Balchem Q1 Increase 20% Sales on Food, Pharma & Nutrition Segment

Detailing this first quarter of 2010, sales of the Food, Pharma & Nutrition segment were a record $10.0 million, which was a 20% improvement over the prior year comparable quarter.

5 May 2010 --- For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, Balchem achieved record net earnings of $7.0 million as compared to $6.1 for the prior year comparable period, an increase of $0.9 million, or 15.3%. The $7.0 million generated diluted net earnings per common share of $0.24, versus $0.21 for the prior year comparable period, an increase of 14.3%. Record first quarter net sales of $59.9 million were approximately 13.1% greater than the $53.0 million result of the prior year comparable quarter.

Detailing this first quarter of 2010, sales of the Food, Pharma & Nutrition segment were a record $10.0 million, which was a 20% improvement over the prior year comparable quarter. The domestic and international food sectors were up again this quarter, as we saw solid double digit growth of encapsulated ingredients for baking, preservation and confection markets. In the quarter, we also realized double digit growth of our human choline products globally, as we continue to target new food applications, and we also experienced a rebound in the supplement markets. These results were partially offset by slowness in sales of our calcium products and a slight decline in quarterly sales of our VitaShure products for nutritional enhancement. Earnings from operations for this segment were a record $2.0 million, as compared to $1.0 million in the prior year comparable quarter, with gross margin levels improving, largely due to a 9.2% improvement in sales volume as well as improved product mix.

Animal Nutrition & Health (“ANH”), including specialties, choline and industrial derivative product sales, totaled $40.3 million, an increase of 12.2%, or $4.4 million from the prior year comparable quarter. Global feed grade choline product sales grew approximately 1.2% over the prior year quarter. Sales of choline products sourced from our Italian operation into the European and other international poultry markets improved 4.8%. Within the North American poultry production market, levels have stabilized and are forecasted to improve slightly over the balance of 2010. The ANH specialty ingredients, largely targeted to the ruminant and companion animal markets, realized 24.1% sales growth from the prior year comparable quarter, as some regional improvement in dairy economics supported greater demand for these products, particularly with strong sales of Reashure, Nitroshure, Chelated Minerals and Aminoshure-L, our rumen protected lysine. Sales of industrial grade derivatives realized 43.9% sales growth from the prior year comparable quarter and improved approximately 19.5% on a sequential basis. Earnings from operations for the entire ANH segment increased to $5.2 million as compared to $5.0 million in the prior year comparable quarter. This quarterly earnings result reflects unfavorable increases in certain petro-chemical commodities used to manufacture choline. Price increases have been, and will be, implemented where we are contractually able to do so in the second quarter, as certain products continue to be affected by these higher costs.

The ARC Specialty Products segment generated record quarterly sales of $9.7 million, an increase of 9.9% from the comparable prior year quarter. This increase was principally a result of an increase in volumes sold in the quarter. Earnings from operations for this segment, at $3.3 million were essentially flat with the prior year comparable quarter as the benefits of increased sales volumes were offset by higher petro-chemical based raw material costs, and increased expenses related to development work on our ERC technology for repackaging, distribution and delivery of a product for the fruit ripening industry. Starting in the second quarter, we did increase prices to help off-set certain of the raw material cost increases. We continue to monitor petro-chemical raw material price escalation and if continued, would seek to adjust prices within contractual guidelines.

Consolidated gross profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 improved approximately 6.8% to $17.4 million, as compared to $16.3 million for the prior year comparable period. This increase was principally a result of increased sales; however, the normally expected correlating margin improvement was partially offset by an unfavorable product mix and increases in certain key raw material costs. Margin percentage declined to 29.1% of sales as compared to 30.8% of sales in the prior year comparative period, but did show improvement on a sequential basis. We continue to focus on volume growth of our human and animal health products into export markets, capitalizing on our varied choline production capabilities, and new product launches. Operating (Selling, R&D, and General and Administrative) expenses at $6.9 million was basically flat with the prior year comparable quarter, as some modest increase of employee headcount, other payroll related expenses, and increased investment in R&D were offset by lower General & Administrative expenses.

The company continues to maintain a healthy balance sheet with $68.0 million in net working capital. Our cash balance was $51.4 million on March 31, 2010, up from $46.4 million at December 31, 2009. During the first quarter, we paid our annual dividend which totaled $3.1 million and total debt was reduced to $6.0 million. Diligent working capital controls, particularly effective inventory and accounts receivable management, combined with the noted improved operating results, drove strong cash flow generation for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

Commenting on 2010, Dino A. Rossi, Chairman, President and CEO of Balchem said, “This record first quarter continues to reflect strong performances across all of Balchem’s segments demonstrating the value of our diversified base of business and our ability to leverage cross-business integration opportunities. Our growing global presence helped to off-set softness in certain U.S. markets and while raw material costs had a negative impact on certain segments, we continue to closely monitor all key economic drivers, stay customer solution focused, and take appropriate actions to generate solid operating margins and cash flow.

Signs of an improving economy are being very closely tracked with cautious optimism. Ongoing volatility in the global economy is still expected, but we believe 2010 will be a year of solid improvements in sales and earnings. We have de-bottlenecked production capabilities, and continue to leverage our existing business and research resources to launch new, innovative products through each of our business segments. We expect improved results in the Food, Pharma & Nutrition segment, particularly in the choline and global food markets. The Animal Nutrition & Health segment is realizing significant volume growth of its specialty products, and choline grade derivatives are expected to continue strong double digit growth. The ARC Specialty Products segment should continue its steady earnings and revenue growth from its current base, as well as the development of new market opportunities for specialized delivery of certain gases. Our strong balance sheet continues to position us with the ability to capitalize on other strategic opportunities to broaden our global footprint."