---

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

---

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018

☐	TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number 0-32565

RiceBran Technologies

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Issuer’s telephone number, including area code: (602) 522-3000

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☒ No ☐
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule l2b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐ No ☒

 

---

RiceBran Technologies

Index

Form 10-Q

Cautionary Note about Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to, any projections of earnings, revenue, liquidity or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services, products or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.  Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “could,” “will,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect” or “anticipate” or other similar words.  The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, risks and uncertainties, including the factors that may affect future results set forth in this Current Report on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.  We disclaim any obligation to update any forward looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this quarterly report.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” refer to RiceBran Technologies and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

 

RiceBran Technologies

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

(Unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

RiceBran Technologies

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

(Unaudited) (in thousands)

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

RiceBran Technologies

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017

(Unaudited) (in thousands, except share amounts)

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

RiceBran Technologies

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

(Unaudited) (in thousands)

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

RiceBran Technologies

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (interim financial statements) of RiceBran Technologies and subsidiaries were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for reporting on Form 10-Q; therefore, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  The interim financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the interim results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented.

These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated audited financial statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which included all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.

The results reported in these interim financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year, or any other future period, and have been prepared based on the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

We are an ingredient company serving food, animal nutrition and specialty markets focused on value-added processing and marketing of healthy, natural and nutrient dense products derived from raw rice bran, an underutilized by-product of the rice milling industry.  We apply our proprietary and patented technologies and intellectual properties to convert raw rice bran into numerous high value products including stabilized rice bran (SRB), RiBalance, a complete rice bran nutritional package derived from further processing of SRB; RiSolubles, a highly nutritious, carbohydrate and lipid rich fraction of RiBalance; RiFiber, a fiber rich insoluble derivative of RiBalance, and ProRyza, rice bran protein-based products, and a variety of other valuable derivatives extracted from these core products.  Our target markets are natural food, food and animal nutrition manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, both domestically and internationally.

We produce SRB inside three locations: two leased raw rice bran stabilization facilities located within supplier-owned rice mills in Arbuckle and West Sacramento, California; and one company-owned rice bran stabilization facility in Mermentau, Louisiana.  In addition, we purchase SRB from a supplier rice mill.  At our Dillon, Montana facility, we produce our process patented Stage II products.  We operate proprietary processing equipment and process-patented technology for the stabilization and further processing of rice bran into finished products.

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance which changes the accounting for leases, Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, Leases.  Under prior GAAP, the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease for us as a lessee depend primarily on the lease’s classification as a finance or operating lease.  For both types of leases, we will recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability.  For capital or finance leases, we will recognize amortization of the right-of-use asset separately from interest expense on the lease liability.  The guidance is effective for our annual and interim periods beginning in 2019 and must be adopted on a modified retrospective approach.  We have not yet determined the impact that the new guidance will have on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.  We do not intend to early adopt the guidance and have not yet determined if we will elect the optional practical expedients upon adoption.

 

RiceBran Technologies

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue, ASU 2014-09, Revenue: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (and subsequent guidance to related to the topic in ASUs 2016-08, 2016-10, 2016-12. 2016-20, and 2017-14).  On January 1, 2018, we adopted the guidance using the modified retrospective method.  Upon completing our implementation assessment of the guidance, we concluded that no adjustment was required to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of initial application.  As of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, there were no differences between amounts recorded under this current guidance and what would have been recorded under the accounting standards in effect prior to January 1, 2018.  We applied the guidance to all contracts as of January 1, 2018.  The comparative information has also not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.  Additional disclosures required by the guidance are presented within the revenue recognition policy disclosure below.  See Note 5 for revenue disaggregated by product line and geography.

Revenue Recognition – The following summarizes our revenue recognition accounting policy effective January 1, 2018:

We account for a contract with a customer when the written contract is committed, the rights of the parties, including payment terms, are identified, the contract has commercial substance and consideration is probable of collection.  Substantially all of our revenue is derived by fulfilling customer orders for the purchase of our products under contracts which contain a single performance obligation, to supply continually defined quantities of product at fixed prices.  We account for shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer has obtained control of a good as a fulfillment cost rather than as an additional promised service.  We recognize revenue at the point in time that control of the ordered product(s) is transferred to the customer, which is upon delivery to the customer, or its designee at our location, a customer location or other customer-designated delivery point.  For substantially all of our contracts, control of the ordered product(s) transfers at our location.  Amounts invoiced to customers for shipping and handling are reported as revenues and the related costs incurred to deliver product to the customer are reported as cost of goods sold.

Amounts billed and due from our customers are classified as accounts receivables on our consolidated balance sheets and require payment on a short-term basis. Invoices are generally issued at the point control transfers and substantially all of our invoices due within 30 days or less.  Periodically, we require payment prior to the point in time we recognize revenue.  Amounts received from customers prior to revenue recognition on a contract are contract liabilities, are classified as unearned revenue on our consolidated balance sheets and are typically applied to an invoice within 30 days of receipt.  Revenues recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2018 include less than $0.1 million of included in unearned revenue as of January 1, 2018.

Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for fulfilling product orders.  Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense.  Our contracts do not include a significant financing component.  Our contracts may include terms that could cause variability in the transaction price, including, for example, rebates and volume discounts, or other forms of contingent revenue.  The amount of consideration we expect to receive and revenue we recognize includes estimates of variable consideration, including costs for rebates and discounts.  If the consideration promised in a contract includes a variable amount, we estimate the amount to which we expect to be entitled using either the expected value or most likely amount method. We expect no costs from rebates, discounts, or other forms of variable consideration, related to revenues recognized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.  We have no contract liabilities recorded for those items as of January 1, 2018, or June 30, 2018.

Changes in judgments and estimates regarding probability of collection and variable consideration might result in a change in the timing or amount of revenue recognized.

Incremental costs of obtaining a revenue contract are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected customer relationship period if we expect to recover those costs.  As a practical expedient, we expense costs to obtain a contract as incurred if the amortization period would have been a year or less.  Typically, costs to incur revenue contracts are not significant.

Reclassifications – Certain reclassifications have been made to amounts reported for the prior periods to achieve consistent presentation with the current periods.

 

RiceBran Technologies

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

In the second quarter of 2017, we determined that our plans to dispose of our wholly owned subsidiary Healthy Natural (HN) and to divest of our investment in Nutra SA, LLC (Nutra SA) met the criteria for presentation as discontinued operations.  Accordingly, the HN and Nutra SA operating results are presented as discontinued operations and are excluded from continuing operations for all periods presented.

The following table summarizes the major line items included in the income from discontinued operations, cash flows from discontinued operations, and other data related to the discontinued operations (in thousands).

In July 2017, we completed the sale of the assets of HN for $18.3 million in cash.  The selling price is subject to adjustment if the estimated closing working capital with respect to the assets sold and the liabilities assumed is different than the actual closing working capital for those assets and liabilities.  The sale agreement contains customary indemnification provisions and provisions that restrict us from engaging in a business conducted by HN for five years from the date of closing.  A $0.2 million working capital adjustment escrow and a $0.6 million indemnity claim escrow were funded from the proceeds and are classified as restricted cash.    The indemnity claim escrow was released to us in the second quarter of 2018.

On a preliminary basis, we estimated a working capital adjustment of $0.3 million as of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018.  The working capital adjustment will result in an adjustment to the initial net proceeds of $16.7 million and the gain on the sale of $8.2 million, net of a $4.7 million income tax provision which we recognized in 2017.  The definition of working capital under the agreement is subject to interpretation and we have not yet finalized the adjustment with the purchaser of HN.  The final adjustment may differ from the estimate.

On November 28, 2017, Nutra SA redeemed our entire membership interest in Nutra SA.  We no longer hold any interest in Nutra SA.  We held a variable interest in our equity interest in Nutra SA.  We were the primary beneficiary of Nutra SA, and as such, Nutra SA’s assets, liabilities and results of operations were included in the consolidated financial statements through November 28, 2017, the date of disposal of Nutra SA.  The minority investors in Nutra SA held an average interest in Nutra SA was 36% in 2017, through the date of disposal.

Cash provided by Nutra SA operations was generally unavailable for distribution to our continuing operations under the terms of the LLC Agreement.  Nutra SA’s only operating subsidiary is Industria Riograndens De Oleos Vegetais Ltda. (Irgovel), located in Pelotas, Brazil.  Nutra SA’s debt was secured by Irgovel’s accounts receivable and property.  The non-Brazilian entities within the consolidated ownership group did not guarantee any of Nutra SA’s debt.  No interest related to debt held by non-Brazilian entities was allocated to Nutra SA in any period presented.

 

RiceBran Technologies

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable.  We perform ongoing credit evaluations on the financial condition of our customers and generally do not require collateral.  Our allowance for doubtful accounts balance was zero at December 31, 2017, and $16 thousand as of June 30, 2018.

Revenues and accounts receivable from significant customers (customers with revenue or accounts receivable in excess of 10% of consolidated totals) are stated below as a percent of consolidated totals.

The following table presents revenues by geographic area shipped to in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands).

The following table presents revenues by product line in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands).

Rice bran represents approximately 45% of our cost of goods sold in the six months ended June 30, 2018.   We purchase rice bran from five suppliers.  Purchases from significant rice bran suppliers are stated below as a percent of total rice bran purchases.

In July 2018, we loaned $565 thousand to a bran supplier as evidenced by notes.  The notes carry interest at a rate of 6% per year and are being repaid as the supplier delivers bran to us and we pay a discounted price.  The discount is applied to the notes.  Any loan amounts remaining unpaid are payable in cash in December 2019.

 

RiceBran Technologies

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Basic EPS is calculated under the two-class method under which all earnings (distributed and undistributed) are allocated to each class of common stock and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends.  Our outstanding convertible preferred stocks are considered participating securities as the holders may participate in undistributed earnings with holders of common shares and are not obligated to share in our net losses.

Diluted EPS is computed by dividing the net income attributable to RiceBran Technologies common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the impact of assumed exercises and conversions is dilutive.  The dilutive effects of outstanding options, warrants, nonvested shares and restricted stock units that vest solely on the basis of a service condition are calculated using the treasury stock method.  The dilutive effects of the outstanding preferred stock are calculated using the if-converted method.

Below are reconciliations of the numerators and denominators in the EPS computations.

The impacts of potentially dilutive securities outstanding at June 30, 2018 and 2017, were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 because to do so would be anti-dilutive.  Those securities listed in the table above which were anti-dilutive for three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, which remain outstanding, could potentially dilute EPS in the future.

 

RiceBran Technologies

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

A summary of equity activity for the six months ended June 30, 2018, follows (in thousands, except share amounts).

In February 2017, we issued and sold 2,000 shares of Series G convertible preferred stock and sold warrants to purchase 1,423,488 shares of common stock (exercise price of $0.96 per share, exercisable beginning in February 2017 and expiring in February 2022).  One of the investors was a subordinated note holder that exchanged subordinated notes with a principal and carrying value of $0.1 million and cash for 180 shares of the Series G preferred stock and related warrants, which was treated as an extinguishment of debt.  The net cash proceeds from the sale was $1.7 million, after deducting allocated cash offering expenses of $0.1 million.  On the date of issuance, we allocated $1.0 million of the proceeds to derivative warrant liability, to record the warrants at fair value, recorded a $0.1 million loss on extinguishment and reduced debt $0.1 million related to the subordinated noteholders exchange, and recorded $1.2 million as preferred stock.  We recorded a $0.8 million dividend on preferred stock for the preferred stock beneficial conversion feature equal to the proceeds allocated to the preferred stock issued to purchases who did not exchange debt, as the fair value of the common stock underlying the convertible preferred stock at issuance exceeded the amount recorded in preferred stock.

In February 2017, we sold and issued in a private placement, for an aggregate subscription amount of $6.0 million: (i) senior debentures in the principal amount of $6.6 million and (ii) warrants to purchase an aggregate of 6,875,000 shares of common stock (exercise price of $0.96 per share, exercisable beginning February 2017 and expiration February 2022).  We received aggregate net proceeds of $5.5 million, after deducting placement agent fees and allocated expenses of $0.5 million.  Concurrently, we amended existing warrants, held by the debenture purchasers, for the purchase of up to 875,000 shares to (i) reduce the exercise prices from an average $5.49 per share to $0.96 per share, providing the warrants are not exercisable until August 2017, and (ii) change the expiration dates to August 2022, which increased the average remaining term of the warrants from 2.1 years to 5.5 years.  We recorded $4.6 million as an increase to derivative warrant liabilities, to record the warrants at their fair value on the date of issuance, the $0.5 million as an increase in common stock to record the change in fair value of existing warrants and the remaining $0.4 million to debt, debt issuance costs and debt discount.  We used the net proceeds from the offering to (i) pay off the senior revolving loan and term loan debt totaling $3.8 million and (ii) pay $0.2 million of principal and $0.3 million of interest due on subordinated notes and (iii) for working capital and general corporate purposes.  We filed a registration statement on Form S-3, which became effective in May 2017, to register the resale of shares underlying the warrants issued to the senior debenture purchasers.

In connection with the February 2017 senior debenture private placement, we entered into agreements which resulted in (i) a reduction in the annual interest rate on the subordinated notes from 11.75%  to 7% (ii) an extension of the maturity date of the subordinated notes  to May 2019 from May 2018 (iii) the payment of an aggregate amount equal to $0.5 million on the subordinated notes, (iv) the issuance of warrants to purchase up to 3,484,675 shares of our common stock (exercise price of  $0.96 per share, expiration February 2022), and (v) the amendment of existing warrants held by the subordinated note holders for the purchase 289,669 shares of common stock to reduce the exercise price from $5.25 per share to $0.96 per share.  We accounted for the transaction as an extinguishment of debt and issuance of new debt.  In February 2017, we (i) recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.5 million, (ii) adjusted subordinated notes payable debt down by $0.9 million, to its fair value as of the transaction date, (iii) increased derivative liability by $2.3 million, representing the fair value of the newly issued warrants, and (iv) increased common stock equity by $0.1 million for the change in the fair value of the existing warrants.

 

RiceBran Technologies

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

As a result of the February 2017 financing transactions described above, the exercise price of certain warrants that contained full ratchet anti-dilution provisions was reduced from $1.50 per share to $0.96 per share and the number of shares of common stock underlying these warrants increased from 1,489,868 shares to 2,327,919 shares.  The warrants were subsequently exercised in the third and fourth quarters of 2017.

In the three months ended March 31, 2018, we issued 50,469 shares of common stock to employees with an average fair value at issuance of $1.38 per share and 27,882 shares of common stock to a consultant, with an average fair value at issuance of $1.42 per share.

In the three months ended June 30, 2018, we issued 208,855 shares of common stock to directors with an average fair value at issuance of $1.78.  The shares vest the earlier of June 19, 2019 or one day prior to our next annual meeting of shareholders.

In June 2018, shareholders approved a 3,000,000 increase in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (2014 Plan).  The total shares authorized under the 2014 Plan is now 6,300,000 shares.

In January 2018, we issued options to employees for the purchase of up to 278,873 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.42 and a grant date fair value of $0.97 per share.  The options vest and become exercisable in four equal annual installments beginning in January 2019.

In the three months ended March 31, 2018, we issued warrants for the purchase of up to 315,000 shares of common stock, at a weighted average exercise price of $4.73 per share and a weighted average term of 2.4 years.  We recognized $0.1 million of expense for these issuances.

In the three months ended March 31 2018, warrant holders exercised, at $0.96 per share, warrants for the purchase of 1,827,999 shares of common stock (remaining term at December 31, 2017, of 4.3 years).  In the three months ended June 30 2018, warrant holders exercised, at $0.96 per share, warrants for the purchase of 4,092,077 shares of common stock (remaining term at December 31, 2017, of 4.1 years).

In June 2017, we issued restricted stock units (RSUs), under the 2014 Plan, to our executive officers covering a total of 1,175,000 shares of our common stock.  The shares subject to the RSUs vest based upon a vesting price equal to the volume weighted average trading price of our common stock over sixty-five consecutive trading days.  Each RSU’s shares vest (i) 10% if the vesting price equals or exceeds $5.00 per share, (ii) 30% if the vesting price equals or exceeds $10.00 per share and (iv) 60% if the vesting price equals or exceeds $15.00 per share.  The shares had a grant date fair value of $0.2 million which was being expensed ratably over a 3.5-year period beginning in July 2017.  In January 2018, 60% of the RSUs issued in June 2017 were cancelled.  The portion cancelled related to the $15.00 per share target vesting price.  As modified, the shares have a remaining value of $0.1 million at June 30, 2018, which is being expensed ratably over a 3.0-year period.

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and other receivables and accounts payable approximates their carrying value due to their shorter maturities.

Fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  Certain assets and liabilities are presented in the financial statements at fair value.  Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis include derivative warrant and conversion liabilities.  Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis may include property.

 

RiceBran Technologies

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

We assess the inputs used to measure fair value using a three-tier hierarchy based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market:

●

Level 1 – inputs include quoted prices for identical instruments and are the most observable.

●

Level 2 – inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and observable inputs such as interest rates, currency exchange rates and yield curves.

●

Level 3 – inputs are not observable in the market and include management’s judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

For instruments measured using Level 3 inputs, a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances is disclosed.

The following tables summarize the changes in Level 3 items measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands).

(1)

Included in change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities in our consolidated statements of operations.

In the normal course of business, we periodically enter into employment agreements which incorporate indemnification provisions.  While the maximum amount to which we may be exposed under such agreements cannot be reasonably estimated, we maintain insurance coverage, which we believe will effectively mitigate our obligations under these indemnification provisions.  No amounts have been recorded in our financial statements with respect to any obligations under such agreements.

We have employment contracts with certain officers and key management that include provisions for potential severance payments in the event of without-cause terminations or terminations under certain circumstances after a change in control. In addition, vesting of outstanding nonvested equity grants would accelerate following a change in control.

We lease certain properties under various operating lease arrangements that expire over the next 16 years.  These leases generally provide us with the option to renew the lease at the end of the lease term.

In March 2018, we entered into a triple net lease for approximately 5,380 square feet of office space in The Woodlands, Texas.  We took possession of the space May 31, 2018.  The initial term of the lease is 65 months and rent is abated for the first five months.  Minimum monthly base rents total $0.1 million per year during the initial term of the lease.  We recognize rent expense of $0.1 million per year for base rent, plus additional amounts for operating expenses, real estate taxes and other items.  We may extend the term of the lease for an additional five-year period at a fair market base rent, as defined in the agreement.

 

RiceBran Technologies

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

From time to time we are involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business.  These matters may relate to employment and labor claims, patent and intellectual property claims, claims of alleged non-compliance with contract provisions and claims related to alleged violations of laws and regulations.  When applicable, we record accruals for contingencies when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.  While the outcome of lawsuits and other proceedings against us cannot be predicted with certainty, in the opinion of management, individually or in the aggregate, no such lawsuits are expected to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.  Defense costs are expensed as incurred and are included in professional fees.

Entities beneficially owned by Baruch Halpern, a director, invested in our subordinated notes and related warrants prior to 2016.  Throughout the first six months of 2017, Mr. Halpern beneficially held approximately 43% of our outstanding subordinated debt which was repaid in full in July 2017 from the proceeds of the sale of HN.  The warrants remain outstanding.  See Note 8 for information related to the modification of the subordinated notes, repricing of related warrants and the issuance of warrants to subordinated note holders in February 2017.  In three months and six ended June 30, 2017, we paid $0.2 million and expensed $0.2 million of interest on the subordinated notes, respectively.

Our tax expense for the three months and six month ended June 30, 2018, differs from the tax expense computed by applying the U.S. statutory tax rate to net loss from continuing operations before income taxes as no tax benefits were recorded for tax losses generated in the U.S.  As of June 30, 2018, we had deferred tax assets primarily related to U.S. federal and state tax loss carryforwards.  We provided a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets as future realization of such assets is not more likely than not to occur.

Based on our analysis of tax positions taken on income tax returns filed, we have determined no material liabilities related to uncertain income tax positions were required.  Although we believe the amounts reflected in our tax returns substantially comply with applicable U.S. federal, state and foreign tax regulations, the respective taxing authorities may take contrary positions based on their interpretation of the law.  A tax position successfully challenged by a taxing authority could result in an adjustment to our provision or benefit for income taxes in the period in which a final determination is made.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

On December 22, 2017, the United States enacted significant changes to U.S. tax law following the passage and signing of H.R.1, “An Act to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018” (the Tax Act or TCJA).

On December 22, 2017, the SEC issued guidance to address the application of GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the TCJA.  We have substantially completed our accounting for the tax effects of the enactment of the Tax Act.  Our deferred tax assets and liabilities were remeasured for a change in the federal tax rate from 34 percent to 21 percent, immediate expensing of qualifying property, and effects of TCJA on state taxes.  We will obtain, prepare and continue to analyze our tax information during the measurement period, up to and including the period in which we file our 2017 consolidated federal income tax return.  We may further adjust recorded amounts during the measurement period should future guidance, additional information and interpretations with the respect to the TCJA come to our attention.  We made no such adjustments during the six months ended June 30, 2018.

The Tax Act also contains several base broadening provisions that became effective on January 1, 2018, that we do not expect to have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Revenues increased $52 thousand, or 1.7%, in the second quarter of 2018 compared to the second quarter of 2017.  Animal feed product revenues were relatively flat while food product revenues increased 3% year over year, primarily due to increased buying from existing customer base.

Gross profit percentage declined 4.7 percentage points to 20.7% in the second quarter of 2018, from 25.4% in the second quarter of 2017.  The decline in gross profit was primarily attributable to the approximately 37.9% increase in raw bran prices and reduced plant utilization. The decrease in plant utilization was primarily due to closures or production delays caused by the drum dryer capital expenditure project and plant improvements related to the SQF certification project at the Dillon plant.  Additionally, our Mermentau plant experienced a supply shortage which caused production to idle in the second quarter of 2018.  Due to the supply shortage, we shipped our animal feed orders from California which resulted in higher shipping costs.  We expect a supply agreement we entered into with a rice miller in July 2018, to reduce our risk of experiencing supply shortages after July 2018.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $2.8 million in 2018, compared to $2.7 million in 2017, an increase of $0.2 million, or 6.1%.  An increase of $0.1 million compared to the second quarter of 2018 is primarily related to building our sales team to reach our revenue goals in 2018, an increase in operations and quality assurance staff to meet SQF certification, and an increase of $0.1 million increase related to professional services and warehouse expenses related to the SQF certification project.  Corporate portion of SG&A expenses decreased $0.1 million in the second quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease was primarily related to professional service expenses decrease of $0.1 million, share-based compensation expense decrease of $0.1 million, investor relations expense decrease of $0.1 million, while rent and relocation expenses increased $0.1 million, compared to the second quarter of 2017.

Other income (expense) was other income of $7 thousand in the second quarter of 2018 compared to $0.4 million of other expense for the second quarter of 2017.  Interest expense decreased $0.5 million, as virtually all debt was paid in full in July 2017.

Revenues were relatively flat in the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.  Animal feed product revenues increased 2%.  Animal nutrition revenue growth continues to be driven by the supply and cooperation agreement entered into with Kentucky Equine Research (KER) at the end of December 2015.  Food product revenues decreased 2% year over year, primarily due to reduced buying from existing customer base and specifically prior contract manufacturing accounts.

 

Gross profit percentage declined 5.4 percentage points to 24.0% from 29.4% in the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.  The decline in gross profit was primarily attributable to the approximately 24.7% increase in raw bran prices and reduced plant utilization in the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.  The decrease in plant utilization was primarily due to closures or production delays caused by the drum dryer capital expenditure project and plant improvements related to the SQF certification project at the Dillon plant.  Additionally, our Mermentau plant experienced a supply shortage which caused production to idle in the second quarter of 2018.  Due to the supply shortage, we shipped our animal feed orders from California which resulted in higher shipping costs.  We expect a supply agreement we entered into with a rice miller in July 2018, to reduce our risk of experiencing supply shortages after July 2018.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $5.7 million compared to $4.9 million, an increase of $0.8 million, or 15.2%, in the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.  An increase of $0.3 million is primarily related to building our sales team to reach our revenue goals in 2018, and an increase in operations and quality assurance staff to meet SQF certification.  Additionally, in the first six months ended June 30, 2018, bonus related accruals increased $0.1 million, outside services increased $0.1 million, warehouse expenses increased $0.1 million, and warehouse rent increased $0.1 million compared to the first six months ended June 30, 2017.  Corporate portion of SG&A expenses increased $0.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.  The increase was primarily related to increased travel related expenses.

Other income (expense) was other expense of $7 thousand compared to $2.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.  Interest expense decreased $1.5 million, as virtually all debt was paid in full in July 2017.  Change in fair value of derivative liabilities decreased $1.1 million between years and as of December 31, 2017, there are no derivative liabilities remaining.  The loss on extinguishment of debt in 2017 of $1.7 million was primarily related to a transaction with subordinated note holders which is discussed further in Note 8 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cash used in operating activities of continuing operations is presented below (in thousands).

As of June 30, 2018, our cash and cash equivalents balance was $7.7 million and our restricted cash balance was $0.2 million, compared to a cash equivalents balance of $6.2 million and a restricted cash balance of $0.8 million as of December 31, 2017.  We used $3.0 million in operating cash during the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $3.0 million of operating cash in the six months ended June 30, 2017.  We also funded $1.8 million of capital expenditures during the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $0.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017.  These capital expenditures relate primarily to our specialty ingredients’ equipment in our Dillon plant and our SQF projects to certify our facilities.  Offsetting these uses of cash was $5.7 million of proceeds from warrant exercises during the six months ended June 30, 2018.

We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under the applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosures on the date of the financial statements.  On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the estimates, including, but not limited to, those related to revenue recognition.  We use authoritative pronouncements, historical experience and other assumptions as the basis for making judgments.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

For further information about other critical accounting policies, see the discussion of critical accounting policies in Note 3 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

See Note 2 in the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Not applicable

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial disclosures.

We evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

See Note 9 in the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding certain legal proceedings to which we are a party.

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, liquidity or future results.  The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our company.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity or future results.

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

During the quarter ended June 30 2018, we issued the securities described below without registration under the Securities Act.  Unless otherwise indicated below, the securities were issued pursuant to the private placement exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  All issuances below were made without any public solicitation, to a limited number of persons and were acquired for investment purposes only.

In the three months ended June 30 2018, warrant holders exercised for cash, at $0.96 per share, warrants for the purchase of 4,092,077 shares of common stock (remaining term at December 31, 2017, of 4.1 years).

Item 3.

Defaults upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

None

Item 5.

Other Information

None

Item 6.

Exhibits

The following exhibits are attached hereto and filed herewith:

 

(1)

XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

SIGNATURES

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

 

 

---