UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
________________________________________
FORM 10-K
(Mark One) | |
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
OR
o | 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 1-11657
________________________________________
TUPPERWARE BRANDS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 36-4062333 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
14901 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida | 32837 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (407) 826-5050 | |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | |
Title of Each Class | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
Common Stock, $0.01 par value | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None | |
________________________________________
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No o
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 o No x
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 x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
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. x
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity on the New York Stock Exchange-Composite Transaction Listing on July 1, 2011 (the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $4,138,903,851.
As of February 23, 2012, 56,131,719 shares of the common stock, $0.01 par value, of the registrant were outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
Portions of the Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 22, 2012 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.
Table of Contents | ||
Item | Page | |
Part I | ||
Item 1 | ||
Item 1A | ||
Item 1B | ||
Item 2 | ||
Item 3 | ||
Part II | ||
Item 5 | ||
Item 5a | ||
Item 5c | ||
Item 6 | ||
Item 7 | ||
Item 7A | ||
Item 8 | ||
Item 9 | ||
Item 9A | ||
Item 9B | ||
Part III | ||
Item 10 | ||
Item 11 | ||
Item 12 | ||
Item 13 | ||
Item 14 | ||
Part IV | ||
Item 15 | ||
PART I
Item 1. | Business. |
(a) General Development of Business
Tupperware Brands Corporation (“Registrant”, “Tupperware Brands” or the “Company”), is a global direct seller of premium, innovative products across multiple brands and categories through an independent sales force of 2.7 million. Product brands and categories include design-centric preparation, storage and serving solutions for the kitchen and home through the Tupperware® brand and beauty and personal care products through its Armand Dupree®, Avroy Shlain®, BeautiControl®, Fuller®, NaturCare®, Nutrimetics® and Nuvo® brands. The Registrant is a Delaware corporation that was organized on February 8, 1996 in connection with the corporate reorganization of Premark International, Inc. (“Premark”). In the reorganization, certain businesses of the Registrant and certain other assets and liabilities of Premark and its subsidiaries were transferred to the Registrant. On May 31, 1996, the Registrant became a publicly held company through the pro rata distribution by Premark to its shareholders of all of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Registrant. Prior to December 5, 2005, the Registrant's name was Tupperware Corporation. On October 18, 2000, the Registrant acquired 100 percent of the stock of BeautiControl, Inc. (“BeautiControl”), and on December 5, 2005, the Registrant acquired the direct selling businesses of Sara Lee Corporation. The 2005 acquisition was made to advance the strategy, begun with the acquisition of BeautiControl in 2000, of adding consumable items to the product category mix by expanding into beauty and personal care products.
(b) New York Stock Exchange-Required Disclosures
General. The address of the Registrant's principal office is 14901 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida 32837. The names of the Registrant's directors are Catherine A. Bertini, Rita Bornstein, Ph.D., Susan M. Cameron, Kriss Cloninger, III, E.V. Goings, Clifford J. Grum, Joe R. Lee, Bob Marbut, Angel R. Martinez, Antonio Monteiro de Castro, Robert J. Murray, David R. Parker, Joyce M. Roché and M. Anne Szostak. Members of the Audit, Finance and Corporate Responsibility Committee of the Board of Directors are Ms. Bertini, Dr. Bornstein, Ms. Cameron and Messrs. Cloninger (Chair), Grum, Marbut, Martinez and Murray. The members of the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors are Ms. Roché (Chair), Ms. Szostak, and Messrs. Lee, Monteiro de Castro and Parker. The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors are Ms. Roché, Ms. Szostak, and Messrs. Parker (Chair), Cloninger, Grum and Murray. The members of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors are Ms. Roché and Messrs. Goings (Chair), Cloninger, Grum and Parker. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is E.V. Goings and the Presiding Director is David R. Parker. The Registrant's officers and the number of its employees are set forth below in Part I of this Report. The name and address of the Registrant's transfer agent and registrar is Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., c/o Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, 161 North Concord Exchange, South St. Paul, MN 55075. The number of the Registrant's shareholders is set forth below in Part II, Item 5 of this Report. The Registrant is satisfying its annual distribution requirement to shareholders under the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules by the distribution of its Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in lieu of a separate annual report.
Corporate Governance. Investors can obtain access to periodic reports and corporate governance documents, including board committee charters, corporate governance principles and codes of conduct and ethics for financial executives, and information regarding the Registrant's transfer agent and registrar through the Registrant's website free of charge (as soon as reasonably practicable after reports are filed with the SEC in the case of periodic reports) by going to www.tupperwarebrands.com and searching under Investor Relations / SEC Filings and Governance Documents. The Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant has certified to the NYSE that he is not aware of any violation by the Registrant of NYSE corporate governance listing standards.
BUSINESS OF TUPPERWARE BRANDS CORPORATION
The Registrant is a worldwide direct selling consumer products company engaged in the manufacture and sale of Tupperware® products and cosmetics and personal care products under a variety of trade names, including Armand Dupree®, Avroy Shlain®, BeautiControl®, Fuller®, NaturCare®, Nutrimetics® and Nuvo®. Each business manufactures and/or markets a broad line of high quality products.
1
I. PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS
Tupperware. The core of Tupperware's product line consists of design-centric preparation, storage and serving solutions for the kitchen and home. Tupperware also has an established line of kitchen cookware and tools, microwave products, microfiber textiles and gifts. From its traditional kitchen and home lines, such as the Modular Mates* and FridgeSmart* Containers and Tupperware* Impressions serve ware, which it still carries, Tupperware has evolved towards truly lifestyle-oriented products and has leveraged its research and development expertise to bring new concepts to market, such as the Individual Microwave Rice Maker, the Microwave Omelet Maker, a Universal Knife Sharpener that not only sharpens straight but also serrated blades and a Compact Cookware line, that is perfect for city life. In 2011, Tupperware also introduced fun and smart, reusable and non-disposable solutions to stay healthy, save time and money and protect the environment. New products such as the Square Eco by Tupperware* Water Bottle, a new Commuter Mug with strainer and the Hot Food On-The-Go Lunch Solution help consumers in all these important ways.
The Company continues to introduce new materials, designs, colors and decoration in its product lines, to vary its offerings by season and to extend existing products into new markets around the world. The development of new products varies across markets in order to address differences in cultures, lifestyles, tastes and needs, although most products are offered in a large number of markets. New product development will continue to be an important part of the Company's strategy.
Beauty. In Beauty, the Company manufactures and distributes skin care products, cosmetics, bath and body care, toiletries, fragrances, nutritional products. New products introduced in 2011 in the Fuller Mexico business included the fragrances Armand Dupree* White, Acqua by Armand Dupree* and Unire*. New products introduced in 2011 under the BeautiControl* brand included BeautiControl* Spa Facial Collection, BeautiControl* Sugar & Spice Collection, Regeneration* Tight Firm & Fill* Foundations and BC Color Shimmer Eyes Contour Powder, Lip Shimmers and Intense Lip Crème. Also introduced were new fragrance and body wash lines such as BeautiControl* Aura Collection for her and for him, BeautiControl* Extreme Blue Cologne and Body Wash, Eau de Toilette and Nail Lacquers that benefit the W.H.O. (Women Helping Others) Foundation and BeautiControl* Delicate Eau de Toilette and Body Wash. New products introduced in 2011 under the Nutrimetics* brand included the Restore Range, Nutrimetics* Anti-Age Firming Foundation SPF 15, Nutrimetics* Mineralised Matte Oil-Free Foundation, as well as Nutrimetics Jewelry.
(Words followed by * are registered or unregistered trademarks of the Registrant.)
II. MARKETS
The Company operates its business under five reporting segments in three broad geographic regions: Europe (Europe, Africa and the Middle East), Asia Pacific and the Americas. Market penetration varies throughout the world. Several areas that have low penetration, such as Latin America, Asia and Eastern and Central Europe, provide the Company significant growth potential. The Company's strategy continues to include greater penetration in markets throughout the world.
Tupperware Brands' products are sold in almost 100 countries around the world under eight brands: Tupperware, Armand Dupree, Avroy Shlain, BeautiControl, Fuller, NaturCare, Nutrimetics and Nuvo. The Company defines its established market economy units as those in Western Europe including Scandinavia, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. All other units are classified as operating in emerging market economies. Businesses operating in emerging markets accounted for 59 percent of 2011 sales, while businesses operating in established markets accounted for the other 41 percent. For the past five fiscal years 85 to 90 percent of total revenues from the sale of Tupperware Brands' products have been in international markets.
III. DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS
The Company's products are distributed worldwide primarily through the “direct selling” channel under which products are sold to consumers outside traditional retail store locations. The system facilitates the timely distribution of products to consumers, without having to work through intermediaries, and establishes uniform practices regarding the use of Tupperware Brands' trademarks and administrative arrangements, such as order entry, delivery and payment, along with the recruiting and training of the sales force.
2
Products are primarily sold directly to distributors, directors, managers and dealers (“sales force”) throughout the world. Where distributorships are granted, they have the right to market the Company's products using parties and other non-retail methods and to utilize the Tupperware Brands' trademarks. The vast majority of the sales force are independent contractors and not employees of Tupperware. In certain limited circumstances, the Company has acquired ownership of distributorships for a period of time, until an independent distributor can be installed, in order to maintain market presence.
In addition to the introduction of new products and development of new geographic markets, a key element of the Company's strategy is expanding its business by increasing the size of its sales force. Under the system, distributors and directors recruit, train, and motivate a large number of dealers. Managers are developed from among the dealer group and promoted to assist in recruiting, training and motivating dealers, while continuing to sell products.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company's distribution system had approximately 1,700 distributors, 81,000 managers and 2.7 million dealers worldwide. During the year, 21 million group presentation sales events, or parties, took place worldwide.
Tupperware relies primarily on the “party” method of sales, which is designed to enable the purchaser to appreciate, through demonstration, the features and benefits of the Company's products. Parties are held in homes, offices, social clubs and other locations. Products are also promoted through brochures mailed or given to people invited to attend parties and various other types of demonstrations. Some business units utilize a campaign merchandising system, whereby sales force members sell through brochures generated every two or three weeks, to their friends, neighbors and relatives, Sales of products are supported through programs of sales promotions, sales and training aids and motivational conferences for the sales force. In addition, to support its sales force, the Company utilizes catalogs and television and magazine advertising, which help to increase its sales levels with hard-to-reach customers and generate leads for sales and new dealers. A significant portion of the Company's business is operated through distributors who stock inventory and fulfill orders of the sales force that are generally placed after orders have been received from end consumers. In other cases, the Company sells directly to the sales force, also generally after they have received a consumer order.
In 2011, the Company continued to sell directly, and/or through its sales force, to end consumers via the Internet. It also entered into a limited number of business-to-business transactions, in which it sells products to a partner company for sale to consumers through the partner's distribution channel, with a link back to the core business.
IV. COMPETITION
There are many competitors to Tupperware Brands' businesses both domestically and internationally. The principal bases of competition generally are marketing, price, quality and innovation of products, as well as competition with other “direct sales” companies for sales personnel and demonstration dates. Due to the nature of the direct-selling industry, it is critical that the Company provides a compelling earnings opportunity for the sales force, along with developing new and innovative products. The Company maintains its competitive position, in part, through the use of strong incentives and promotional programs.
Through its Tupperware® brand, the Company competes in the food storage, serving and preparation, containers, toys and gifts categories. Through its beauty and personal care brands, the Company also competes in the skin care, cosmetics, toiletries and fragrances categories. The Company works to differentiate itself from its competitors through its brand names, product innovation, quality, value-added services, celebrity endorsements, technological sophistication, new product introductions and its channel of distribution, including the training, motivation and compensation arrangements for its independent sales forces.
V. EMPLOYEES
The Registrant employs approximately 13,600 people, of whom approximately 1,000 are based in the United States.
3
VI. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Registrant incurred $19.5 million, $17.8 million and $18.0 million for fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, on research and development activities for new products.
VII. RAW MATERIALS
Many of the products manufactured by and for the Company require plastic resins that meet its specifications. These resins are purchased through various arrangements with a number of large chemical companies located throughout the Company's markets. As a result, the Company has not experienced difficulties in obtaining adequate supplies and generally has been successful in obtaining favorable resin prices on a relative basis. Research and development relating to resins used in Tupperware® products is performed by both the Company and its suppliers.
Materials used in the Company's skin care, cosmetic and bath and body care products consist primarily of readily available ingredients, containers and packaging materials. Such raw materials and components used in goods manufactured and assembled by the Company and through outsource arrangements are available from a number of sources. To date, the Company has been able to secure an adequate supply of raw materials for its products, and it endeavors to maintain relationships with backup suppliers in an effort to ensure that no interruptions occur in its operations.
VIII. TRADEMARKS AND PATENTS
Tupperware Brands considers its trademarks and patents to be of material importance to its business; however, except for the Tupperware®, Fuller® and BeautiControl® trademarks, Tupperware Brands is not dependent upon any single patent or trademark, or group of patents or trademarks. The Tupperware®, Fuller® and BeautiControl® trademarks are registered on a country-by-country basis. The current duration for such registration ranges from five years to ten years; however, each such registration may be renewed an unlimited number of times. The patents used in Tupperware Brands' business are registered and maintained on a worldwide basis, with a variety of durations. Tupperware Brands has followed the practice of applying for design and utility patents with respect to most of its significant patentable developments. The Company has a patent on the formula for its “REGENERATION”® alpha-hydroxy acid-based products.
IX. ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
Compliance with federal, state and local environmental protection laws has not had in the past, and is not expected to have in the future, a material effect upon the Registrant's capital expenditures, liquidity, earnings or competitive position.
X. OTHER
Sales do not vary significantly on a quarterly basis; however, third quarter sales are generally lower than the other quarters in any year due to vacations by dealers and their customers, as well as reduced promotional activities during this quarter. Sales generally increase in the fourth quarter, as it includes traditional gift-giving occasions in many markets and as children return to school and households refocus on activities that include party plan sales events and the use of the Company's housewares products, along with increased promotional activities supporting these opportunities.
Generally, there are no working capital practices or backlog conditions which are material to an understanding of the Registrant's business, although the Company generally seeks to minimize its net working capital position at the end of each fiscal year and normally generates a significant portion of its annual cash flow from operating activities in its fourth quarter. The Registrant's business is not dependent on a small number of customers, nor is any of its business subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts or subcontracts at the election of the United States government.
XI. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Following is a list of the names and ages of all the Executive Officers of the Registrant, indicating all positions and offices held by each such person with the Registrant, and each such person's principal occupations or employment during the past five years. Each such person has been elected to serve until the next annual election of officers of the Registrant (expected to occur on May 22, 2012).
4
Positions and Offices Held and Principal Occupations
of Employment During Past Five Years
Name and Age | Office and Experience | |
Anna Braungardt, age 57 | Senior Vice President, Worldwide Human Resources since January 2010, after serving as Vice President, Human Resources, North America & Beauty Group since January 2009. Prior thereto she served as Vice President, Human Resources, International Beauty since October 2005. | |
Edward R. Davis III, age 49 | Vice President and Treasurer since May 2004. | |
R. Glenn Drake, age 59 | Group President, Europe, Africa and the Middle East since August 2006. | |
Lillian D. Garcia, age 56 | Executive Vice President and Area Vice President, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela and Ecuador since January 2011, after serving as Executive Vice President and President, Fuller Argentina since January 2010. Prior thereto, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer since August 2005. | |
E.V. Goings, age 66 | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since October 1997. | |
Josef Hajek, age 54 | Senior Vice President, Tax and Governmental Affairs since February 2006. | |
Simon C. Hemus, age 62 | President and Chief Operating Officer since January 2007, after serving as Group President, International Beauty since December 2005. | |
Timothy A. Kulhanek, age 47 | Vice President, Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk Management since June 2010 after serving as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, BeautiControl, Inc., since August 2007. Prior thereto he served as Vice President and Controller since January 2005. | |
Pablo Munoz, age 54 | Group President, Latin America since January 2011, after serving as Area Vice President, Tupperware and Beauty, Latin America since January 2006. | |
Michael S. Poteshman, age 48 | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since August 2004. | |
Nicholas K. Poucher, age 50 | Vice President and Controller since August 2007, after serving as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Tupperware Europe, Africa and the Middle East since November 2003. | |
Thomas M. Roehlk, age 61 | Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary since August 2005. | |
Christian E. Skroeder, age 63 | Group President, Asia Pacific since January 2009, after serving as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Market Development since April 2001. | |
Jose R. Timmerman, age 63 | Executive Vice President, Supply Chain Worldwide since February 2010, after serving as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain since March 2009 and Senior Vice President, Worldwide Operations since August 1997. | |
Robert F. Wagner, age 51 | Vice President and Chief Technology Officer since August 2002. | |
William J. Wright, age 49 | Senior Vice President, Global Product Marketing since October 2010, after serving as Senior Vice President, Global Third Party Sourced Products & Product Development since June 2010. Prior thereto, he served as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development of Tupperware Europe, Africa and the Middle East since August 2006. | |
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing the Company. Other events that the Company does not currently anticipate or that the Company currently deems immaterial also may affect results of operations and financial condition.
5
Sales Force Factors
The Company’s products are marketed and sold through the direct selling method of distribution, in which products are primarily marketed and sold by a sales force made up of independent contractors to consumers without the use of retail establishments. This distribution system depends upon the successful recruitment, retention and motivation of a large force of sales personnel to grow and compensate for a high turnover rate. The recruitment and retention of sales force members is dependent upon the competitive environment among direct sellers and upon the general labor market, unemployment levels, general economic conditions, and demographic and cultural changes in the workforce. The motivation of the sales force is dependent, in part, upon the effectiveness of compensation and promotional programs of the Company, the competitiveness of the same compared with other direct selling companies, the introduction of new products and the ability to advance through the sales force structure.
The Company’s sales are directly tied to the activity levels of its sales force, which is in large part a temporary working activity for sales force members. Activity levels may be affected by the degree to which a market is penetrated by the presence of the Company’s sales force, the amount of average sales per party, the amount of sales per sales force member and the mix of high-margin and low-margin products sold at parties and elsewhere, and the activities and actions of the Company’s product line and channel competitors. In addition, the Company’s sales force members may be affected by initiatives undertaken by the Company to grow the revenue base of the Company that may lead to the inaccurate perception that the independent sales force system is at risk of being phased out.
International Operations
A significant portion of the Company’s sales and profit comes from its international operations. Although these operations are geographically dispersed, which partially mitigates the risks associated with operating in particular countries, the Company is subject to the usual risks associated with international operations. These risks include local political and economic environments, adverse new tax regulations and relations between U.S. and foreign governments.
The Company derived 90 percent of its net sales from operations outside the United States in 2011. Because of this, movement in exchange rates may have a significant impact on the Company’s earnings, cash flows and financial position. The Company’s most significant exposures are to the euro and the Mexican peso. Business units in which the Company generated at least $100 million of sales in 2011 included Brazil, Tupperware France, Germany, Indonesia, Fuller Mexico, Tupperware Mexico, and Tupperware United States and Canada. Although this currency risk is partially mitigated by the natural hedge arising from the Company’s local product sourcing in many markets, a strengthening U.S. dollar generally has a negative impact on the Company. In response to this fact, the Company continues to implement foreign currency hedging and risk management strategies to reduce the exposure to fluctuations in earnings associated with changes in foreign exchange rates. The Company generally does not seek to hedge the impact of currency fluctuations on the translated value of the sales, profit or cash flow generated by its operations. Some of the hedging strategies implemented have a positive or negative impact on cash flows as foreign currencies fluctuate versus the U.S. dollar. There can be no assurance that foreign currency fluctuations will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and/or financial condition.
Another risk associated with the Company’s international operations is restrictions foreign governments may impose on currency remittances. Due to the possibility of government restrictions on transfers of cash out of countries and control of exchange rates, the Company may not be able to immediately repatriate its cash at the exchange rate used to translate its financial statements.
6
Legal and Regulatory Issues
The Company’s business may also be affected by actions of domestic and foreign governments to restrict the activities of direct selling companies for various reasons, including the limitation on the ability of direct selling companies to operate through direct sales without the involvement of a traditional retail channel. Foreign governments may also introduce other forms of protectionist legislation, such as limitations on the products which can be produced locally or requirements that non-domestic companies doing or seeking to do business place a certain percentage of ownership of legal entities in the hands of local nationals to protect the commercial interests of its citizens. Customs laws, tariffs, import duties, export quotas and restrictions on repatriation of foreign earnings may negatively affect the Company’s international operations. Governments may seek either to impose taxes on independent sales force members or to classify independent sales force members as employees of direct selling companies with whom they may be associated, triggering employment-related taxes on the part of the direct selling companies. The U.S. government may impose restrictions on the Company’s ability to engage in business in a foreign country in connection with the foreign policy of the United States.
Product Safety
Certain of the materials used in the Company’s product lines may give rise to concerns of consumers based upon scientific theories which are espoused from time to time, including the risk of certain materials leaching out of plastic containers used for their intended purposes or the ingredients used in cosmetics, personal care or nutritional products causing harm to human health. This includes polycarbonate that contains the chemical Bisphenol A. It is the Company’s policy to use only those materials or ingredients that are approved by relevant regulatory authorities for contact with food or skin or for ingestion by consumers, as applicable.
General Business Factors
The Company’s business can be affected by a wide range of factors that affect other businesses. Weather, natural disasters, strikes, epidemics/pandemics and political instability may have a significant impact on the willingness or ability of consumers to attend parties or otherwise purchase the Company’s products. The supply and cost of raw materials, particularly petroleum and natural gas-based resins, may have an impact on the availability or profitability of the Company’s plastic products. The Company is also subject to frequent counterfeiting and intellectual property infringement, which may be difficult to police and prevent, depending upon the ability to identify the source of such counterfeiting or intellectual property infringement and the existence and enforceability of laws affording protection to Company property. Other risks, as discussed under the sub-heading “Forward-Looking Statements” contained in Part II, Item 7A of this Report, may be relevant to performance as well.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2. Properties.
The principal executive office of the Registrant is owned by the Registrant and is located in Orlando, Florida. The Registrant owns and maintains significant manufacturing and distribution facilities in Brazil, France, Greece, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa and the United States, and leases significant manufacturing and distribution facilities in Belgium, China, India, Indonesia, and Venezuela. The Registrant owns and maintains the BeautiControl headquarters in Texas and leases its manufacturing and distribution facilities in Texas. The Registrant conducts a continuing program of new product design and development at its facilities in Florida, Texas, Belgium, Japan, Mexico and New Zealand. None of the owned principal properties is subject to any encumbrance material to the consolidated operations of the Company. The Registrant considers the condition and extent of utilization of its plants, warehouses and other properties to be good, the capacity of its plants and warehouses generally to be adequate for its needs, and the nature of the properties to be suitable for its needs.
7
In addition to the above-described improved properties, the Registrant owns unimproved real estate surrounding its corporate headquarters in Orlando, Florida. The Registrant prepared certain portions of this real estate for a variety of development purposes and, in 2002, began selling parts of this property. To date, approximately 200 acres have been sold and about 300 acres remain to be sold in connection with this project, which is expected to continue for a number of years.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
A number of ordinary-course legal and administrative proceedings against the Registrant or its subsidiaries are pending. In addition to such proceedings, there are certain proceedings that involve the discharge of materials into, or otherwise relating to the protection of, the environment. Certain of such proceedings involve federal environmental laws such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as well as state and local laws. The Registrant has established reserves with respect to certain of such proceedings. Because of the involvement of other parties and the uncertainty of potential environmental impacts, the eventual outcomes of such actions and the cost and timing of expenditures cannot be determined with certainty. It is not expected that the outcome of such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect upon the Registrant.
As part of the 1986 reorganization involving the formation of Premark, Premark was spun-off by Dart & Kraft, Inc., and Kraft Foods, Inc. assumed any liabilities arising out of any legal proceedings in connection with certain divested or discontinued former businesses of Dart Industries Inc., a subsidiary of the Registrant, including matters alleging product and environmental liability. The assumption of liabilities by Kraft Foods, Inc. remains effective subsequent to the distribution of the equity of the Registrant to Premark shareholders in 1996.
As part of the 2005 acquisition of the direct selling businesses of Sara Lee Corporation, that company indemnified the Registrant for any liabilities arising out of any existing litigation at that time and for certain legal and tax matters arising out of circumstances that might relate to periods before or after that date.
8
PART II
Item 5. | Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. |
The Registrant has not sold any securities in 2008 through 2011 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933. As of February 23, 2012, the Registrant had 50,182 shareholders of record and beneficial holders. The principal United States market on which the Registrant’s common stock is being traded is the New York Stock Exchange. The stock price and dividend information set forth in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, entitled “Quarterly Financial Summary (Unaudited),” is included in Item 8 of Part II of this Report and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.
Item 5a. | Performance Graph. |
The following performance graph compares the performance of the Company's common stock to the Standard & Poor's 400 Mid-Cap Stock Index and the Standard & Poor's 400 Mid-Cap Consumer Discretionary Index. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in the Company's common stock and each index was $100 at December 30, 2006 and that all dividends were reinvested. The Company's stock is included in both indices.
Measurement Period (Fiscal Year Ended) | Tupperware Brands Corporation | S&P 400 Mid-Cap | S&P 400 Mid-Cap Consumer Discretionary Index | |||||
12/30/2006 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | |||||
12/29/2007 | 150.77 | 108.60 | 90.62 | |||||
12/27/2008 | 97.59 | 65.83 | 52.41 | |||||
12/26/2009 | 229.93 | 96.25 | 85.43 | |||||
12/25/2010 | 240.74 | 120.22 | 112.89 | |||||
12/31/2011 | 285.30 | 117.72 | 113.70 | |||||
9
Item 5c. | Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. |
The following information relates to the repurchase by the Registrant of its equity securities during each month of the fourth quarter of the Registrant's fiscal year covered by this report:
Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (a) | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (a) | ||||||||||
10/2/11-11/5/11 | 673,586 | $55.69 | 673,586 | $ | 624,803,309 | ||||||||
11/6/11-12/3/11 | 517,200 | 55.11 | 517,200 | 596,299,215 | |||||||||
12/4/11-12/31/11 | 432,200 | 55.52 | 432,200 | 572,303,903 | |||||||||
1,622,986 | $55.46 | 1,622,986 | $ | 572,303,903 | |||||||||
____________________
(a) | The Company's Board of Directors approved, in February 2010, a program for repurchasing shares with an aggregate cost up to $350 million until February 1, 2015. In January 2011, the Company's board increased the share repurchase authorization by $250 million to $600 million, and in October 2011, the Company's board further increased the share repurchase authorization, by $600 million to $1.2 billion. The authorization continues to run until February 1, 2015. |
10
Item 6. | Selected Financial Data |
The following table presents the Company’s selected historical financial information for the last five years. The selected financial information below has been derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements which, for the data presented for fiscal years 2011 and 2010 and for some data presented for 2009, are included as Item 8 of this Report. This data should be read in conjunction with the Company's other financial information, including "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A)" and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included as Items 7 and 8, respectively, in this report.
Effective with the first quarter of 2011, the Company changed its segment reporting to reflect the geographic distribution of its businesses in accordance with how it views the operations. Consequently, the Company no longer has a Beauty Other segment, and the businesses previously reported in that segment are now reported as follows: Tupperware Brands Philippines in Asia Pacific; the Company’s Central America businesses in Tupperware North America; the Nutrimetics businesses in Europe and Asia Pacific (as applicable); and the businesses in South America as a separate geographic segment. Comparable information from the 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007 fiscal years has been revised to conform to the new segment presentation. The Company's fiscal year ends on the last Saturday of December and, as a result, the 2011 fiscal year contained 53 weeks as compared with 52 weeks for the other fiscal years presented.
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||||
Operating results | |||||||||||||||||||
Net sales: | |||||||||||||||||||
Europe | $ | 848.9 | $ | 796.0 | $ | 768.9 | $ | 789.2 | $ | 708.1 | |||||||||
Asia Pacific | 714.0 | 584.0 | 494.0 | 451.8 | 407.8 | ||||||||||||||
Tupperware North America | 352.0 | 331.5 | 296.9 | 306.4 | 292.6 | ||||||||||||||
Beauty North America | 395.5 | 406.0 | 391.6 | 460.7 | 461.5 | ||||||||||||||
South America | 274.6 | 182.9 | 176.1 | 153.7 | 111.4 | ||||||||||||||
Total net sales | $ | 2,585.0 | $ | 2,300.4 | $ | 2,127.5 | $ | 2,161.8 | $ | 1,981.4 | |||||||||
Segment profit (loss): | |||||||||||||||||||
Europe | $ | 148.3 | $ | 147.1 | $ | 141.8 | $ | 121.2 | $ | 109.2 | |||||||||
Asia Pacific | 147.0 | 111.8 | 84.9 | 65.3 | 48.7 | ||||||||||||||
Tupperware North America | 58.4 | 52.8 | 40.3 | 29.2 | 22.5 | ||||||||||||||
Beauty North America | 37.9 | 58.9 | 52.2 | 60.5 | 66.3 | ||||||||||||||
South America (a) | 48.6 | 24.4 | 12.7 | (4.5 | ) | (3.7 | ) | ||||||||||||
Unallocated expenses | (58.9 | ) | (56.8 | ) | (51.9 | ) | (39.8 | ) | (43.9 | ) | |||||||||
Gain on disposal of assets including insurance recoveries, net (b),(c) | 3.8 | 0.2 | 21.9 | 24.9 | 11.8 | ||||||||||||||
Re-engineering and impairment charges (a) | (7.9 | ) | (7.6 | ) | (8.0 | ) | (9.0 | ) | (9.0 | ) | |||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (d) | (36.1 | ) | (4.3 | ) | (28.1 | ) | (9.0 | ) | (11.3 | ) | |||||||||
Interest expense, net (e) | (45.8 | ) | (26.8 | ) | (28.7 | ) | (36.9 | ) | (49.2 | ) | |||||||||
Income before income taxes | 295.3 | 299.7 | 237.1 | 201.9 | 141.4 | ||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 77.0 | 74.1 | 62.0 | 40.5 | 24.5 | ||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 218.3 | $ | 225.6 | $ | 175.1 | $ | 161.4 | $ | 116.9 | |||||||||
Basic earnings per common share (f) | $ | 3.63 | $ | 3.60 | $ | 2.80 | $ | 2.61 | $ | 1.90 | |||||||||
Diluted earnings per common share (f) | $ | 3.55 | $ | 3.53 | $ | 2.75 | $ | 2.55 | $ | 1.86 | |||||||||
See footnotes beginning on the following page.
11
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||||
Profitability ratios | |||||||||||||||||||
Segment profit as a percent of sales: | |||||||||||||||||||
Europe | 17 | % | 18 | % | 18 | % | 15 | % | 15 | % | |||||||||
Asia Pacific | 21 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
Tupperware North America | 17 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
Beauty North America | 10 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
South America (a) | 18 | 13 | 7 | na | na | ||||||||||||||
Return on average equity (g) | 30.0 | 31.7 | 31.6 | 29.3 | 24.6 | ||||||||||||||
Return on average invested capital (h) | 20.5 | 21.4 | 18.1 | 15.8 | 12.8 | ||||||||||||||
Financial Condition | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 138.2 | $ | 248.7 | $ | 112.4 | $ | 124.8 | $ | 102.7 | |||||||||
Net working capital | 94.0 | 348.8 | 236.3 | 252.3 | 249.2 | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 273.1 | 258.0 | 254.6 | 245.4 | 266.0 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | 1,844.2 | 2,015.8 | 1,818.8 | 1,789.8 | 1,850.7 | ||||||||||||||
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term obligations | 195.7 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 3.8 | 3.5 | ||||||||||||||
Long-term obligations | 415.2 | 426.8 | 426.2 | 567.4 | 589.8 | ||||||||||||||
Shareholders’ equity | 500.8 | 789.8 | 637.7 | 474.0 | 522.7 | ||||||||||||||
Current ratio | 1.14 | 1.70 | 1.51 | 1.56 | 1.55 | ||||||||||||||
Long-term obligations-to-equity | 82.9 | % | 54.0 | % | 66.8 | % | 119.7 | % | 112.8 | % | |||||||||
Other Data | |||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 274.7 | $ | 299.5 | $ | 250.9 | $ | 131.0 | $ | 177.4 | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (68.9 | ) | (46.1 | ) | (26.9 | ) | (39.1 | ) | (25.0 | ) | |||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (300.9 | ) | (103.9 | ) | (227.8 | ) | (66.5 | ) | (155.6 | ) | |||||||||
Capital expenditures | 73.9 | 56.1 | 46.4 | 54.4 | 50.3 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 49.8 | 49.7 | 51.7 | 60.6 | 63.5 | ||||||||||||||
Common Stock Data | |||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared per share | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.05 | $ | 0.91 | $ | 0.88 | $ | 0.88 | |||||||||
Dividend payout ratio (i) | 33.1 | % | 29.2 | % | 32.5 | % | 33.7 | % | 46.3 | % | |||||||||
Average common shares outstanding (thousands): | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 60,046 | 62,550 | 62,374 | 61,559 | 60,904 | ||||||||||||||
Diluted | 61,432 | 63,845 | 63,403 | 62,976 | 62,509 | ||||||||||||||
Period-end book value per share (j) | $ | 8.15 | $ | 12.37 | $ | 10.10 | $ | 7.51 | $ | 8.35 | |||||||||
Period-end price/earnings ratio (k) | 15.8 | 13.7 | 17.1 | 8.1 | 17.7 | ||||||||||||||
Period-end market/book ratio (l) | 6.9 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 2.8 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||||
____________________
na - not applicable
a. | Re-engineering and impairment charges provide for severance and other exit costs. In fiscal year 2008, the Company reached a decision to begin selling beauty products in Brazil through the Tupperware sales force and cease operating its separate beauty business in Brazil. As a result of this decision, the Company recorded a $2.9 million charge relating to the write-off of inventory, prepaid assets and accounts receivable. This amount was included in the South America results. |
12
b. | In 2002, the Company began to sell land held for development near its Orlando, Florida headquarters. There were no land sales in the 2010 or 2009 fiscal years. During 2011, 2008, and 2007 fiscal years, pretax gains from these sales were $0.7 million, $2.2 million, and $5.6 million, respectively, and were included in gains on disposal of assets including insurance recoveries, net. |
c. | Included in gain on disposal of assets including insurance recoveries, net are: |
• | Pretax gains of $3.0 million in 2011 and $1.1 million in 2008, as a result of insurance recoveries from flood damage in Australia in 2011 and France and Indonesia in 2008; |
• | Pretax gains of $0.2 million, $2.9 million and $2.1 million in 2010, 2009 and 2007, respectively, from the sale of property in Australia, and $1.6 million in 2007 from the sale of the Company's former Philippines manufacturing facility; |
• | Pretax gains of $19.0 million and $22.2 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively, as a result of insurance recoveries associated with a 2007 fire in South Carolina; |
• | A pretax loss of $0.6 million in 2008, as a result of asset disposals in the Philippines; |
• | A pretax gain of $2.5 million in 2007, as a result of an insurance recovery associated with a 2006 fire at a former manufacturing facility in Halls, Tennessee. |
d. | Valuations completed on the Company’s intangible assets resulted in the conclusion that certain tradenames and goodwill values were impaired. This resulted in non-cash charges of $36.1 million, $28.1 million, $9.0 million and $11.3 million in 2011, 2009, 2008 and 2007 fiscal years, respectively. In fiscal year 2010, the Company recorded a $4.3 million impairment related to certain intangibles and goodwill, associated with a decision by the Company to cease operating its Swissgarde business as an independent entity. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. |
e. | In 2011 and 2007, the Company entered into new credit agreements, which resulted in non-cash write-offs of deferred debt costs to interest expense of $0.9 million in 2011 and $6.1 million in 2007. In connection with the termination of the previous credit facilities, the Company also impaired or terminated certain floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps resulting in interest expense of $18.9 million in 2011 and $3.5 million in 2007. |
f. | On December 28, 2008, the Company adopted authoritative guidance addressing share-based payment transactions and participating securities, which requires that unvested share-based payment awards with a nonforfeitable right to receive dividends (participating securities) be included in the two-class method of computing earnings per share. The net income available to common shareholders for 2011, 2010 and 2009 were computed in accordance with this guidance. The prior periods have been retrospectively adjusted, resulting in a $0.01 reduction in each of 2008 and 2007 diluted earnings per share. The impact on basic earnings per share was a $0.01 reduction in 2008 and a $0.02 reduction in 2007. The Company had 0.2 million, 0.2 million, 0.4 million, and 0.5 million of unvested share-based payment awards outstanding for 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively, which were classified as participating securities under this guidance. The Company had no unvested share-based payment awards classified as participating securities in 2011. |
g. | Return on average equity is calculated by dividing net income by the average monthly balance of shareholders’ equity. |
h. | Return on invested capital is calculated by dividing net income plus net interest expense multiplied by one minus the estimated marginal tax rate of 38%, by average shareholders’ equity plus debt, for the last five quarters. |
i. | The dividend payout ratio is dividends declared per share divided by basic earnings per share. |
j. | Period-end book value per share is calculated as year-end shareholders’ equity divided by average diluted shares. |
k. | Period-end price/earnings ratio is calculated as the year-end market price of the Company’s common stock divided by full year diluted earnings per share. |
l. | Period-end market/book ratio is calculated as the period-end market price of the Company’s common stock divided by period-end book value per share. |
13
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following is a discussion of the results of operations for 2011 compared with 2010 and 2010 compared with 2009 and changes in financial condition during 2011. The Company's fiscal year ends on the last Saturday of December and as a result the 2011 fiscal year contained 53 weeks as compared with 52 weeks for fiscal 2010 and 2009. This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial information provided in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
The Company's primary means of distributing its products is through independent sales organizations and individuals, which in many cases are also its customers. The majority of the Company's products are, in turn, sold to end customers who are not members of its sales force. The Company is largely dependent upon these independent sales organizations and individuals to reach end consumers, and any significant disruption of this distribution network would have a negative financial impact on the Company and its ability to generate sales, earnings and operating cash flows. The Company's primary business drivers are the size, activity and productivity of its independent sales organizations.
As exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, the Company believes the presentation of results on a local currency basis, as a supplement to reported results, helps improve readers' ability to understand those results and evaluate performance in comparison with prior periods. The Company presents local currency information that compares results between periods as if current period exchange rates had been the exchange rates in the prior period. The Company uses results on a local currency basis as one measure to evaluate performance. The Company generally refers to such amounts as calculated on a "local currency" basis, or "excluding the impact of foreign currency." These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Results on a local currency basis may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Estimates included herein are those of the Company’s management and are subject to the risks and uncertainties as described in the Forward Looking Statements caption included in Item 7A.
Overview
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Company results 2011 vs 2010
53 weeks ended | 52 weeks ended | Change | Change excluding the impact of foreign exchange | Foreign exchange impact | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2011 | December 25, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 2,585.0 | $ | 2,300.4 | 12 | % | 9 | % | $ | 69.1 | |||||||
Gross margin as percent of sales | 66.6 | % | 66.7 | % | (0.1 | )pp | na | na | |||||||||
Delivery, sales & administrative expense as a percent of sales | 51.8 | % | 51.9 | % | (0.1 | )pp | na | na | |||||||||
Operating income | $ | 342.3 | $ | 329.4 | 4 | % | 1 | % | $ | 8.7 | |||||||
Net income | 218.3 | 225.6 | (3 | ) | (6 | ) | 6.5 | ||||||||||
Net income per diluted share | 3.55 | 3.53 | 1 | (2 | ) | 0.11 | |||||||||||
14
Company results 2010 vs 2009
52 weeks ended | Change | Change excluding the impact of foreign exchange | Foreign exchange impact | ||||||||||||||
December 25, 2010 | December 26, 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 2,300.4 | $ | 2,127.5 | 8 | % | 6 | % | $ | 34.9 | |||||||
Gross margin as percent of sales | 66.7 | % | 66.2 | % | 0.5 | pp | na | na | |||||||||
Delivery, sales & administrative expense as a percent of sales | 51.9 | % | 52.6 | % | (0.7 | )pp | na | na | |||||||||
Operating income | $ | 329.4 | $ | 275.7 | 19 | % | 16 | % | $ | 7.6 | |||||||
Net income | 225.6 | 175.1 | 29 | 25 | 5.7 | ||||||||||||
Net income per diluted share | 3.53 | 2.75 | 28 | 24 | 0.10 | ||||||||||||
____________________
na not applicable
pp percentage points
Sales
Reported sales increased 12 percent in 2011 compared with 2010. This increase included, under the Company's fiscal year, an estimated 1 percentage point positive impact from the extra week in 2011 compared with 2010. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates sales increased 9 percent, reflecting strong growth in the Company’s emerging market economy businesses, while its sales in established market economy businesses were about even with 2010. The Company defines its established markets as those in Western Europe including Scandinavia, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. All other markets are classified as emerging markets. The Company’s emerging markets accounted for 59 and 56 percent of reported sales in 2011 and 2010, respectively. The 2011 reported sales in the emerging markets were up 18 percent compared with the prior year, including a positive $19.6 million impact on the comparison from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, these markets’ sales grew 16 percent. The strong results in the emerging markets were led by Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia/Singapore, Turkey, and Venezuela. The core businesses in all of these units performed well through increases in their total and active sales forces, along with higher sales per active sales force member in most units. Of the emerging markets, Russia had the most notable decline in local currency sales compared with 2010, due to lower sales force size with less activity, as the Company works to strengthen its top independent sales force leaders and reflecting continued difficulties in the consumer spending environment. The Company’s established market businesses were up 5.0 percent in 2011 reported sales, including a positive $49.6 million impact on the comparison from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Excluding the foreign exchange benefit, sales in these markets were even with 2010. Germany, Italy and Tupperware United States and Canada were the units with the most significant sales growth during the year, reflecting larger and more productive sales forces, offset by declines by Tupperware Australia and BeautiControl, due to smaller and less active sales forces.
15
Reported sales increased 8 percent in 2010 compared with 2009. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, sales increased 6 percent, reflecting strong growth in the Company’s emerging market economy businesses partially offset by a slight decrease in its established market economy businesses. The Company’s emerging markets accounted for 56 and 51 percent of reported sales in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The 2010 reported sales in the emerging markets were up 18 percent compared with the prior year, including a positive $30.5 million impact on the comparison from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, these markets’ sales grew 15 percent. The strong results in the emerging markets were led by Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia/Singapore, Tupperware South Africa, Turkey, and Venezuela. The core businesses in all of these units performed very well mainly due to higher total and active sales forces. Of the emerging markets, Russia had the most notable decline in local currency sales compared with 2009, due to lower sales force activity, reflecting a more difficult consumer spending environment and the impact on sales and the sales force of the third quarter fires and heat wave in this market, along with more conservative ordering by the market’s distributors in light of their cash flow. The Company’s established market businesses were down 2 percent in 2010 reported sales, including a positive $4.3 million impact on the comparison from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The decline in the established markets was mainly due to lower sales in Tupperware Australia and Japan and BeautiControl reflecting smaller sales force sizes, partially offset by significant growth in Austria and France due to strong improvements in recruiting and larger sale forces.
Specific segment impacts are further discussed in the Segment Results section.
Gross Margin
Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 66.6 percent in 2011 and 66.7 percent in 2010. The decrease was primarily due to higher resin costs of $16 million, or 0.6 percentage points ("pp"). These costs were partially offset by the leverage on fixed costs from higher sales volume in certain markets (0.2 pp), changes in estimates of certain non-income tax costs (0.1 pp) and reduced inventory obsolescence (0.2 pp).
Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 66.7 percent in 2010 and 66.2 percent in 2009. The increase was from leverage on higher sales volume, a favorable product mix sold and a greater share of in-country sourcing by Tupperware Indonesia compared with 2009, partially offset by higher obsolescence costs and $9 million in higher resin costs.
Operating Expenses
Delivery, sales and administrative expense (DS&A) as a percentage of sales was 51.8 percent in 2011, compared with 51.9 percent in 2010. The lower DS&A percentage in 2011 was mainly due to lower commission expenses (0.4 pp), out-of-period amounts recorded in Russia (0.2 pp) in 2010, and the leverage from higher sales volume due to the fixed nature of a portion of the costs included in this caption. Partially offsetting these improvements was higher spending on promotions (0.4 pp) and marketing (0.2 pp), reflecting efforts to grow its sales forces and build brand recognition in certain markets. A strengthening U.S. dollar offset some of the normal benefit of the leverage on higher sales on the dollar-denominated fixed cost elements of this caption.
DS&A also declined as a percentage of sales to 51.9 percent in 2010, compared with 52.6 percent in 2009. The improvements in the DS&A percentage in 2010 were mainly due to more efficient promotional spending and the leverage from higher sales on fixed costs. This was partially offset by additional marketing spending for continued brand building initiatives in the Asia Pacific segment.
The Company allocates corporate operating expenses to its reporting segments based upon estimated time spent related to those segments where a direct relationship is present and based upon segment revenue for general expenses. The unallocated expenses reflect amounts unrelated to segment operations. Allocations are determined at the beginning of the year based upon estimated expenditures. Total unallocated expenses for 2011 increased $2.1 million compared with 2010, largely reflecting impacts from variations in foreign exchange rates. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, unallocated expenses were about even with 2010.
Total unallocated expenses for 2010 increased $4.9 million compared with 2009, reflecting higher incentive and equity compensation due to improved operating results, incremental audit fees in connection with review of internal controls in selected emerging markets and variations in foreign exchange rates.
16
As discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company includes costs related to the distribution of its products in DS&A expense. As a result, the Company’s gross margin may not be comparable with other companies that include these costs in cost of products sold.
Included in 2011 net income were pretax charges of $7.9 million for re-engineering and impairment charges, compared with $7.6 million and $8.0 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively. These charges are discussed in the re-engineering costs section following.
The Company’s goodwill and intangible assets relate primarily to the December 2005 acquisition of the direct selling businesses of Sara Lee Corporation and the October 2000 acquisition of BeautiControl. The Company conducts an annual impairment test of goodwill and intangible assets in the third quarter of each year, other than for BeautiControl where the annual valuation is performed in the second quarter, and in other quarters in the event of a change in circumstances that would lead the Company to believe that a triggering event for impairment may have occurred. The impairment assessment is completed by estimating the fair value of the reporting units and intangible assets and comparing these estimates with their carrying values.
In the second quarter of 2009, the Company noted the rates of growth of sales, profit and cash flow of the Nutrimetics and NaturCare businesses were below the Company’s projections used in its previous valuations, as was the forecast for growth in future periods. At that time, the Company also noted that financial results of the South African beauty business were not meeting the projections used in the 2008 annual valuation. Given the sensitivity of the valuations to changes in cash flows for these reporting units, the Company performed interim impairment tests of tradenames and reporting units, reflecting reduced future forecasts in these businesses, including the impact of the external environment. The result of the interim impairment tests was to record tradename impairments of $10.1 million for Nutrimetics, $4.2 million for NaturCare and $2.0 million for Avroy Shlain in the second quarter of 2009. In addition to the impairment of tradenames, the Company also recognized impairments of goodwill of $8.6 million and $3.2 million relating to the Nutrimetics and South African beauty reporting units, respectively.
During 2010, the Company decided it would cease operating separately its Swissgarde unit. As a result of this decision, the Company concluded that its intangible assets and goodwill were impaired. Hence, in the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company recorded a $2.1 million impairment to the Swissgarde tradename, a $0.1 million impairment related to its sales force intangible asset and a $2.1 million impairment to goodwill relating to the South African beauty reporting unit. During 2011, the Company sold its interest in Swissgarde for $0.7 million, which resulted in a gain of $0.1 million.
In the third quarter of 2011, the Company completed the annual impairment tests for all of the reporting units and tradenames, other than BeautiControl which was completed in the second quarter. Refer to Note 6 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. During the third quarter of 2011, the financial results of Nutrimetics were below expectations. The Company also made the decision in the third quarter to cease operating its Nutrimetics business in Malaysia. As a result, the Company lowered its forecasts of future sales and profit below those previously used. The fair values were determined using a discounted cash flow model. The result of the impairment tests was to record a $31.1 million impairment to the Nutrimetics goodwill and a $5.0 million impairment to its tradename.
The Company continues working on its program to sell land for development near its Orlando, Florida headquarters, which began in 2002. During 2011, a pretax gain of $0.7 million was recognized as a result of a sale under this program. There were no land sales under this program in 2010 or 2009 due to negative developments in the real estate market, including ramifications of the credit crisis in the United States. Gains on land transactions are recorded based upon when the transactions close and proceeds are collected. Transactions in one period may not be representative of what may occur in future periods. Since the Company began this program in 2002, cumulative proceeds from these sales have totaled $67.7 million and currently are expected to be up to an additional $100 million when the program is completed. The carrying value of the land included in the Company's land sales program was $23 million as of December 31, 2011. This amount was included in property, plant and equipment held for use within the Consolidated Balance Sheet as it is not considered probable that any land sales will be completed within one year.
In 2009, the company recorded a pretax gain of $19.0 million for insurance recoveries from the settlement of its claim from the 2007 fire at its South Carolina manufacturing facility.
17
In 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded a pretax gain of $0.2 million and $2.9 million, respectively, from the sale of property in Australia.
Re-engineering Costs
As the Company continuously evaluates its operating structure in light of current business conditions and strives to maintain the most efficient possible structure, it periodically implements actions designed to reduce costs and improve operating efficiency. These actions often result in re-engineering costs related to facility downsizing and closure, as well as related asset write downs and other costs that may be necessary in light of the revised operating landscape. In addition, the Company may recognize gains upon disposal of closed facilities or other activities directly related to its re-engineering efforts. Over the past three years, the Company has incurred such costs as detailed below that were included in the following income statement captions (in millions):
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||
Re-engineering and impairment charges | $ | 7.9 | $ | 7.6 | $ | 8.0 | |||||
Cost of products sold | 1.7 | — | — | ||||||||
Total pretax re-engineering costs | $ | 9.6 | $ | 7.6 | $ | 8.0 | |||||
The Company recorded re-engineering and impairment charges of $5.9 million, $6.5 million and $5.2 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to severance costs incurred to reduce head count in various units, mainly due to implementing changes in the businesses' management structures. These costs were primarily related to operations in France, Fuller Mexico, Japan and Malaysia in 2011; Australia, France and Japan in 2010; and Australia, BeautiControl, France, Fuller Mexico and Japan in 2009. In 2011, re-engineering and impairment charges also included $1.3 million related to the decision to merge the Nutrimetics and Tupperware businesses in Malaysia and $0.7 million related to asset impairments, exit activities and relocation costs. Also in 2011, in connection with the decision to cease operating Nutrimetics Malaysia, the Company recorded a $1.7 million charge to cost of sales for inventory obsolescence. In 2010, re-engineering and impairment charges also included $1.1 million related to moving costs and the impairment of property, plant and equipment associated with the relocation of certain manufacturing facilities in Japan. In 2009, these costs also included $2.1 million related to the impairment of software and property, plant and equipment and $0.7 million of costs associated with the relocation of certain manufacturing facilities.
See also Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, regarding the Company's re-engineering actions.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense was $45.8 million for 2011, compared with $26.8 million in 2010. The increase in 2011 was primarily due to an $18.9 million charge resulting from the impairment of floating-to-fixed interest swaps that became ineffective when the underlying debt was repaid in the second quarter of 2011, along with a $0.9 million write-off of deferred debt costs. This was partially offset by higher interest income earned on higher average cash balances held during 2011 in Brazil, China, and India.
Net interest expense was $26.8 million in 2010, compared with $28.7 million in 2009, reflecting a lower level of borrowings exposed to floating rates.
Tax Rate
The effective tax rates for 2011, 2010 and 2009 were 26.1, 24.7 and 26.2 percent, respectively. The comparatively higher 2011 and 2009 tax rates were due to the impact of nondeductible foreign goodwill impairment charges. As a result of tax law changes in Mexico, an election was made during 2011that resulted in a reduction of $20.4 million of deferred tax liabilities. The Company also incurred in 2011, additional costs of $16.0 million associated with the repatriation of foreign earnings. During 2011, the Company decided to repatriate earnings from Australia and certain other foreign units that were previously determined to be indefinitely reinvested in order to take advantage of historically favorable exchange rates. In 2009, there were significant costs related to the impact of changes in Mexican legislation and a revaluation of tax assets. The effective tax rates for 2011, 2010 and 2009 are below the U.S. statutory rate, reflecting the availability of excess foreign tax credits as well as lower foreign effective tax rates.
18
Tax rates are affected by many factors, including the global mix of earnings, changes in tax legislation, acquisitions or dispositions as well as the tax characteristics of income. The Company is required to make judgments on the need to record deferred tax assets and liabilities, uncertain tax positions and assessments regarding the realizability of deferred tax assets in determining the income tax provision. The Company has recognized deferred tax assets based upon its analysis of the likelihood of realizing the benefits inherent in them. The Company has not recorded a valuation allowance where it has concluded that it is more likely than not that the benefits will ultimately be realized. This assessment is based upon expectations of domestic operating and non-operating results, foreign dividends and other foreign source income, as well as anticipated gains related to the Company's future sales of land held for development near its Orlando, Florida headquarters. In addition, certain tax planning transactions may be entered into to facilitate realization of these benefits. In evaluating uncertain tax positions, the Company makes determinations regarding the application of complex tax rules, regulations and practices. Uncertain tax positions are evaluated based on many factors including but not limited to changes in tax laws, new developments and the impact of settlements on future periods. Refer to the critical accounting policies section and Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussions of the Company's methodology for evaluating deferred tax assets.
As of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefit was $28.6 million and $27.3 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company settled certain tax positions in various foreign countries which included a payment of $0.4 million of interest and taxes. As a result of the settlement, the Company's unrecognized tax benefit decreased by $3.2 million, and related accruals for interest and penalties decreased by $0.3 million. Also during 2011, the Company reduced its liability by $1.2 million upon entering into certain advance pricing agreements. During the year, the accrual for uncertain tax positions also increased for positions being taken in various tax filings.
The Company estimates that it may settle one or more foreign audits in the next twelve months that may result in a decrease in the amount of accrual for uncertain tax positions of up to $2.2 million. For the remaining balance as of December 31, 2011, the Company is not able to reliably estimate the timing or ultimate settlement amount. While the Company does not currently expect material changes, it is possible that the amount of unrecognized benefit with respect to the uncertain tax positions will significantly increase or decrease related to audits in various foreign jurisdictions that may conclude during that period or new developments that could also, in turn, impact the Company's assessment relative to the establishment of valuation allowances against certain existing deferred tax assets. At this time, the Company is not able to make a reasonable estimate of the range of impact on the balance of unrecognized tax benefits or the impact on the effective tax rate related to these items.
Net Income
For 2011, operating income increased 4 percent compared with 2010, which included a 3 percent positive impact on the comparison from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Net income decreased 3 percent on a reported basis, and this included a positive 3 percent impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The core businesses in Asia Pacific, Tupperware North America, and South America achieved higher profit based on the contribution margin on higher sales. These increases were offset by the impact of lower sales by Beauty North America, as well as higher levels of promotional spending in Europe and Beauty North America, along with the $36.1 million impairment of goodwill and intangible assets of the Nutrimetics businesses and $19.8 million in costs incurred from the impairment of interest rate swaps and the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs in connection with the repayment of the underlying debt in the second quarter. There was also a higher income tax rate in 2011 than in 2010, primarily reflecting the impact of the nondeductible foreign goodwill impairment charges.
For 2010, operating income increased 19 percent compared with 2009, which included a 3 percent positive impact on the comparison from stronger foreign exchange rates. Net income increased 29 percent on a reported basis, and this included a positive 4 percent impact from stronger foreign exchange rates. In addition to the net impact of having lower impairment charges related to goodwill and intangible assets and not having an insurance recovery in 2010, the local currency increase in net income was from improvements in all of the Company’s segments, mainly reflecting the contribution margin on higher sales. There was also a positive impact on the comparison from not having the $8.4 million foreign exchange related costs in Venezuela incurred in 2009, which are described below, and from a lower tax rate, primarily due to the lack of a tax benefit associated with the intangible impairment charges recorded in 2009. These items were partially offset by out-of-period amounts recorded in Russia that negatively impacted the 2010 comparison with 2009.
19
International operations accounted for 90, 88 and 86 percent of the Company’s sales and 99, 96 and 94 percent of the Company’s net segment profit in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Segment Results 2011 vs. 2010
Effective with the first quarter of 2011, the Company changed its segment reporting to reflect the geographic distribution of its businesses in accordance with how it views the operations. Consequently, the Company no longer has a Beauty Other segment, and the businesses previously reported in that segment are now reported as follows: Tupperware Brands Philippines in the Asia Pacific segment; the Company's Central America businesses in the Tupperware North America segment; the Nutrimetics businesses in the Europe and Asia Pacific segments (as applicable); and the businesses in South America as a separate geographic segment. Comparable information from 2010 and 2009 have been reclassified to conform with the new presentation.
(Dollars in millions) | 2011 | 2010 | Change | Change excluding the impact of foreign exchange | Foreign exchange impact | Percent of total | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dollar | Percent | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe | $ | 848.9 | $ | 796.0 | $ | 52.9 | 7% | 3% | $ | 25.3 | 33 | % | 35 | % | |||||||||||||
Asia Pacific | 714.0 | 584.0 | 130.0 | 22 | 15 | 34.9 | 27 | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||
Tupperware North America | 352.0 | 331.5 | 20.5 | 6 | 5 | 3.2 | 14 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||
Beauty North America | 395.5 | 406.0 | (10.5 | ) | (3 | ) | (3 | ) | 3.0 | 15 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||
South America | 274.6 | 182.9 | 91.7 | 50 | 48 | 2.7 | 11 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total net sales | $ | 2,585.0 | $ | 2,300.4 | $ | 284.6 | 12% | 9% | $ | 69.1 | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||||||
Segment profit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe | $ | 148.3 | $ | 147.1 | $ | 1.2 | 1% | (1)% | $ | 3.2 | 34 | % | 37 | % | |||||||||||||
Asia Pacific | 147.0 | 111.8 | 35.2 | 31 | 26 | 5.3 | 33 | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||
Tupperware North America | 58.4 | 52.8 | 5.6 | 11 | 9 | 0.8 | 13 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
Beauty North America | 37.9 | 58.9 | (21.0 | ) | (36 | ) | (36 | ) | 0.3 | 9 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
South America | 48.6 | 24.4 | 24.2 | 99 | 92 | 0.9 | 11 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
Segment profit as a percentage of sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe | 17.5 | % | 18.5 | % | na | (1.0 | )pp | (1.2 | )pp | 0.2 | pp | na | na | ||||||||||||||
Asia Pacific | 20.6 | 19.1 | na | 1.5 | 1.7 | (0.2 | ) | na | na | ||||||||||||||||||
Tupperware North America | 16.6 | 15.9 | na | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.1 | na | na | |||||||||||||||||||
Beauty North America | 9.6 | 14.5 | na | (4.9 | ) | (4.9 | ) | — | na | na | |||||||||||||||||
South America | 17.7 | 13.3 | na | 4.4 | 4.1 | 0.3 | na | na | |||||||||||||||||||
____________________
pp | Percentage points |
na | Not applicable |
+ | Increase is greater than 100 percent |
20
Europe
Reported sales increased 7 percent in 2011 compared with 2010. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates sales increased 3 percent. The improvement was due to a slight local currency improvement in the Company’s emerging markets and modest local currency growth in the established markets, which are composed of Western Europe, including Scandinavia. Emerging markets accounted for $298.1 and $292.3 million of reported net sales in this segment in 2011 and 2010, respectively, which represented 35 percent and 37 percent of reported net segment sales. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates was minimal in the emerging markets. The improvement in emerging markets came from significant growth in Turkey, as well as strong growth in the Avroy Shlain beauty business in South Africa, due to a larger and more active sales forces in those markets. This growth was offset by a significant sales decrease in Russia, resulting from a decline in consumer spending power and a smaller sales force with lower activity. Sales by the Tupperware South Africa unit were up modestly for the full year, although down in the fourth quarter, after several years of robust growth. The lower sales in the fourth quarter reflected a less favorable reaction to the holiday promotional program than in 2010, including a lower number of active sellers. The unit is working to increase the number of sales force leaders promoting other sales force leaders that if successful would lead to a larger sales force size and sales growth.
The established markets’ increase in reported sales, compared with 2010, was driven by Tupperware France, Germany, the largest market in the segment, and Italy, reflecting larger and more productive sales forces resulting from a continued focus on recruiting, pay for performance under sales force compensation and incentive programs, sales force leadership development and training in these markets. These results were partially offset by decreases in Austria and Tupperware Greece, primarily from less productive sales forces. In Greece particularly, there is an impact of lower consumer spending in light of the difficult economic environment.
For 2011, compared with 2010, segment profit increased $1.2 million, or 1 percent. Segment profit as a percentage of sales of 17.5 percent decreased 1 percentage point from 2010. The higher segment profit was due to the positive impact of foreign currency exchange rates. On a local currency basis, segment profit was down slightly due to elevated promotional spending in Italy that resulted in a significant sales increase, but at a much higher than normal cost, as well as a lower gross margin from a variation in sales mix. The decreases were partially offset by the benefit of not having the $7.6 million of out-of-period amounts recorded in Russia in 2010.
The year-over-year comparison on sales and profit for the entire segment was positively impacted by foreign currency rates, primarily a stronger euro versus the U.S. dollar.
Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific achieved significant growth in 2011 with a 22 percent increase in reported sales, largely reflecting increases by the businesses in emerging markets in this segment. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates sales increased 15 percent. Emerging markets include China, Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia/Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand, and accounted for $511.5 million and $384.6 million, or 72 and 66 percent, of the sales in this segment in 2011 and 2010, respectively. Total emerging market sales increased $126.9 million, or 33 percent, in 2011 compared with 2010. The comparison was positively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates totaling $12.7 million. Excluding the impact of foreign currencies, these markets increased by 29 percent in 2011, compared with 2010. This result was from larger, more active sales forces, reflecting strong recruiting, training and retention, attractive consumer offers and successful promotional activities.
Reported sales in the established markets increased 2 percent. Excluding the impacts of foreign currency exchange rates, the established markets decreased by 9 percent compared with 2010. The more significant decreases in local currency were in the Tupperware and Nutrimetics businesses in Australia and the Tupperware business in Japan, largely due to smaller and less active sales forces in light of continued difficult consumer spending environments in these markets.
21
Total segment profit increased $35.2 million, or 31 percent, in 2011 compared with 2010. Segment profit as a percentage of sales at 20.6 percent was higher than 2010 by 1.5 percentage points. The segment profit comparison was positively impacted by changes in foreign currency, and excluding this impact, segment profit increased 26 percent compared with 2010. This was mainly due to improved sales volume in the emerging market units, as well as an improved gross margin percentage, reflecting the leverage on fixed costs from the higher sales volume, lower inventory obsolescence, changes in estimates of certain non-income tax costs and a more favorable product mix. There was also leverage from the higher sales on the fixed components of DS&A spending. This was partially offset with higher marketing expenses for continued brand building initiatives.
The positive impact from foreign currencies on the sales and profit comparison of 2011 with 2010 was mainly attributable to the Australian dollar, the Indonesian rupiah and the Malaysian ringgit.
Tupperware North America
Reported sales increased 6 percent in 2011 compared with 2010. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, sales increased 5 percent. The modest increase came primarily from growth in core sales by both Tupperware Mexico and the United States and Canada, primarily reflecting a larger sales force in Mexico and higher active sales forces in both units. Tupperware Mexico also overcame $5.2 million less business-to-business sales than in 2010, primarily in the first quarter. While the Company actively pursues business-to-business opportunities, sales from this channel are based on reaching agreements with business partners and their product needs, along with consideration of how the arrangements will be integrated with the Company’s primary sales channel. Consequently, activity in one period may not be indicative of future trends.
Segment profit increased $5.6 million, or 11 percent, in 2011 compared with 2010. Segment profit as a percentage of sales at 16.6 percent was 0.7 percentage points higher in 2011 than in 2010. The improvement was primarily from the higher sales volume in Mexico and lower inventory obsolescence, along with a mix benefit toward core consumer sales by that unit, as consumer sales had a higher gross margin. These improvements were partially offset by a lower profit by the United States and Canada unit due to a lower gross margin and planned investments to activate the sales force and drive sales growth.
Beauty North America
Reported sales for this segment were down 3 percent in 2011 compared with 2010, primarily reflecting lower sales by BeautiControl North America where there was a smaller and less active sales force. The impact of foreign currency exchange rates on the comparison was minimal. Fuller Mexico was also down slightly.
Segment profit decreased $21.0 million, or 36.0 percent, in 2011 compared with 2010. Segment profit as a percentage of sales, at 9.6 percent, was 4.9 percentage points lower than 2010. The impact of foreign currency exchange rates on the comparison was minimal. The decrease in profit was largely due to lower sales with lower margins due to increased product costs at both BeautiControl and Fuller Mexico. Both units also made significant promotional investments for sales force recruiting and activation initiatives during the year that did not translate into incremental sales.
South America
Reported sales for this segment increased 50 percent in 2011 compared with 2010. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates sales increased 48 percent. The increase was mainly in Tupperware Brazil driven by a larger sales force from strong recruiting, sales force activation and higher productivity. Also contributing to the segment sales increase was Venezuela due to higher pricing reflecting inflation and a modest increase in the size and activity of the sales force as well as Uruguay and Argentina due to higher pricing in line with inflation. The Company estimates that one-third of the overall local currency sales increase by the segment was from price increases.
Segment profit increased $24.2 million, or 99 percent, in 2011 compared with 2010. Segment profit as a percentage of sales, at 17.7 percent, was 4.4 percentage points higher than 2010. The impact of foreign currency exchange rates on the comparison was minimal. The increase in profit mainly reflected higher sales volume in Brazil and, to a lesser extent, in Venezuela, as well as more efficient promotional spending and leverage from the higher sales on the fixed components of DS&A spending.
22
The Company began translating Venezuelan sales and profit results at the "parallel rate" as of the beginning of 2010. In May 2010, the Venezuelan government closed the use of the parallel rate, and consequently, this rate was no longer available and could not be used to translate the results from Venezuela. In June 2010, several large Venezuelan commercial banks began operating the Transaction System for Foreign Currency Denominated Securities (SITME), which established a new “banded” exchange rate. As the Company believed this would be the primary rate at which it would settle its non-bolivar denominated liabilities and repatriate dividends, it began translating its bolivar denominated transactions and balances at this rate beginning in June 2010.
As of the beginning of 2010, Venezuela was determined to be highly inflationary. Gains and losses from translation of the financial statements of subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies are recorded in earnings. The impact of the changes in the value of the Venezuelan bolivar versus the U.S. dollar on earnings in 2010 was not significant. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $13 million in net monetary assets denominated in Venezuelan bolivars, which would be directly impacted by any change in the exchange rate, including $19 million in cash and cash equivalents. If the exchange rate in Venezuela were to change to the rate used in May 2010, before the government closed the use of the parallel rate, the Company estimates the negative impact on its 2012 pretax earnings would be $13 million, which includes a $5 million impact related to the $13 million bolivar net asset position.
Segment Results 2010 vs. 2009
(Dollars in millions) | 2010 | 2009 | Change | Change excluding the impact of foreign exchange | Foreign exchange impact | Percent of total | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dollar | Percent | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe | $ | 796.0 | $ | 768.9 | $ | 27.1 | 4 | % | 4% | $ | (6.9 | ) | 35 | % | 36 | % | |||||||||||
Asia Pacific | 584.0 | 494.0 | 90.0 | 18 | 8 | 44.8 | 25 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||
Tupperware North America | 331.5 | 296.9 | 34.6 | 12 | 8 | 10.0 | 14 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||
Beauty North America | 406.0 | 391.6 | 14.4 | 4 | (1 | ) | 19.8 | 18 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||
South America | 182.9 | 176.1 | 6.8 | 4 | 28 | (32.8 | ) | 8 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total net sales | $ | 2,300.4 | $ | 2,127.5 | $ | 172.9 | 8% | 6% | $ | 34.9 | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||||||
Segment profit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe | $ | 147.1 | $ | 141.8 | $ | 5.3 | 4% | 3% | $ | 1.5 | 37 | % | 43 | % | |||||||||||||
Asia Pacific | 111.8 | 84.9 | 26.9 | 32 | 20 | 8.6 | 28 | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||
Tupperware North America | 52.8 | 40.3 | 12.5 | 31 | 26 | 1.6 | 14 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||
Beauty North America | 58.9 | 52.2 | 6.7 | 13 | 5 | 3.8 | 15 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||
South America | 24.4 | 12.7 | 11.7 | 92 | + | (7.4 | ) | 6 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Segment profit as a percentage of sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe | 18.5 | % | 18.4 | % | na | 0.1 | pp | (0.3 | )pp | 0.4 | pp | na | na | ||||||||||||||
Asia Pacific | 19.1 | 17.2 | na | 1.9 | 1.8 | 0.1 | na | na | |||||||||||||||||||
Tupperware North America | 15.9 | 13.6 | na | 2.3 | 2.3 | — | na | na | |||||||||||||||||||
Beauty North America | 14.5 | 13.3 | na | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | na | na | |||||||||||||||||||
South America | 13.3 | 7.2 | na | 6.1 | 9.6 | (3.5 | ) | na | na | ||||||||||||||||||
____________________
pp | Percentage points |
na | Not applicable |
+ | Increase is greater than 100 percent |
23
Europe
Reported sales increased 4 percent in 2010 compared with 2009. The improvement was largely due to continued success in the emerging markets, as well as a modest improvement in local currency sales in the Company’s established markets. Emerging markets accounted for $292.3 and $259.6 million of reported net sales in this segment in 2010 and 2009, respectively, which represented 37 percent and 34 percent of reported net segment sales. Total emerging market sales were positively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates totaling $15.4 million. Excluding the impact of foreign currencies, these markets increased by 6 percent in 2010, compared with 2009. The improvement in emerging markets was driven by significant sales growth in Tupperware South Africa and Turkey, resulting from larger, more productive sales forces. This growth was offset by a significant sales decrease in Russia, resulting from a decline in consumer spending power and lower sales force activity.
The established markets’ modest increase in local currency sales, compared with 2009, reflected a continuation of significant growth in Tupperware France and Austria, driven by a strong improvement in recruiting and sales force size. These results were partially offset by a substantial decrease in sales in the Tupperware and Nutrimetics businesses in Greece, as a result of ongoing economic turmoil in that country, and a slight decrease in Germany. The Company continues to focus on recruiting, sales force leadership development, training and activity in Germany.
For 2010, compared with 2009, segment profit increased $5.3 million, or 4 percent. Segment profit as a percentage of sales was about even with 2009 at 18.5 percent. The higher segment profit was mainly due to the modest growth in sales. Segment profit was negatively impacted by the out-of-period amounts recorded in Russia in 2010.
The year-over-year comparison on sales for the entire segment was negatively impacted by foreign currency rates, primarily driven by a weaker euro versus the U.S. dollar. The segment profit comparison was positively impacted by changes in foreign currency rates, primarily driven by a stronger South African rand versus the U.S. dollar.
Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific achieved strong growth in 2010 with an 18 percent increase in reported sales from improvements in the emerging markets in this segment. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates sales increased 8 percent. Emerging markets accounted for $384.6 million and $282.2 million, or 66 and 57 percent, of the sales in this segment for 2010 and 2009, respectively. Total emerging market sales increased $102.4 million, or 36 percent, in 2010 compared with 2009, and the comparison was positively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates totaling $21.5 million. Excluding the impact of foreign currencies, these markets increased by 27 percent in 2010, compared with 2009. This result was from larger, more active sales forces, reflecting strong recruiting, training and retention, attractive consumer offers and successful promotional activities.
The strong growth experienced in the emerging markets was partially offset by a significant decline in local currency sales in the established markets. The decline was the result of lower average active sales forces compared with 2009.
Total segment profit increased $26.9 million, or 32 percent, in 2010 compared with 2009. Segment profit as a percentage of sales, at 19.1 percent, was higher than 2009 by 1.9 percentage points. The segment profit comparison with 2009 was positively impacted by changes in foreign currency and excluding the impact of foreign currency, segment profit increased 20 percent compared with 2009. This was mainly due to improved sales volume in the emerging markets, as well as an improved gross margin percentage reflecting the leverage on fixed costs from the higher sales volume and a more favorable product mix. The margin also improved in Indonesia as the market sourced a greater proportion of its product needs locally in 2010 at a lower cost. There was also leverage from the higher sales on the fixed components of DS&A spending. This was partially offset with higher marketing expenses for continued brand building initiatives.
The positive impact from foreign currencies on the sales and profit comparison of 2010 with 2009 was mainly attributable to the Australian dollar, the Indonesian rupiah and the Malaysian ringgit.
24
Tupperware North America
Reported sales increased 12 percent in 2010 compared with 2009. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, sales increased 8 percent. The increase in the segment was primarily from strong core sales growth by Tupperware Mexico, reflecting a higher average active sales force. The United States and Canada business was up slightly in local currency sales in 2010 reflecting a larger sales force compared with 2009. Tupperware Mexico also had $3.9 million more business-to-business sales than in 2009, primarily in the first quarter.
Segment profit increased $12.5 million, or 31 percent, in 2010 compared with 2009. Segment profit as a percentage of sales, at 15.9 percent, was 2.3 percentage points higher in 2010 than 2009. The improvement was from higher sales in the segment, along with more efficient promotional and marketing spending and lower bad debt expense. These improvements were partially offset by a lower gross margin in the segment reflecting promotional pricing decisions and a lower margin on the business-to-business sales that also accounted for a greater share of sales in 2010 compared with 2009.
Beauty North America
Reported sales for this segment increased 4 percent in 2010 compared with 2009. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates sales were down 1 percent, reflecting lower sales by BeautiControl North America, where there was a smaller sales force during the year. The decline in sales at BeautiControl North America was partially offset by a slight increase in sales at Fuller Mexico, reflecting a slight improvement in sales force size compared with 2009.
Segment profit increased $6.7 million, or 13 percent, in 2010 compared with 2009. The year-over-year comparison was positively impacted by $3.8 million from a stronger Mexican peso versus the U.S. dollar. Excluding the positive impact of foreign currency on the comparison, the segment achieved a 5 percent increase in profit. Segment profit as a percentage of sales, at 14.5 percent, was 1.2 percentage points higher than 2009. The overall local currency improvement in segment profit mainly reflected a value chain improvement implemented in the second half of 2009, as well as lower costs at Fuller Mexico, from the absence of certain incentives offered in 2009, lower promotion expenses in BeautiControl from less sales force members qualifying for events, and promotional gift and cost savings at BeautiControl from re-engineering plans implemented in 2009. These cost savings were partially offset by investments made by the Company to support the BeautiControl sales force in its transition to operating under a new compensation plan, and initiatives implemented in the first half of 2010 by Fuller Mexico to improve sales force recruiting.
South America
Reported sales for this segment increased 4 percent in 2010 compared with 2009. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, sales increased 28 percent. The increase was mainly in Tupperware Brazil, the result of a larger sales force from strong recruiting and training, and higher productivity. Also contributing to the segment sales increase was Argentina due to higher pricing reflecting inflation; Uruguay, reflecting a higher sales per order; and Venezuela, due to higher pricing in line with inflation.
Segment profit increased in 2010, mainly reflecting the higher sales volume in Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela, as well as more efficient promotional spending and leverage from the higher sales on the fixed components of DS&A spending. In 2009, the Company recorded $8.4 million in pre-tax foreign exchange losses resulting from converting Venezuelan bolivars to U.S dollars at a less favorable rate than had been recorded on the balance sheet, and remeasuring non-Venezuelan bolivar denominated balances at the end of 2009, as the Company began translating on December 26, 2009 the Venezuela operations at the parallel rate. These costs did not recur in 2010.
As described above, the Company discontinued use of the official exchange rate in December of 2009, and this had a negative translation impact on its year-over-year sales and profit comparison totaling $39.1 million and $8.7 million, respectively.
As noted above, the change in the value of the Venezuelan bolivar had a negative impact on the sales and profit comparison for the segment, which was partially offset by a stronger Brazilian real.
25
Financial Condition
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net working capital was $94.0 million as of December 31, 2011, compared with $348.8 million as of December 25, 2010 and $236.3 million as of December 26, 2009. The current ratio was 1.1 to 1 at the end of 2011, 1.7 to 1 at the end of 2010 and 1.5 to 1 at the end of 2009.
The Company’s net working capital decreased as of the end of 2011 compared with 2010, primarily reflecting a lower level of cash as of the end of 2011 and borrowings under its revolving credit facility, both of which were used to repurchase shares. There was also an impact from a reduction in receivables reflecting the timing of collections around the Company's fiscal year-end. There was a partial offset from a higher level of inventory to support a higher level of sales generally, along with more specific instances where inventory was increased in units to enable a better level of service to customers and in light of sales below expectations. There was also an increase in deferred tax assets and a decrease in accrued liabilities largely from lower income taxes payable due to the timing of the Company's tax liability around year end.
The higher net working capital as of the end 2010, compared with 2009, reflected a higher level of cash resulting both from the Company’s favorable operating results and cash flow. The Company also generated significant cash flow in 2009, but used a portion of that cash to prepay $140 million of term loans, while there were no such prepayments in 2010. The increase in net working capital was also impacted by a higher inventory level, reflecting the need to support a higher level of sales, partially offset by higher accounts payable, reflecting the timing of payments around the Company’s fiscal year in 2010 compared with 2009, as well as higher accrued compensation and commissions resulting from the favorable sales and operating results.
On June 2, 2011, the Company completed the sale of $400 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.750% Senior Notes due June 1, 2021 (the “Senior Notes”) at an issue price of 98.989% as well as entered into a new $450 million multicurrency revolving Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The proceeds were used to repay all of the Company's $405 million outstanding term loans under the Company's previous credit facility from September 2007 ("Old Credit Facility"), which was terminated on the same date. The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Dart Industries Inc. (the “Guarantor”), has granted a security interest for the Senior Notes and the Credit Agreement in certain "Tupperware" trademarks and service marks owned by the Guarantor.
Loans made under the revolving credit facility bear interest under a formula that includes, at the Company's option, one of three different base rates. The Company generally selects the London interbank offered rate ("LIBOR") for the applicable currency and interest period as its base for its interest rate. As provided in the credit facility a margin is added to the base. The applicable margin is determined by reference to a pricing schedule based upon the ratio (the “Consolidated Leverage Ratio”) of the consolidated funded indebtedness of the Company and its subsidiaries to the consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of the Company and its subsidiaries for the four (4) fiscal quarters then most recently ended. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $192.3 million of euro-denominated borrowings outstanding under its Credit Agreement which dictated a spread of 150 basis points and gave the Company a weighted average interest rate of 2.9 percent on borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The Company routinely increases its revolver borrowings under the Credit Agreement during each quarter to fund operations and financing activities, and uses cash available at the end of the period to reduce borrowing levels. As a result, the Company has higher foreign exchange exposure on the value of its cash during each quarter than at the end of each quarter.
The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants including financial covenants requiring minimum interest coverage and allowing a maximum amount of leverage. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had, and currently has, considerable leeway under its financial covenants. However, economic conditions, adverse changes in foreign exchange rates, lower than foreseen sales and profit or the occurrence of other events discussed under “Forward Looking Statements” and elsewhere could cause noncompliance.
26
The interest rate charged on outstanding borrowings under the Old Credit Facility was based on a floating LIBOR base rate plus an applicable margin. Although the Old Credit Facility was a floating rate instrument, the Company was required to maintain at least 40 percent of outstanding term loans at fixed rates, which was achieved through the use of interest rate swaps. The Old Credit Facility dictated a contractual spread of 62.5 basis points and combined with the swap agreements, gave the Company an all-in effective rate of about 4.5 percent on the $405 million borrowings in 2011 through their repayment. In connection with the repayment of the borrowings under the Old Credit Facility, the related interest rate swaps became ineffective, which resulted in a reclassification of $18.9 million from other comprehensive loss to interest expense in the second quarter of 2011.
The Company monitors the financial stability of third-party depository institutions that hold its cash and cash equivalents and diversifies its cash and cash equivalents among counterparties, which minimizes exposure to any one of these entities. Furthermore, the Company is exposed to financial market risk resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency rates and the possible liquidity and credit risks of its counterparties. The Company believes that it has sufficient liquidity to fund its working capital and capital spending needs and its current dividend. This liquidity includes its year-end 2011 cash and cash equivalents balance of $138.2 million, cash flows from operating activities, and access to its $450 million Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $254.6 million available under its Credit Agreement and $105.3 million available under other uncommitted lines of credit. The Company has not experienced any limitations on its ability to access its committed facility.
Cash and cash equivalents (“cash”) totaled $138.2 million as of December 31, 2011. Of this amount, $135 million was held by foreign subsidiaries. Approximately 60 percent of this cash held outside of the United States was not eligible for repatriation due to the level of past statutory earnings by the foreign unit in which the cash was held. The remaining cash is subject to repatriation tax effects. The Company's current intent is to indefinitely reinvest these funds in its foreign operations, as it does not anticipate needing them in the United States. In the event circumstances change, leading to the conclusion that these funds will not be indefinitely reinvested, the Company would need to provide at that time for the income taxes that would be triggered upon their repatriation.
The Company’s two debt ratings agencies, Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s, have both rated the Company. Standard and Poor’s currently has a corporate credit rating on the Company of BBB- and has assigned a stable outlook. Moody’s assigns a rating of Baa3 with a stable outlook to the corporate family rating of the Company.
Business units in which the Company generated at least $100 million of sales in 2011 included Brazil, Tupperware France, Fuller Mexico, Germany, Indonesia, Tupperware Mexico and Tupperware United States and Canada. A significant downturn in the Company’s business in these markets would adversely impact the Company’s ability to generate operating cash flows. Operating cash flows would also be adversely impacted by significant difficulties in the recruitment, retention and activity of the Company’s independent sales force or the success of new products and/or promotional programs.
On December 11, 2007, the Company experienced a fire at its Hemingway, SC facility, causing the complete destruction of its main finished goods warehouse and its contents. In 2009, the Company finalized its claim with its insurance companies and received a total of $18.9 million in proceeds during the year, bringing the total settlement to $61.5 million to recover the value of destroyed inventory; property, plant and equipment; and costs associated with recovering from the fire, resulting in $19.0 million in pretax gains related to the fire recorded in 2009. In 2009, the Company included in its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, $18.9 million in proceeds in investing activities, as they related to property, plant and equipment. The Company netted, in 2009, $8.2 million of proceeds against capital expenditures, as these proceeds represented a direct reimbursement of costs associated with rebuilding the distribution capability of the Hemingway facility.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in 2011 was $274.7 million, compared with $299.5 million in 2010. The decrease in operating cash flow in 2011, notwithstanding a $44 million increase in net income excluding the non-cash impairment charges, primarily reflected the timing of distributions for payables and accruals around the beginning of each year and in light of the inclusion of a 53rd week in fiscal 2011 that caused a shift in the Company's calendar at year end. Inventory levels also increased during 2011 due to purchases to support higher sales and customer service levels in certain markets and in light of sales below forecast in other markets.
27
Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $299.5 million in 2010 from $250.9 million in 2009, reflecting the increase in net income for 2010, compared with 2009. Also contributing to the increase was a higher inflow from accounts payable and accrued liabilities resulting mainly from the timing of payments made at the end of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year compared with 2009, partially offset by an outflow from a higher level of inventory in 2010 versus a small reduction in 2009, and a cash outflow to settle foreign currency hedge contracts in 2010, compared with an inflow in 2009.
Insurance proceeds in 2011 included $3.0 million in recoveries, net of expenses, from flood damage in Australia.
Investing Activities
In 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company spent $73.9 million, $56.1 million and $46.4 million respectively, for capital expenditures. The most significant type of spending in all years was for molds for new products, with the greatest amount spent in Europe, and capital expenditures related to automobiles purchased for the sales force. In 2011, the Company also spent capital for molding machinery and increasing warehouse and manufacturing capacity in South Africa, India, and Brazil. In 2010, the Company spent capital on molding machines and outfitting a new leased manufacturing facility in India. In 2009, the Company also had road costs related to the Orlando property and spent $8.2 million to improve the distribution capability at the Company’s Hemingway facility in South Carolina, following the 2007 destruction of its main finished goods warehouse at that facility. The cost of this project was reimbursed by insurance proceeds and is shown net in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Partially offsetting the capital spending were $5.0 million, $10.0 million and $19.5 million of proceeds related to the sale of certain property, plant and equipment and insurance recoveries in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In 2011, these proceeds were primarily from the sale of automobiles in markets where the Company purchases vehicles as incentive awards to some of its sales force members as well as the sale of land held for development near the Company's headquarters in Orlando, Florida. In both 2010 and 2009, proceeds resulted from the sale of excess property in Australia and the sale of automobiles. In 2009, there were also proceeds from the sale of the Company’s former manufacturing facility in Halls, Tennessee.
Insurance proceeds in 2009 included recoveries from the fire in South Carolina. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Financing Activities
In 2011, the Company made net payments on borrowings of $14.1 million in connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes and termination of the Old Credit Facility, as well as scheduled lease payments. The Company also had a net inflow of $193.5 million from borrowings under its new Credit Agreement. In 2010, the Company made $2.0 million in net payments to reduce borrowings mainly related to its capital lease obligations. In 2009, the Company made $143.7 million in net debt payments, mainly relating to voluntary prepayments on its term loans of $140 million.
Dividends
During 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company paid dividends of $1.20, $1.00, and $0.88 per share of common stock, respectively, totaling $73.8 million, $63.2 million and $55.0 million, respectively. In October 2009, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend that was increased to $0.25 per share from the $0.22 per share that had been declared and paid each quarter since the Company became public in 1996. In November 2010, the Board of Directors further increased the quarterly dividend declared to $0.30 per share.
The Company expects its Board of Directors to evaluate its dividend rate annually in the first quarter of each year, beginning in 2012. As a result, subsequent to year-end 2011, the Board of Directors declared an increased quarterly dividend of $0.36 per share, beginning with the payment in April 2012. The payment of a dividend on common shares is a discretionary decision and subject to a significant event that would require cash, the ability to continue to comply with debt covenants, cash needed to finance operations, making necessary investments in the future growth of the business, required or discretionary debt repayment obligations or other cash needs. If there is an event requiring the use of cash, such as a strategic acquisition, the Company would need to reevaluate whether to maintain its dividend payout.
28
Stock Option Exercises
During 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company received proceeds of $16.1 million, $16.8 million and $39.4 million, respectively, related to the exercise of stock options. The higher amount of stock option proceeds during 2009 was due primarily to an increase in the Company's stock price and the holders' decisions to exercise, including how long before the expiration of the options' 10-year terms. In 2011 and 2010, the Company issued stock from treasury shares when stock options were exercised. In 2009, until the third quarter when it began repurchasing shares, the Company used previously unissued shares.
Stock Repurchases
The Company's Board of Directors increased its existing share repurchase authorization in February 2010 to allow repurchases with an aggregate cost of up to $350 million until February 1, 2015. The Company expected, at that time, to use proceeds from stock option exercises and excess cash generated by the business to offset dilution associated with the Company's equity incentive plans, with the intention of keeping the number of shares outstanding at about 63 million. In 2011, the Company's board further increased the share repurchase authorization by $250 million to $600 million in January and by an additional $600 million in October to $1.2 billion. Going forward, in setting share repurchase amounts, the Company expects to target over time a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 1.5x (as defined in the Company's Credit Agreement).
During 2011, 2010 and 2009 the Company repurchased 7.1 million, 1.3 million and 1.8 million shares under this program at an aggregate cost of $426.1 million, $60.3 million and $77.0 million, respectively. Since inception of the program in May 2007 and through December 31, 2011, the Company has repurchased 12.2 million shares at an aggregate cost of $627.7 million.
The Company has received, from time to time, shares to pay the exercise price by employees and directors who exercise stock options (granted under stock incentive plans), which are commonly referred to as stock swap exercises. In 2009, the Company began allowing participants to net share settle their stock options where the Company issues a number of shares representing the value of the spread between the option exercise price and the then current market value of the shares subject to the option. In 2009, options for the purchase of 0.7 million shares, with an aggregate exercise price value of $12.9 million, were exercised under this method. In 2011 and 2010, a minimal amount of options were exercised under this method.
Employees are also allowed to use shares to pay withholding taxes up to the minimum statutory amount on all stock incentive plans. For 2011 and 2010, the value of shares used for withholding taxes was $2.5 million and $2.2 million, respectively, which is included as stock repurchases in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
29
Contractual Obligations
The following summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations at December 31, 2011 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flow in future periods (in millions).
Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | |||||||||||||||
Debt obligations | $ | 610.9 | $ | 195.7 | $ | 4.2 | $ | 4.1 | $ | 406.9 | |||||||||
Interest payments on long term obligations | 195.9 | 30.3 | 39.6 | 39.2 | 86.8 | ||||||||||||||
Pension benefits | 168.5 | 12.5 | 33.2 | 26.0 | 96.8 | ||||||||||||||
Post-employment medical benefits | 28.8 | 3.1 | 6.2 | 6.1 | 13.4 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax payments (a) | 2.2 | 2.2 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Capital commitments (b) | 6.7 | 6.7 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Operating lease obligations | 83.1 | 31.7 | 33.6 | 12.7 | 5.1 | ||||||||||||||
Total contractual obligations (c) | $ | 1,096.1 | $ | 282.2 | $ | 116.8 | $ | 88.1 | $ | 609.0 | |||||||||
____________________
(a) | The Company has not included in the above table amounts related to its other unrecognized tax positions, as it is unable to make a reliable estimate of the amount and period in which these items might lead to payments. As of December 31, 2011 the Company’s total gross unrecognized tax positions were $28.6 million. It is reasonably possible that the amount of uncertain tax positions could materially change within the next 12 months based on the results of tax examinations, expiration of statutes of limitations in various jurisdictions and additions due to ongoing transactions and activity. However, the Company is unable to estimate the impact of such events. |
(b) | Capital commitments represent signed agreements as of December 31, 2011 on relatively minor capital projects in process in the Company’s Brazil, Indonesia and Switzerland units. |
(c) | The table excludes information on recurring purchases of inventory as these purchase orders are non-binding, are generally consistent from year to year, and are short-term in nature. |
Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported and disclosed amounts. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company believes the implementation of the following critical accounting policies are the most significantly affected by its judgments and estimates.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.
The Company maintains current and long-term receivable amounts with most of its independent distributors and sales force in certain markets. The Company regularly monitors and assesses its risk of not collecting amounts owed to it by its customers. This evaluation is based upon an analysis of amounts currently and past due along with relevant history and facts particular to the customer. It is also based upon estimates of distributor business prospects, particularly related to the evaluation of the recoverability of long-term amounts due. This evaluation is performed market by market and account by account based upon historical experience, market penetration levels, access to alternative channels and similar factors. It also considers collateral of the customer that could be recovered to satisfy debts. Based upon the results of this analysis, the Company maintains an allowance for uncollectible accounts. This analysis requires the Company to make significant estimates, and changes in facts and circumstances could result in material changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts.
30
Inventory Valuation
The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketability in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and the estimated market value based upon estimates of future demand and selling price. The demand is estimated based upon the historical success of product lines as well as the projected success of promotional programs, new product introductions and new markets or distribution channels. The Company prepares projections of demand on an item by item basis for all of its products. If inventory quantity exceeds projected demand, the excess inventory is written down. However, if actual demand is less than projected by management or the estimate of the market value of inventory on hand decreases, additional inventory write-downs would be required.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets also are recognized for credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted rates applicable to taxable income in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse and the credits are expected to be used. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. An assessment is made as to whether or not a valuation allowance is required to offset deferred tax assets. This assessment requires estimates as to future operating results as well as an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's tax planning strategies. These estimates are made based upon the Company's business plans and growth strategies in each market and are made on an ongoing basis; consequently, future material changes in the valuation allowance are possible. Any change in valuation allowance amounts is reflected in the period in which the change occurs. At the end of 2011, the Company had net domestic deferred tax assets of approximately $324.5 million against which a valuation allowance of $4.2 million has been provided. Of these total assets, approximately $95.2 million relates to recurring type temporary differences which reverse regularly and are replaced by newly originated items. The balance is primarily related to foreign tax credits and federal and state net operating losses that, other than for the amount for which a valuation allowance has been provided, are expected to be realized prior to expiration based upon future operating and non-operating income generated from the United States businesses of Tupperware and BeautiControl, as well as foreign dividends and other foreign source income. Also, expected gains related to future sales of land around the Company's Orlando, Florida headquarters would result in the realization of a portion of these assets. In addition, certain tax planning transactions are available to the Company should they be necessary.
As of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefit was $28.6 million and $27.3 million, respectively. The Company estimates that approximately $23.3 million of the unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company settled certain tax positions in various foreign countries which included a payment of $0.4 million of interest and taxes. As a result of the settlement, the Company's unrecognized tax benefit decreased by $3.2 million, and related accruals for interest and penalties decreased by $0.3 million. Also during 2011, the Company reduced its liability by $1.2 million upon entering into certain advance pricing agreements. During the year, the accrual for uncertain tax positions also increased for positions being taken in various tax filings.
Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the Company's global operations are recorded as a component of the provision for income taxes. Accrued interest and penalties were $5.8 million and $5.1 million as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. Interest and penalties included in the provision for income taxes totaled $1.2 million and $0.8 million for 2011 and 2010, respectively. In 2009, the Company recorded a benefit of $1.0 million to the provision related to interest and penalties from the reversals of certain accruals made in previous years.
31
The Company estimates that it may settle one or more foreign audits in the next twelve months that may result in a decrease in the amount of accrual for uncertain tax positions of up to $2.2 million. For the remaining balance as of December 31, 2011, the Company is not able to reliably estimate the timing or ultimate settlement amount. While the Company does not currently expect material changes, it is possible that the amount of unrecognized benefit with respect to the uncertain tax positions will significantly increase or decrease related to audits in various foreign jurisdictions that may conclude during that period or new developments that could also, in turn, impact the Company's assessment relative to the establishment of valuation allowances against certain existing deferred tax assets. At this time, the Company is not able to make a reasonable estimate of the range of impact on the balance of unrecognized tax benefits or the impact on the effective tax rate related to these items.
Promotional and Other Accruals
The Company frequently makes promotional offers to its independent sales force to encourage them to meet specific goals or targets for sales levels, party attendance, recruiting or other business critical activities. The awards offered are in the form of cash, product awards, special prizes or trips. The cost of these awards is recorded during the period over which the sales force qualifies for the award. These accruals require estimates as to the cost of the awards based upon estimates of achievement and actual cost to be incurred. The Company makes these estimates on a market by market and program by program basis. It considers the historical success of similar programs, current market trends and perceived enthusiasm of the sales force when the program is launched. During the promotion qualification period, actual results are monitored and changes to the original estimates that are necessary are made when known. Like promotional accruals, other accruals are recorded at the time when the liability is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable. Adjustments to amounts previously accrued are made when changes occur in the facts and circumstances that generated the accrual.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company’s recorded goodwill relates primarily to that generated by its acquisition of BeautiControl in October 2000 and the Sara Lee Direct Selling businesses in December 2005. The Company conducts an annual impairment test of its recorded goodwill in the second and third quarter of each year related to BeautiControl and the former Sara Lee Direct Selling units, respectively. Additionally, in the event of a change in circumstances that leads the Company to determine that a triggering event for impairment testing has occurred, a test is completed at that time. The impairment test for goodwill involves comparing the fair value of the reporting units to their carrying amounts. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a second step is required to measure for a goodwill impairment loss. This step revalues all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit to their current fair values and then compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.
32
The valuation of goodwill is dependent upon the estimated fair market value of operations of the eight individual reporting units identified. Fair value of the reporting units is determined by the Company using either the income approach or a combination of the income and market approach with generally a greater weighting on the income approach (75 percent). The income approach, or discounted cash flow approach, requires significant assumptions to determine the fair value of each reporting unit. The significant assumptions used in the income approach include estimates regarding future operations and the ability to generate cash flows, including projections of revenue, costs, utilization of assets and capital requirements. It also requires estimates as to the appropriate discount rates to be used. The most sensitive estimate in this valuation is the projection of operating cash flows, as these provide the basis for the fair market valuation. The Company’s cash flow model uses forecasts for periods of about 10 years and a terminal value. The significant 2011 assumptions for these forecasts included annual revenue growth rates ranging from zero to 12 percent with an average growth rate of 6 percent. The growth rates are determined by reviewing historical results of these units and the historical results of other of the Company’s business units that are similar to those of the reporting units, along with the expected contribution from growth strategies implemented in the units. Terminal values for all reporting units were calculated using a long-term growth rate of 3 percent. In estimating the fair value of the reporting units in 2011, the Company applied discount rates to its reporting units’ projected cash flows ranging from 11.6 to 22.3 percent. The discount rate at the higher end of this range was for the Avroy Shlain and Latin American reporting units due to higher country-specific risk. The market approach relies on an analysis of publicly-traded companies similar to Tupperware and deriving a range of revenue and profit multiples. The publicly-traded companies used in the market approach were selected based on their having similar product lines of consumer goods, beauty products and/or companies using a direct-selling distribution method. The resulting multiples were then applied to the reporting unit to determine fair value.
The Company recorded as assets the fair value of various trademarks and tradenames acquired in conjunction with its purchase of the Sara Lee Direct Selling businesses. The fair value of the Company’s tradenames was determined using the relief from royalty method, which is a form of the income approach. In this method, the value of the asset is calculated by selecting royalty rates which estimate the amount a company would be willing to pay for the use of the asset. These rates were applied to the Company’s projected revenue, tax affected and discounted to present value using an appropriate rate. Royalty rates used were selected by reviewing comparable trademark licensing agreements in the market, and a range from 3 to 4.75 percent was used in 2011. In estimating the fair value of the tradenames, the Company also applied a discount rate ranging from 12.6 to 22.3 percent, and revenue growth ranging from zero to 12 percent, with an average growth rate of 6 percent, and a long-term terminal growth rate of 3 percent. Similar to the rates used in valuing the goodwill, the discount rates towards the high end of the range related to tradenames located in areas with higher country risks, such as revenue generated using the Avroy Shlain tradenames in South Africa and the Nuvo tradename in Uruguay.
In the third quarter of 2011, the Company completed the annual impairment tests for all of the reporting units and tradenames, other than BeautiControl, which was completed in the second quarter. During the third quarter of 2011, the financial results of Nutrimetics were below expectations. As well, the Company made the decision to cease operating its Nutrimetics business in Malaysia. As a result, the Company lowered its forecast of future sales and profit. The result of the impairment tests was to record a $31.1 million impairment to the Nutrimetics goodwill in the Asia Pacific reporting unit and a $5.0 million impairment to its tradename.
During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company decided it would cease separately operating its Swissgarde unit in Southern Africa. As a result of this decision and its expected impact on the Swissgarde sales force, the Company concluded that its intangible assets and goodwill were impaired and recorded a $2.1 million impairment to the Swissgarde tradename, a $0.1 million impairment related to the sales force intangible asset and a $2.1 million impairment to goodwill relating to the South African beauty reporting unit. During 2011, the Company sold its interest in Swissgarde for $0.7 million that resulted in a gain of $0.1 million.
33
In 2009, the Company recorded impairment charges related to its NaturCare, Nutrimetics and South African businesses, in part, due to the fact that current and forecasted future results of operations were below its prior projections. Also contributing to the impairments was an overall increase to the assumed discount rates used in the valuations. In 2009, the Company recorded a $10.1 million impairment to the Nutrimetics tradename, a $4.2 million impairment to the NaturCare tradename and a $2.0 million impairment to the Avroy Shlain tradename. In addition to the impairment of tradenames, the Company also recognized impairments of goodwill of $8.6 million and $3.2 million relating to the Nutrimetics and South African beauty reporting units, respectively. There were no impairments resulting from the respective annual impairment tests in 2010.
With the goodwill impairment recorded in 2011 for Nutrimetics Asia Pacific, this unit is at a higher risk of additional impairments in future periods if changes in certain assumptions occur. This is also the case for the Nutrimetics tradename value, as the fair value was set equal to carrying value in the third quarter of 2011. The fair value of the Avroy Shlain, Fuller Mexico, Fuller Philippines, NaturCare and Nutrimetics Europe reporting units as well as the Nuvo and Avroy Shlain trade names exceeded the carrying value by over 65 percent at the valuation date. The fair value of the Fuller Latin America and BeautiControl reporting units exceeded the carrying value by almost 45 percent. The fair value of the Company’s Fuller and NaturCare tradenames reflected an excess of 29 and 37 percent over carrying value, respectively. Given the sensitivity of the valuations to changes in cash flow or market multiples, the Company may be required to recognize an impairment of goodwill or intangible assets in the future due to changes in market conditions or other factors related to the Company’s performance. Actual results below forecasted results or a decrease in the forecasted future results of the Company’s business plans or changes in interest rates could also result in an impairment charge, as could changes in market characteristics including declines in valuation multiples of comparable publicly-traded companies. Further impairment charges would have an adverse impact on the Company’s net income.
Additionally, as of December 31, 2011 the Company had $7.2 million included on its Consolidated Balance Sheets as the value of acquired sales forces. The estimated annual amortization expense associated with these intangibles for each of the five succeeding years is $2.0 million, $1.4 million, $1.0 million, $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, the product formulation asset recorded as part of the acquisition was fully amortized.
Retirement Obligations
Pensions
The Company records pension costs and the funded status of its defined benefit pension plans using the applicable accounting guidance for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. This guidance requires that amounts recognized in the financial statements be determined on an actuarial basis. The measurement of the retirement obligations and costs of providing benefits under the Company’s pension plans involves various factors, including several assumptions. The Company believes the most critical of these assumptions are the discount rate and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.
The Company determines the discount rate primarily by reference to rates of high-quality, long-term corporate and government bonds that mature in a pattern similar to the expected payments to be made under the plans. The discount rate assumptions used to determine pension expense for the Company’s U.S. and foreign plans was as follows:
Discount Rate | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||
U.S. Plans | 4.7 | % | 5.1 | % | 5.8 | % | ||
Foreign Plans | 3.9 | 4.3 | 5.0 | |||||
34
The Company has established strategic asset allocation percentage targets for significant asset classes with the aim of achieving an appropriate balance between risk and return. The Company periodically revises asset allocations, where appropriate, in an effort to improve return and manage risk. The estimated rate of return is based on long-term expectations given current investment objectives and historical results. The expected rate of return assumptions used by the Company for its U.S. and foreign plans were as follows:
Expected rate of return | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||
U.S. Plans | 8.3 | % | 8.3 | % | 8.3 | % | ||
Foreign Plans | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.8 | |||||
The following table highlights the potential impact on the Company’s pretax earnings due to changes in certain key assumptions with respect to the Company’s pension plans, based on assets and liabilities at December 31, 2011:
(In millions) | Impact on 2011 Pension Expense | ||
Discount rate change by 50 basis points | $ | 1.5 | |
Expected rate of return on plan assets change by 50 basis points | 0.6 | ||
Other Post Retirement Benefits
The Company accounts for its post-retirement benefit plan in accordance with applicable accounting guidance, which requires that amounts recognized in financial statements be determined on an actuarial basis. This determination requires the selection of various assumptions, including a discount rate and health care cost trend rates used to value benefit obligations. The Company determines the discount rate primarily by reference to rates of high-quality, long term corporate bonds that mature in a pattern similar to the expected payments to be made under the plan. The discount rate assumptions used by the Company to determine other post retirement benefit expense were 5.0 percent, 5.3 percent, and 5.8 percent for the 2011, 2010 and 2009 fiscal years, respectively. A change in discount rate of 50 basis points would not be material.
The following are the assumed health-care cost trend rates used by the Company:
Health-care trend rates | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||
Initial health-care cost trend | 7.3 | % | 7.3 | % | 7.6 | % | ||
Ultimate health-care cost trend | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | |||||
Year Ultimate trend rate achieved | 2019 | 2017 | 2017 | |||||
The healthcare cost trend rate assumption may have a significant effect on the amounts reported. A one percentage point change in the assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have the following effects:
One percentage point | |||||||
(In millions) | Increase | Decrease | |||||
Effect on total of service and interest cost components | $ | 0.1 | $ | 0.1 | |||
Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation | 2.5 | 2.2 | |||||
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when the price is fixed, the risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer who, in most cases, is one of the Company’s independent distributors or a member of its independent sales force, and when collection is reasonably assured. When revenue is recorded, estimates of returns are made and recorded as a reduction of revenue. Discounts earned based on promotional programs in place, volume of purchases or other factors are also estimated at the time of revenue recognition and recorded as a reduction of that revenue.
35
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures compensation cost for stock-based awards at fair value and recognizes compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to value stock options, which requires the input of assumptions, including dividend yield, risk-free interest rate, the estimated length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (expected term) and the estimated volatility of the Company's common stock price over the expected term. Furthermore, in calculating compensation expense for these awards, the Company is also required to estimate the extent to which options will be forfeited prior to vesting (forfeitures). Many factors are considered when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class and historical experience. To the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from current estimates; such amounts are recorded as a cumulative adjustment to the previously recorded amounts.
Impact of Inflation
Inflation, as measured by consumer price indices, has continued at a low level in most of the countries in which the Company operates, except for Argentina and Venezuela.
New Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
During the second quarter of 2011, the Company terminated its Old Credit Facility, entered into a new $450 million Credit Agreement and issued $400 million in 4.75% Senior Notes. One of the Company's market risks is its exposure to the impact of interest rate changes on its borrowings. The Company's borrowings under the Credit Agreement carry a variable interest rate. The Company has elected to manage this risk through the maturity structure of its borrowings and the currencies in which it borrows.
Loans made under the revolving credit facility, depending on the length of the borrowing, generally bear interest in reference to the London interbank offered rate for the applicable currency and interest period, plus a margin. The applicable margin is determined by reference to a pricing schedule based upon the ratio (the “Consolidated Leverage Ratio”) of the consolidated funded indebtedness of the Company to its consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the four fiscal quarters then most recently ended. As of December 31, 2011, the Credit Agreement dictated a spread of 150 basis points, which gave the Company an interest rate of 2.90 percent on its outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement. Consequently, if short-term interest rates varied by 10 percent with all other variables remaining constant, the Company's annual interest expense would not be significantly impacted.
The Company routinely increases its revolver borrowings under the Credit Agreement during each quarter to fund operations and financing activities, and uses cash available at the end of the period to reduce borrowing levels. As a result, the Company has higher foreign exchange exposure on the value of its cash during each quarter than at the end of each quarter. The borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement at the end of 2011 were denominated in euros.
Under the Old Credit Facility, the Company managed its interest rate risk in 2011 through the use of four interest rate swaps. These interest rate swaps effectively fixed the interest rate on $325 million of the Company's $405 million of outstanding term loans under the Old Credit Facility. The Company paid a variable rate on the remaining $80 million of term loans and any outstanding revolver borrowings. As a result of the termination of the Old Credit Facility, the four swaps became ineffective, which required a reclassification of $18.9 million of losses from other comprehensive loss into interest expense in the second quarter of 2011. These swaps will expire in the third quarter of 2012, and the remaining exposure to the fair value of these swaps is not expected to materially impact the results of the Company.
A significant portion of the Company's sales and profit come from its international operations. Although these operations are geographically dispersed, which partially mitigates the risks associated with operating in particular countries, the Company is subject to the usual risks associated with international operations. These risks include local political and economic environments and relations between foreign and U.S. governments.
36
Another economic risk of the Company is exposure to foreign currency exchange rates on the earnings, cash flows and financial position of its international operations. The Company is not able to project, in any meaningful way, the possible effect of these fluctuations on translated amounts, future earnings or cash flows. This is due to the Company's constantly changing exposure to various currencies, the fact that all foreign currencies do not react in the same manner in relation to the U.S. dollar and the large number of currencies involved, although the Company's most significant exposures are to the euro and Mexican peso.
Although this currency risk is partially mitigated by the natural hedge arising from the Company's local product sourcing in many markets, a strengthening U.S. dollar generally has a negative impact on the Company. In response to this fact, the Company uses financial instruments, such as forward contracts, to hedge its exposure to certain foreign exchange risks associated with a portion of its investment in international operations. In addition to hedging against the balance sheet impact of changes in exchange rates, the hedge of investments in international operations also has the effect of hedging a portion of cash flows from those operations. The Company also hedges, with these instruments, certain other exposures to various currencies arising from amounts payable and receivable, non-permanent intercompany loans and forecasted purchases. The Company generally does not seek to hedge the impact of currency fluctuations on the translated value of the sales, profit or cash flow generated by its operations.
While the Company's hedges of its equity in its foreign subsidiaries and its fair value hedges of balance sheet risks all work together to mitigate its exposure to foreign exchange gains or losses, they result in an impact to operating cash flows as they are settled. For the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 the cash flow impact of these currency hedges was an inflow of $6.1 million, an outflow of of $5.9 million and an inflow of $12.7 million, respectively.
The U.S. dollar equivalent of the Company's most significant net open foreign currency hedge positions as of December 31, 2011 were to buy euro $61.4 million and U.S. dollars $48.5 million and sell Swiss francs $39.2 million; Japanese yen $28.4 million; Australian dollars $17.5 million; and the Turkish lira $14.4 million. In agreements to sell foreign currencies in exchange for U.S. dollars, for example, an appreciating dollar versus the opposing currency would generate a cash inflow for the Company at settlement, with the opposite result in agreements to buy foreign currencies for U.S. dollars. The above noted notional amounts change based upon changes in the Company's outstanding currency exposures. Based on rates existing as of December 31, 2011, the Company was in a net receivable position of approximately $2.7 million related to its currency hedges, which, upon settlement, could have a significant impact on the Company's cash flow. The Company records the impact of forward points in net interest expense.
A precise calculation of the impact of currency fluctuations is not practical since some of the contracts are between non-U.S. dollar currencies. The Company continuously monitors its foreign currency exposure and may enter into additional contracts to hedge exposure in the future. See further discussion regarding the Company's hedging activities for foreign currency in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company is subject to credit risks relating to the ability of counterparties of hedging transactions to meet their contractual payment obligations. The risks related to creditworthiness and nonperformance have been considered in the determination of fair value for the Company's foreign currency forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps. The Company continues to closely monitor its counterparties and will take action, as appropriate and possible, to further manage its counterparty credit risk.
37
The Company is also exposed to rising material prices in its manufacturing operations and, in particular, the cost of oil and natural gas-based resins. This is the primary material used in production of most Tupperware® products, and the Company estimates that 2012 cost of sales will include about $155 million for the cost of resin in the Tupperware® brand products it produces. The Company uses many different kinds of resins in its products. About three-fourths of its resins are “polyolefins” (simple chemical structure, easily refined from oil), and as such, the price of these is strongly affected by the underlying price of oil and natural gas. The remaining one-fourth of its resins is more highly engineered, where the price of oil and natural gas plays a less direct role in determining price. With a comparable product mix, a 10 percent fluctuation in the cost of resin would impact the Company's annual cost of sales by about $16 million compared with the prior year. For 2011, the Company estimates its cost of sales of the Tupperware® products it produced was negatively impacted by about $16 million in local currency due to resin cost changes as compared with 2010. For the full year of 2012, the Company estimates its cost of sales of the Tupperware ® products it produces will be positively impacted by about $5 million, on a local currency basis, due to resin cost changes, as compared with 2011. The Company partially manages its risk associated with rising resin costs by utilizing a centralized procurement function that is able to take advantage of bulk discounts while maintaining multiple suppliers and also enters into short-term pricing arrangements. It also manages its margin through the pricing of its products, with price increases generally in line with consumer inflation in each market, and its mix of sales through its promotional programs and discount offers. It may also, on occasion, make advance material purchases to take advantage of current favorable pricing. At this point in time, the Company has determined that entering into forward contracts for resin is not practical or cost beneficial and has no such contracts in place. However, should circumstances warrant, the Company may consider such contracts in the future.
The Company's program to sell land held for development is exposed to the risks inherent in the real estate development process. Included among these risks is the ability to obtain all government approvals, the success of buyers in attracting tenants for commercial or residential developments in the Orlando real estate market or obtaining financing and general economic conditions, such as interest rate increases. The Company's land sale program has been negatively impacted by the drivers and ramifications of the credit crisis and real estate market conditions in the United States, which have delayed the completion of this program.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain written and oral statements made or incorporated by reference from time to time by the Company or its representatives in this report, other reports, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, conferences or otherwise are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this report or elsewhere that are not based on historical facts or information are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the following:
• | successful recruitment, retention and productivity levels of the Company's independent sales forces; |
• | disruptions caused by the introduction of new distributor operating models or sales force compensation systems; |
• | success of new products and promotional programs; |
• | the ability to implement appropriate product mix and pricing strategies; |
• | governmental regulation of materials used in products coming into contact with food (e.g. polycarbonate) as well as beauty, personal care and nutritional products; |
• | the impact of changes in consumer spending patterns and preferences, particularly given the global nature of the Company's business; |
• | the value of long-term assets, particularly goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles associated with acquisitions, and the realizability of the value of recognized tax assets; |
• | changes in plastic resin prices, other raw materials and packaging components, the cost of converting such items into finished goods and procured finished products and the cost of delivering products to customers; |
38
• | the introduction of Company operations in new markets outside the United States; |
• | general social, economic and political conditions in markets; |
• | disruptions resulting from either internal or external labor strikes, work stoppages, or similar difficulties; |
• | changes in cash flow resulting from changes in operating results, working capital management, debt payments, share repurchases and hedge settlements; |
• | the impact of currency fluctuations on the value of foreign operations, including their cash balances, the results of those operations and the cost of sourcing products across geographies and the success of foreign hedging and risk management strategies; |
• | the impact of natural disasters and epidemic or pandemic disease outbreaks; |
• | the ability to repatriate, or otherwise make available, cash in the United States and to do so at a favorable foreign exchange rate and with favorable tax ramifications; |
• | the ability to obtain all government approvals on, and to control the cost of infrastructure obligations associated with, land development; |
• | the ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, maintain and protect necessary information technology systems and infrastructure; |
• | the ability to attract and retain certain executive officers and key management personnel; |
• | the success of land buyers in attracting tenants for commercial and residential development and obtaining financing; |
• | the costs and covenant restrictions associated with the Company's credit arrangements; |
• | integration of non-traditional product lines into Company operations; |
• | the effect of legal, regulatory and tax proceedings, as well as restrictions imposed on the Company operations or Company representatives by foreign governments, including exposure to tax responsibilities imposed on the sales force and their potential impact on the sales force's value chain and resulting disruption to the business; |
• | the effect of competitive forces in the markets in which the Company operates, particularly related to sales of Beauty products, where there are a greater number of competitors; |
• | the impact of changes in tax or other laws; |
• | the Company's access to financing; and |
• | other risks discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, as well as the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, notes, other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report and the Company’s other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. |
The Company does not intend to update forward-looking information other than in its quarterly earnings releases unless it expects diluted earnings per share for the current quarter, excluding adjustment items and the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, to be significantly below its previous guidance.
Investors should also be aware that while the Company does, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts, it is against the Company's policy to disclose to them any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, it should not be assumed that the Company agrees with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the confirming financial forecasts or projections issued by others.
39
Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. |
Tupperware Brands Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
Year Ended | |||||||||||
(In millions, except per share amounts) | December 31, 2011 | December 25, 2010 | December 26, 2009 | ||||||||
Net sales | $ | 2,585.0 | $ | 2,300.4 | $ | 2,127.5 | |||||
Cost of products sold | 862.5 | 766.2 | 718.5 | ||||||||
Gross margin | 1,722.5 | 1,534.2 | 1,409.0 | ||||||||
Delivery, sales and administrative expense | 1,340.0 | 1,193.1 | 1,119.1 | ||||||||
Re-engineering and impairment charges | 7.9 | 7.6 | 8.0 | ||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | 36.1 | 4.3 | 28.1 | ||||||||
Gains on disposal of assets | 3.8 | 0.2 | 21.9 | ||||||||
Operating income | 342.3 | 329.4 | 275.7 | ||||||||
Interest income | 3.2 | 2.5 | 2.9 | ||||||||
Interest expense | 49.0 | 29.3 | 31.6 | ||||||||
Other expense | 1.2 | 2.9 | 9.9 | ||||||||
Income before income taxes | 295.3 | 299.7 | 237.1 | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 77.0 | 74.1 | 62.0 | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 218.3 | $ | 225.6 | $ | 175.1 | |||||
Basic earnings per common share | $ | 3.63 | $ | 3.60 | $ | 2.80 | |||||
Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 3.55 | $ | 3.53 | $ | 2.75 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
40
Tupperware Brands Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In millions, except share amounts) | December 31, 2011 | December 25, 2010 | |||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 138.2 | $ | 248.7 | |||
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $26.8 million in 2011 and $32.4 million in 2010 | 163.7 | 181.9 | |||||
Inventories | 302.5 | 279.1 | |||||
Deferred income tax benefits, net | 94.2 | 78.5 | |||||
Non-trade amounts receivable, net | 47.5 | 39.4 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 23.3 | 21.6 | |||||
Total current assets | 769.4 | 849.2 | |||||
Deferred income tax benefits, net | 339.2 | 391.3 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 273.1 | 258.0 | |||||
Long-term receivables, less allowances of $23.3 million in 2011 and $18.8 million in 2010 | 23.2 | 22.8 | |||||
Trademarks and tradenames | 157.1 | 170.2 | |||||
Other intangible assets, net | 7.2 | 10.2 | |||||
Goodwill | 241.4 | 284.1 | |||||
Other assets, net | 33.6 | 30.0 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 1,844.2 | $ | 2,015.8 | |||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 157.2 | $ | 153.1 | |||
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations | 195.7 | 1.9 | |||||
Accrued liabilities | 322.5 | 345.4 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 675.4 | 500.4 | |||||
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations | 415.2 | 426.8 | |||||
Other liabilities | 252.8 | 298.8 | |||||
Shareholders' equity: | |||||||
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; none issued | — | — | |||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 600,000,000 shares authorized; 63,607,090 shares issued | 0.6 | 0.6 | |||||
Paid-in capital | 126.8 | 108.0 | |||||
Retained earnings | 1,091.7 | 969.2 | |||||
Treasury stock 7,099,345 and 900,754 shares in 2011 and 2010, respectively, at cost | (422.8 | ) | (41.5 | ) | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (295.5 | ) | (246.5 | ) | |||
Total shareholders' equity | 500.8 | 789.8 | |||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 1,844.2 | $ | 2,015.8 | |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
41
Tupperware Brands Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income
Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Paid-In Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total Shareholders' Equity | Comprehensive Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share amounts) | Shares | Dollars | Shares | Dollars | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 27, 2008 | 62.4 | $ | 0.6 | 0.1 | $ | (1.6 | ) | $ | 56.4 | $ | 743.2 | $ | (324.6 | ) | $ | 474.0 | ||||||||||||||||
Net income | 175.1 | 175.1 | $ | 175.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 57.5 | 57.5 | 57.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net deferred gains on cash flow hedges, net of tax provision of $1.8 million | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||