Company recorded a gain of $0.8 million in its Consolidated Statements of Operations in the fourth quarter of 2023. The Company will continue to recognize remeasurement changes in the estimated fair value of contingent consideration in earnings at each reporting date until all contingencies are resolved.
4. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
During fiscal 2021 the Company sold its South America specialty plant nutrition business, its equity investment in Fermavi and its North America micronutrient business. In connection with the sale of its South America specialty plant nutrition business the Company received net cash of approximately $318.4 million with an additional earnout payment of up to R$88 million Brazilian reais. On April 7, 2022, the Company received the maximum earnout possible under the terms of the sale, or $18.5 million based on exchange rates at the time of receipt.
Also in fiscal 2021 the Company completed its sale of its North America micronutrient business for approximately $56.7 million of cash proceeds and its investment in Fermavi for R$45 million Brazilian reais (including R$30 million of deferred purchase price). The Company received cash proceeds of approximately $2.9 million and recorded a discounted deferred proceeds receivable of approximately $4.8 million (based on exchange rates at the time of closing). As of September 30, 2023, approximately R$15.0 million Brazilian reais of deferred proceeds remains outstanding.
On April 20, 2022, the Company completed the sale of its South America chemicals business to a subsidiary of Cape Acquisitions LLC. Upon closing of the all-cash sale, the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $51.5 million based on exchange rates at the time of receipt, including a post-closing adjustment and compensation of $6.4 million for cash on hand that transferred to the buyer. The Company also paid fees of $2.4 million related to this sale. The Company recognized an incremental loss from the sale of $23.1 million during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, and released $49.5 million from accumulated currency translation adjustment (“CTA”). The sale included all of the Company’s remaining operations in Brazil, concluding its previously announced plan to exit the South American market.
In measuring the assets and liabilities held for sale at fair value less estimated costs to sell, the Company completed an impairment analysis when its Board of Directors committed to a plan to sell the Specialty Businesses and the Company updated the analysis each quarter until each of the Specialty Businesses were sold. The Company recorded losses on the sales of its South American specialty plant nutrition business, its investment in Fermavi and its South America chemicals business totaling approximately $323.1 million. These losses were partially offset by a gain of approximately $30.6 million from the sale of a component of the North America micronutrient business in fiscal 2021.
The amount of CTA loss within accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the Specialty Businesses was considered in the Company’s determination of the adjustment to fair value less estimated costs to sell. The Company recognized a net loss from its adjustment to fair value less estimated costs to sell of $90.2 million in its earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in its Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The adjustment to fair value less estimated costs to sell for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 included $52.9 million of CTA from the translation of the net assets of the Company’s South America chemicals business from Brazilian reais to U.S. dollars, which had been reported in CTA.
As discussed in Note 1, prior to March 31, 2021, the North America micronutrient product business was reported in the Company’s Plant Nutrition North America segment (which is now known as the Plant Nutrition segment), which aligns with the Plant Nutrition reporting unit for purposes of evaluating goodwill. Based on the Company’s assessment of the estimated relative fair values of the North America micronutrient product business and the remaining business from the former Plant Nutrition reporting unit, the Company performed an allocation of goodwill between the North America micronutrient product business classified as held for sale and the business being retained, which resulted in $6.8 million of goodwill allocated to the North America micronutrient product business as of December 31, 2020. The Company also performed an assessment of the relative fair values of its South America specialty nutrition businesses based upon estimated proceeds and other information available. The Company allocated 84% of the total reporting unit to the South America specialty nutrition business (R$951.6 million or $189.7 million at closing in fiscal 2021). An allocation of goodwill related to the former Plant Nutrition South America segment was not required as the entire segment and related goodwill was classified as held for sale in each period.
The information below sets forth selected financial information related to the operating results of the Specialty Businesses classified as discontinued operations. The Specialty Businesses’ revenue and expenses have been reclassified to net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in prior periods. The Consolidated Statements of Operations present the revenue and expenses that were reclassified from the specified line items to discontinued operations.
The following table represents summarized Consolidated Statements of Operations information of discontinued operations (in millions):
Fiscal Year Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2021
Sales
$
53.6
$
211.2
Shipping and handling cost
2.8
10.2
Product cost
28.4
153.2
Gross profit
22.4
47.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses
3.5
27.6
Operating earnings
18.9
20.2
Interest expense
0.1
4.4
Gain on foreign exchange
(17.5)
(9.9)
Net loss on sale of business
23.1
209.8
Net loss on adjustment to fair value less estimated costs to sell
—
90.2
Net gain on sale of business
—
(30.6)
Other income, net
(0.6)
(1.5)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes
13.8
(242.2)
Income tax expense (benefit)
1.6
(8.4)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
$
12.2
$
(233.8)
The significant components included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the discontinued operations are as follows (in millions):
Fiscal Year Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2021
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
$
—
$
4.2
Deferred income taxes
0.5
(23.6)
Unrealized foreign exchange gain
(3.1)
(19.1)
Loss on impairment of long-lived assets
23.1
300.0
Gain on sale of business
—
(30.6)
Capital expenditures
(1.6)
(6.1)
Changes in receivables
(4.8)
4.2
Changes in inventories
(2.0)
(26.1)
Changes in other assets
(4.7)
(20.5)
Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities
(11.5)
(315.9)
Proceeds from sale of businesses
61.2
348.6
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
—
21.8
Principal payments on long-term debt
—
(12.0)
5. REVENUES
Nature of Products and Services
The Company’s Salt segment products include salt and magnesium chloride for use in road deicing and dust control, food processing, water softening, and agricultural and industrial applications. The Company’s plant nutrition segment produces and
markets SOP in various grades worldwide to distributors and retailers of crop inputs, as well as growers and for industrial uses. The Company also operates a records management business utilizing excavated areas of its Winsford salt mine with one other location in London, England and, following its acquisition of Fortress North America, produces next-generation fire retardant products.
Identifying the Contract
The Company accounts for a customer contract when there is approval and commitment from both parties, the rights of the parties and payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collectability of consideration is probable.
Identifying the Performance Obligations
At contract inception, the Company assesses the goods and services it has promised to its customers and identifies a performance obligation for each promise to transfer to the customer a distinct good or service (or bundle of goods or services). Determining whether products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately or aggregated together may require significant judgment.
Identifying and Allocating the Transaction Price
The Company’s revenues are measured based on consideration specified in the customer contract, net of any sales incentives and amounts collected on behalf of third parties such as sales taxes. In certain cases, the Company’s customer contracts may include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer. For multiple-element arrangements, the Company generally allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation in proportion to its stand-alone selling price.
When Performance Obligations Are Satisfied
The vast majority of the Company’s revenues are recognized at a point in time when the performance obligations are satisfied based upon transfer of control of the product or service to a customer. To determine when the control of goods is transferred, the Company typically assesses, among other things, the shipping terms of the contract, as shipping is an indicator of transfer of control. Some of the Company’s products are sold when the control of the goods transfers to the customer at the time of shipment. There are also instances when the Company provides shipping services to deliver its products. Shipping and handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are accounted for as fulfillment costs. The Company has made an accounting policy election to recognize any shipping and handling costs that are incurred after the customer obtains control of the goods as fulfillment costs which are accrued at the time of revenue recognition.
The Company also derives revenue from a full-service air base fire retardant contract with the USFS. Full-service air bases include sales from the supply of fire retardant product and related equipment and service for inspection and loading the fire retardant onto aircraft at designated air tanker bases. The revenue derived from the contract with the USFS is comprised of three performance obligations, namely product sales, providing operations and maintenance personnel services and leasing of specified equipment. For full-service fire-retardant contracts, the Company identifies the fire-retardant product, equipment leases and services as separate units of account. The performance obligation for product sales is satisfied at a point in time when control of the product is transferred onto the aircraft, typically when the product is consumed by the customer. The services and leases represent “stand-ready obligations” and the revenue is recognized straight-line over the service period, which could be intermittent.
Significant Payment Terms
The customer contract states the final terms of the sale, including the description, quantity and price of each product or service purchased. Payment is typically due in full within 30 days of delivery. The Company does not adjust the consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between when the good or service is transferred to the customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less. Payment terms vary by contract and sales to customers are deemed collectible at the time of sale based on customer history, prior credit checks, and controls around customer credit limits.
Sales and other taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, which are collected by the Company from a customer, are excluded from revenue.
Refunds, Returns and Warranties
The Company’s products are generally not sold with a right of return and the Company does not generally provide credits or incentives, which may be required to be accounted for as variable consideration when estimating the amount of revenue to be recognized. The Company uses historical experience to estimate accruals for refunds due to manufacturing or other defects, which have historically been minimal. Therefore, there is no estimated obligation for returns. Standard terms of delivery are generally included in the Company's contracts of sale, order confirmation documents and invoices.
The Company uses the policy election to account for the shipping and handling activities as activities to fulfill the Company’s promise to transfer goods to the customer, rather than as a performance obligation. Accordingly, the costs of the shipping and handling activities are accrued for at the time of shipment.
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue represents billings under non-cancellable contracts before the related product or service is transferred to the customer. The portion of deferred revenue that is anticipated to be recognized as revenue during the succeeding twelve-month period is recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and the remaining portion is recorded in other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred revenue as of September 30, 2023 was approximately $8.5 million.
Practical Expedients and Accounting Policy Elections
The Company has elected the following practical expedients and accounting policies: (i) not to adjust the amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component when the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between the Company's transfer of a product or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that product or service will be one year or less, (ii) to expense costs to obtain a contract as incurred when the Company expects that the amortization period would have been one year or less, (iii) not to recast revenue for customer contracts that begin and end in the same fiscal period, and (iv) not to assess whether promised goods or services are performance obligations if they are immaterial in the context of the customer contract.
See Note 15 for disaggregation of sales by segment, type and geographical region.
6. LEASES
The Company enters into leases for warehouses and depots, rail cars, vehicles, mobile equipment, office space and certain other types of property and equipment. The Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease at the inception of the contract. The right-of-use asset and lease liability are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the estimated lease term. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company estimates its incremental borrowing rate for each lease based upon the estimated lease term, the type of asset and the location of the leased asset. The most significant judgments in the application of the FASB guidance include whether a contract contains a lease and the lease term.
Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company recognizes lease expense for these short-term leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Many of the Company’s leases include one or more options to renew and extend the initial lease term. The exercise of lease renewal options is generally at the Company’s discretion. The lease term includes renewal periods in only those instances in which the Company determines it is reasonably assured of renewal.
The depreciable lives of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. In these instances, the assets are depreciated over the useful life of the asset.
The Company has elected the practical expedient available under the FASB guidance to not separate lease and non-lease components on all of its lease categories. As a result, many of the Company’s leases include variable payments for services (such as handling or storage) or payments based on the usage of the asset. In addition, certain of the Company’s lease agreements include rental payments that are adjusted periodically for inflation. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or any material restrictive covenants. The Company’s sublease income is immaterial.
Supplemental lease term and discount rate information related to leases is as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2021
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases
5.1
5.5
5.7
Finance leases
13.2
20.7
16.7
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases
4.6
%
4.0
%
3.6
%
Finance leases
5.0
%
3.2
%
3.1
%
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows (in millions):
Fiscal Year Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2021
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases
$
21.1
$
18.2
$
12.9
Operating cash flows from finance leases
0.2
0.1
0.1
Financing cash flows from finance leases
1.5
1.3
1.0
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
14.5
26.4
5.7
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities
5.3
—
2.2
7. INVENTORIES
Inventories consist of the following (in millions):
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
Finished goods
$
319.3
$
251.6
Work in process
7.3
8.9
Raw materials and supplies(a)
72.9
52.8
Total inventories
$
399.5
$
313.3
(a)Excludes certain raw materials and supplies of $35.8 million and $35.3 million as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, that are not expected to be consumed within the next twelve months, which are included in Other noncurrent assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following (in millions):
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
Land, buildings and structures and leasehold improvements
$
547.9
$
534.8
Machinery and equipment
1,102.0
1,026.3
Office furniture and equipment
21.6
56.8
Mineral interests
169.1
167.1
Construction in progress
113.3
64.3
1,953.9
1,849.3
Less accumulated depreciation and depletion
(1,101.4)
(1,072.7)
Property, plant and equipment, net
$
852.5
$
776.6
The cost of leased property, plant and equipment under finance leases included above was $9.9 million and $6.7 million with accumulated depreciation of $3.0 million and $3.4 million as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Additionally, construction in progress includes approximately $51.2 million of expenditures to fund the development of a sustainable lithium salt resource, which, subsequent to September 30, 2023, has been suspended indefinitely beyond certain already committed items associated with the early stages of construction of our commercial scale demonstration unit until greater clarity is provided on the evolving regulatory climate in Utah.
9. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are summarized as follows (in millions):
Plant Nutrition
Corporate & Other
Consolidated
Balance as of September 30, 2021
$
51.8
$
6.0
$
57.8
Foreign currency translation adjustment
(0.9)
(0.5)
(1.4)
Balance as of September 30, 2022
50.9
5.5
56.4
Acquisition of business(a)
—
32.0
32.0
Foreign currency translation adjustment
0.2
0.2
0.4
Balance as of September 30, 2023
$
51.1
$
37.7
$
88.8
(a)Goodwill related to the Company’s acquisition of Fortress, as discussed further in Note 3.
The asset values and accumulated amortization for the finite-lived intangibles assets are as follows (in millions):
The weighted average estimated lives of the Company’s finite-lived intangible assets are as follows:
Intangible asset
Estimated Lives
Customer relationships
25 years
Developed technology
10.6 years
Trade name
5 years
Supply agreement
50 years
SOP production rights
25 years
Lease rights
25 years
None of the finite-lived intangible assets have a residual book value. Aggregate amortization expense was $2.7 million, $1.6 and $1.2 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, and is projected to be between $3 million and $5 million per year over the next five years. The weighted average life for the Company’s finite-lived intangibles is approximately 30 years.
In addition, the Company had water rights of $17.8 million as of both September 30, 2023 and 2022 and trade names of $0.5 million as of both September 30, 2023 and 2022, which have indefinite lives. As of September 30, 2023, the Company recorded $2.2 million of in-process research and development related to the Fortress acquisition, which will be reviewed for impairment at least annually, or in the event of indicators of impairment, until product development is completed.
10. EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS
Prior to the May 5, 2023 acquisition of the remaining 55% interest in Fortress not previously owned, the Company had invested $50 million in Fortress in exchange for an ownership interest of approximately 45%. Refer to Note 3 for additional details. Under the HLBV methodology available under the equity method of accounting, the Company had reflected its share of the income or loss of Fortress, net of tax, in its results each period on a one quarter reporting lag. The Company recorded its share of Fortress’ net losses of $1.8 million and $3.9 million in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in Fortress was in excess of its share of Fortress’s net book value by approximately $27 million as of September 30, 2022. The basis difference primarily represented incremental value attributable to intangible assets and goodwill that had not been recognized in the financial statements of Fortress. The Company had liquidation preference under the terms of Fortress’ LLC agreement. Additionally, the Company had the right to purchase units from other Fortress unit holders and the right of first refusal to purchase all or any portion of any available Fortress units, both subject to certain conditions.
The balance of the Company’s net investment in Fortress of $45.8 million as of September 30, 2022, was recorded in equity method investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company also has other immaterial equity investments valued at $0.0 million and $0.8 million as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for which it has recorded $1.3 million for its share of losses in each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
The following tables provide summarized financial information for the Company’s ownership interest in Fortress, prior to its acquisition of the remaining equity interest in fiscal 2023, as accounted for under the equity method compiled from its financial statements, reported on a one-quarter lag (in millions):
The Company files tax returns in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Brazil at the federal and local taxing jurisdictional levels. The Company’s U.S. federal tax returns for tax years 2017 forward remain open and subject to examination. Generally, the Company’s state, local and foreign tax returns for years as early as 2002 forward remain open and subject to examination, depending on the jurisdiction.
The following table summarizes the Company’s income tax provision (in millions):
The following table summarizes components of earnings before income taxes and shows the tax effects of significant adjustments from the expected income tax expense computed at the federal statutory rate (in millions):
Fiscal Year Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2021
U.S. loss
$
(22.7)
$
(65.5)
$
(28.8)
Foreign income
50.3
65.7
62.7
Earnings before income taxes
$
27.6
$
0.2
$
33.9
Computed tax at the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21%
5.8
—
7.1
Foreign income rate differential, mining, and withholding taxes, net of U.S. federal deduction
9.6
4.3
6.6
Benefit recognized on Canadian law change
(6.2)
—
—
Percentage depletion in excess of basis
(2.7)
(5.7)
(1.7)
Non-deductible compensation
3.1
3.3
1.0
Other domestic tax reserves, net of reversals
(2.6)
(1.1)
0.5
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
(1.3)
(2.4)
(1.2)
Change in valuation allowance on deferred tax asset
11.1
35.4
1.8
Interest expense recognition differences
—
(2.8)
(2.8)
Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income and Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax
1.1
—
2.6
Tax on repatriated amounts
(0.7)
(0.3)
0.1
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) Settlement
Under U.S. GAAP, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax effects, based on enacted tax law, of temporary differences between the values of assets and liabilities recorded for financial reporting and tax purposes, and of net operating losses and other carryforwards. The significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in millions):
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
Deferred tax assets to be netted with deferred tax liabilities:
Net operating loss carryforwards
$
16.8
$
23.1
Excess interest expense
45.6
34.0
Foreign tax credit
39.4
39.4
Stock-based compensation
2.4
2.2
Research and development costs
2.2
0.2
Federal and state capital losses
3.6
2.3
Right of use lease liability
13.8
14.8
State tax credits
8.3
7.6
Other, net
16.2
14.8
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
148.3
138.4
Valuation allowance
(121.2)
(109.9)
Total deferred tax assets to be netted with deferred tax liabilities
27.1
28.5
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment
55.2
53.8
Intangible asset
11.7
8.5
Right of use lease asset
13.8
14.8
Unrealized foreign exchange gain
1.3
5.5
Other, net
3.5
9.5
Total deferred tax liabilities
85.5
92.1
Net deferred tax liabilities
$
58.4
$
63.6
At September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $65.4 million and $94.1 million, respectively, of gross federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards that have no expiration date and $2.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively, of net operating tax-effected state NOL carryforwards which will expire beginning in 2035. At September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company also had $2.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of tax-effected state capital losses which will expire beginning in 2027 and $1.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of tax-effected federal capital losses which will expire beginning in 2025. The NOL carryforwards in Brazil and related valuation allowances were eliminated as of September 30, 2022 given the ending of the Company’s operations in Brazil.
The Company has recorded a valuation allowance for a portion of its deferred tax asset relating to various tax attributes that it does not believe are more likely than not to be realized. As of September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s valuation allowance was $121.2 million and $109.9 million, respectively. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit use of the existing deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated was the cumulative loss incurred in the U.S. over the three-year period ended September 30, 2023. Such objective evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence, such as our projections for future income. On the basis of this evaluation, for the fiscal year 2023, an additional valuation allowance of $11.9 million has been recorded to recognize only the portion of the U.S. deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are increased or reduced or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as our projections for income. In the future, if the Company determines, based on existence of sufficient evidence, that it should realize more or less of its deferred tax assets, an adjustment to the valuation allowance will be made in the period such a determination is made.
The calculation of the Company’s tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in multiple jurisdictions. The Company recognizes potential liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions in accordance with applicable U.S. GAAP, which requires uncertain tax positions to be recognized only if they are more likely than not to be upheld based on their technical merits. The measurement of the uncertain tax position is
The fair value of the Company’s U.K. pension plan assets by asset category (see Note 18 for a discussion regarding fair value measurements) are as follows (in millions):
(a)The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is its carrying value.
(b)The Company is invested in a diversified growth fund. The diversified growth fund is valued at the last traded or official close for the underlying equities and bid or mid for the underlying fixed income securities depending on the portfolio benchmark. Where representative prices are unavailable, underlying fixed income investments are valued based on other observable market-based inputs.
(c)This category includes investments in investment-grade fixed-income instruments and funds linked to U.K. treasury notes. The funds are valued using the bid amounts for each fund. All of the Company’s bond fund pension assets are invested in U.K.-linked treasuries as of September 30, 2023 and 2022.
As of September 30, 2023 and 2022, amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, consisted of actuarial net losses of $6.7 million (including $7.3 million of accumulated loss less prior service cost of $0.7 million) and $2.7 million (including $3.4 million of accumulated loss less prior service cost of $0.7 million), respectively. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, consisted of actuarial net losses of $(3.7) million, amortization of loss of $0.2 million, amortization of prior service cost of $(0.1) million and foreign exchange of $(0.3) million.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, consisted of actuarial net gains of $1.6 million, amortization of loss of $0.4 million, amortization of prior service cost of $(0.1) million and foreign exchange of $1.3 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, consisted of actuarial net losses of $3.0 million, amortization of loss of $0.9 million, amortization of prior service cost of $(0.1) million, the impact of a tax rate change of $(0.6) million and foreign exchange of $0.8 million. The Company expects to recognize approximately $1.2 million ($1.3 million of amortization of loss less $0.1 million of prior service cost) of losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss as a component of net periodic pension cost in fiscal 2024. Total net periodic pension cost in fiscal 2024 is expected to be $1.2 million.
The assumptions used in determining pension information for the U.K. pension plan were as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2021
Discount rate
5.55
%
5.45
%
1.90
%
Expected return on plan assets
5.40
%
5.05
%
3.10
%
The overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is a weighted-average expectation based on the fair value of targeted and expected portfolio composition. The Company considers historical performance and current benchmarks to arrive at expected long-term rates of return in each asset category. The Company determines its discount rate based on a forward yield curve for a portfolio of high-credit-quality bonds with expected cash flows and an average duration closely matching the expected benefit payments under the plan.
The Company’s funding policy is to make the minimum annual contributions required by applicable regulations or agreements with the plan administrator. Management expects there will be no contributions during 2024. In addition, the Company may periodically make contributions to the plan based upon the underfunded status of the plan or other transactions, which warrant incremental contributions in the judgment of management.
The U.K. pension plan includes a provision whereby supplemental benefits may be available to participants under certain circumstances after case review and approval by the plan trustees. Because instances of this type of benefit have historically been infrequent, the development of the projected benefit obligation and net periodic pension cost (benefit) has not provided for any future supplemental benefits. If additional benefits are approved by the trustees, it is likely that an additional contribution would be required and the amount of incremental benefits would be expensed by the Company.
The Company expects to pay the following benefit payments (in millions):
Years Ending September 30:
Future Expected Benefit Payments
2024
$
2.7
2025
2.8
2026
2.9
2027
2.9
2028
3.0
2028-2032
16.2
The following table sets forth pension obligations and plan assets for the Company’s U.K. pension plan (in millions):
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of period
$
36.7
$
65.7
Interest cost
2.1
1.2
Actuarial loss (gain)
0.1
(18.9)
Benefits paid
(2.7)
(2.7)
Currency fluctuation adjustment
3.5
(8.6)
Benefit obligation at end of period
39.7
36.7
Change in plan assets:
Fair value at beginning of period
42.7
69.4
Actual return
(2.5)
(14.8)
Company contributions
—
0.4
Currency fluctuation adjustment
4.0
(9.6)
Benefits paid
(2.7)
(2.7)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period
41.5
42.7
Overfunded status of the plan
$
1.8
$
6.0
The Company’s U.K. pension plan was overfunded as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, and accordingly, $1.8 million and $6.0 million has been recorded as a noncurrent asset, respectively, in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accumulated benefit obligation for the U.K. pension plan was $39.7 million and $36.7 million as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The plan assets were in excess of the accumulated benefit obligation as of September 30, 2023 and 2022. The vested benefit obligation is the actuarial present value of the vested benefits to which the employee is currently entitled but based on the employee’s expected date of retirement. Since all employees are vested, the accumulated benefit obligation and the vested benefit obligation are the same amount.
The Company uses a straight-line methodology of amortization subject to a corridor based upon the higher of the fair value of assets and the pension benefit obligation over a five-year period. The components of net periodic pension cost (benefit) were as follows (in millions):
The Company provides retirement medical, dental and life insurance benefits and post-employment vacation benefits to certain Canadian employees (collectively, the “Canadian Benefits”), which are considered other post-employment benefit obligations.
The assumed discount rate used to determine the benefit obligation for the Canadian Benefits as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 was 5.70% and 5.10%, respectively. The ultimate trend rate used to determine the benefit obligation for the Canadian Benefits as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 was 4.00%. The year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate is 2040.
The Company expects to pay the following payments for the Canadian Benefits (in millions):
Years Ending September 30:
Future Expected Benefit Payments
2024
$
0.6
2025
0.6
2026
0.5
2027
0.6
2028
0.6
2029-2033
3.3
The following table sets forth the Company’s benefit obligation (in millions):
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of period
$
8.9
$
11.3
Service cost
0.3
0.3
Interest cost
0.5
0.3
Benefits paid
(0.3)
(0.2)
Actuarial gain
(0.7)
(2.0)
Currency fluctuation adjustment
0.1
(0.8)
Benefit obligation at end of period
$
8.8
$
8.9
The Company uses the Projected Unit Credit Method in determining its benefit obligation. Under this method, each participant’s benefits are attributed to years of service, taking into account the projection of benefit costs. The components of net periodic cost (benefit) are also shown above.
Other
The Company has defined contribution and pre-tax savings plans (the “Savings Plans”) for certain of its employees. Under each of the Savings Plans, participants are permitted to defer a portion of their compensation. Company matching contributions to the Savings Plans are based on a percentage of employee contributions. Additionally, certain of the Savings Plans have a profit-sharing feature for salaried and non-union hourly employees. The Company contribution to the profit-sharing feature is discretionary and based on the Company’s financial performance and other factors. Expense attributable to the Savings Plans was $10.7 million, $9.7 million and $7.1 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
The Savings Plans include a non-qualified plan for certain executive officers and other key employees who are limited in their ability to participate in qualified plans due to existing regulations. These employees are allowed to defer a portion of their compensation, upon which they will be entitled to receive Company contributions despite the limitations imposed by current U.S. regulations for qualified plans. The Company’s contributions to the Savings Plans include Company matching contributions based on a percentage of the employee’s deferred salary, discretionary profit sharing contributions and any investment income (loss) that would have been credited to their account had the contributions been made according to employee-designated investment specifications. Although not required to do so, the Company invests amounts equal to the salary deferrals, the corresponding Company matching contribution and discretionary profit sharing amounts according to the employee-designated investment specifications. As of September 30, 2023 and 2022, investments in marketable securities totaling $2.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, were included in other noncurrent assets with a corresponding deferred compensation liability included in other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Compensation expense recorded for the non-qualified plan was immaterial for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the
nine months ended September 30, 2021, including amounts attributable to investment income, and was included in other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
13. LONG TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following (in millions):
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
4.875% Senior Notes due July 2024
$
—
$
250.0
Term Loan due January 2025
—
16.9
Revolving Credit Facility due January 2025
—
151.5
6.75% Senior Notes due December 2027
500.0
500.0
Term Loan due May 2028
198.8
—
Revolving Credit Facility due May 2028
81.5
—
AR Securitization Facility expires June 2025
30.9
37.5
811.2
955.9
Less unamortized debt issuance costs
(5.9)
(8.3)
Total debt
805.3
947.6
Less current portion
(5.0)
—
Long-term debt
$
800.3
$
947.6
Credit Agreement
On May 5, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement to amend and restate the Company’s credit agreement entered into on November 26, 2019 (as amended, the “2019 Credit Agreement”, as in effect prior to such restatement, the “Existing Credit Agreement”) with a new $575 million senior secured credit agreement due May 5, 2028 (as amended, the “2023 Credit Agreement”), comprised of a $375 million revolving credit facility and a $200 million term loan. The term loan is payable in quarterly installments of interest and principal, which began September 30, 2023. The 2023 Credit Agreement increases the Applicable Margins by 25 basis points over those defined in the Existing Credit Agreement and added an additional level to the pricing grid at a consolidated total leverage ratio of greater than 4:00 to 1.00. The outstanding term loan can be prepaid at any time without penalty. Proceeds from the 2023 Credit Agreement were used by the Company to redeem its $250 million 4.875% Senior Notes due July 2024 (the “4.875% Notes”) on May 10, 2023 and pay off the Existing Credit Agreement term loan balance of $16.9 million.
As of September 30, 2023, the term loan and revolving credit facility under the 2023 Credit Agreement were secured by substantially all existing and future U.S. assets of the Company, the Goderich mine in Ontario, Canada and capital stock of certain subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2023, the weighted average interest rate was 7.8% on all borrowings outstanding under the 2023 Credit Agreement.
The 2023 Credit Agreement, among other things, amended and restated the Existing Credit Agreement to (i) increase the Revolving Commitments (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) from $300 million to $375 million and extend the maturity date of the Revolving Commitments to May 5, 2028, (ii) refinance the Term Loans (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) with a new tranche of term loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to $200 million having a maturity date of May 5, 2028, and (iii) amend certain other terms of the Existing Credit Agreement, including, but not limited to, (a) expressly permit “run rate” cost savings in “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) and (b) revise select covenants in the Existing Credit Agreement to, among other things, allow for Lithium Transactions (as defined below).
The 2023 Credit Agreement will permit, on the terms and conditions set forth therein, the entry into, and consummation of, lithium development joint ventures, projects or similar arrangements by any Lithium Subsidiary (as defined below), and any related funding transactions in connection therewith (collectively, the “Lithium Transactions”). A “Lithium Subsidiary” shall mean (a) Compass Minerals Lithium Corp of America Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto and (b) (x) any newly-formed domestic subsidiary that is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company (each of which will become a Subsidiary Guarantor (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement)) and/or (y) any newly-formed domestic subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (each of which may, but shall not be required to become, at the option of the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor), in each case formed in order to effectuate the Lithium Transactions. The Term Loan requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios, including a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum total net leverage ratio.
In connection with the 2023 Credit Agreement, the Company paid $4.3 million in fees ($3.9 million was capitalized as deferred financing costs with $0.4 million recorded as an expense). These capitalized costs are amortized over the term of the debt and are included as a component of interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company incurred a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $1.0 million to write off previously capitalized deferred financing costs, which is included as a component of interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The 2023 Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios, including a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum total net leverage ratio. The total net leverage ratio represents the ratio of (a) consolidated total net debt to (b) consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). Pursuant to the terms of the 2023 Credit Agreement, the maximum allowed consolidated total net leverage ratio (as defined and calculated under the terms of the 2023 Credit Agreement) is 5.0x as of the last day of any quarter through the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023, gradually stepping down to 4.5x for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024 and thereafter. Consolidated total net debt includes the aggregate principal amount of total debt, net of unrestricted cash not to exceed $75.0 million. As of September 30, 2023, the Company was in compliance with each of its covenants under the 2023 Credit Agreement.
Under the current revolving credit facility, up to $40 million may be drawn in Canadian dollars and $10 million may be drawn in British pounds sterling. Additionally, the revolving credit facility includes a sub-limit for short-term letters of credit in an amount not to exceed $50 million. The Company incurs participation fees related to its outstanding letters of credit and commitment fees on its available borrowing capacity. The rates vary depending on the Company’s leverage ratio. Bank fees are not material.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid off the outstanding revolving credit facility balance utilizing proceeds from a private placement of common stock. Refer to Note 16 for additional details.
In November 2022, the Company entered into the third amendment to the 2019 Credit Agreement, principally to affect a transition from the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate pricing benchmark provisions.
In April 2022, the Company utilized earnout proceeds from the 2021 sale of its South America specialty plant nutrition business and proceeds from the April 2022 sale of the South America chemicals business to repay approximately $60.6 million of its term loan balance.
In July 2021, the Company utilized cash proceeds from the sale of a component of its North America micronutrient product business and its South America specialty plant nutrition business to repay amounts borrowed against its revolving credit facility of $35.0 million. The Company also utilized an additional $265.0 million of the proceeds to pay down its term loan balance as required by the Credit Agreement.
As of September 30, 2023, there was $81.5 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility and, after deducting outstanding letters of credit totaling $15.2 million, the Company’s borrowing availability was $278.3 million.
Senior Notes
In November 2019, the Company issued $500 million 6.75% Senior Notes due December 2027 (the “6.75% Notes”), which are subordinate to the 2019 Credit Agreement borrowings. The 6.75% Notes are unsecured obligations and are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. Interest on the 6.75% Notes is due semi-annually in June and December. The 6.75% Notes are subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness. In connection with the 6.75% Notes, the Company paid $8.2 million of fees, all of which were capitalized as deferred financing costs.
The 2023 Credit Agreement and the agreement governing the 6.75% Notes and other indebtedness contain covenants that limit the Company’s ability, among other things, to incur additional indebtedness or contingent obligations or grant liens; pay dividends or make distributions to stockholders; repurchase or redeem the Company’s stock; make investments or dispose of assets; prepay, or amend the terms of certain junior indebtedness; engage in sale and leaseback transactions; make changes to the Company’s organizational documents or fiscal periods; grant liens on the Company’s assets or make certain intercompany dividends, investments or asset transfers; enter into new lines of business; enter into transactions with the Company’s stockholders and affiliates; and acquire the assets of or merge or consolidate with other companies.
Securitization
On June 30, 2020, certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries entered into a three-year committed revolving accounts receivable financing facility (the “AR Facility”) of up to $100.0 million with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as administrative agent and lender, and PNC Capital Markets, LLC, as structuring agent. On June 27, 2022, certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries entered into an amendment to the AR Facility, extending the facility to June 2025. In January 2023, certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries entered into the second amendment to the AR Securitization Facility with PNC Bank, which temporarily eased the restrictions of certain covenants contained in the agreement through March 2023. The amendment made certain adjustments to the financial tests including: (i) the default ratio and (ii) the delinquency ratio to make compliance with such tests more likely.
In connection with the AR Facility, one of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries, from time to time, sells and contributes receivables and certain related assets to a special purposes entity and wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of the Company (the “SPE”). The SPE finances its acquisition of the receivables by obtaining secured loans from PNC and the other lenders party to
a receivables financing agreement. A U.S. subsidiary of the Company services the receivables on behalf of the SPE for a fee. In addition, the Company has agreed to guarantee the performance by its subsidiaries. The Company and its subsidiaries do not guarantee the loan principal or interest under the receivables financing agreement or the collectability of the receivables under the AR Facility.
The purchase price for the sale of receivables consists of cash available to the SPE from loans under the AR Facility and from collections on previously sold receivables and, to the extent the SPE does not have funds available to pay the purchase price due on any day in cash, through an increase in the principal amount of a subordinated intercompany loan. The SPE pays monthly interest and fees with respect to amounts advanced by the lenders under the AR Facility.
The SPE’s sole business consists of the purchase or acceptance through capital contributions of the receivables and the subsequent granting of a security interest in these receivables and related rights to PNC on behalf of the lenders under the AR Facility. The SPE is a separate legal entity with its own separate creditors who will be entitled, upon its liquidation, to be satisfied out of the SPE’s assets prior to any assets or value in the SPE becoming available to the Company and the assets of the SPE are not available to pay creditors of the Company or any of its affiliates other than the SPE. The Company accounts for the securitization as a borrowing and the related receivables are included in the accounts receivable balance.
Future maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in millions):
Fiscal Years Ending September 30:
Debt Maturity
2024
$
5.0
2025
38.4
2026
10.0
2027
10.0
2028
747.8
Thereafter
—
Total
$
811.2
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Contingent Obligations:
As previously disclosed, the Company was the subject of an investigation by the Division of Enforcement of the SEC regarding the Company’s disclosures primarily concerning the operation of the Goderich mine, the former South American businesses, and related accounting and internal control matters including Salt interim inventory valuation methodology issues that were disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2020, and Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, each filed with the SEC on September 3, 2021.
On September 23, 2022, the Company reached a settlement with the SEC, concluding and resolving the SEC investigation in its entirety. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company, without admitting or denying the findings in the administrative order issued by the SEC, agreed to pay a civil penalty of $12 million and to cease and desist from violations of specified provisions of the federal securities laws and rules promulgated thereunder, and to retain an independent compliance consultant for a period of approximately one year to review certain accounting practices and procedures. The Company accrued for the full amount of the penalty in fiscal 2022, of which $10 million was reflected in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023 and 2022.
The Company is also involved in legal and administrative proceedings and claims of various types from the ordinary course of the Company’s business.
Management cannot predict the outcome of legal claims and proceedings with certainty. Nevertheless, management believes that the outcome of legal proceeding and claims, which are pending or known to be threatened, even if determined adversely, will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position, except as otherwise described in Note 11 and this Note 14.
Nearly 50% of the Company’s workforce is represented by collective bargaining agreements. Of the Company’s 12 collective bargaining agreements in effect on September 30, 2023, one will expire in fiscal 2024, six will expire in fiscal 2025 (including our Cote Blanche mine), four will expire in fiscal 2026 (including our Goderich mine), and one will expire in fiscal 2027.
The Company also has contingent consideration liabilities related to the Fortress acquisition. Refer to Note 3 for additional information.
Royalties: The Company has various private, state and Canadian provincial leases associated with the salt and SOP businesses, most of which are renewable by the Company. Many of these leases provide for a royalty payment to the lessor based on a specific amount per ton of mineral extracted or as a percentage of revenue. Royalty expense related to these leases was $18.7 million, $20.0 million and $13.6 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
Performance Bonds: The Company has various salt and other deicing product sales contracts that include performance provisions governing delivery and product quality. These sales contracts either require the Company to maintain performance bonds for stipulated amounts or contain contractual penalty provisions in the event of non-performance. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company has had no material penalties related to these sales contracts. At September 30, 2023, the Company had $232.6 million of outstanding performance bonds, which includes bonds related to Ontario mining tax reassessments.
Purchase Commitments: In connection with the operations of the Company’s facilities, the Company purchases utilities, other raw materials and services from third parties under contracts extending, in some cases, for multiple years. Purchases under these contracts are generally based on prevailing market prices. The Company has minimum throughput contracts with some of its depots and warehouses. The purchase commitments for these contracts are estimated to be $8.8 million for 2024, $5.7 million in 2025, $5.0 million in 2026, $4.6 million in 2027, $4.5 million in 2028 and $6.7 million thereafter.
15. OPERATING SEGMENTS
The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services, and each business requires different technology and marketing strategies. In connection with the executed business disposals discussed in Note 1 and Note 4, the Company identified two reportable segments as of March 31, 2021. The Specialty Businesses that comprised the Company’s former Plant Nutrition South America reportable segment and the North America micronutrient product business previously reported within the former Plant Nutrition North America reportable segment were classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented in its Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K/A.
For all periods presented in this report, the Company has two reportable segments in its Consolidated Financial Statements: Salt and Plant Nutrition. The Salt segment produces and markets salt, consisting primarily of sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, for use in road deicing for winter roadway safety and for dust control, food processing, water softeners and other consumer, agricultural and industrial applications. The Plant Nutrition segment produces and markets various grades of SOP.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. All inter-segment sales prices are market-based. The Company evaluates performance based on the operating earnings of the respective segments.
(a)Corporate and Other includes corporate entities, records management operations, the Fortress fire retardant business, equity method investments, lithium development costs and other incidental operations and eliminations. Operating earnings (loss) for corporate and other includes indirect corporate overhead, including costs for general corporate governance and oversight, lithium-related expenses, as well as costs for the human resources, information technology, legal and finance functions.
(b)Corporate operating results include net reimbursements related to the settled SEC investigation of $(0.3) million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 and executive transition costs of $3.8 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. Corporate operating results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 include a contingent loss accrual and costs related to the SEC investigation of $17.1 million. Corporate operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 also include costs related to the settled SEC investigation of $3.4 million. Refer to Note 14 for more information regarding the SEC investigation and settlement.
(c)In April 2023, the Company took steps to align its cost structure to its current business needs. These initiatives resulted in restructuring charges of $5.5 million, which impacted operating results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.
Financial information relating to the Company’s operations by geographic area is as follows (in millions):
Fiscal Year Ended
Nine Months Ended
Sales
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2021
United States(a)
$
860.4
$
896.0
$
633.9
Canada
269.7
278.0
141.3
United Kingdom
66.1
57.7
57.5
Other
8.5
13.5
3.5
Total sales
$
1,204.7
$
1,245.2
$
836.2
(a)United States sales exclude product sold to foreign customers at U.S. ports.
Financial information relating to the Company’s long-lived assets, excluding the investments related to the nonqualified retirement plan and pension plan assets, by geographic area (in millions):
Long-Lived Assets
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2021
United States
$
741.7
$
612.0
$
570.7
Canada
398.0
394.8
441.9
United Kingdom
64.2
58.1
70.9
Other
7.7
8.8
10.3
Total long-lived assets
$
1,211.6
$
1,073.7
$
1,093.8
16. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND EQUITY INSTRUMENTS
The Company paid dividends of $0.60 per share in fiscal 2023 and currently intends to continue paying quarterly cash dividends. The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of the Company’s common stock will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including the Company’s financial condition, earnings, legal requirements, capital allocation strategy, restrictions in its debt agreements (see Note 13) and other factors the Company’s Board of Directors deems relevant.
Non-Employee Director Compensation
Non-employee directors may defer all or a portion of the fees payable for their service into deferred stock units, equivalent to the value of the Company’s common stock. Beginning in May 2020, the annual fees related to the director’s equity compensation were granted in deferred stock units or restricted stock units and vest at the next annual meeting. Additionally, as dividends are declared on the Company’s common stock, these deferred stock units are entitled to accrete dividends in the form
of additional units based on the stock price on the dividend payment date. Accumulated deferred stock units are distributed in the form of Company common stock at a future specified date or following resignation from the Board of Directors, based upon the director’s annual election. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, members of the Board of Directors were credited with 35,577, 12,643 and 15,136 deferred stock units, respectively. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the directors were granted 14,945, 11,933 and 4,917 restricted stock units, respectively. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, 75,919, 41,225 and 19,828 shares of common stock, respectively, were issued from treasury shares for director compensation.
Koch Equity Investment
On September 14, 2022, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Koch Minerals & Trading, LLC (“KM&T”), a subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc. (“KII”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell 6,830,700 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $36.87 for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $240.7 million, net of transaction costs. On October 18, 2022, the Company closed the direct private placement with KM&T, through its affiliate KM&T Investment Holdings, LLC, resulting in their ownership of approximately 17% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The Company has used, or committed to use, approximately $78 million of the proceeds from the private placement for capital expenditures to advance the first development phase of the lithium project, including the early stages of construction of our commercial scale demonstration unit, with the remainder of the proceeds used to reduce debt or for general corporate purposes. However, the Company has suspended indefinitely any further investment in the lithium development project beyond certain already committed items associated with the early stages of construction of its commercial scale demonstration unit until further clarity is provided on the evolving regulatory climate. The shares issued and sold to KM&T were registered via a resale registration statement on Form S-3, filed with the SEC on September 21, 2023.
Preferred stock
The Company is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which no shares are currently issued or outstanding. Of those, 200,000 shares of preferred stock were designated as series A junior participating preferred stock in connection with the Company’s now expired rights agreement.
Equity Compensation Awards
In 2005, the Company adopted the 2005 Incentive Award Plan (as amended, the “2005 Plan”), which authorized the issuance of 3,240,000 shares of Company common stock. In May 2015, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2015 Incentive Award Plan (as amended, the “2015 Plan”), which authorizes the issuance of 3,000,000 shares of Company common stock. Upon the approval of the 2015 Plan, the Company ceased issuing equity awards under the 2005 Plan. In May 2020, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2020 Incentive Award Plan (the “2020 Plan”), which authorizes the issuance of 2,977,933 shares of Company common stock. In February 2022, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the 2020 Plan, authorizing an additional 750,000 shares of Common stock. Since the date the 2020 Plan was approved, the Company ceased issuing equity awards under the 2015 Plan. The 2005 Plan, 2015 Plan and 2020 Plan allow for grants of equity awards to executive officers, other employees and directors, including shares of common stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance stock units (“PSUs”), stock options and deferred stock units.
Options
Substantially all of the stock options granted under each of the plans vest ratably, in tranches, over a four-year service period. Unexercised options expire after seven years. Options do not have dividend or voting rights. Upon vesting, each option can be exercised to purchase one share of the Company’s common stock. The exercise price of options is equal to the closing stock price on the day of grant.
To estimate the fair value of options on the grant date, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Award recipients are grouped according to expected exercise behavior. Unless better information is available to estimate the expected term of the options, the estimate is based on historical exercise experience. The risk-free rate, using U.S. Treasury yield curves in effect at the time of grant, is selected based on the expected term of each group. The Company’s historical stock price is used to estimate expected volatility. The Company did not grant any options in fiscal 2023. The weighted average assumptions and fair values for options granted in fiscal 2022 and 2021 are included in the following table.
Most of the RSUs granted under the 2015 Plan and 2020 Plan vest after one to three years of service entitling the holders to one share of common stock for each vested RSU. The unvested RSUs do not have voting rights but are entitled to receive non-forfeitable dividends (generally after a performance hurdle has been satisfied for the year of the grant) or other distributions that may be declared on the Company’s common stock equal to the per-share dividend declared. The closing stock price on the day of grant is used to determine the fair value of RSUs.
PSUs
Substantially all of the PSUs outstanding under the 2015 Plan and 2020 Plan are either total stockholder return PSUs (the “TSR PSUs”) or adjusted EBITDA growth PSUs (“EBITDA Growth PSUs”). The actual number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be earned with respect to TSR PSUs is calculated by comparing the Company’s total stockholder return to the total stockholder return for each company comprising the Company’s peer group or a total return percentage target over a two or three-year performance period and may range from 0% to 300% of the target number of shares based upon the attainment of these performance conditions. The actual number of shares of common stock that may be earned with respect to EBITDA Growth PSUs is calculated based on the attainment of adjusted EBITDA growth during the performance period and may range from 0% to 300%. Holders of PSUs do not have voting rights but are entitled to receive non-forfeitable dividends or other distributions equal to those declared on the Company’s common stock for PSUs that are earned, which are paid when the shares underlying the PSUs are issued.
To estimate the fair value of the TSR PSUs on the grant date for accounting purposes, the Company uses a Monte-Carlo simulation model, which simulates future stock prices of the Company as well as the Company’s peer group. This model uses historical stock prices to estimate expected volatility and the Company’s correlation to the peer group. The risk-free rate was determined using the same methodology as the option valuations as discussed above. The Company’s closing stock price on the grant date was used to estimate the fair value of the EBITDA Growth PSUs. The Company will adjust the expense of the EBITDA Growth PSUs based upon its estimate of the number of shares that will ultimately vest at each interim date during the vesting period.
The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option, RSU and PSU activity and related information for the following periods:
Stock Options
RSUs
PSUs
Number
Weighted-average exercise price
Number
Weighted-average fair value
Number
Weighted-average fair value
Outstanding at
December 31, 2020
868,772
$
63.06
207,982
$
55.68
241,794
$
65.57
Granted
120,602
63.14
95,287
63.52
96,002
63.14
Exercised(a)
(23,731)
59.81
—
—
—
—
Released from restriction(a)
—
—
(51,772)
53.37
(16,496)
69.71
Cancelled/Expired
(136,937)
72.79
(27,998)
60.13
(41,393)
62.77
Outstanding at
September 30, 2021
828,706
$
61.56
223,499
$
59.00
279,907
$
64.90
Granted
73,290
73.77
103,363
66.36
178,052
73.86
Exercised(a)
(3,861)
67.76
—
—
—
—
Released from restriction(a)
—
—
(85,849)
56.88
(28,666)
55.98
Cancelled/Expired
(123,555)
74.15
(32,278)
62.23
(97,934)
61.44
Outstanding at
September 30, 2022
774,580
$
60.68
208,735
$
63.02
331,359
$
71.51
Granted
—
—
354,694
37.17
183,794
68.33
Exercised(a)
—
—
—
—
—
—
Released from restriction(a)
—
—
(132,827)
60.34
—
—
Cancelled/Expired
(131,585)
66.60
(37,362)
43.11
(121,574)
67.15
Outstanding at
September 30, 2023
642,995
$
59.46
393,240
$
42.50
393,579
$
71.37
(a)Common stock issued for exercised options, vested RSUs and vested and earned PSUs were issued from treasury shares.
As of September 30, 2022, there were 774,580 options outstanding of which 612,874 were exercisable. The following table summarizes information about options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2023.
Options Outstanding
Options Exercisable
Range of exercise prices
Options outstanding
Weighted-average remaining contractual life (years)
Weighted-average exercise price of options outstanding
Options exercisable
Weighted-average remaining contractual life (years)
Weighted-average exercise price of exercisable options
$53.75 - $54.10
252,245
2.6
$
53.75
252,245
2.6
$
53.75
$54.11 - $59.21
87,686
2.9
57.08
74,727
2.8
56.87
$59.22 - $61.32
110,726
1.5
59.50
110,726
1.5
59.50
$61.33 - $68.53
140,270
2.2
65.75
109,126
1.6
66.50
$68.54 - $74.49
52,068
4.8
74.15
16,173
4.1
73.49
Totals
642,995
2.5
$
59.46
562,997
2.3
$
58.33
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded compensation expense, inclusive of discontinued operations, of $21.1 million (includes $0.5 million paid in cash), $17.2 million (includes $1.5 million paid in cash) and $8.7 million (includes $1.0 million paid in cash), respectively, related to its stock-based compensation awards that are expected to vest. No amounts have been capitalized. The fair value of options vested was $0.8 million, $1.6 million and $1.6 million in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
As of September 30, 2023, unrecorded compensation cost related to non-vested awards of $14.5 million is expected to be recognized through 2026, with a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
The intrinsic value of stock options exercised relating to the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021 each totaled less than $0.1 million. As of September 30, 2023, there was no intrinsic value of options outstanding; 562,997 options were exercisable with no intrinsic value. The number of shares held in treasury is sufficient to cover all outstanding equity awards as of September 30, 2023.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company’s comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net earnings (loss), net amortization of the change in the unrealized (loss) gain of the pension obligation, the change in the unrealized gain in other postretirement benefits, the change in the unrealized gain (loss) on natural gas and foreign currency cash flow hedges, and CTA. The components of and changes in AOCL are as follows (in millions):
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2023(a)
(Losses) and Gains on Cash Flow Hedges
Defined Benefit Pension
Other Post-Employment Benefits
Foreign Currency
Total
Beginning balance
$
(1.6)
$
(2.7)
$
1.3
$
(112.3)
$
(115.3)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications(b)
(3.3)
(4.0)
0.5
13.9
7.1
Amounts reclassified from AOCL
3.5
0.1
(0.1)
—
3.5
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
0.2
(3.9)
0.4
13.9
10.6
Ending balance
$
(1.4)
$
(6.6)
$
1.7
$
(98.4)
$
(104.7)
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2022(a)
Gains and (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
Defined Benefit Pension
Other Post-Employment Benefits
Foreign Currency
Total
Beginning balance
$
3.1
$
(5.4)
$
—
$
(108.2)
$
(110.5)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications(b)
(0.8)
2.4
1.4
(53.6)
(50.6)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL
(3.9)
0.3
(0.1)
49.5
45.8
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income
(4.7)
2.7
1.3
(4.1)
(4.8)
Ending balance
$
(1.6)
$
(2.7)
$
1.3
$
(112.3)
$
(115.3)
(a)With the exception of the CTA, for which no tax effect is recorded, the changes in the components of AOCL presented in the table are reflected net of applicable income taxes.
(b)The Company recorded foreign exchange (loss) gain of $(1.6) million and $6.7 million in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, in AOCL related to intercompany notes which were deemed to be of a long-term investment nature.
Line Item Impacted in the Consolidated Statement of Operations
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Natural gas instruments
$
4.7
$
(5.3)
Product cost
Foreign currency contracts
—
—
Interest expense
Income tax expense
(1.2)
1.4
Reclassifications, net of income taxes
3.5
(3.9)
Amortization of defined benefit pension:
Amortization of loss
$
0.1
$
0.4
Product cost
Income tax benefit
—
(0.1)
Reclassifications, net of income taxes
0.1
0.3
Amortization of other post-employment benefits
Amortization of loss
$
(0.1)
$
(0.1)
Product cost
Income tax benefit
—
—
Reclassifications, net of income taxes
(0.1)
(0.1)
Reclassifications, CTA due to sale of foreign entity
—
49.5
Total reclassifications, net of income taxes
$
3.5
$
45.8
17. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company is subject to various types of market risks, including interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate transaction and translation risk and commodity pricing risk. Management may take actions to mitigate the exposure to these types of risks, including entering into forward purchase contracts and other financial instruments. The Company manages a portion of its commodity pricing and foreign currency exchange rate risks by using derivative instruments. From time to time, the Company may enter into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate foreign exchange risk. The Company does not seek to engage in trading activities or take speculative positions with any financial instrument arrangement. The Company has entered into natural gas derivative instruments and foreign currency derivative instruments with counterparties it views as creditworthy. However, the Company does attempt to mitigate its counterparty credit risk exposures by, among other things, entering into master netting agreements with some of these counterparties. The Company records derivative financial instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The assets and liabilities recorded as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 were not material.
Derivatives qualify for treatment as hedges when there is a high correlation between the change in fair value of the derivative instrument and the related change in value of the underlying hedged item. Depending on the exposure being hedged, the Company must designate the hedging instrument as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge or a net investment in foreign operations hedge. For the qualifying derivative instruments that have been designated as hedges, the effective portion of the change in fair value is recognized through earnings when the underlying transaction being hedged affects earnings, allowing a derivative’s gains and losses to offset related results from the hedged item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Any ineffectiveness related to these instruments accounted for as hedges was not material for any of the periods presented. For derivative instruments that have not been designated as hedges, the entire change in fair value is recorded through earnings in the period of change.
Natural Gas Derivative Instruments
Natural gas is consumed at several of the Company’s production facilities, and changes in natural gas prices impact the Company’s operating margin. The Company seeks to reduce the earnings and cash flow impacts of changes in market prices of natural gas by fixing the purchase price of up to 90% of its forecasted natural gas usage. It is the Company’s policy to consider hedging portions of its natural gas usage up to 36 months in advance of the forecasted purchase. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had entered into natural gas derivative instruments to hedge a portion of its natural gas purchase requirements through September 2024. As of September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company had agreements in place to hedge forecasted natural gas purchases of 2.3 million and 3.8 million MMBtus, respectively. On March 1, 2023, the Company de-designated its natural gas cash flow hedges related to its Ogden, Utah production facility as the Company did not believe these hedges were probable of being highly effective in the second fiscal quarter of 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, the change in the derivative
was and will be recorded in other expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Since the transactions are still probable of occurring, previously recognized amounts in AOCL of $0.5 million will remain in AOCL until the underlying forecasted transaction occurs. The Company recognized $2.9 million of expense in other expense, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. Following the de-designation, these natural gas economic hedging instruments will be recorded at fair value through earnings unless re-designated or until settlement. Substantially all other natural gas derivative instruments held by the Company as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 qualified and were designated as cash flow hedges. As of September 30, 2023, the Company expects to reclassify from AOCL to earnings during the next twelve months $1.4 million of net losses on derivative instruments related to its natural gas hedges. Refer to Note 18 for the estimated fair value of the Company’s natural gas derivative instruments as of September 30, 2023 and 2022.
The following tables present the fair value of the Company’s derivatives (in millions):
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Consolidated Balance Sheet Location
September 30, 2023
Consolidated Balance Sheet Location
September 30, 2023
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts
Other current assets
$
0.9
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
$
2.3
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
0.9
2.3
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts
Other current assets
0.1
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
—
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
0.1
—
Total derivatives(a)
$
1.0
$
2.3
(a)The Company has master netting agreements with its commodity hedge counterparties and accordingly has netted in its Consolidated Balance Sheets $1.0 million of its commodity contracts that are in receivable positions against its contracts in payable positions.
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Consolidated Balance Sheet Location
September 30, 2022
Consolidated Balance Sheet Location
September 30, 2022
Commodity contracts
Other current assets
$
2.7
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
$
3.3
Commodity contracts
Other assets
0.2
Other noncurrent liabilities
0.7
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments(a)
$
2.9
$
4.0
(a)The Company has master netting agreements with its commodity hedge counterparties and accordingly has netted in its Consolidated Balance Sheets $2.9 million of its commodity contracts that are in payable positions against its contracts in receivable positions.
The following tables present activity related to other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes (in millions):
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2023
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
Location of Change Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)
Amount Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)
Location of Change Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income Effective Portion)
Amount Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)
Commodity contracts
Product cost
$
(0.1)
$
(5.3)
Total
$
(0.1)
$
(5.3)
18. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company’s financial instruments are measured and reported at their estimated fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction. When available, the Company uses quoted prices in active markets to determine the fair values for its financial instruments (Level 1 inputs), or absent quoted market prices, observable market-corroborated inputs over the term of the financial instruments (Level 2 inputs). The Company does not have any unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market inputs (Level 3 inputs), except as stated below and in Note 3.
The Company holds marketable securities associated with its Savings Plans, which are valued based on readily available quoted market prices. The Company utilizes derivative instruments to manage its risk of changes in natural gas prices and foreign exchange rates (see Note 17). The fair value of the natural gas and foreign currency derivative instruments are determined using market data of forward prices for all of the Company’s contracts.
The estimated fair values for each type of instrument are presented below (in millions).
September 30, 2023
Level One
Level Two
Level Three
Asset Class:
Mutual fund investments in a non-qualified savings plan(a)
$
2.6
$
2.6
$
—
$
—
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments - natural gas instruments, net
0.1
—
0.1
—
Total Assets
$
2.7
$
2.6
$
0.1
$
—
Liability Class:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments - natural gas instruments, net
$
(1.4)
$
—
$
(1.4)
$
—
Liabilities related to non-qualified savings plan
(2.6)
(2.6)
—
—
Total Liabilities
$
(4.0)
$
(2.6)
$
(1.4)
$
—
(a)Includes mutual fund investments of approximately 25% in the common stock of large-cap U.S. companies, 5% in the common stock of small to mid-cap U.S. companies, 10% in the common stock of international companies, 10% in bond funds, 5% in short-term investments and 45% in blended funds.
September 30, 2022
Level One
Level Two
Level Three
Asset Class:
Mutual fund investments in a non-qualified savings plan(a)
$
1.8
$
1.8
$
—
$
—
Total Assets
$
1.8
$
1.8
$
—
$
—
Liability Class:
Liabilities related to non-qualified savings plan
$
(1.8)
$
(1.8)
$
—
$
—
Derivatives - natural gas instruments, net
(1.1)
—
(1.1)
—
Total Liabilities
$
(2.9)
$
(1.8)
$
(1.1)
$
—
(a)Includes mutual fund investments of approximately 30% in the common stock of large-cap U.S. companies, 5% in the common stock of small to mid-cap U.S. companies, 10% in the common stock of international companies, 15% in bond funds, 5% in short-term investments and 35% in blended funds.
Cash and cash equivalents, receivables (net of reserve for doubtful accounts) and accounts payable are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to their liquid and short-term nature. The Company’s investments related to its nonqualified retirement plan of $2.6 million and $1.8 million as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, are stated at fair value based
on quoted market prices. As of September 30, 2022, the estimated fair value of the Company’s fixed-rate 4.875% Notes, based on available trading information (Level 2), totaled $235.9 million, compared with the aggregate principal amount at maturity of $250.0 million. The 4.875% Notes were redeemed during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 using proceeds from the 2023 Credit Agreement, discussed further in Note 13. As of September 30, 2023 and 2022, the estimated fair value of the Company’s fixed-rate 6.75% Notes, based on available trading information (Level 2), totaled $472.5 million and $468.9 million, respectively, compared with the aggregate principal amount at maturity of $500.0 million. The fair value at September 30, 2023 and 2022 of amounts outstanding under the Company’s term loans and revolving credit facility, based upon available bid information received from the Company’s lender (Level 2), totaled approximately $277.1 million and $158.5 million, respectively, compared with the aggregate principal amount at maturity of $280.3 million and $168.4 million, respectively.
The Company performed the analysis needed to estimate the fair values of intangible assets, intangible asset useful lives and the purchase price including the value of contingent consideration. The fair value of the contingent consideration (milestone and earnout payments) involve significant inputs not observable in the market and a Monte Carlo simulation, respectively, and are therefore considered Level 3 measurements. Refer to Note 3 for a discussion of fair value as it relates to the Company’s acquisition of Fortress.
The Company has certain assets, including goodwill and other intangible assets, which are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and are adjusted to fair value only if an impairment charge is recognized. The categorization of the framework used to measure fair value of the assets is considered to be within the Level 3 valuation hierarchy due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used.
The two-class method requires allocating the Company’s net earnings to both common shares and participating securities. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in millions, except for share and per share data):
Fiscal Year Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2021
Numerator:
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations
$
10.5
$
(33.3)
$
20.0
Less: Net earnings allocated to participating securities(a)
(0.3)
(0.3)
(0.9)
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations available to common stockholders
10.2
(33.6)
19.1
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations available to common stockholders
—
12.2
(233.8)
Net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders
$
10.2
$
(21.4)
$
(214.7)
Denominator (in thousands):
Weighted average common shares outstanding, shares for basic earnings per share(b)
40,786
34,120
34,013
Weighted average equity awards outstanding
—
—
50
Shares for diluted earnings per share
40,786
34,120
34,063
Basic net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share
$
0.25
$
(0.98)
$
0.56
Basic net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per common share
—
0.36
(6.87)
Basic net earnings (loss) per common share
$
0.25
$
(0.63)
$
(6.31)
Diluted net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share
$
0.25
$
(0.98)
$
0.56
Diluted net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per common share
—
0.36
(6.87)
Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share
$
0.25
$
(0.63)
$
(6.31)
(a)Participating securities include PSUs and RSUs that receive non-forfeitable dividends. Net earnings were allocated to participating securities of 476,000, 407,000 and 426,000 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
(b)For the calculation of diluted earnings per share, the Company uses the more dilutive of either the treasury stock method or the two-class method to determine the weighted average number of outstanding common shares. In addition, the Company had 1,264,000, 1,106,000 and 1,062,000 weighted options outstanding for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, which were anti-dilutive and therefore not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation.
20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
As discussed in Note 16, on October 18, 2022, KII, through its KM&T subsidiary, purchased common stock representing an ownership interest of approximately 17% of the outstanding common stock of the Company. As part of the Stock Purchase Agreement, KM&T appointed two members to the Company’s Board of Directors, effective November 13, 2022. In addition, the companies continue to explore value creation opportunities.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded SOP sales of approximately $4.3 million, to certain subsidiaries of KII, compared to $4.8 million during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. As of both September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company had approximately $0.4 million of receivables from related parties on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, a subsidiary of KII has recently provided engineering services for the Company’s lithium development project for which it capitalized approximately $4.0 million into Property, Plant and Equipment, net, as of September 30, 2023. There were no amounts payable outstanding as of September 30, 2023.
On December 20, 2022, March 20, 2023, June 20, 2023 and September 20, 2023, the Company paid a cash dividend to its stockholders of record at the close of business on December 9, 2022, March 10, 2023, June 9, 2023 and September 11, 2023,
respectively, in the amount of $0.15 per share. KM&T received approximately $4.2 million in respect to its common shares for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.
21. TRANSITION PERIOD COMPARATIVE DATA
As discussed in Note 1, the Company changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to September 30 in 2021. The Consolidated Statements of Operations and Cash Flows for the twelve months ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are summarized below. All data for the twelve months ended September 30, 2021 is derived from the Company’s previously reported consolidated financial statements. As also discussed in Note 1, the Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2023 have been restated; refer to Note 23 for additional details.
Twelve Months Ended
(in millions, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Sales
$
1,204.7
$
1,245.2
$
1,145.4
Shipping and handling cost
346.1
379.8
295.6
Product cost
626.6
665.6
621.3
Gross profit
232.0
199.8
228.5
Selling, general and administrative expenses
154.6
154.4
122.6
Operating earnings
77.4
45.4
105.9
Other expense (income):
Interest income
(5.3)
(0.8)
(0.3)
Interest expense
55.5
55.2
59.8
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange
2.3
(14.9)
5.6
Net loss in equity investees
3.1
5.2
0.5
Gain from remeasurement of equity method investment
(10.1)
—
—
Other, net
4.3
0.5
0.1
Earnings (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations
27.6
0.2
40.2
Income tax expense for continuing operations
17.1
33.5
5.5
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations
10.5
(33.3)
34.7
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
—
12.2
(220.4)
Net earnings (loss)
$
10.5
$
(21.1)
$
(185.7)
Basic net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share
$
0.25
$
(0.98)
$
0.99
Basic net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per common share
—
0.36
(6.48)
Basic net earnings (loss) per common share
$
0.25
$
(0.63)
$
(5.49)
Diluted net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share
$
0.25
$
(0.98)
$
0.98
Diluted net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per common share
—
0.36
(6.48)
Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share
$
0.25
$
(0.63)
$
(5.49)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
22. QUARTERLY RESULTS (Unaudited; in millions, except share and per share data)
In the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company concluded that certain of its assets met the criteria for classification as held for sale and discontinued operations. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. The continuing operations information below reflects the Company’s operations excluding its South America chemicals and specialty plant nutrition businesses, investment in Fermavi and North America micronutrient product business, which have been included as discontinued operations for the periods presented.
Quarter
First
Second
Third
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Sales
$
425.5
$
199.4
$
211.3
Gross profit
108.4
30.2
31.4
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations(a)
41.9
(16.4)
(5.5)
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share, basic(a)
1.22
(0.49)
(0.17)
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share, diluted(a)
1.21
(0.49)
(0.17)
Net (loss) earnings(a)
(214.4)
57.1
(56.5)
Net (loss) earnings per share, basic(a)
(6.32)
1.64
(1.67)
Net (loss) earnings per share, diluted(a)
(6.32)
1.63
(1.67)
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands)
33,974
34,020
34,043
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands)
34,012
34,078
34,099
(a)The Company incurred costs related to the ongoing SEC investigation of $2.8 million and $0.3 million in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2021.
23. RESTATEMENT OF PRIOR PERIOD ANNUAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As disclosed in Note 1, the Company identified misstatements related to the fair value measurement of the Fortress milestone contingent consideration liability. The misstatements resulted in the total initial fair value of the Fortress business combination and associated goodwill to be overstated by approximately $8.0 million at September 30, 2023. The restatement of the fair value measurement adjustments of the milestone contingent consideration liability resulted in a decrease to net earnings of approximately $3.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2023, as a result of a decrease in the gain from remeasurement of the Fortress equity method investment of $3.6 million and an associated change in income tax expense of $0.1 million. As such, the Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2023 have been restated in this Form 10-K/A. The Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021 have also been revised to correct the errors noted below.
The Company operates a solar evaporation facility in Ogden, Utah, whereby brine sourced from the Great Salt Lake is separated and processed into potassium, sodium and magnesium salts. Previously, the Company did not account for costs incurred to operate the ponds prior to harvest as a component of work in process inventory, resulting in a misstatement. Corrections for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are reflected in this restatement.
The Company also identified certain immaterial misstatements in the historical presentation of its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The misstatements were the result of the Company not reflecting the appropriate amount of non-cash capital expenditures in accounts payable in its operating and investing cash flows and had no effect on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets or its Consolidated Statements of Operations. Corrections for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023, September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021 are reflected below.
In the tables below, the As Previously Reported amounts represent the amounts previously reported in the 2023 Form 10-K, while the As Restated and As Revised amounts reflect the adjustments described above.
$0.01 par value, 200,000,000 authorized shares; 42,197,964 issued shares
0.4
—
0.4
Additional paid-in capital
413.1
—
413.1
Treasury stock, at cost — 1,038,168 shares
(8.7)
—
(8.7)
Retained earnings(j)
217.1
3.8
220.9
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(104.7)
—
(104.7)
Total stockholders' equity
517.2
3.8
521.0
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,818.0
$
(1.1)
$
1,816.9
(a)As Restated amounts reflect a net decrease of $0.2 million related to various immaterial errors.
(b)As Restated amount reflects an increase of $7.3 million related tothe work in process inventory correction.
(c)As Restated amount reflects an increase of $0.3 million related to an immaterial error.
(d)As Restated amount reflects a decrease of $8.0 million as a result of the correction of the Fortress contingent liability valuation.
(e)As Restated amount reflects a decrease of $0.5 million related to an immaterial error.
(f)As Restated amount reflects an increase of $0.2 million related to an immaterial error.
(g)As Restated amount reflects a net decrease of $1.4 million as a result of the correction of the Fortress contingent liability and various immaterial errors.
(h)As Restated amount reflects the tax impact of the various immaterial errors.
(i)As Restated amount reflects a net decrease of $3.6 million resulting from the correction of the Fortress contingent liability valuation.
(j)As Restated amount reflects as increase of $3.8 million related to the income statement impact of the various error corrections and the impact of prior year corrections.
$0.01 par value, 200,000,000 authorized shares; 35,367,264 issued shares
0.4
—
0.4
Additional paid-in capital
152.1
—
152.1
Treasury stock, at cost — 1,196,300 shares
(7.3)
—
(7.3)
Retained earnings(a)
226.5
8.8
235.3
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(115.3)
—
(115.3)
Total stockholders' equity
256.4
8.8
265.2
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,643.5
$
8.9
$
1,652.4
(a)As Revised amounts reflect changes resulting from the work in process inventory correction, including increases to inventories and retained earnings of $8.9 million and $8.8 million, respectively.
(b)As Revised amounts reflect the tax impact of the work in process inventory error.
The effects of the revisions described above on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2023
(in millions, except share and per share data)
As Previously Reported
Adjustments
As Restated
Sales
$
1,204.7
$
—
$
1,204.7
Shipping and handling cost
346.1
—
346.1
Product cost(a)
624.7
1.9
626.6
Gross profit
233.9
(1.9)
232.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses(b)
154.8
(0.2)
154.6
Operating earnings
79.1
(1.7)
77.4
Other expense (income):
Interest income
(5.3)
—
(5.3)
Interest expense
55.5
—
55.5
Loss on foreign exchange
2.3
—
2.3
Net loss in equity investees
3.1
—
3.1
Gain from remeasurement of equity method investment(c)
(13.7)
3.6
(10.1)
Other expense, net
4.3
—
4.3
Earnings before income taxes
32.9
(5.3)
27.6
Income tax expense(d)
17.4
(0.3)
17.1
Net earnings
$
15.5
$
(5.0)
$
10.5
Basic net earnings per common share
$
0.37
$
(0.12)
$
0.25
Diluted net earnings per common share
$
0.37
$
(0.12)
$
0.25
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic
40,786
—
40,786
Diluted
40,786
—
40,786
(a)As Restated amount reflects total changes of $1.9 million including $1.7 million related to the work in process inventory correction.
(b)As Restated amount reflects a change of $0.2 million related to the Fortress contingent consideration correction.
(c)As Restated amount reflects a decrease of $3.6 million of the gain on remeasurement of the equity investment related to the reduction to the Fortress contingent consideration.
(d)As Restated amount reflects a decrease of $0.3 million related to the Fortress contingent consideration correction and the correction of other immaterial errors.
Loss before income taxes from continuing operations
(2.3)
2.5
0.2
Income tax expense from continuing operations(e)
35.0
(1.5)
33.5
Net loss from continuing operations
(37.3)
4.0
(33.3)
Net earnings from discontinued operations
12.2
—
12.2
Net loss
$
(25.1)
$
4.0
$
(21.1)
Basic net loss from continuing operations per common share
$
(1.10)
$
0.12
$
(0.98)
Basic net earnings from discontinued operations per common share
0.36
—
0.36
Basic net loss per common share
$
(0.74)
$
0.11
$
(0.63)
Diluted net loss from continuing operations per common share
$
(1.10)
$
0.12
$
(0.98)
Diluted net earnings from discontinued operations per common share
0.36
—
0.36
Diluted net loss per common share
$
(0.74)
$
0.11
$
(0.63)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic
34,120
—
34,120
Diluted
34,120
—
34,120
(a)As Revised amount reflects an increase of $1.1 million related to an immaterial sales cutoff error correction.
(b)As Revised amount reflects an increase of $0.3 million related to an immaterial sales cutoff error correction and the correction of other immaterial errors.
(c)As Revised amount reflects a decrease of $2.2 million related to the work in process inventory correction and the correction of other immaterial errors.
(d)As Revised amount reflects an increase of $0.5 million related to the correction of an immaterial error.
(e)As Revised amount reflects a decrease of $1.5 million related to the tax impact of the error corrections noted above.
Earnings before income taxes from continuing operations
35.1
(1.2)
33.9
Income tax expense from continuing operations(e)
14.2
(0.3)
13.9
Net earnings from continuing operations
20.9
(0.9)
20.0
Net loss from discontinued operations(f)
(234.2)
0.4
(233.8)
Net loss
$
(213.3)
$
(0.5)
$
(213.8)
Basic net earnings from continuing operations per common share
$
0.59
$
(0.03)
$
0.56
Basic net loss from discontinued operations per common share
(6.89)
0.02
(6.87)
Basic net loss per common share
$
(6.30)
$
(0.01)
$
(6.31)
Diluted net earnings from continuing operations per common share
$
0.58
$
(0.02)
$
0.56
Diluted net loss from discontinued operations per common share
(6.89)
0.02
(6.87)
Diluted net loss per common share
$
(6.30)
$
(0.01)
$
(6.31)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic
34,013
—
34,013
Diluted
34,063
—
34,063
(a)As Revised amount reflects a decrease of $0.4 million related to an immaterial sales cutoff error correction.
(b)As Revised amount reflects a decrease of $0.2 million related to an immaterial sales cutoff error correction and the correction of other immaterial errors.
(c)As Revised amount reflects a net increase of $1.5 million related to the work in process inventory correction and the correction of other immaterial errors.
(d)As Revised amount reflects a decrease of $0.5 million related to the correction of an immaterial error.
(e)As Revised amount reflects a decrease of $0.3 million related to the tax impact of the error corrections noted above.
(f)As Revised amount reflects a decrease of $0.4 million related to the net impact of the correction of other immaterial errors on discontinued operations.
The following table presents the effects of the revisions to the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2023
(in millions)
As Previously Reported
Adjustments
As Restated
Comprehensive income (loss)(a)
$
26.1
$
(5.0)
$
21.1
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2022
(in millions)
As Previously Reported
Adjustments
As Revised
Comprehensive income (loss)(a)
$
(29.9)
$
4.0
$
(25.9)
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
(in millions)
As Previously Reported
Adjustments
As Revised
Comprehensive income (loss)(a)
$
(20.0)
$
(0.5)
$
(20.5)
(a)As Restated and As Revised amounts reflect changes net earnings (loss) related to the work in process inventory error correction and the correction of certain other immaterial errors.
The following table presents the effects of the revisions to the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity:
Retained Earnings
(in millions)
As Previously Reported
Adjustments
As Revised/As Restated
Balance, December 31, 2020(a)
$
559.1
5.3
$
564.4
Balance, September 30, 2021(a)
272.4
4.8
277.2
Balance, September 30, 2022(a)
226.5
8.8
235.3
Balance, September 30, 2023 (restated)(b)
217.1
3.8
220.9
(a)As Revised amounts reflect changes related to the work in process inventory correction and the correction of certain other immaterial errors
(b)As Restated amounts reflect changes related to the Fortress contingent consideration correction, the work in process inventory correction and the correction of certain other immaterial errors.
The effects of the revisions described above on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows are as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2023
(in millions)
As Previously Reported
Adjustments
As Restated
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings(a)
$
15.5
$
(5.0)
$
10.5
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
98.6
—
98.6
Amortization of deferred financing costs
2.6
—
2.6
Refinancing of long-term debt
1.0
—
1.0
Stock-based compensation
20.6
—
20.6
Deferred income taxes(a)
(4.8)
(0.2)
(5.0)
Unrealized loss on foreign exchange
2.4
—
2.4
Net loss in equity investees
3.1
—
3.1
Gain from remeasurement of equity method investment(a)
(13.7)
3.6
(10.1)
Loss on disposition of assets
4.5
—
4.5
Other, net(b)
0.5
(0.1)
0.4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of sale and acquisition of businesses:
Receivables(b)
38.9
0.2
39.1
Inventories(c)
(82.7)
1.7
(81.0)
Other assets(b)
16.3
0.4
16.7
Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities(d)
19.9
(2.5)
17.4
Other liabilities
(14.8)
—
(14.8)
Net cash provided by operating activities
107.9
(1.9)
106.0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures(d)
(156.2)
1.9
(154.3)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
(18.9)
—
(18.9)
Other, net
(4.7)
—
(4.7)
Net cash used in investing activities
(179.8)
1.9
(177.9)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving credit facility borrowings
150.0
—
150.0
Principal payments on revolving credit facility borrowings
(220.0)
—
(220.0)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
239.9
—
239.9
Principal payments on long-term debt
(314.6)
—
(314.6)
Net proceeds from private placement of common stock
240.7
—
240.7
Dividends paid
(24.9)
—
(24.9)
Deferred financing costs
(3.9)
—
(3.9)
Shares withheld to satisfy employee tax obligations
(1.7)
—
(1.7)
Other, net
(1.5)
—
(1.5)
Net cash provided by financing activities
64.0
—
64.0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
0.5
—
0.5
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(7.4)
—
(7.4)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year
46.1
—
46.1
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
38.7
—
38.7
(a)As Restated amounts reflect the impact of the Fortress contingent consideration correction and other immaterial corrections.
(b)As Restated amount reflects the correction of immaterial errors.
(c)As Restated amount reflects an increase related to the work in process inventory correction.
(d)As Restated amount reflects the impacts of a $2.2 million noncash correction of capital expenditures and accounts payable, partially offset by other immaterial error corrections.
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(a)
113.7
(0.9)
112.8
Amortization of deferred financing costs
2.9
—
2.9
Stock-based compensation
15.7
—
15.7
Deferred income taxes(b)
19.9
(1.3)
18.6
Unrealized gain on foreign exchange
(29.1)
—
(29.1)
Loss on impairment of long-lived assets
23.1
—
23.1
Net loss in equity investees
5.2
—
5.2
Loss on disposition of assets
3.7
—
3.7
Other, net
(0.1)
—
(0.1)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of sale and acquisition of businesses:
Receivables(a)
(55.0)
(1.1)
(56.1)
Inventories(a)
6.3
(1.0)
5.3
Other assets
(14.2)
—
(14.2)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities(c)
55.1
0.2
55.3
Other liabilities
(1.6)
—
(1.6)
Net cash provided by operating activities
120.5
(0.1)
120.4
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures(d)
(96.7)
0.1
(96.6)
Proceeds from sale of businesses
61.2
—
61.2
Investments in equity method investees
(46.3)
—
(46.3)
Other, net
1.8
—
1.8
Net cash used in investing activities
(80.0)
0.1
(79.9)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving credit facility borrowings
466.2
—
466.2
Principal payments on revolving credit facility borrowings
(403.1)
—
(403.1)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
55.9
—
55.9
Principal payments on long-term debt
(109.1)
—
(109.1)
Dividends paid
(20.8)
—
(20.8)
Deferred financing costs
(0.4)
—
(0.4)
Proceeds from stock option exercised
0.3
—
0.3
Shares withheld to satisfy employee tax obligations
(2.0)
—
(2.0)
Other, net
(1.3)
—
(1.3)
Net cash used in financing activities
(14.3)
—
(14.3)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(1.1)
—
(1.1)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
25.1
—
25.1
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year
21.0
—
21.0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
46.1
—
46.1
(a)As Revised amounts reflect the impact of the work in process inventory error correction and other immaterial corrections.
(b)As Revised amount reflects a $1.3 million increase related to the work in process inventory error correction.
(c)As Revised amount reflects the impact of a $0.1 million noncash correction between capital expenditures and accounts payable and the impact of other immaterial error corrections.
(d)As Revised amount reflect the impact of a noncash correction between accrued expenses and capital expenditures.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) adopted or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information regarding the Company’s executive officers is included in Part I to this Form 10-K/A under the caption “Information about our Executive Officers” and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this item will be included under the captions “Proposal 1—Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance,” and “Board of Directors and Board Committees” in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2024 Proxy Statement”) and is incorporated herein by reference.
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct that applies to all employees, including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, as well as members of the Board of Directors of the Company. The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is available on the Company’s website at www.compassminerals.com. The Company intends to disclose any changes in, or waivers from, this Code of Ethics and Business Conduct by posting such information on the same website or by filing a Current Report on Form 8-K, in each case to the extent such disclosure is required by SEC or New York Stock Exchange rules.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item will be included under the captions “Fiscal 2023 Non-Employee Director Compensation,” “Corporate Governance—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Executive Compensation Tables” in the 2024 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item will be included under the caption “Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the 2024 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans will be included under the caption “Executive Compensation Tables” in the 2024 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item will be included under the captions “Corporate Governance—Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Persons” and “Board of Directors and Board Committees—Director Independence” in the 2024 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item will be included under the caption “Proposal 4—Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors” in the 2024 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Deducted from Receivables — Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
September 30, 2023
$
3.4
$
2.2
$
(3.3)
$
2.3
September 30, 2022
3.0
3.4
(3.0)
3.4
September 30, 2021
3.9
2.3
(3.2)
3.0
Deducted from Deferred Income Taxes — Valuation Allowance
September 30, 2023
$
109.9
$
12.1
$
(0.8)
$
121.2
September 30, 2022
44.6
77.4
(12.1)
109.9
September 30, 2021
42.7
1.9
—
44.6
(1)Deferred income taxes additions as of September 30, 2022 includes $14.2 million of valuation allowance related to Plant Nutrition South America that was classified as assets held for sale as of September 30, 2021.
(2)Deduction for purposes for which reserve was created.
The following financial statements from Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A to Compass Minerals International, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023, formatted in Extensive Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cover Page Interactive Data File (contained in Exhibit 101).
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
+ Management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements.
† Exhibits and schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K and will be supplementally provided to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.