5 Q4 FY18 10K_Final



UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-K



(Mark One)



 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018

or

 



 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the transition period from              to               .

Commission File Number: 000-06936

WD-40 COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 



 

 

 

 

 

Delaware

 

95-1797918

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

9715 Businesspark Avenue, San Diego, California

 

92131

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)



Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (619) 275-1400

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:



 

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 

The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC



 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:



Title of each class

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. 

Yes     No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes       No 


 

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).    Yes      No  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    

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 growth 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.

Large accelerated filer         Accelerated filer        Non-accelerated filer        Smaller reporting company  

Emerging growth company         



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 12b-2 of the Act).    

Yes       No  

The aggregate market value (closing price) of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of February 28, 2018 was approximately $1,695,560,161.

As of October 17, 2018, there were 13,836,690 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.  

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

The Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of stockholders on December 11, 2018 is incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10 through 14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




 



 WD-40 COMPANY



ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

For the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2018



TABLE OF CONTENTS









 

 



 

 

PART I

Page



 

 

Item 1.

Business

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

14 

Item 2.

Properties

14 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

15 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

15 



 

PART II

 



 

 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

16 

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

17 

Item 7.

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

18 

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

42 

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

43 

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

43 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

43 

Item 9B.

Other Information

44 



 

 

PART III

 



 

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

44 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

44 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

45 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

45 

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

45 



 

 

PART IV

 



 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

46 

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

48 







 


 





PART I



Forward-Looking Statements



This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than those that are purely historical are forward-looking statements which reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance.



These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, discussions about future financial and operating results, including:  growth expectations for maintenance products; expected levels of promotional and advertising spending; plans for and success of product innovation, the impact of new product introductions on the growth of sales; anticipated results from product line extension sales; the impact of the “Tax Cuts and Job Act”; and forecasted foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices.  These forward-looking statements are generally identified with words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “could,” “may,” “aim,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate” and similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward looking statements.



Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified in Item 1A of this report. As used in this report, the terms “we,” “our,” “us” and “the Company” refer to WD-40 Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless the context suggests otherwise. Amounts and percentages in tables and discussions may not total due to rounding.



Item 1.  Business



Overview



WD-40 Company is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world. The Company was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.



For more than four decades, the Company sold only one product, WD-40®  Multi-Use Product, a maintenance product which acts as a lubricant, rust preventative, penetrant, cleaner and moisture displacer. Over the last two decades, the Company has evolved and expanded its product offerings through both research and development activities and through the acquisition of several brands worldwide. As a result, the Company has built a family of brands and product lines that deliver high quality performance at an extremely good value to its end users.  



The Company currently markets and sells its products in more than 176 countries and territories worldwide primarily through mass retail and home center stores, warehouse club stores, grocery stores, hardware stores, automotive parts outlets, sport retailers, independent bike dealers, online retailers and industrial distributors and suppliers. 



The Company’s sales come from its two product groups – maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products. Maintenance products are sold worldwide in markets throughout North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Homecare and cleaning products are sold primarily in North America, the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and Australia.



The Company’s strategic initiatives and the areas where it will continue to focus its time, talent and resources in future periods include: (i) maximizing WD-40 Multi-Use Product sales through geographic expansion, increased market penetration and the development of new and unique delivery systems; (ii) leveraging the WD-40 brand by growing the WD-40 Specialist product line; (iii) leveraging the strengths of the Company through broadened product and revenue base; (iv) attracting, developing and retaining talented people; and (v) operating with excellence.



The principal driver of the Company’s growth continues to be taking the Company’s flagship product, WD-40 Multi-Use Product, to new users in global markets. The Company is focused on and committed to innovation and renovation of its products. The Company sees innovation and renovation as important factors to the long-term growth of its brands and product lines, and it intends to continue to work on future products, product lines, product packaging, product delivery systems and promotional innovations and renovations. The Company is also focused on expanding its current brands in existing markets with new product development. The Company’s product development teams support new product development and current product improvement for the Company’s brands. Over the years, the Company’s research and development team has made an innovation impact on most of the Company’s brands.  Key innovations for the Company’s products include, but are not limited to, WD-40 EZ Reach

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Flexible Straw, WD-40 Smart Straw®, WD-40 Trigger Pro®, WD-40 Specialist®, WD-40 Bike™, and 3-IN-ONE Professional Garage Door Lube™.



The Company’s homecare and cleaning products, particularly those in the U.S., are considered harvest brands which continue to provide positive returns to the Company but are becoming a smaller part of the business as sales of the maintenance products grow with the execution of the Company’s strategic initiatives. Although the Company has evaluated strategic alternatives for certain of its homecare and cleaning products, particularly those in the U.S., it has continued to sell products of these brands but with a reduced level of marketing investment.



Financial Information about Operating Segments



The Company’s operating segments are determined consistent with the way management organizes and evaluates financial information internally for making operating decisions and assessing performance. The Company is organized on the basis of geographical area into the following three segments:



·

Americas segment consists of the United States (“U.S.”), Canada and Latin America;

·

Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) segment consists of countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India; and

·

Asia-Pacific segment consists of Australia, China and other countries in the Asia region.



The Company’s management reviews product performance on the basis of sales, which come from its two product groups –maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products. The financial information required by operating segment is included in Note 15 – Business Segments and Foreign Operations of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, included in Item 15 of this report, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, included in Item 7 of this report.



Products



Maintenance Products



Included in the Company’s maintenance products are both multi-purpose maintenance products and specialty maintenance products.  These maintenance products are sold worldwide and they provide end users with a variety of product and delivery system options.



The Company’s signature product is the WD-40 Multi-Use Product in the blue and yellow can with the red top, which is included within the maintenance product category and it accounts for a significant majority of the Company’s sales.  The Company has various products and product lines which it currently sells under the WD-40 brand and they are as follows:



WD-40 Multi-Use Product - The WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a market leader in many countries among multi-purpose maintenance products and is sold as an aerosol spray with various unique delivery systems, a non-aerosol trigger spray and in liquid-bulk form through mass retail stores, hardware stores, warehouse club stores, automotive parts outlets, online retailers and industrial distributors and suppliers. The WD-40 Multi-Use Product is sold worldwide in North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The WD-40 Multi-Use Product has a wide variety of consumer uses in, for example, household, marine, automotive, construction, repair, sporting goods and gardening applications, in addition to numerous industrial applications.



WD-40 Specialist product line – WD-40 Specialist consists of a line of professional-grade specialty maintenance products that include penetrants, degreasers, corrosion inhibitors, greases, lubricants and rust removers that are aimed at professionals as well as end users that currently use the WD-40 Multi-Use Product. The WD-40 Specialist product line is sold primarily in the U.S. and many countries in Europe, as well as parts of Canada, Latin America, Australia and Asia. Within the WD-40 Specialist product line, the Company also sells WD-40 Specialist Motorbike in the United States and Europe, WD-40 Specialist Lawn and Garden in Australia, and WD-40 Specialist Automotive in Asia.



WD-40 Bike product line - The WD-40 Bike product line consists of a comprehensive line of bicycle maintenance products that include wet and dry chain drip lubricants, chain cleaners and degreasers, and foaming wash that are designed for avid and recreational cyclists, bike enthusiasts and mechanics. The Company launched this product line in the U.S. in fiscal year 2013, in Australia and Europe in fiscal year 2014, and in Latin America and select countries in Asia in early fiscal year 2016. Although the initial focus for such sales was on smaller independent bike dealers, distribution of WD-40 Bike products has been expanded to include select distributors and retailers in countries where the Company sells this product



The Company also has the following additional brands which are included within its maintenance products group:

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3-IN-ONE - The 3-IN-ONE brand consists of multi-purpose drip oil, specialty drip oils, and spray lubricant products, as well as other specialty maintenance products. The multi-purpose drip oil is a lubricant with unique spout options that allow for precise applications to small mechanisms and assemblies, tool maintenance and threads on screws and bolts. 3-IN-ONE Oil is the market share leader among drip oils for household consumers. It also has wide industrial applications in such areas as locksmithing, HVAC, marine, farming and construction. In addition to the drip oil line of products, the 3-IN-ONE brand also includes a professional line of products known as 3-IN-ONE Professional, which is a line of professional-grade maintenance products, as well as 3-IN-ONE RVcare products and 3-IN-ONE Garage Door Lubricant. The high quality of the 3-IN-ONE brand and its established distribution network have enabled these products to gain international acceptance. 3-IN-ONE products are sold primarily in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Latin America, Australia and Asia.



GT85 - The GT85 brand is a multi-purpose bike maintenance product that consists of professional spray maintenance products and lubricants which are sold primarily in the bike market through the automotive and industrial channels in the U.K., with additional sales in foreign markets including those in Spain and other European countries. This brand was acquired by the Company’s U.K. subsidiary in September 2014 and it has helped build upon the Company’s strategy to develop new product categories for WD-40 Specialist and WD-40 BIKE.



Homecare and Cleaning Products



The Company sells its homecare and cleaning products in certain locations worldwide and they include a portfolio of well-known brands as follows:



2000 Flushes - The 2000 Flushes brand is a line of long-lasting automatic toilet bowl cleaners which includes a variety of formulas. 2000 Flushes is sold primarily in the U.S. and Canada through grocery and mass retail channels as well as through online retailers.



Spot Shot - The Spot Shot brand is sold as an aerosol carpet stain remover and a liquid trigger carpet stain and odor eliminator. The brand also includes environmentally friendly products such as Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain & Odor Eliminator™ and Spot Shot Pet Clean, which are non-toxic and biodegradable. Spot Shot products are sold primarily through grocery and mass retail channels, online retailers, warehouse club stores and hardware and home center stores in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom. Spot Shot products are sold in the U.K. under the 1001 brand name.



Carpet Fresh - The Carpet Fresh brand is a line of room and rug deodorizers sold as powder, aerosol quick-dry foam and trigger spray products. Carpet Fresh is sold primarily through grocery, mass, and value retail channels as well as through online retailers in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. In the U.K., these products are sold under the 1001 brand name and in Australia, they are sold under the No Vac brand name.



1001 - The 1001 brand includes carpet and household cleaners and rug and room deodorizers which are sold primarily through mass retail, grocery and home center stores in the U.K. The brand was acquired in order to introduce the Company’s other homecare and cleaning product formulations under the 1001 brand and to expand the Company’s homecare and cleaning products business into the U.K. market.



Lava/Solvol - The Lava and Solvol brands consist of heavy-duty hand cleaner products which are sold in bar soap and liquid form through hardware, grocery, industrial, automotive and mass retail channels as well as through online retailers. Lava is sold primarily in the U.S., while Solvol is sold exclusively in Australia.



X-14 - The X-14 brand is a line of quality products designed for unique cleaning needs. X-14 is sold as a liquid mildew stain remover and as an automatic toilet bowl cleaner. X-14 is sold primarily in the U.S. through grocery and mass retail channels as well as through online retailers.



Financial information about operating segments and product lines is included in Note 15 – Business Segments and Foreign Operations of the consolidated financial statements, included in Item 15 of this report.



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Sales and Marketing



The Company’s sales do not reflect any significant degree of seasonality. However, it is common for the Company’s sales to fluctuate from period to period or year to year due to various factors including, but not limited to, new or lost distribution, the number of product offerings carried by a customer and the level of promotional activities and programs being run at customer locations. New or lost distribution occurs when the Company gains or loses customers, when it gains or loses store count for a customer or when its products are added to new locations within a store or removed from existing locations.  From time to time, as part of new product offering launches, the Company may gain access to entirely new distribution channels. The number of product offerings refers to the number of brands and/or the number of products within each of those brands that the Company’s customers offer for sale to end user customers. The level of promotional activities and programs relates to the number of events or volumes of purchases by customers in support of off-shelf or promotional display activities. Changes in any one of these three factors or a combination of them can cause the Company’s sales levels to increase or decrease from period to period.  It is also common and/or possible that the Company could lose distribution or product offerings and experience a decrease in promotional activities and programs in one period and subsequently regain this business in a future period. The Company is accustomed to such fluctuations and manages this as part of its normal business activities.



Manufacturing



The Company outsources directly or through its marketing distributors the manufacturing of its finished products to various third-party contract manufacturers. The Company or its marketing distributors use contract manufacturers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, the U.K., Italy, Australia, China, South Korea and India. Although the Company has definitive minimum purchase obligations included in the contract terms with certain of its contract manufacturers, when such obligations have been included, they have either been immaterial or the minimum amounts have been such that they are well below the volume of goods that the Company has historically purchased. Supply needs are communicated by the Company to its contract manufacturers, and the Company is committed to purchase the products manufactured based on orders and short-term projections, ranging from two to five months, provided to the contract manufacturers. The Company also formulates and manufactures concentrate used in its WD-40 products at its own facilities and at third-party contract manufacturers.



In addition to the commitments to purchase products from contract manufacturers described above, the Company may also enter into commitments with other manufacturers from time to time to purchase finished goods and components to support innovation and renovation initiatives and/or supply chain initiatives.



Sources and Availability of Components and Raw Materials



The Company and its third-party contract manufacturers rely on a limited number of suppliers, including single or sole suppliers, for certain of its raw materials, packaging, product components and other necessary supplies. The primary components and raw materials for the Company’s products include petroleum-based specialty chemicals and aerosol cans, which are manufactured from commodities that are subject to volatile price changes. The availability of these components and raw materials is affected by a variety of supply and demand factors, including global market trends, plant capacity decisions and natural disasters. The Company expects these components and raw materials to continue to be readily available in the future, although the Company will continue to be exposed to volatile price changes.

 

Research and Development



The Company recognizes the importance of innovation and renovation to its long-term success and is focused on and committed to research and new product development activities, primarily in its maintenance product group. The Company’s product development team engages in consumer research, product development, current product improvement and testing activities. The product development team also leverages its development capabilities by partnering with a network of outside resources including the Company’s current and prospective outsource suppliers. In addition, the research and development team engages in activities and product development efforts which are necessary to ensure that the Company meets all regulatory requirements for the formulation of its products. The Company incurred research and development expenses of $7.0 million, $8.4 million, and $7.7 million in fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. None of this research and development activity was customer-sponsored.



Order Backlog



Order backlog is not a significant factor in the Company’s business.



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Competition



The markets for the Company’s products, particularly those related to its homecare and cleaning products, are highly competitive. The Company’s products compete both within their own product classes as well as within product distribution channels, competing with many other products for store placement and shelf space. Competition in international markets varies by country. The Company is aware of many competing products, some of which sell for lower prices or are produced and marketed by companies with greater financial resources than those of the Company. The Company relies on the awareness of its brands among consumers, the value offered by those brands as perceived by consumers, product innovation and renovation and its multiple channel distributions as its primary strategies. New products typically encounter intense competition, which may require advertising and promotional support and activities. When or if a new product achieves consumer acceptance, ongoing advertising and promotional support may be required in order to maintain its relative market position.



Trademarks and Patents



The Company owns a number of patents, but relies primarily upon its established trademarks, brand names and marketing efforts, including advertising and sales promotions, to compete effectively. The WD-40 brand, 3-IN-ONE, Lava, Solvol, X-14, 2000 Flushes, Carpet Fresh and No Vac, Spot Shot, GT85, and 1001 trademarks are registered or have pending registrations in various countries throughout the world.



Employees



At August 31, 2018, the Company employed 480 people worldwide: 178 by the U.S. parent corporation; 203 by the U.K. subsidiary; 57 by the China subsidiary; 22 by the Australia subsidiary; 11 by the Canada subsidiary; 7 by the Malaysia subsidiary;  and 2 by WD-40 Manufacturing Company, the Company’s manufacturing subsidiary. 



Financial Information about Foreign and Domestic Operations



For detailed information about the Company’s foreign and domestic operations, including net sales by reportable segment and long-lived assets by geography, refer to Note 15 - Business Segments and Foreign Operations of the consolidated financial statements, included in Item 15 of this report.



Access to SEC Filings



The Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are available through the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.wd40company.com. These reports can be accessed free of charge from the Company’s website as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such materials with, or furnishes them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Information contained on the Company’s website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this report.



Interested readers may also read and copy any materials that the Company files at the SEC Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Readers may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains the Company’s reports.



Item 1A.  Risk Factors



The following risks and uncertainties, as well as other factors described elsewhere in this report or in other SEC filings by the Company, could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.



The Company’s financial results could suffer if the Company is unable to implement and successfully manage its strategic initiatives or if the Company’s strategic initiatives do not achieve the intended results.

There is no assurance that the Company will be able to implement and successfully manage its strategic initiatives, including its five major strategic initiatives, or that the strategic initiatives will achieve the intended results. The Company’s five core strategic initiatives include: (i) maximizing WD-40 Multi-Use Product sales through geographic expansion and increased market penetration and the development of new and unique delivery systems; (ii) leveraging the WD-40 brand by growing the WD-40 Specialist product line; (iii) leveraging the strengths of the Company through broadened product and revenue base; (iv) attracting, developing and retaining talented people; and (v) operating with excellence. An important part of the Company’s success depends on its continuing ability to attract, retain and develop highly qualified people. The Company’s future performance depends in significant part on maintaining high levels of employee engagement and nurturing the Company’s values and culture. In addition, it depends on the continued service of its executive officers, key employees and other talented people, as well as effective

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succession planning. The loss of the services of key employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and prospects. Competition for such talent is intense, and there can be no assurance that the Company can retain its key employees or attract, assimilate and retain employees who are fully engaged in the future. If the Company is unable to implement and successfully manage its strategic initiatives in accordance with its business plans, the Company’s business and financial results could be adversely affected. Moreover, the Company cannot be certain that the implementation of its strategic initiatives will necessarily advance its business or financial results as intended.



Global operations outside the U.S. expose the Company to uncertain conditions, foreign currency exchange rate risk and other risks in international markets.



The Company’s sales outside of the U.S. were approximately 62% of consolidated net sales in fiscal year 2018 and one of its strategic initiatives includes maximizing the WD-40 Multi-Use Product through geographic expansion and market penetration. As a result, the Company currently faces, and will continue to face, substantial risks associated with having increased global operations outside the U.S., including:



·

economic or political instability in the Company’s global markets, including Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, and Europe;

·

challenges associated with conducting business in foreign jurisdictions, including those related to the Company’s understanding of and compliance with business laws and regulations in such foreign jurisdictions;

·

increasing tax complexity associated with operating in multiple tax jurisdictions;

·

dispersed employee base and compliance with employment regulations and other labor issues, such as labor laws and minimum wages, in countries outside the U.S.; and

·

the imposition of tariffs or trade restrictions and costs, burdens and restrictions associated with other governmental actions.



These risks could have a significant impact on the Company’s ability to sell its products on a competitive basis in global markets outside the United States. In addition, recent developments in the U.S. political climate have introduced greater uncertainty with respect to tax policies, trade relations, tariffs and government regulations affecting trade between the U.S. and other countries. These developments, as well as the risks outlined above, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.



Approximately 41% of the Company’s revenues in fiscal year 2018 were generated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which is the reporting currency of the Company. In addition, all of the Company’s foreign operating subsidiaries have functional currencies other than the U.S. Dollar and the Company’s largest subsidiary is located in the U.K. and generates significant sales in Pound Sterling and Euro. As a result, the Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to its sales, expenses, profits, cash and cash equivalents, other assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. In particular, the Company’s financial results are negatively impacted when the foreign currencies in which its subsidiary offices operate weaken relative to the U.S. Dollar. Although the Company uses instruments to hedge certain foreign currency risks, primarily those associated with its U.K. subsidiary and net assets denominated in non-functional currencies, it is not fully protected against foreign currency fluctuations and, therefore, the Company’s reported earnings may be affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Moreover, any favorable impacts to profit margins or financial results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates are likely to be unsustainable over time.



As a result of the June 2016 referendum by British voters to exit the European Union (“Brexit”), global markets and foreign currencies were adversely impacted in the months following the vote. In particular, the value of the Pound Sterling sharply declined as compared to the U.S. Dollar and other currencies in late fiscal year 2016 and early fiscal year 2017. Subsequently, on March 29, 2017, the U.K. invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which provides a two-year time period through March 2019 for the U.K. and the remaining EU countries to negotiate a withdrawal agreement. Additional volatility in foreign currencies may result as the U.K. negotiates and executes its impending exit from the European Union. A significantly weaker Pound Sterling compared to the U.S. Dollar over a sustained period of time may have a significant negative effect on the Company’s reported results of operations. In addition, the legal and regulatory framework that will apply to the U.K. and its future relationship with the European Union after the exit is completed may change the manner in which businesses operate in Europe, including how products and services are imported and exported between countries in Europe, and this could adversely impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. The outcomes of the negotiations between the U.K. and the European Union are currently unknown and due to the lack of comparable precedent, the extent of any adverse consequences to the Company’s business is uncertain.



Additionally, the Company’s global operations outside the U.S. are subject to risks relating to appropriate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in local jurisdictions, potential difficulties in staffing and managing local operations, potentially higher incidence of fraud or corruption, credit risk of local customers and distributors and potentially adverse tax consequences. As the Company further develops and grows its business operations outside the U.S., the Company is exposed to additional

6


 

complexities and risks, particularly in China, Russia and other emerging markets. In many foreign countries, particularly in those with developing economies, business practices that are prohibited by the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act or other applicable anti-corruption laws and regulations may be prevalent. Any failure to comply with these laws, even if inadvertent, could result in significant penalties or otherwise harm the Company’s reputation and business. Although the Company has adopted policies and contract terms to mandate compliance with these laws, there can be no assurance that all of its employees, contractors and agents will comply with the Company’s requirements. Violations of these laws could be costly and disrupt the Company’s business, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.



If the success and reputation of one or more of the Company’s leading brands erodes, its business, financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted.



The financial success of the Company is directly dependent on the success and reputation of its brands, particularly its WD-40 brand. The success and reputation of the Company’s brands can suffer if marketing plans or product development and improvement initiatives, including the release of new products or innovative packaging, do not have the desired impact on the brands’ image or do not attract customers as intended. The Company’s brands can also be adversely impacted due to the activities and pressures placed on them by the Company’s competitors. Further, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted if one of its leading brands suffers damage to its reputation due to real or perceived quality or safety issues. Quality issues, which can lead to large scale recalls of the Company’s products, can be due to items such as product contamination, regulatory non-compliance, packaging errors, incorrect ingredients or components in the Company’s product or low quality ingredients in the Company’s products due to suppliers delivering items that do not meet the Company’s specifications. Product quality issues, which could include lower product efficacy due to formulation changes attributable to regulatory requirements, could also result in decreased customer confidence in the Company’s brands and a decline in product quality could result in product liability claims. In addition, the Company’s brand value depends on its ability to maintain a positive consumer perception of its corporate integrity and brand culture. Negative claims or publicity involving the Company, its products, or any of its key employees could seriously damage the Company’s reputation and brand image, regardless of whether such claims are accurate. Although the Company makes every effort to prevent brand erosion and preserve its reputation and the reputation of its brands, there can be no assurance that such efforts will be successful.



Sales unit volume growth may be difficult to achieve.



The Company’s ability to achieve sales volume growth will depend on its ability to (i) execute its strategic initiatives, (ii) drive growth in new markets by making targeted end users aware of the Company’s products and making them easier to buy, (iii) drive growth within its existing markets through innovation, renovation and enhanced merchandising and marketing of its established brands, and (iv) capture market share from its competitors. It is more difficult for the Company to achieve sales volume growth in developed markets where the Company’s products are widely used as compared to in developing or emerging markets where the Company’s products have been newly introduced or are not as well known by consumers. In order to protect the Company’s existing market share or capture additional market share from its competitors, the Company may need to increase its expenditures related to promotions and advertising or introduce and establish new products or product lines. In past periods, the Company has also increased sales prices on certain of its products in response to increased costs for components and raw materials. Sales price increases may slow sales volume growth or create declines in volume in the short term as customers and end users adjust to sales price increases. In addition, the continued prominence and growth of the online retail sales channel has presented both the Company and its customers that sell the Company’s products online with the challenge of balancing online and physical store retailing methods. Although the Company is engaged in e-commerce with respect to its products, if it is not successful in expanding sales in such alternative retail channels or it experiences challenges with operating in such channels, including challenges associated with the increased demand for non-flammable air shippable products, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations may be negatively impacted. In addition, a change in the strategies of the Company’s existing customers, including shelf simplification, the discontinuation of certain product offerings or the shift in shelf space to competitors’ products could reduce the Company’s sales and potentially offset sales volume increases achieved as a result of other sales growth initiatives. If the Company is unable to increase market share in its existing product lines by developing product improvements, investing adequately in its existing brands, building usage among new customers, developing, acquiring or successfully launching new products or product line extensions, or successfully penetrating emerging and developing markets and sales channels globally, the Company may not achieve its sales volume growth objectives.



Cost increases or cost volatility in finished goods, components, raw materials, transportation and other necessary supplies or services could harm or impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.



Increases in the cost of finished goods, components and raw materials and increases in the cost of transportation and other necessary supplies or services may harm the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Petroleum-based specialty chemicals and aerosol cans, which constitute a significant portion of the costs for many of the Company’s maintenance products, have experienced significant price volatility in the past, and may continue to do so in the future. In particular, volatility in the

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price of oil directly impacts the cost of petroleum-based specialty chemicals which are indexed to the price of crude oil. Fluctuations in oil and diesel fuel prices have also historically impacted the Company’s cost of transporting its products, compounded recently by increased regulations imposed on the freight industry and additional macroeconomic factors which have resulted in increased freight costs. If there are significant increases in the costs of components, raw materials and other expenses, and the Company is not able to increase the prices of its products or achieve cost savings to offset such cost increases, the Company’s gross margins and operating results will be negatively impacted. In addition, if the Company increases its sales prices in response to increases in the cost of such raw materials, and those raw material costs later decline significantly, the Company may not be able to sustain its sales prices at these higher levels. As component and raw material costs are the principal contributors to the cost of goods sold for all of the Company’s products, any significant fluctuation in the costs of components and raw materials could have a material impact on the gross margins realized on the Company’s products. Sustained increases in the cost of raw materials, components, transportation and other necessary supplies or services, or significant volatility in such costs, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.  



Reliance on a limited base of third-party contract manufacturers, logistics providers and suppliers of raw materials and components may result in disruption to the Company’s business and this could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. 



The Company relies on a limited number of third-party contract manufacturers, logistics providers and suppliers, including single or sole source suppliers for certain of its raw materials, packaging, product components and other necessary supplies. The Company does not have direct control over the management or business of these third parties, except indirectly through terms negotiated in service or supply contracts. Should the terms of doing business with the Company’s primary third-party contract manufacturers, suppliers and/or logistics providers change or should the Company have a disagreement with or be unable to maintain relationships with such third parties or should such third parties experience financial difficulties, the Company’s business may be disrupted.  In addition, if the Company is unable to contract with third-party manufacturers or suppliers for the quantity and quality levels needed for its business, the Company could experience disruptions in production and its financial results could be adversely affected.



Global economic conditions may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.



A general weakening or decline in the global economy or a reduction in industrial outputs, business or consumer spending or confidence could delay or significantly decrease purchases of the Company’s products by its customers and end users. Consumer purchases of discretionary items, which could include the Company’s maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products, may decline during periods where disposable income is reduced or there is economic uncertainty, and this may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. During unfavorable or uncertain economic times, end users may also increase purchases of lower-priced or non-branded products and the Company’s competitors may increase their level of promotional activities to maintain sales volumes, both of which may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company’s sales and operating results may be affected by uncertain or changing economic and market conditions, including inflation, deflation, prolonged weak consumer demand, political instability or other changes that may affect the principal markets, trade channels, and industrial segments in which the Company conducts its business. If economic or market conditions in key global markets deteriorate, the Company may experience material adverse effects on its business, financial condition and results of operations. 



Adverse economic and market conditions could also harm the Company’s business by negatively affecting the parties with whom it does business, including its customers, retailers, distributors and wholesalers, and third-party contract manufacturers and suppliers. These conditions could impair the ability of the Company’s customers to pay for products they have purchased from the Company. As a result, allowances for doubtful accounts and write-offs of accounts receivable from the Company’s customers may increase. In addition, the Company’s third-party contract manufacturers and its suppliers may experience financial difficulties that could negatively affect their operations and their ability to supply the Company with finished goods and the raw materials, packaging, and components required for the Company’s products.



Government laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations, could result in material costs or otherwise adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.



The manufacturing, chemical composition, packaging, storage, distribution and labeling of the Company’s products and the manner in which the Company’s business operations are conducted must comply with an extensive array of federal, state and foreign laws and regulations. If the Company is not successful in complying with the requirements of all such regulations, it could be fined or other actions could be taken against the Company by the applicable governing body, including the possibility of a required product recall. Any such regulatory action could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. It is also possible that governments and regulatory agencies will increase regulation, including the adoption of further regulations relating to the transportation, storage or use of certain chemicals, to enhance homeland security or protect the environment and such increased regulation could negatively impact the Company’s ability to obtain raw materials, components

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and/or finished goods or could result in increased costs. In the event that such regulations result in increased product costs, the Company may not be in a position to raise selling prices, and therefore an increase in costs could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.



Some of the Company’s products have chemical compositions that are controlled by various state, federal and international laws and regulations, such as regulations issued by the California Air Resources Board relating to permitted levels of volatile organic compounds. The Company is required to comply with these laws and regulations and it seeks to anticipate regulatory developments that could impact the Company’s ability to continue to produce and market its products. The Company invests in research and development to maintain product formulations that comply with such laws and regulations. There can be no assurance that the Company will not be required to alter the chemical composition of one or more of the Company’s products in a way that will have an adverse effect upon the product’s efficacy or marketability. A delay or other inability of the Company to complete product research and development and successfully reformulate its products in response to any such regulatory requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.



The Company is subject to an SEC rule mandated by Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that requires management to conduct annual due diligence to determine whether certain minerals and metals, known as “conflict minerals”, are contained in the Company’s products and, if so, whether they originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”) or adjoining countries. Although the Company has concluded that its current products do not contain such conflict minerals in its annual evaluations to date, if the Company were to conclude that these materials exist within the Company’s products in future periods, the Company may have difficulty verifying the origin of such materials for purposes of disclosures required by the SEC rules.



The Company is also subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations that impose various environmental controls on its business operations, including, among other things, the discharge of pollutants into the air and water, the handling, use, treatment, storage and clean-up of solid and hazardous wastes and the investigation and remediation of soil and groundwater affected by hazardous substances. Such laws and regulations may otherwise relate to various health and safety matters that impose burdens upon the Company’s operations. These laws and regulations also impose strict, retroactive and joint and several liability for the costs of, and damages resulting from, cleaning up current sites, past spills, disposals and other releases of hazardous substances. The Company believes that its expenditures related to environmental matters have not had, and are not currently expected to have, a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, the environmental laws under which the Company operates are complicated, often become increasingly more stringent and may be applied retroactively. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will not be required to incur additional expenditures to remain in or to achieve compliance with environmental laws in the future or that any such additional expenditures will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.



In addition, certain countries and other jurisdictions in which the Company operates have data protection laws that impose strict regulations on the Company. For instance, The European Commission approved the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) which became effective for the Company beginning in May 2018. GDPR required certain operational changes to be made with regard to how the Company receives and processes personal data of residents of the European Union. Non-compliance with GDPR would result in significant penalties being imposed on the Company. In addition, other international governmental authorities are considering similar types of legislative and regulatory requirements concerning protection of personal data.



Additional laws and regulations require that the Company carefully manage its supply chain for the production, distribution and sale of goods. For instance, regulations under the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act and the U.K. Modern Slavery Act require attention to the employment practices of the Company’s suppliers. Various regulations affect the packaging, labelling and shipment of the Company’s products, including the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals which is applicable in many countries worldwide, regulations issued governing the safe storage and transportation of dangerous goods, and regulations issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, as well as similar foreign jurisdiction regulatory agencies. Failure by the Company to comply with any of these regulations or its inability to adequately predict the manner in which these regulations are interpreted and applied to the Company’s business by the applicable enforcement agencies could have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.



Failure to maximize or to successfully assert the Company’s intellectual property rights or infringement by the Company on the intellectual property rights of others could impact its competitiveness or otherwise adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.



The Company relies on trademark, trade secret protection, patent and copyright laws to protect its intellectual property rights. Although the Company maintains a global enforcement program to protect its intellectual property rights, there can be no assurance that these intellectual property rights will be maximized or that they can be successfully asserted. Trade secret protection, particularly for the Company’s most valuable product formulation for the WD-40 Multi-Use Product, requires specific

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agreements, policies and procedures to assure the secrecy of information classified as a trade secret. If such agreements, policies and procedures are not effective to maintain the secrecy of the Company’s trade secrets, the loss of trade secret protection could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition. There is a risk that the Company will not be able to obtain and perfect its own intellectual property rights or, where appropriate, license intellectual property rights necessary to support new product introductions or acquired product lines. The Company cannot be certain that these rights, if obtained, will not be invalidated, circumvented or challenged in the future, and the Company could incur significant costs in connection with legal actions to defend its intellectual property rights. In addition, even if such rights are obtained in the U.S., it may be that the laws of some of the other countries in which the Company’s products are or may be sold do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States, or they may be difficult to enforce. If other companies infringe the Company’s intellectual property rights or take part in counterfeiting activities, they may dilute the value of the Company’s brands in the marketplace, which could diminish the value that consumers associate with the Company’s brands and harm its sales. The failure of the Company to protect or successfully assert its intellectual property rights or to protect its other proprietary information could make the Company less competitive and this could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.



If the Company is found to have violated the trademark, copyright, patent or other intellectual property rights of others, such a finding could result in the need to cease the use of a trademark, trade secret, copyrighted work or patented invention in the Company’s business and an obligation to pay a substantial amount for past infringement. It could also be necessary to pay a substantial amount in the future if the holders of such rights are willing to permit the Company to continue to use the intellectual property rights. Either having to cease use or pay such amounts could make the Company less competitive and could have a material adverse impact on its business, financial condition and results of operations.



The Company’s operating results and financial performance may not meet expectations which could adversely affect the Company’s stock price.



The Company cannot be sure that its operating results and financial performance, which include sales growth, net income, earnings per common share, gross margin and cash flows, will meet expectations. If the Company’s assumptions and estimates are incorrect or do not come to fruition, or if the Company does not achieve all of its key goals or strategic initiatives, then the Company’s actual performance could vary materially from its internal expectations and those of the market. Failure to meet or exceed these expectations could cause the market price of the Company’s stock to decline. The Company’s operating results and financial performance may be negatively influenced by a number of factors, many of which are discussed in this Item 1A “Risk Factors”.

 

In addition, sales volume growth, whether due to acquisitions or internal growth, can place burdens on management resources and financial controls that, in turn, can have a negative impact on operating results and financial condition of the Company. To some extent, the Company plans its expense levels in anticipation of future revenues. If actual revenues fall short of these expectations, operating results may be adversely affected by reduced operating margins due to actual expense levels that are higher than might otherwise have been appropriate.



Malfunctions of the critical information systems that the Company uses for the daily operations of its business, cyberattacks and privacy breaches could adversely affect the Company’s ability to conduct business.



To conduct its business, the Company relies extensively on information technology systems, networks and services, some of which are managed, hosted and provided by third-party service providers. The Company cannot guarantee that its security measures will prevent cyberattacks resulting in breaches of the Company’s or its third-party service providers’ databases and systems. Techniques used in these attacks change frequently and may be difficult to detect for periods of time. Although the Company has policies and procedures in place governing (i) the timely investigation of cybersecurity incidents, (ii) the timely disclosure of any related material nonpublic information resulting from a material cybersecurity incident, and (iii) the safeguarding against insider trading of directors, officers, and other corporate insiders between the period of investigation and the public disclosure of such an incident; cybersecurity incidents themselves, such as the release of sensitive data from the Company’s databases and systems, could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. The increasing number of information technology security threats and the development of more sophisticated cyberattacks, including ransomware, pose a potential risk to the security of the Company’s information technology systems and networks, as well as to the confidentiality, availability and integrity of the Company’s data. Further, such an incident could also materially increase the costs that the Company already incurs to protect against such risks.



In addition, system failure, malfunction or loss of data that is housed in the Company’s critical information systems could disrupt its ability to timely and accurately process transactions and produce key financial reports, including information on the Company’s operating results, financial position and cash flows. The Company’s information systems could be damaged or cease to function properly due to a number of other reasons as well, including catastrophic events and power outages. Although the Company has certain business continuity plans in place to address such service interruptions, there is no guarantee that these

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business continuity plans will provide alternative processes in a timely manner. As a result, the Company may experience interruptions in its ability to manage its daily operations and this could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.



The information system that the U.S. office uses for its business operations is a market specific application that is not widely used by other companies. This system supports two other regional offices outside the U.S. as well. The company that owns and supports this application may not be able to provide the same level of support as that of companies which own larger, more widely spread information systems. If the company that supports this application in the U.S. were to cease its operations or were unable to provide continued support for this application, it could adversely affect the Company’s daily operations or its business, financial condition and results of operations.  



The Company faces competition in its markets which could lead to reduced sales and profitability.



The Company encounters competition from similar and alternative products, many of which are produced and marketed by major national or multinational companies. In addition, the Company frequently discovers products in certain markets that are counterfeit reproductions of the Company’s WD-40 products as well as products otherwise bearing an infringing trade dress. The availability of counterfeits and other infringing products, particularly in China, Russia and other emerging markets, could adversely impact the Company’s sales and potentially damage the value and reputation of its brands.

 

The Company’s products generally compete on the basis of product performance, brand recognition, price, quality or other benefits to consumers and meeting end users’ needs. Advertising, promotions, merchandising and packaging also have a significant impact on consumer purchasing decisions. A newly introduced consumer product, whether improved or recently developed, usually encounters intense competition requiring substantial expenditures for advertising, sales and consumer promotion. If a product gains consumer acceptance, it normally requires continued advertising, promotional support and product improvements in order to maintain its relative market position.



Some of the competitors for the Company’s homecare and cleaning products are larger and have financial resources greater than those of the Company. These competitors may be able to spend more aggressively on advertising and promotional activities, introduce competing products more quickly and respond more effectively to changing business and economic conditions than the Company.



Competitive activity may require the Company to increase its investment in marketing or reduce its sales prices and this may lead to reduced profit margins,  a loss of market share or loss of distribution, each of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors or that competitive pressures faced by the Company or the infringement of its products and brands will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.



Dependence on key customers could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.



The Company sells its products through a network of domestic and international mass retail, trade supply and consumer retailers as well as industrial distributors and suppliers. The retail industry has historically been the subject of consolidation, and as a result, the development of large chain stores has taken place. Today, the retail channel is comprised of several of these large chain stores that capture the bulk of the market share. Since many of the Company’s customers have been part of consolidations in the retail industry, these limited customers account for a large percentage of the Company’s net sales. Although the Company expects that a significant portion of its revenues will continue to be derived from this limited number of customers, there was no individual customer that contributed to more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in fiscal year 2018. However, changes in the strategies of the Company’s largest customers, including shelf simplification, a reduction in the number of brands they carry or a shift in shelf space to “private label” or competitors’ products, may harm the Company’s sales. The loss of, or reduction in, orders from any of the Company’s most significant customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s brand values, business, financial condition and results of operations. Large customers may seek price reductions, added support or promotional concessions. If the Company agrees to such customer demands and/or requests, it could negatively impact the Company’s ability to maintain existing profit margins.



In addition, the Company’s business is based primarily upon individual sales orders, and the Company typically does not enter into long-term contracts with its customers. Accordingly, these customers could reduce their purchasing levels or cease buying products from the Company at any time and for any reason. The Company is also subject to changes in customer purchasing patterns or the level of promotional activities. These types of changes may result from changes in the manner in which customers purchase and manage inventory levels, or display and promote products within their stores. Other potential factors such as customer disputes regarding shipments, fees, merchandise condition or related matters may also impact operating results. If the

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Company ceases doing business with a significant customer or if sales of its products to a significant customer materially decrease, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be harmed.



The Company may not successfully develop, introduce and /or establish new products and line extensions.



The Company’s future performance and growth depend, in part, on its ability to successfully develop, introduce and/or establish new products as both brand extensions and/or line extensions. The Company cannot be certain that it will successfully achieve those goals. The Company competes in several product categories where there are frequent introductions of new products and line extensions and such product introductions often require significant investment and support. The ability of the Company to understand end user needs and preferences is key to maintaining and improving the competitiveness of its product offerings. The development and introduction of new products, as well as the renovation of current products and product lines, require substantial and effective research, development and marketing expenditures, which the Company may be unable to recoup if the new or renovated products do not gain widespread market acceptance. There are inherent risks associated with new product development and marketing efforts, including product development or launch delays, product performance issues during development, changing regulatory frameworks that affect the new products in development and the availability of key raw materials included in such products. These inherent risks could result in the failure of new products and product line extensions to achieve anticipated levels of market acceptance, additional costs resulting from failed product introductions and the Company not being first to market. As the Company continues to focus on innovation and renovation of its products, the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected in the event that the Company is not able to effectively develop and introduce new or renovated products and line or brand extensions.



Goodwill and intangible assets are subject to impairment risk.



In accordance with the authoritative accounting guidance on goodwill and intangibles, the Company assesses the potential impairment of its existing goodwill during the second quarter of each fiscal year and otherwise when events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment condition may exist. The Company also assesses its definite-lived intangible assets for potential impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable or its estimated remaining useful life may no longer be appropriate. Indicators such as underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, changes in the Company’s strategy for its overall business or use of acquired assets, unexpected negative industry or economic trends, decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period, decreased market capitalization relative to net book values, unanticipated technological change or competitive activities, loss of key distribution, change in consumer demand, loss of key personnel and acts by governments and courts may signal that an asset has become impaired.



The assessment for possible impairment of the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets requires management to make judgments on a number of significant estimates and assumptions, including macroeconomic conditions, overall category growth rates, sales growth rates, cost containment and margin expansion and expense levels for advertising and promotions and general overhead, all of which must be developed from a market participant standpoint. The Company may be required to record a significant charge in its consolidated financial statements during the period in which any impairment of its goodwill or intangible assets is identified and this could negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Changes in management estimates and assumptions as they relate to valuation of goodwill and intangible assets could affect the Company’s financial condition or results of operations in the future.



The Company may also divest of certain of its assets, businesses or brands that do not align with the Company’s strategic initiatives. Any divestiture could negatively impact the profitability of the Company as a result of losses that may result from such a sale, the loss of sales and operating income or a decrease in cash flows subsequent to the divestiture. The Company may also be required to recognize impairment charges as a result of a divestiture.  



Changes in marketing distributor relationships that are not managed successfully by the Company could result in a disruption in the affected markets.



The Company distributes its products throughout the world in one of two ways: the direct distribution model, in which products are sold directly by the Company to wholesalers and retailers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, China, the U.K. and a number of other countries, including those throughout Europe; and the marketing distributor model, in which products are sold to marketing distributors who in turn sell to wholesalers and retailers. The marketing distributor model is generally used in certain countries where the Company does not have direct Company-owned operations. Instead, the Company partners with local companies who perform the sales, marketing and distribution functions. The Company invests time and resources into these relationships. Should the Company’s relationship with a marketing distributor change or terminate, the Company’s sales within such marketing distributor’s territory could be adversely impacted until such time as a suitable replacement could be found and the Company’s key marketing strategies are implemented. There is a risk that changes in such marketing distributor relationships, including changes in key marketing distributor personnel, that are not managed successfully, could result in a disruption in the affected markets and that such disruption could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results

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of operations. Additionally, in some countries, local laws may require substantial payments to terminate existing marketing distributor relationships, which could also have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.



Product liability claims and other litigation and/or regulatory action could adversely affect the Company’s sales and operating results.



While the Company makes every effort to ensure that the products it develops and markets are safe for consumers, the use of the Company’s products may expose the Company to liability claims resulting from such use. Claims could be based on allegations that, among other things, the Company’s products contain contaminants, provide inadequate instructions regarding their use or inadequate warnings concerning their use or interactions with other substances. Product liability claims could result in negative publicity that could harm the Company’s sales and operating results. The Company maintains product liability insurance that it believes will be adequate to protect the Company from material loss attributable to such claims but the extent of such loss could exceed available limits of insurance or could arise out of circumstances under which such insurance coverage would be unavailable. Other business activities of the Company may also expose the Company to litigation risks, including risks that may not be covered by insurance such as contract disputes. If successful claims are asserted by third parties against the Company for uninsured liabilities or liabilities in excess of applicable limits of insurance coverage, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, if one of the Company’s products was determined to be defective, the Company could be required to recall the product, which could result in adverse publicity, loss of revenues and significant expenses.



Additionally, the Company’s products may be associated with competitor products or other products in the same category, which may be alleged to have caused harm to consumers. As a result of this association, the Company may be named in unwarranted legal actions. The potential costs to defend such claims may materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.



Resolution of income tax matters may impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.



Significant judgment is required in determining the Company’s effective income tax rate and in evaluating tax positions, particularly those related to uncertain tax positions. The Company provides for uncertain tax positions when such tax positions do not meet the recognition thresholds or measurement standards prescribed by the accounting standard for uncertain tax positions. Changes in uncertain tax positions or other adjustments resulting from tax audits and settlements with taxing authorities, including related interest and penalties, impact the Company’s effective tax rate. When particular tax matters arise, a number of years may elapse before such matters are audited and finally resolved. Favorable resolution of such matters could be recognized as a reduction to the Company’s effective tax rate in the year of resolution. Unfavorable resolution of any tax matter could increase the Company’s effective tax rate. Any resolution of a tax matter may require the adjustment of tax assets or tax liabilities or the use of cash in the year of resolution. For additional information on such matters, see Part IV – Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” Note 12 – Income Taxes, included in this report.



In addition, changes in tax rules may materially affect, either adversely or favorably, the Company’s future financial results or the way management conducts its business. For example, on December 22, 2017 the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the “Tax Act”) was signed into law and became effective beginning January 1, 2018. The Tax Act significantly changed U.S. tax law and tax rates, as well as mandated the application of a one-time “toll tax” on unremitted foreign earnings, among other things. During fiscal year 2018, the Company recorded provisional amounts for the income tax effects of these changes in tax law and tax rates. It is possible that items reflected as provisional amounts may change materially following review of historical records, refinement of calculations, modifications of assumptions and further interpretation of the Tax Act based on U.S. Treasury regulations and guidance from the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities. In addition, the Company reevaluated its indefinite reinvestment assertion for its foreign subsidiaries during fiscal year 2018. In May 2018, the Company completed this reevaluation and no longer considers unremitted foreign earnings of any of its subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested. For additional information on the Tax Act, the impact of potential changes in provisional amounts, and the change in indefinite reinvestment assertions for certain foreign subsidiaries , see Part IV – Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” Note 12 – Income Taxes, included in this report.



Although many impacts of the Tax Act are favorable for the Company both in the near term and long term, the Tax Act also authorizes the Treasury Department to issue regulations with respect to the new provisions. The Company cannot predict how the changes in the Tax Act, regulations, or other guidance issued under it, including conforming or non-conforming state tax rules, might affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, there can be no assurance that U.S. tax laws, including the corporate income tax rate, will not undergo significant additional changes in the near future.  



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The Company may not have sufficient cash to service its indebtedness or to pay cash dividends.



The Company’s debt consists of fixed rate senior notes and a revolving credit facility. Management has used the proceeds of the revolving credit facility primarily for stock repurchases. In order to service such debt, the Company is required to use its income from operations to make interest and principal payments required by the terms of its borrowing agreements. In addition, the Company’s borrowing agreements include covenants to maintain certain financial ratios and to comply with other financial terms, conditions and covenants. Also, the Company has historically paid out a large part of its earnings to stockholders in the form of regular quarterly cash dividends.



The Company may incur substantial debt in the future for acquisitions or other general business or business development activities. In addition, the Company may continue to use available cash balances to execute share repurchases under approved share buy-back plans. To the extent that the Company is required to seek additional financing to support certain of these activities, such financing may not be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to the Company. If the Company is unable to obtain such financing or to service its existing or future debt with its operating income, or if available cash balances are affected by future business performance, liquidity, capital needs, alternative investment opportunities or debt covenants, the Company could be required to reduce, suspend or eliminate its dividend payments to its stockholders.



The Company’s business development activities may not be successful.



The Company may increase growth through business development activities such as acquisitions, joint ventures, licensing and/or other strategic partnerships in the U.S. and internationally. However, if the Company is not able to identify, acquire and successfully integrate acquired products or companies or successfully manage joint ventures or other strategic partnerships, the Company may not be able to maximize these opportunities. The failure to properly manage business development activities because of difficulties in the assimilation of operations and products, the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns, the loss of key employees or other factors could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company’s business development activities will be profitable at their inception or that they will achieve sales levels and profitability that justify the investments made.



Future acquisitions, joint ventures or strategic partnerships could also result in the incurrence of debt, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, contingent liabilities, amortization expenses related to certain intangible assets, unanticipated regulatory complications and/or increased operating expenses, all of which could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. In addition, to the extent that the economic benefits associated with any of the Company’s business development activities diminish in the future, the Company may be required to record impairments to goodwill, intangible assets or other assets associated with such activities, which could also adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.





Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments



None.



Item 2.  Properties



Americas



The Company owns and occupies an office located at 9715 Businesspark Avenue, San Diego, California 92131, which houses both corporate employees and employees in the Company’s Americas segment. In addition, the Company owns and utilizes a plant facility located at 1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, California 92110. The Company also leases a regional sales office in Miami, Florida, a research and development office in Pine Brook, New Jersey and office space in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.



EMEA

   

The Company owns and occupies an office and plant facility, consisting of office, plant and storage space, in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. The Company purchased a new office building and related land in February 2018, also located in Milton Keynes, and is in the process of renovating this office building. The Company expects to complete these renovations late in fiscal year 2019 and will relocate employees of the Company’s EMEA segment who are located in the U.K. to this office building upon its completion. In addition, the Company also leases another office in the United Kingdom and spaces for its branch offices in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands.



14


 

Asia-Pacific



The Company leases office space in Epping, New South Wales, Australia; Shanghai, China; and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.



Item 3.  Legal Proceedings



The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in Item 15 of Part IV, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” Note 11 — Commitments and Contingencies, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this report.



Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures



Not applicable.



Executive Officers of the Registrant



The following table sets forth the names, ages, fiscal year elected to current position and current titles of the executive officers of the Company as of August 31, 2018:



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Name, Age and Year Elected to Current Position

  

Title

Garry O. Ridge

  

62

  

1997

  

President and Chief Executive Officer

Jay W. Rembolt

 

67

 

2008

 

Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Stanley A. Sewitch

  

65

  

2012

  

Vice President, Global Organization Development

Richard T. Clampitt

  

63

  

2014

  

Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Michael L. Freeman

  

65

  

2016

  

Chief Strategy Officer

Geoffrey J. Holdsworth

  

56

  

1997

  

Managing Director, Asia-Pacific

William B. Noble

  

60

  

1996

  

Managing Director, EMEA

Steven A. Brass

 

52

 

2016

 

Division President, The Americas



Mr. Ridge joined the Company’s Australian subsidiary, WD-40 Company (Australia) Pty. Limited, in 1987 as Managing Director. He held several senior management positions prior to his election as Chief Executive Officer in 1997.



Mr. Rembolt joined the Company in 1997 as Manager of Financial Services. He was promoted to Controller in 1999 and to Vice President, Finance/Controller in 2001. He was then named Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer in 2008.



Mr. Sewitch joined the Company in 2012 as Vice President, Global Organization Development. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Sewitch was a founder of four businesses, including a human resources and organizational consulting firm (HRG Inc.) which he led from 1989 until joining the Company. 



Mr. Clampitt was named as Corporate Secretary on October 15, 2013 and joined the Company in 2014 as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.  He has been licensed to practice law in the State of California since 1981.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Clampitt served as a partner at Gordon & Rees LLP from 2002 through 2013.



Mr. Freeman joined the Company in 1990 as Director of Marketing and was promoted to Director of Operations in 1994. He became Vice President, Administration and Chief Information Officer in 1996, and was named Senior Vice President, Operations in 2001. He then served as Division President, The Americas, from 2002 until 2016 when he was appointed to his current position as Chief Strategy Officer.



Mr. Holdsworth joined the Company’s Australia subsidiary, WD-40 Company (Australia) Pty. Limited, in 1996 as General Manager and was promoted to his current position of Managing Director, Asia-Pacific and as a Director of WD-40 Company (Australia) Pty. Limited in 1997.



Mr. Noble joined the Company’s Australia subsidiary, WD-40 Company (Australia) Pty. Limited, in 1993 as International Marketing Manager for the Asia Region. He was then promoted to his current position of Managing Director, EMEA and as a Director of the Company’s U.K. subsidiary, WD-40 Company Limited, in 1996.



Mr. Brass joined the Company in 1991 as International Area Manager at the Company’s U.K. subsidiary and has since held several management positions including Country Manager in Germany, Director of Continental Europe, European Sales Director, and most recently European Commercial Director prior to his promotion to Division President, The Americas, in 2016.



All executive officers hold office at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

15


 

PART II



Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities



Market Information



The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol WDFC. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per share of the Company’s common stock for each of the quarterly periods indicated as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market, as well as the quarterly cash dividend declared per share.





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fiscal Year 2018

 

Fiscal Year 2017



High

 

Low

 

Dividend

 

High

 

Low

 

Dividend

First Quarter

$

120.00 

 

$

106.30 

 

$

0.49 

 

$

121.10 

 

$

101.35 

 

$

0.42 

Second Quarter

$

129.85 

 

$

115.55 

 

$

0.54 

 

$

119.90 

 

$

100.65 

 

$

0.49 

Third Quarter

$

141.20 

 

$

122.50 

 

$

0.54 

 

$

113.25 

 

$

100.60 

 

$

0.49 

Fourth Quarter

$

178.25 

 

$

136.75 

 

$

0.54 

 

$

114.10 

 

$

103.80 

 

$

0.49 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On October 17, 2018, the last reported sales price of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $157.95 per share, and there were 13,836,690 shares of common stock outstanding held by approximately 634 holders of record.



Dividends



The Company has historically paid regular quarterly cash dividends on its common stock. In December 2017, the Board of Directors declared a 10% increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend, increasing it from $0.49 per share to $0.54 per share.  On October 9, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.54 per share payable on October 31, 2018 to shareholders of record on October 19, 2018.



The Board of Directors of the Company presently intends to continue the payment of regular quarterly cash dividends on the Company’s common stock. The Company’s ability to pay dividends could be affected by future business performance, liquidity, capital needs, alternative investment opportunities and debt covenants.



Purchases of Equity Securities By the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers



On June 21, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share buy-back plan. Under the plan, which became effective on September 1, 2016, the Company was authorized to acquire up to $75.0 million of its outstanding shares through August 31, 2018. The timing and amount of repurchases were based on terms and conditions that were acceptable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and in compliance with all laws and regulations applicable thereto. During the period from September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2018, the Company repurchased 465,879 shares at a total cost of $53.7 million under this $75.0 million plan.



On June 19, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new share buy-back plan.   Under the plan, which became effective on September 1, 2018 and will remain in effect through August 31, 2020, the Company is authorized to acquire up to $75.0 million of its outstanding shares on terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and in compliance with all laws and regulations thereto.



16


 

The following table provides information with respect to all purchases made by the Company during the three months ended August 31, 2018. All purchases listed below were made in the open market at prevailing market prices. Purchase transactions between June 1, 2018 and July 13, 2018 and between August 17, 2018 and August 31, 2018 were executed pursuant to trading plans adopted by the Company pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Total Number

 

Maximum

 



 

 

 

 

of Shares

 

Dollar Value of

 



Total

 

 

 

Purchased as Part

 

Shares that May

 



Number of

 

Average

 

of Publicly

 

Yet Be Purchased

 



Shares

 

Price Paid

 

Announced Plans

 

Under the Plans

 



Purchased

 

Per Share

 

or Programs

 

  or Programs

 

Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 - June 30

 

7,800 

 

$

142.42 

 

 

7,800 

 

$

24,995,393 

 

July 1 - July 31

 

7,600 

 

$

158.18 

 

 

7,600 

 

$

23,793,099 

 

August 1 - August 31

 

14,900 

 

$

169.04 

 

 

14,900 

 

$

 -

(1)

Total

 

30,300 

 

$

159.47 

 

 

30,300 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





(1)  On August 31, 2018, the previous share buy-back plan which was approved on June 21, 2016 expired with less than the entire $75.0 million of authorized treasury share purchases having been executed.  As a result, no remaining amount of shares may be purchased under this plan. The new June 19, 2018 approved $75.0 million share buy-back plan became effective beginning September 1, 2018.













Item 6.  Selected Financial Data



The following data has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. The data should be read in conjunction with such consolidated financial statements and other financial information included elsewhere in this report (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



As of and for the Fiscal Year Ended August 31,



2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

Net sales

$

408,518 

 

$

380,506 

 

$

380,670 

 

$

378,150 

 

$

382,997 

Cost of products sold

 

183,255 

 

 

166,621 

 

 

166,301 

 

 

177,972 

 

 

184,144 

Gross profit

 

225,263 

 

 

213,885 

 

 

214,369 

 

 

200,178 

 

 

198,853 

Operating expenses

 

146,659 

 

 

137,976 

 

 

143,021 

 

 

134,788 

 

 

135,116 

Income from operations

 

78,604 

 

 

75,909 

 

 

71,348 

 

 

65,390 

 

 

63,737 

Interest and other (expense) income, net

 

(3,426)

 

 

(1,287)

 

 

1,441 

 

 

(2,280)

 

 

(778)

Income before income taxes

 

75,178 

 

 

74,622 

 

 

72,789 

 

 

63,110 

 

 

62,959 

Provision for income taxes

 

9,963 

 

 

21,692 

 

 

20,161 

 

 

18,303 

 

 

19,213 

Net income

$

65,215 

 

$

52,930 

 

$

52,628 

 

$

44,807 

 

$

43,746 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

4.65 

 

$

3.73 

 

$

3.65 

 

$

3.05 

 

$

2.89 

Diluted

$

4.64 

 

$

3.72 

 

$

3.64 

 

$

3.04 

 

$

2.87 

Dividends per share

$

2.11 

 

$

1.89 

 

$

1.64 

 

$

1.48 

 

$

1.33 

Weighted-average shares outstanding -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

diluted

 

13,962 

 

 

14,123 

 

 

14,379 

 

 

14,649 

 

 

15,148 

Total assets

$

317,059 

 

$

369,717 

 

$

339,668 

 

$

339,257 

 

$

347,680 

Long-term obligations (1)

$

75,667 

 

$

154,907 

 

$

140,579 

 

$

133,427 

 

$

26,354 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



(1) Long-term obligations include long-term debt, deferred tax liabilities, net and other long-term liabilities.





17


 

Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations



Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide the reader of the Company’s financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect future results. This MD&A includes the following sections: Overview, Highlights, Results of Operations, Performance Measures and Non-GAAP Reconciliations, Liquidity and Capital Resources, Critical Accounting Policies, Recently Issued Accounting Standards and Related Parties. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Item 15 of this report.



In order to show the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our results of operations, we have included constant currency disclosures, where necessary, in the Overview and Results of Operations sections which follow. Constant currency disclosures represent the translation of our current fiscal year revenues and expenses from the functional currencies of our subsidiaries to U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. We use results on a constant currency basis as one of the measures to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Results on a constant currency basis are not in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“non-GAAP”) and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

18


 

Overview



The Company



WD-40 Company (“the Company”), based in San Diego, California, is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world. We market our maintenance products and our homecare and cleaning products under the following well-known brands: WD-40®, 3-IN-ONE®, GT85®, X-14®, 2000 Flushes®, Carpet Fresh®, no vac®, Spot Shot®, 1001®, Lava® and Solvol®. Currently included in the WD-40 brand are the WD-40 Multi-Use Product and the WD-40 Specialist® and WD-40 BIKE® product lines.



Our brands are sold in various locations around the world. Maintenance products are sold worldwide in markets throughout North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Homecare and cleaning products are sold primarily in North America, the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and Australia. We sell our products primarily through mass retail and home center stores, warehouse club stores, grocery stores, hardware stores, automotive parts outlets, sport retailers, independent bike dealers, online retailers and industrial distributors and suppliers.

 

Highlights



The following summarizes the financial and operational highlights for our business during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018:



·

Consolidated net sales increased $28.0 million, or 7%, for fiscal year 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact of $10.5 million on consolidated net sales for fiscal year 2018. Thus, on a constant currency basis, net sales would have increased by $17.5 million, or 5%, for fiscal year 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year. This favorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates mainly came from our EMEA segment, which accounted for 37% of our consolidated sales for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018.



·

Consolidated net sales for the WD-40 Specialist product line were $31.4 million which is a 22% increase for fiscal year 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year. Although the WD-40 Specialist product line is expected to provide the Company with long-term growth opportunities, we will see some volatility in sales levels from period to period due to the timing of promotional programs, the building of distribution, and various other factors that come with building a new product line.



·

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 55.1% for fiscal year 2018 compared to 56.2% for the prior fiscal year.



·

Consolidated net income increased $12.3 million, or 23%, for fiscal year 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact of $1.9 million on consolidated net income for fiscal year 2018. Thus, on a constant currency basis, net income would have increased by $10.4 million, or 20%, for fiscal year 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year.



·

Diluted earnings per common share for fiscal year 2018 were $4.64 versus $3.72 in the prior fiscal year.



·

Net income and diluted earnings per common share were favorably impacted for fiscal year 2018 by the U.S. “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”, which became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and resulted in a lower effective income tax rate from period to period as well as a favorable remeasurement of the Company’s deferred tax liability of $6.8 million during fiscal year 2018.



·

Share repurchases were executed under our current $75.0 million share buy-back plan, which was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in June 2016 and became effective on September 1, 2016. During the period from September 1, 2017 through August 31, 2018, the Company repurchased 175,306 shares at an average price of $128.99 per share, for a total cost of $22.6 million.  



Our strategic initiatives and the areas where we will continue to focus our time, talent and resources in future periods include: (i) maximizing WD-40 Multi-Use product sales through geographic expansion, increased market penetration and the development of new and unique delivery systems; (ii) leveraging the WD-40 brand by growing the WD-40 Specialist product line; (iii) leveraging the strengths of the Company through broadened product and revenue base; (iv) attracting, developing and retaining talented people; and (v) operating with excellence.

19


 

Results of Operations



Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2018 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2017



Operating Items



The following table summarizes operating data for our consolidated operations (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts): 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fiscal Year Ended August 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 

Change from
Prior Year



2018

 

2017

 

Dollars

 

Percent

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintenance products

$

372,391 

 

$

342,295 

 

$

30,096 

 

 

9% 

Homecare and cleaning products

 

36,127 

 

 

38,211 

 

 

(2,084)

 

 

(5)%

Total net sales

 

408,518 

 

 

380,506 

 

 

28,012 

 

 

7% 

Cost of products sold

 

183,255 

 

 

166,621 

 

 

16,634 

 

 

10% 

Gross profit

 

225,263 

 

 

213,885 

 

 

11,378 

 

 

5% 

Operating expenses

 

146,659 

 

 

137,976 

 

 

8,683 

 

 

6% 

Income from operations

$

78,604 

 

$

75,909 

 

$

2,695 

 

 

4% 

Net income

$

65,215 

 

$

52,930 

 

$

12,285 

 

 

23% 

Earnings per common share - diluted

$

4.64 

 

$

3.72 

 

$

0.92 

 

 

25% 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales by Segment 



The following table summarizes net sales by segment (in thousands, except percentages):



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fiscal Year Ended August 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 

Change from
Prior Year



2018

 

2017

 

Dollars

 

Percent

Americas

$

192,878 

 

$

184,929 

 

$

7,949 

 

 

4% 

EMEA

 

150,878 

 

 

136,771 

 

 

14,107 

 

 

10% 

Asia-Pacific

 

64,762 

 

 

58,806 

 

 

5,956 

 

 

10% 

Total

$

408,518 

 

$

380,506 

 

$

28,012 

 

 

7% 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







20


 





Americas

 

The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Americas segment (in thousands, except percentages):



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fiscal Year Ended August 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 

Change from
Prior Year



2018

 

2017

 

Dollars

 

Percent

Maintenance products

$

170,160 

 

$

159,167 

 

$

10,993 

 

 

7% 

Homecare and cleaning products

 

22,718 

 

 

25,762 

 

 

(3,044)

 

 

(12)%

Total

$

192,878 

 

$

184,929 

 

$

7,949 

 

 

4% 

% of consolidated net sales

 

47% 

 

 

49% 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales in the Americas segment, which includes the U.S., Canada and Latin America, increased to $192.9 million, up $7.9 million, or 4%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on sales for the Americas segment from period to period. Sales for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the prior fiscal year would have been $192.5 million in the Americas segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $7.6 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year.



Sales of maintenance products in the Americas segment increased $11.0 million, or 7%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year. This sales increase was mainly driven by higher sales of maintenance products in the U.S. and Latin America, which were up $8.0 million and $2.3 million, or 6% and 10% respectively, from period to period. In addition, sales of maintenance products also increased by $0.7 million in Canada, up 8%, from period to period. The sales increase in the U.S. was primarily due to the success of certain online promotional and advertising activities which were conducted in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 as well as certain customers buying product in advance of a price increase, particularly on WD-40 Multi-Use Product, which took place at the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018. In addition, the sales increase in the U.S. was also attributable to higher sales of WD-40 EZ-REACH Flexible Straw product, which were up $2.9 million, or 29%, from period to period. The sales increase in Latin America from period to period was primarily due to successful promotional programs which were conducted in the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, higher sales in Mexico due to improved market and economic conditions, new distribution for the WD-40 Multi-Use Product in Central America and higher sales in Chile due to successful promotional programs.  The sales increase in Canada was primarily driven by successful promotional programs which were conducted in the third quarter of fiscal year 2018. Also contributing to the overall sales increase of the maintenance products in the Americas segment from period to period were higher sales of the WD-40 Specialist product line, which were up $0.7 million, or 5%, from period to period due to new distribution, particularly of certain new products within this product line during fiscal year 2018.



Sales of homecare and cleaning products in the Americas segment decreased $3.1 million, or 12%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year. This sales decrease was driven primarily by a decrease in sales of the Carpet Fresh, 2000 Flushes and Spot Shot brand products, which were down 37%, 14% and 10%, respectively, from period to period. While each of our homecare and cleaning products continue to generate positive cash flows, we have continued to experience decreased or flat sales for many of these products primarily due to lost distribution, reduced product offerings, competition, category declines and the volatility of orders from promotional programs with certain of our customers, particularly those in the warehouse club and mass retail channels.



For the Americas segment, 80% of sales came from the U.S., and 20% of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year when 81% of sales came from the U.S., and 19% of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined.

21


 

EMEA

The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the EMEA segment (in thousands, except percentages):





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fiscal Year Ended August 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 

Change from
Prior Year



2018

 

2017

 

Dollars

 

Percent

Maintenance products

$

144,932 

 

$

131,562 

 

$

13,370 

 

 

10% 

Homecare and cleaning products

 

5,946 

 

 

5,209 

 

 

737 

 

 

14% 

Total (1)

$

150,878 

 

$

136,771 

 

$

14,107 

 

 

10% 

% of consolidated net sales

 

37% 

 

 

36% 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





(1)

While the Company’s reporting currency is U.S. Dollar, the functional currency of our U.K. subsidiary, the entity in which the EMEA results are generated, is Pound Sterling. Although the functional currency of this subsidiary is Pound Sterling, approximately 50% of its sales are generated in Euro and 20% are generated in U.S. Dollar. As a result, the Pound Sterling sales and earnings for the EMEA segment can be negatively or positively impacted from period to period upon translation from these currencies depending on whether the Euro and U.S. Dollar are weakening or strengthening against the Pound Sterling.



Sales in the EMEA segment, which includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India, increased to $150.9 million, up $14.1 million, or 10%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on sales for the EMEA segment from period to period. Sales for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the prior fiscal year would have been $141.7 million in the EMEA segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $4.9 million, or 4%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year.



The countries in Europe where we sell through a direct sales force include the U.K., Italy, France, Iberia (which includes Spain and Portugal) and the Germanics sales region (which includes Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands). Sales in the direct markets increased $13.5 million, or 15%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year primarily due to a sales increase of $8.0 million, or 13%, of the WD-40 Multi-Use Product across all markets. This increase in sales was also a result of the favorable impacts of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, specifically the strengthening of the Pound Sterling against the U.S. Dollar, as well as a higher level of promotional activities, particularly in the do-it-yourself (“DIY”) and retail channels. Also contributing to the overall sales increase in the direct markets was higher sales of the WD-40 Specialist product line, which were up $3.5 million, or 45%, from period to period due to new distribution and a higher level of promotional activities, particularly in France, the U.K. and the Germanics regions.  Sales from direct markets accounted for 68% of the EMEA segment’s sales for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to 65% of the EMEA segment’s sales for the prior fiscal year.  



The regions in the EMEA segment where we sell through local distributors include the Middle East, Africa, India, Eastern and Northern Europe. Sales in the distributor markets increased $0.6 million, or 1%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year, primarily due to higher sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product in Northern Europe and the Middle East as a result of various successful promotional programs in those regions. This sales increase was almost completely offset by lower sales in Eastern Europe from period to period.  Although there were increased sales in various countries in Eastern Europe from period to period, sales in Russia declined by 33%, which resulted in an overall decline in sales in this region. The declines in Russia were due to continued instability in the region and the timing of orders from the distributor. The distributor markets accounted for 32% of the EMEA segment’s total sales for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018, compared to 35% for the prior fiscal year.

22


 



Asia-Pacific



The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Asia-Pacific segment (in thousands, except percentages):



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fiscal Year Ended August 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 

Change from
Prior Year



2018

 

2017

 

Dollars

 

Percent

Maintenance products

$

57,299 

 

$

51,567 

 

$

5,732 

 

 

11% 

Homecare and cleaning products

 

7,463 

 

 

7,239 

 

 

224 

 

 

3% 

Total

$

64,762 

 

$

58,806 

 

$

5,956 

 

 

10% 

% of consolidated net sales

 

16% 

 

 

15% 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales in the Asia-Pacific segment, which includes Australia, China and other countries in the Asia region, increased to $64.8 million, up $6.0 million, or 10%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on sales for the Asia-Pacific segment from period to period. Sales for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the prior fiscal year would have been $63.8 million in the Asia-Pacific segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $5.0 million, or 9%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year.



Sales in Asia, which represented 72% of the total sales in the Asia-Pacific segment, increased $6.0 million, or 14%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year. Sales in the Asia distributor markets increased $3.6 million, or 14%, primarily due to a higher sales of the WD-40 Multi-Use Product in the Philippines, Taiwan and South Korea markets as a result of successful promotion programs as well as the timing of customer orders from period to period.  In addition, sales in Indonesia returned to more normal levels in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018 as result of the successful transition to a new marketing distributor in this region during the year. Sales in China increased $2.4 million, or 16%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year.  Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on sales in China. On a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $1.7 million, or 11%, from period to period primarily due to a higher level of promotional activities and many customers buying product in advance of a price increase that went into effect at the beginning of fiscal year 2019.



Sales in Australia remained constant at $17.8 million for each of the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017. Although sales in Australia remained constant from period to period, on a constant currency basis, sales decreased slightly by 1% primarily due to a lower sales of the WD-40 Multi-Use Product as a result of a  major customer reducing their inventory levels of aerosol can products due to certain regulatory constraints.  



Gross Profit



Gross profit increased to $225.3 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to $213.9 million for the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased to 55.1% for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to 56.2% for the prior fiscal year.



Gross margin was negatively impacted by 1.3 percentage points from period to period due to unfavorable net changes in the costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals and aerosol cans in all three segments. There is often a delay of one quarter or more before changes in raw material costs impact cost of products sold due to production and inventory life cycles. The average cost of crude oil which flowed through our cost of goods sold was higher during fiscal year 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year, thus resulting in negative impacts to our gross margin from period to period. Due to the volatility of the price of crude oil, it is uncertain the level to which gross margin will be impacted by such costs in future periods. Gross margin was also negatively impacted by 0.2 percentage points from period to period due to higher warehousing and in-bound freight costs in all three segments. Advertising, promotional and other discounts that we give to our customers also increased from period to period which negatively impacted gross margin by 0.1 percentage points. These unfavorable impacts to gross margin were partially offset by 0.5 percentage points from period to period primarily due to sales price increases implemented in the EMEA and Asia-Pacific segments late in fiscal year 2017 and the first half of fiscal year 2018, as well as sales price increases implemented in the Americas segment in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018.  



Note that our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to those of other consumer product companies, since some of these companies include all costs related to distribution of their products in cost of products sold, whereas we exclude the portion associated with amounts paid to third parties for shipment to our customers from our distribution centers and contract

23


 

manufacturers and include these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs totaled $17.7  million and $16.4 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.



Selling, General and Administrative Expenses



Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 increased $6.8 million to $121.4 million from $114.6 million for the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 29.7% for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 from 30.1% for the prior fiscal year. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily attributable to the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates of $2.8 million from period to period, as well as increases in employee-related costs, depreciation expense and general office overhead costs, freight costs, and a higher level of expenses associated with travel and meetings from period to period. Employee-related costs, which include salaries, incentive compensation, profit sharing, stock-based compensation and other fringe benefits, increased by $2.7 million. This increase was primarily due to increased headcount, higher earned incentive compensation and annual compensation increases that take effect in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Depreciation expense and general office overhead costs increased $0.9 million primarily due to the depreciation and expenses associated with the Company’s new San Diego, California office building, which was completed in August 2017. Freight costs associated with shipping products to our customers increased $0.7 million primarily due to higher sales volumes in all three segments from period to period, as well as various macroeconomic factors impacting the freight industry which have resulted in increased shipping costs. Travel and meeting expenses increased $0.3 million due to a higher level of travel expenses associated with various sales meetings and activities in support of our strategic initiatives. In addition, other miscellaneous expenses also increased in total by $0.7 million period over period, primarily due to an increase in charitable contributions and bad debt expense. These overall increases were slightly offset by a decrease in professional services costs and research and development costs from period to period. Professional service costs decreased $0.8 million due to a favorable legal judgment of $1.5 million received and recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018 (for additional information, see Part IV – Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies, included in this report), which was partially offset by the increased use of professional services in the EMEA segment from period to period primarily due to the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation which became effective for the Company beginning in May 2018. In addition, research and development costs, including new product exploration expenses, decreased $0.5 million from period to period due to decreases in such spending in the Americas segment.



We continued our research and development investment, the majority of which is associated with our maintenance products, in support of our focus on innovation and renovation of our products. Research and development costs for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 were $7.0 million and $8.4 million, respectively. Our research and development team engages in consumer research, product development, current product improvement and testing activities. This team leverages its development capabilities by partnering with a network of outside resources including our current and prospective suppliers. The level and types of expenses incurred within research and development can vary from period to period depending upon the types of activities being performed.



Advertising and Sales Promotion Expenses



Advertising and sales promotion expenses for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 increased $1.8 million to $22.3 million from $20.5 for the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses increased to 5.5% for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 from 5.4% for the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on such expenses of $0.6 million from period to period. Thus, on a constant currency basis, advertising and sales promotion expenses for fiscal year 2018 would have increased by $1.2 million, primarily due to corporate funded costs associated with increasing the Company’s digital presence and building brand awareness in all three segments from period to period. Investment in global advertising and sales promotion expenses for fiscal year 2019 is expected to be between 5.5% and 6.0% of net sales.



As a percentage of net sales, advertising and sales promotion expenses may fluctuate period to period based upon the type of marketing activities we employ and the period in which the costs are incurred. Total promotional costs recorded as a reduction to sales were $19.7 million and $17.5 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Therefore, our total investment in advertising and sales promotion activities totaled $42.0 million and $38.0 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

24


 

Amortization of Definite-lived Intangible Assets Expense



Amortization of our definite-lived intangible assets remained relatively constant at $3.0 million and $2.9 million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.



Income from Operations by Segment



The following table summarizes income from operations by segment (in thousands, except percentages):



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fiscal Year Ended August 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 

Change from
Prior Year



2018

 

2017

 

Dollars

 

Percent

Americas

$

48,954 

 

$

48,303 

 

$

651 

 

 

1% 

EMEA

 

36,241 

 

 

35,389 

 

 

852 

 

 

2% 

Asia-Pacific

 

19,098 

 

 

16,765 

 

 

2,333 

 

 

14% 

Unallocated corporate (1)

 

(25,689)

 

 

(24,548)

 

 

(1,141)

 

 

5% 

Total

$

78,604 

 

$

75,909 

 

$

2,695 

 

 

4% 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



(1)

Unallocated corporate expenses are general corporate overhead expenses not directly attributable to any one of the operating segments. These expenses are reported separate from the Company’s identified segments and are included in Selling, General and Administrative expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.



Americas



Income from operations for the Americas segment increased to $49.0 million, up $0.7 million, or 1%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a $7.9 million increase in sales, which was partially offset by a lower gross margin and higher operating expenses. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit for the Americas segment decreased from 54.4% to 53.5% period over period. This decrease in the gross margin was primarily due to the combined negative impacts of increased costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals and aerosol cans, as well as higher warehousing and in-bound freight costs from period to period. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by a lower level of advertising, promotional and other discounts that we gave to our customers and the impact of sales price increases from period to period. The higher sales in the Americas segment were accompanied by a $2.0 million increase in total operating expenses period over period due to higher employee-related expenses, primarily those associated with earned incentive compensation,  as well as higher professional service costs. These increases in operating expenses were partially offset by a lower level of advertising and sales promotion expenses, decreased research and development costs, and lower overhead costs from period to period. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased from 26.1% to 25.4% period over period.



EMEA



Income from operations for the EMEA segment increased to $36.2 million, up $0.9 million, or 2%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a $14.1 million increase in sales, which was significantly offset by a lower gross margin and higher operating expenses. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit for the EMEA segment decreased from 59.6% to 57.7% period over period primarily due to the combined negative impacts of increased costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals and aerosol cans as well as a higher level of advertising, promotional and other discounts that we gave to our customers from period to period. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by sales price increases from period to period. The higher sales in the EMEA segment were accompanied by a $4.8 million increase in total operating expenses period over period, primarily due to the unfavorable impacts of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, as well as increased headcount, higher freight costs,  higher professional services costs and increased advertising and sales promotion expenses from period to period. These increases in operating expenses were partially offset by lower earned incentive compensation from period to period. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased from 25.9% to 24.0% period over period.



25


 

Asia-Pacific



Income from operations for the Asia-Pacific segment increased to $19.1 million, up $2.3 million, or 14%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a $6.0 million increase in sales, which was partially offset by a lower gross margin and higher operating expenses. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit for the Asia-Pacific segment decreased from 54.2% to 54.0% period over period primarily due to the negative impact of increased costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals and a higher level of advertising, promotional and other discounts that we gave to our customers from period to period. These unfavorable impacts were mostly offset by sales price increases and favorable sales mix changes from period to period. The higher sales in the Asia-Pacific segment were accompanied by a $0.8 million increase in total operating expenses period over period, primarily due to increased advertising and sales promotion expenses and higher freight costs. Operating income as a percentage of net sales increased from 28.5% to 29.5% period over period.



Non-Operating Items



The following table summarizes non-operating income and expenses for our consolidated operations (in thousands):





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fiscal Year Ended August 31,



2018

 

2017

 

Change

Interest income

$

454 

 

$

508 

 

$

(54)

Interest expense

$

(4,219)

 

$

(2,582)

 

$

(1,637)

Other income

$

339 

 

$

787 

 

$

(448)

Provision for income taxes

$

9,963 

 

$

21,692 

 

$

(11,729)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Income



Interest income remained relatively constant for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year.



Interest Expense



Interest expense increased $1.6 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year primarily due to higher interest rates and an increased average outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility period over period. Interest expense also increased from period to period due to the interest associated with the $20.0 million Series A Notes which were issued in November 2017.



Other Income



Other income decreased by $0.4 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year primarily due to a decrease of $0.2 million in net foreign currency exchange gains from period to period, as well as a $0.2 million miscellaneous income item recorded in our Asia-Pacific segment in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 that did not reoccur in fiscal year 2018. The decrease in foreign currency exchange gains was primarily due to the relative movement in foreign currency exchange rates and the fluctuation of non-functional currency balance sheet accounts, particularly those associated with our UK subsidiary, during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year. 



Provision for Income Taxes



The provision for income taxes was 13.3% of income before income taxes for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 compared to 29.1% for the prior fiscal year. The decrease in the effective income tax rate from period to period was primarily due to the favorable impact of the reduced tax rate resulting from the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”  (the “Tax Act”), which became effective during the second quarter of the Company’s fiscal year 2018.  Since the Company has a fiscal year which ends on August 31, the Company is subject to a “blended” corporate federal statutory rate in its fiscal year 2018 which is calculated based on the applicable tax rates before and after passage of the Tax Act and the number of days in the fiscal year.  As a result of this calculation, the Company’s blended corporate federal statutory tax rate for fiscal year 2018 is 25.7%, which is more than 9 percentage points lower than the statutory rate of 35% in the prior fiscal year. The Company also recorded two discrete items related to the Tax Act during fiscal year 2018, a $6.8 million provisional remeasurement of the Company’s net deferred tax liability and a $0.3 million provisional benefit related to the toll tax net of foreign tax credits, both of which lowered the Company’s effective income tax rate from period to period. For additional information on the impacts of the Tax Act on the Company’s provision for income taxes and its consolidated financial statements, see Part IV – Item 15, “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” Note 12 – Income Taxes, included in this report.



26


 

The decrease in the effective income tax rate from period to period was also driven in part by the adoption of ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, in the first quarter of the Company’s fiscal year 2018, which resulted in excess tax benefits from settlements of stock-based equity awards of $0.7 million being recognized in the provision for income taxes, whereas such benefits were recognized as an increase to additional paid-in capital in prior periods. In addition, the effective income tax rate for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 was higher due to the unfavorable impact of a non-recurring immaterial out-of-period correction that the Company recorded in the second quarter of fiscal year 2017 associated with the tax impacts from certain unrealized foreign currency exchange losses.



Net Income



Net income was $65.2 million, or $4.64 per common share on a fully diluted basis, for fiscal year 2018 compared to $52.9 million, or $3.72 per common share on a fully diluted basis, for the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates year over year had a favorable impact of $1.9 million on net income for fiscal year 2018. Thus, on a constant currency basis, net income for fiscal year 2018 would have been $63.3 million.

27


 

Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2017 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2016



Operating Items



The following table summarizes operating data for our consolidated operations (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts): 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fiscal Year Ended August 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 

Change from
Prior Year



2017

 

2016

 

Dollars

 

Percent

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintenance products

$

342,295 

 

$

339,974 

 

$

2,321 

 

 

1% 

Homecare and cleaning products

 

38,211 

 

 

40,696 

 

 

(2,485)

 

 

(6)%

Total net sales

 

380,506 

 

 

380,670 

 

 

(164)

 

 

-

Cost of products sold

 

166,621 

 

 

166,301 

 

 

320 

 

 

-

Gross profit

 

213,885 

 

 

214,369 

 

 

(484)

 

 

-

Operating expenses

 

137,976 

 

 

143,021 

 

 

(5,045)

 

 

(4)%

Income from operations

$

75,909 

 

$

71,348 

 

$

4,561 

 

 

6% 

Net income

$

52,930 

 

$

52,628 

 

$

302 

 

 

1% 

Earnings per common share - diluted

$

3.72 

 

$

3.64 

 

$

0.08 

 

 

2% 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales by Segment 



The following table summarizes net sales by segment (in thousands, except percentages):



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fiscal Year Ended August 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 

Change from
Prior Year



2017

 

2016

 

Dollars

 

Percent

Americas

$

184,929 

 

$

191,397 

 

$

(6,468)

 

 

(3)%

EMEA

 

136,771 

 

 

135,235 

 

 

1,536 

 

 

1% 

Asia-Pacific

 

58,806 

 

 

54,038 

 

 

4,768 

 

 

9% 

Total

$

380,506 

 

$

380,670 

 

$

(164)

 

 

-



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



28


 

Americas

 

The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Americas segment (in thousands, except percentages):



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fiscal Year Ended August 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 

Change from
Prior Year



2017

 

2016

 

Dollars

 

Percent

Maintenance products

$

159,167 

 

$

163,655 

 

$

(4,488)

 

 

(3)%

Homecare and cleaning products

 

25,762 

 

 

27,742 

 

 

(1,980)

 

 

(7)%

Total

$

184,929 

 

$

191,397 

 

$

(6,468)

 

 

(3)%

% of consolidated net sales

 

49% 

 

 

50% 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales in the Americas segment, which includes the U.S., Canada and Latin America, decreased to $184.9 million, down $6.5 million, or 3%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates did not have a significant impact on sales for the Americas segment from period to period.



Sales of maintenance products in the Americas segment decreased $4.5 million, or 3%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016. This sales decrease was mainly driven by lower sales of maintenance products in the U.S., which declined 5% from period to period.  This decline in sales from period to period was primarily due to decreased sales associated with a lower level of promotional activities and the timing of customer orders for the WD-40 Multi-Use Product.  This lower level of sales in the U.S. was also attributable to efforts of certain of our customers in late fiscal year 2017 to more closely manage their inventory levels. The sales decrease of maintenance products in the U.S. was partially offset by increased sales of such products in Canada and Latin America, which increased 10% and 4%, respectively, from period to period. The sales increase in Canada was primarily due to added distribution of the WD-40 Bike product as well as higher sales due to successful promotional programs, which was partially driven by improving market and economic conditions, including those within the industrial channel in Western Canada as a result of increased activity levels in the oil industry. The sales increase in Latin America was primarily due to improved economic conditions in Puerto Rico in fiscal year 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016, as well as new distribution and successful promotional programs in several countries in South America. The overall decrease in sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product in the Americas segment was partially offset by higher sales of the WD-40 Specialist product line, which were up $1.5 million, or 13%, from period to period due to new distribution, particularly of certain new products within this product line during fiscal year 2017.



Sales of homecare and cleaning products in the Americas segment decreased $2.0 million, or 7%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016. This sales decrease was driven primarily by a decrease in sales of the X-14, Spot Shot and Lava brand products in the U.S., which were down 13%, 9% and 9%, respectively, from period to period. While each of our homecare and cleaning products continue to generate positive cash flows, we have continued to experience decreased or flat sales for many of these products primarily due to lost distribution, reduced product offerings, competition, category declines and the volatility of orders from promotional programs with certain of our customers, particularly those in the warehouse club and mass retail channels.



For the Americas segment, 81% of sales came from the U.S., and 19% of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016 when 83% of sales came from the U.S., and 17% of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined.

29


 

EMEA

The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the EMEA segment (in thousands, except percentages):





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fiscal Year Ended August 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 

Change from
Prior Year



2017

 

2016

 

Dollars

 

Percent

Maintenance products

$

131,562 

 

$

129,217 

 

$

2,345 

 

 

2% 

Homecare and cleaning products

 

5,209 

 

 

6,018 

 

 

(809)

 

 

(13)%

Total (1)

$

136,771 

 

$

135,235 

 

$

1,536 

 

 

1% 

% of consolidated net sales

 

36% 

 

 

36% 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



(1)

While the Company’s reporting currency is U.S. Dollar, the functional currency of our U.K. subsidiary, the entity in which the EMEA results are generated, is Pound Sterling. Although the functional currency of this subsidiary is Pound Sterling, approximately 45% of its sales are generated in Euro and 25% are generated in U.S. Dollar. As a result, the Pound Sterling sales and earnings for the EMEA segment can be negatively or positively impacted from period to period upon translation from these currencies depending on whether the Euro and U.S. Dollar are weakening or strengthening against the Pound Sterling.



Sales in the EMEA segment, which includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India, increased to $136.8 million, up $1.5 million, or 1%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on sales for the EMEA segment from period to period. Sales for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 translated at the exchange rates in effect for fiscal year 2016 would have been $155.9 million in the EMEA segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $20.6 million, or 15%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016.



The countries in Europe where we sell through a direct sales force include the U.K., Italy, France, Iberia (which includes Spain and Portugal) and the Germanics sales region (which includes Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands). Overall, sales from the direct markets increased $1.3 million, or 1%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on sales in the direct markets in EMEA from period to period.  On a constant currency basis, sales in the direct markets would have increased by 15% from fiscal year 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016.



We experienced sales increases throughout most of the EMEA direct markets for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016 primarily due to a sales increase of $3.5 million, or 6%, in the Euro-based direct markets as a result of continued growth of the base business and higher sales of WD-40 Specialist. Sales of WD-40 Specialist in the Euro-based direct markets increased $1.6 million, or 36%, from period to period as a result of expanded distribution in most markets, but particularly in France. Although sales in the Euro-based direct markets also benefited from the strengthening of the Euro against the Pound Sterling, the functional currency of our U.K. subsidiary, they were impacted in the opposite direction by approximately the same amount due the weakening of the Pound Sterling against the U.S. Dollar from period to period. The sales increase in the Euro-based direct markets was partially offset by a sales decrease in the U.K. of $2.2 million, or 8%, as a result of the unfavorable impacts of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, specifically the Pound Sterling against the U.S. Dollar. In functional currency, sales in the U.K. increased by 4% primarily due to a favorable shift in product mix within the WD-40 Multi-Use Product from period to period. Sales from direct markets accounted for 65% of the EMEA segment’s sales for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 compared to 66% of the EMEA segment’s sales for fiscal year 2016.  



The regions in the EMEA segment where we sell through local distributors include the Middle East, Africa, India, Eastern and Northern Europe. Sales in the distributor markets increased $0.2 million, or 1%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016 primarily due increased sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product in the Eastern Europe and India. Overall, sales in the distributor markets were increased from period to period primarily due to the continued growth of the base business in key markets. The distributor markets accounted for 35% of the EMEA segment’s total sales for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, compared to 34% for fiscal year 2016.

















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Asia-Pacific



The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Asia-Pacific segment (in thousands, except percentages):