Innophos Holdings Reports 6 Percent Sales Increase in Q2

Randy Gress, CEO of Innophos, commented on the results, "We are pleased with the strength of our Specialty Phosphates business and our ability to demonstrate growth in an economic environment that became more challenging as the quarter progressed.

7 Aug 2012 --- Innophos Holdings, Inc., a leading international producer of performance-critical and nutritional specialty ingredients, with applications in food, beverage, dietary supplements, pharmaceutical, oral care and industrial end markets, announced its financial results for the second quarter 2012.

Second Quarter Results

- Net sales for the second quarter 2012 were $214 million, a 6% increase over second quarter 2011.

- Specialty Phosphates second quarter 2012 sales of $194 million increased 14% compared to second quarter 2011 with volumes and prices each up 7%.  Specialty Phosphates operating income increased 4% versus the prior year period to $29 million.

- GTSP & Other sales at $20 million for the 2012 second quarter were $11 million below the year ago level on lower market prices and lower volumes.  The segment recorded an operating loss of $2.5 million. Adjustments recorded in the 2012 second quarter, including amounts relating to prior periods increased cost of goods sold by $2.7 million. Operating income for the 2012 second quarter was break even excluding these adjustments, down $5 million versus the prior year period. 

- Diluted EPS for the second quarter 2012 was $0.73 compared to $0.92 for the second quarter 2011.  After excluding the adjustments noted above, the second quarter 2012 EPS was $0.81 with the decline attributable to lower GTSP & Other profitability. 

Randy Gress, CEO of Innophos, commented on the results, "We are pleased with the strength of our Specialty Phosphates business and our ability to demonstrate growth in an economic environment that became more challenging as the quarter progressed.  The second quarter saw moderate sequential and year-over-year  volume improvement in our US/Canada business, Mexico Specialty Phosphates volumes were up significantly from year ago levels, and our new bioactive mineral ingredients business continued its excellent performance since the Kelatron acquisition.  We also maintained Specialty Phosphates operating income above year ago levels despite lower market demand and significant increases in raw material costs throughout 2011 and into the 2012 second quarter."

Mr. Gress concluded, "While the challenges presented by the broader environment are currently limiting our near-term expectations, we continue to make good progress on the strategic growth objectives that should allow us to grow above market rates and position us for success in the longer-term.  We are gaining traction with our new products, including ingredients providing calcium and other mineral fortification options and those that reduce the sodium content of foods and beverages. We also recently completed our second adjacency acquisition with the purchase of AMT Labs, Inc., whose strengths are complementary to our new bioactive mineral ingredients business platform created by the acquisition of Kelatron last year.  Kelatron has recorded revenue growth well above 20% for the first half of 2012 and we expect continued strong growth from this product range, supported by the addition of AMT's high quality manufacturing facilities, attractive new market development opportunities and benefits of further synergies."

Segment Results second quarter 2012 versus 2011

Specialty Phosphates

Specialty Phosphates sales revenue was up 14% year over year with prices and volumes each up 7%, including a 3% volume benefit from the Kelatron acquisition.

Operating income at $29 million was $1 million above the year ago period and $5 million lower sequentially, as expected, due to the catch up in raw material costs.  Operating income margin at 15% decreased 260 basis points sequentially, as a result of the expected catch up in raw material costs as our contract terms adjusted to reflect current market prices, and was 140 basis points below the 2011 second quarter.

US/Canada

US/Canada Specialty Phosphates sales increased 11% year-over-year with 7% coming from higher prices.  Volumes increased 4% compared to the 2011 period, including a 3% benefit from the Kelatron acquisition, and increased 2% sequentially. 

Operating income at $20 million was $6 million below the year ago period and $7 million lower sequentially, due primarily to increased raw material costs for which selling price increases had already been achieved in the first quarter 2012.  Operating income margins at 14% were down 530 basis points sequentially and down 610 basis points compared to the year ago level.

Mexico

The Specialty Phosphates business in Mexico achieved 24% higher sales on 7% higher prices and 17% higher volumes in comparison to a second quarter 2011 that had sales limitations due to production issues following a scheduled maintenance outage.

Operating income at $8 million was up $2 million sequentially and $7 million above year ago levels.  Operating income margin at 18% was up 560 basis points sequentially and was 1470 basis points above year ago levels.

GTSP & Other

During our review of the 2012 second quarter, we identified certain items that affected our financial statements related to 2011 through the 2012 first quarter.  In addition, we revised our estimates for the effect of contract terms on raw material pricing in 2012.  The net effect of these adjustments in the 2012 second quarter was to increase cost of goods sold by $2.7 million and decrease net income by $1.8 million ($0.08 per share).  The adjustments were recorded in GTSP & Other and the prior period amounts were not material to the financial results as contained in our current or previously issued annual or interim financial statements.  The prior period amounts are also not expected to be material to the full year 2012 financial statements.

GTSP & Other sales (primarily fertilizer co-product) decreased 35% from year ago levels on significantly lower volumes and lower market prices.

The segment recorded an operating loss of $2.5 million resulting from the adjustments described above.  Excluding these adjustments, operating income for the second quarter 2012 was break-even, as expected, up $3 million sequentially (adjusted for the $7 million Rhodia settlement recorded in the 2012 first quarter) but $5 million below the second quarter 2011, due to lower fertilizer market prices and higher raw material costs.