IFF 6.30.2015-10Q


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015
OR
¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                         
Commission file number 1-4858
 INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS &
FRAGRANCES INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
New York
 
13-1432060
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
521 West 57th Street, New York, N.Y. 10019-2960
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 765-5500
 
 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  þ    No   ¬
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  þ    No   ¬
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer
 
þ
Accelerated filer
¨


 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨


Smaller reporting company
¨


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes   ¬ No  þ
Number of shares outstanding as of July 28, 2015: 80,585,508


 
1
 



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
(Unaudited)
 
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
377,254

 
$
478,573

Trade receivables (net of allowances of $8,128 and $9,147, respectively)
 
566,414

 
493,768

Inventories: Raw materials
 
268,015

 
275,161

Work in process
 
19,075

 
17,705

Finished goods
 
274,625

 
275,863

Total Inventories
 
561,715

 
568,729

Deferred income taxes
 
14,923

 
27,709

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
201,948

 
141,248

Total Current Assets
 
1,722,254

 
1,710,027

Property, plant and equipment, at cost
 
1,778,469

 
1,766,746

Accumulated depreciation
 
(1,063,660
)
 
(1,046,478
)
 
 
714,809

 
720,268

Goodwill
 
752,726

 
675,484

Other intangible assets, net
 
156,248

 
76,557

Deferred income taxes
 
175,447

 
183,047

Other assets
 
132,144

 
129,238

Total Assets
 
$
3,653,628

 
$
3,494,621

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Bank borrowings and overdrafts and current portion of long-term debt
 
$
8,793

 
$
8,090

Accounts payable
 
241,532

 
229,866

Accrued payroll and bonus
 
47,664

 
71,264

Dividends payable
 
38,060

 
37,968

Other current liabilities
 
187,472

 
171,620

Total Current Liabilities
 
523,521

 
518,808

Long-term debt
 
989,196

 
934,232

Deferred gains
 
45,081

 
46,535

Retirement liabilities
 
353,914

 
354,333

Other liabilities
 
115,242

 
118,024

Total Other Liabilities
 
1,503,433

 
1,453,124

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)
 

 

Shareholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
 
Common stock 12 1/2¢ par value; authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued 115,858,190 shares as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and outstanding 80,725,633 and 80,777,590 shares as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
 
14,470

 
14,470

Capital in excess of par value
 
133,051

 
140,008

Retained earnings
 
3,508,347

 
3,350,734

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(556,248
)
 
(540,430
)
Treasury stock, at cost - 35,132,557 shares as of June 30, 2015 and 35,080,600 shares as of December 31, 2014
 
(1,476,620
)
 
(1,446,221
)
Total Shareholders’ Equity
 
1,623,000

 
1,518,561

Noncontrolling interest
 
3,674

 
4,128

Total Shareholders’ Equity including noncontrolling interest
 
1,626,674

 
1,522,689

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
$
3,653,628

 
$
3,494,621


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
2
 



INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(AMOUNT IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net sales
 
$
767,541

 
$
788,414

 
$
1,542,448

 
$
1,558,638

Cost of goods sold
 
422,501

 
435,767

 
851,131

 
864,579

Gross profit
 
345,040

 
352,647

 
691,317

 
694,059

Research and development expenses
 
62,514

 
66,431

 
125,976

 
127,934

Selling and administrative expenses
 
134,063

 
132,919

 
254,898

 
256,653

Restructuring and other charges, net
 
(358
)
 
182

 
(170
)
 
304

Operating profit
 
148,821

 
153,115

 
310,613

 
309,168

Interest expense
 
11,407

 
11,403

 
22,502

 
23,080

Other expense (income), net
 
436

 
(4,641
)
 
(5,275
)
 
(3,198
)
Income before taxes
 
136,978

 
146,353

 
293,386

 
289,286

Taxes on income
 
31,604

 
36,068

 
59,754

 
72,294

Net income
 
105,374

 
110,285

 
233,632

 
216,992

Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
17,557

 
7,570

 
(32,958
)
 
(1,826
)
(Losses) gains on derivatives qualifying as hedges
 
(5,966
)
 
1,598

 
6,117

 
2,058

Pension and postretirement net liability
 
5,476

 
4,400

 
11,023

 
8,765

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
17,067

 
13,568

 
(15,818
)
 
8,997

Total comprehensive income
 
$
122,441

 
$
123,853

 
$
217,814

 
$
225,989

Net income per share - basic
 
$
1.30

 
$
1.35

 
$
2.88

 
$
2.66

Net income per share - diluted
 
$
1.29

 
$
1.35

 
$
2.86

 
$
2.64

Average number of shares outstanding - basic
 
80,790

 
80,949

 
80,729

 
81,003

Average number of shares outstanding - diluted
 
81,192

 
81,430

 
81,201

 
81,583

Dividends declared per share
 
$
0.47

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.94

 
$
0.78

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
3
 



INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
233,632

 
$
216,992

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
41,041

 
49,131

Deferred income taxes
 
17,891

 
10,228

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
 
14

 
(1,569
)
Stock-based compensation
 
12,860

 
14,034

Pension contributions
 
(57,493
)
 
(9,812
)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
Trade receivables
 
(92,329
)
 
(50,236
)
Inventories
 
(9,834
)
 
1,850

Accounts payable
 
28,435

 
(30,831
)
Accruals for incentive compensation
 
(21,191
)
 
(54,970
)
Other current payables and accrued expenses
 
20,204

 
(12,382
)
Other assets/liabilities, net
 
(6,912
)
 
21,595

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
166,318

 
154,030

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash received (including $15 million of contingent consideration related to the Aromor acquisition in 2014)
 
(188,835
)
 
(102,500
)
Additions to property, plant and equipment
 
(37,937
)
 
(60,244
)
Proceeds from life insurance contracts
 
548

 
17,750

Maturity of net investment hedges
 
9,735

 
(472
)
Proceeds from disposal of assets
 
1,515

 
2,074

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(214,974
)
 
(143,392
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends paid to shareholders
 
(75,927
)
 
(63,417
)
Net change in revolving credit facility borrowings and overdrafts
 
(283
)
 
2,106

Deferred financing costs
 

 
(1,023
)
Repayments of debt
 
(30,000
)
 

Proceeds from issuance or drawdown of long-term debt
 
86,162

 

Proceeds from issuance of stock under stock plans
 
286

 
1,024

Excess tax benefits on stock-based payments
 
11,608

 
5,788

Purchase of treasury stock
 
(38,813
)
 
(34,103
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(46,967
)
 
(89,625
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
(5,696
)
 
335

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(101,319
)
 
(78,652
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
478,573

 
405,505

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
377,254

 
$
326,853

Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
23,827

 
$
23,709

Income taxes paid
 
$
46,071

 
$
45,484

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
4
 



Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Consolidated Financial Statements:
Basis of Presentation
These interim statements and related management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes and management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations, liquidity and capital resources included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2014 Form 10-K”). These interim statements are unaudited. The year-end balance sheet data included in this Form 10-Q filing was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. We have historically operated and continue to operate on a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Friday closest to the last day of the quarter. For ease of presentation, June 30 and December 31 are used consistently throughout this Form 10-Q and these interim financial statements and related notes to represent the period-end dates. For the 2015 and 2014 quarters, the actual closing dates were July 3, and June 27, respectively. The unaudited interim financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) and accruals necessary in the judgment of management for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. When used herein, the terms “IFF,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” mean International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued authoritative guidance relating to the measurement of inventory costs, which more closely aligns the measurement of inventory in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles with the measurement of inventory in International Financial Reporting Standards. This guidance is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which provides a practical expedient related to the measurement date of defined benefit plan assets and obligations. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has determined that the adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to accounting for consolidation of certain legal entities. The guidance will change the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine the criteria for consolidating certain types of entities. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to clarify the principles to be used to recognize revenue and, in July 2015, delayed the effective adoption date of that guidance by one year. The guidance is applicable to all entities and, based on the revised adoption date, is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Adoption as of the original effective date is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Accounts Receivable
The Company sells certain accounts receivable on a non-recourse basis to unrelated financial institutions under “factoring” agreements that are sponsored, solely and individually, by certain customers. The Company accounts for these transactions as sales of receivables, removes the receivables sold from its financial statements, and records cash proceeds when received by the Company. The beneficial impact on cash from operations from participating in these programs increased approximately $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to an increase of approximately $22.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The cost of participating in these programs was immaterial to our results in all periods.


 
5
 



Note 2. Net Income Per Share:
Net income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. A reconciliation of the shares used in the computation of basic and diluted net income per share is as follows: 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(SHARES IN THOUSANDS)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Basic
80,790

 
80,949

 
80,729

 
81,003

Assumed dilution under stock plans
402

 
481

 
472

 
580

Diluted
81,192

 
81,430

 
81,201

 
81,583

There were no stock options or stock-settled appreciation rights (“SSARs”) excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.
The Company has issued shares of purchased restricted common stock (“PRS”) which contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends while these shares are outstanding and thus are considered participating securities. Such securities are required to be included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The Company did not present the two-class method since the difference between basic and diluted net income per share for both unrestricted common shareholders and PRS shareholders was less than $0.01 per share for each period presented, and the number of PRS outstanding as of June 30, 2015 and 2014 was immaterial. Net income allocated to such PRS was $0.5 million and $0.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively and $1.1 million and $1.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Note 3. Acquisitions:
2015 Activity
Ottens Flavors
During the second quarter of 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of Henry H. Ottens Manufacturing Co., Inc. ("Ottens Flavors"). Ottens Flavors was acquired in order to strengthen the IFF Flavors business in North America. The Company paid approximately $199.2 million (including approximately $10.4 million of cash acquired) for this acquisition, which was funded from existing resources. The purchase price exceeded the fair value of existing net assets by approximately $162 million. The excess was allocated principally to identifiable intangible assets (approximately $85 million) and goodwill (approximately $77 million). Separately identifiable intangible assets are principally related to customer relationships and proprietary flavors technology. The intangible assets are being amortized using lives ranging from 5-17 years. The purchase price allocation is preliminary pending final valuations and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2015, with the assignment of final values and applicable useful lives of intangible assets. No pro forma financial information for 2015 is presented as the impact of the acquisition is immaterial.
Lucas Meyer
On July 30, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of Lucas Meyer Cosmetics, a business of Unipex Group, ("Lucas Meyer") for approximately Euro 283 million ($311 million). (The total shares acquired include shares effectively acquired pursuant to put and call option agreements). The purchase price was funded from existing resources. Lucas Meyer was acquired in order to strengthen and expand our product portfolio. This acquisition will be accounted for as a business combination and is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
2014 Activity
Aromor
During the first quarter of 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity of Aromor Flavors and Fragrances Ltd. ("Aromor"). Aromor is part of the IFF Fragrances Ingredients business. The Company paid $102.6 million (including $0.1 million of cash acquired) for this acquisition, which was funded out of existing cash resources. The purchase price exceeded the carrying value of existing net assets by approximately $56 million. The excess was allocated principally to identifiable intangible assets (approximately $53 million), goodwill (approximately $10 million) and approximately $9 million to deferred tax liabilities. Separately identifiable intangible assets are principally related to technological know-how. The intangible assets are being amortized using lives ranging from 13-19 years. Additionally, the consideration included $15 million related to post-combination contingent consideration, held in escrow, which is being expensed by the Company as it is earned by the selling shareholders.



 
6
 



Note 4. Restructuring and Other Charges, Net:
In 2014, the Company closed its fragrance ingredients manufacturing facility in Augusta, Georgia and consolidated production into other Company facilities. In connection with this closure, during 2014, the Company recorded total charges of $13.8 million, consisting of $2.2 million related to severance, $10.3 million related to accelerated depreciation, and $1.3 million in plant shutdown and other related costs. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded a net credit of $0.2 million principally related to the reversal of severance accruals.
Changes in employee-related restructuring liabilities during the six months ended June 30, 2015, were as follows:
 
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Employee-Related Costs
 
Other
 
Total
December 31, 2014
$
759

 
$

 
$
759

Additional charges (reversals), net
(357
)
 
187

 
(170
)
Payments and other costs
(282
)
 
(187
)
 
(469
)
June 30, 2015
$
120

 
$

 
$
120

Note 5. Other Intangible Assets, Net:
Other intangible assets, net consist of the following amounts: 
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
2015
 
2014
Gross carrying value (1)
$
303,246

 
$
218,676

Accumulated amortization
(146,998
)
 
(142,119
)
Total
$
156,248

 
$
76,557

 
(1) 
Includes patents, trademarks, technological know-how and other intellectual property, valued at acquisition.
The increase in intangible assets for the six months ended June 30, 2015 relates to the acquisition of Ottens Flavors, as discussed in Note 3.
Amortization
Amortization expense was $3.0 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively and $4.9 million and $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Annual amortization is expected to be $14.5 million for the full year 2015, $14.2 million for the years 2016 through 2018, and $13.5 million for the years 2019 through 2020.
Note 6. Borrowings:
Debt consists of the following:
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Rate
 
Maturities
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Senior notes - 2007
6.40
%
 
2017-27
 
$
500,000

 
$
500,000

Senior notes - 2006
6.14
%
 
2016
 
125,000

 
125,000

Senior notes - 2013
3.20
%
 
2023
 
299,795

 
299,782

Credit facility
1.31
%
 
2019
 
55,000

 

Bank overdrafts and other
 
 
 
 
13,948

 
12,335

Deferred realized gains on interest rate swaps
 
 
 
 
4,246

 
5,205

 
 
 
 
 
997,989

 
942,322

Less: Current portion of long-term debt
 
 
 
 
(8,793
)
 
(8,090
)
 
 
 
 
 
$
989,196

 
$
934,232


 
7
 



Note 7. Income Taxes:
Uncertain Tax Positions
At June 30, 2015, the Company had $15 million of unrecognized tax benefits recorded in Other liabilities. If these unrecognized tax benefits were recognized, the effective tax rate would be affected.
At June 30, 2015, the Company had accrued interest and penalties of $0.7 million classified in Other liabilities.
As of June 30, 2015, the Company’s aggregate provisions for uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, was $15.7 million associated with various tax positions asserted in foreign jurisdictions, none of which is individually material.
The Company regularly repatriates a portion of current year earnings from select non–U.S. subsidiaries. No provision is made for additional taxes on undistributed earnings of subsidiary companies that are intended and planned to be indefinitely invested in such subsidiaries. We intend to, and have plans to, reinvest these earnings indefinitely in our foreign subsidiaries to fund local operations and/or capital projects.
The Company has ongoing income tax audits and legal proceedings which are at various stages of administrative or judicial review, of which the most significant items are discussed below. In addition, the Company has open tax years with various taxing jurisdictions that range primarily from 2005 to 2014. Based on currently available information, we do not believe the ultimate outcome of any of these tax audits and other tax positions related to open tax years, when finalized, will have a material impact on our financial position.
The Company also has other ongoing tax audits and legal proceedings that relate to indirect taxes, such as value-added taxes, capital tax, sales and use taxes and property taxes, which are discussed in Note 13.
Spanish Tax
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had one outstanding income tax case in Spain relating to fiscal year 2002, which had been previously appealed by the Company. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had fully reserved the original assessment asserted by the Spanish Tax Authority. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company received a favorable ruling on this appeal and accordingly, reversed the total reserve related to the 2002 fiscal year (with a value of Euro 1.9 million or $2.3 million).
As of June 30, 2015, the three dividend withholding tax controversies in Spain have now been resolved. The Company made total payments of Euro 4.5 million ($4.9 million) during the second quarter of 2015 related to the resolution of these three controversies.
Effective Tax Rate
The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was 23.1% compared with 24.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2014. The quarter-over-quarter decrease is largely due to higher earnings from lower tax jurisdictions, lower loss provisions and lower expected repatriation costs in 2015. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was 20.4% compared with 25.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The year-over-year decrease is primarily due to a benefit of $10.5 million recorded in the first quarter of 2015, as a result of favorable tax rulings in Spain and another jurisdiction for which reserves were previously recorded.

Note 8. Stock Compensation Plans:
The Company has various plans under which its officers, senior management, other key employees and directors may be granted equity-based awards. Equity awards outstanding under the plans include PRS, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), stock options, SSARs and Long-Term Incentive Plan awards; liability-based awards outstanding under the plans are cash-settled RSUs.






 
8
 



Stock-based compensation expense and related tax benefits were as follows: 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Equity-based awards
$
7,473

 
$
9,338

 
$
12,860

 
$
14,034

Liability-based awards
666

 
1,519

 
2,573

 
2,764

Total stock-based compensation expense
8,139

 
10,857

 
15,433

 
16,798

Less: tax benefit
(2,225
)
 
(3,345
)
 
(4,412
)
 
(5,071
)
Total stock-based compensation expense, after tax
$
5,914

 
$
7,512

 
$
11,021

 
$
11,727


On May 6, 2015, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2015 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the "2015 Plan"). The 2015 Plan replaces the 2010 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”). The total number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan is 1,500,000 shares plus shares that remained available for issuance under the 2010 Plan as of May 6, 2015 and any shares subject to outstanding awards under the 2010 Plan that are cancelled, forfeited or expire.
Note 9. Segment Information:
The Company is organized into two operating segments: Flavors and Fragrances. These segments align with the internal structure of the Company used to manage these businesses. Performance of these operating segments is evaluated based on segment profit which is defined as operating profit before Restructuring and other charges, net, Global expenses (as discussed below) and certain non-recurring items, Interest expense, Other income (expense), net and Taxes on income.
The Global expenses caption below represents corporate and headquarters-related expenses which include legal, finance, human resources, certain incentive compensation expenses and other R&D and administrative expenses that are not allocated to individual operating segments.
Reportable segment information is as follows:  
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flavors
$
372,478

 
$
375,513

 
$
749,586

 
$
742,018

Fragrances
395,063

 
412,901

 
792,862

 
816,620

Consolidated
$
767,541

 
$
788,414

 
$
1,542,448

 
$
1,558,638

Segment profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flavors
$
84,015

 
$
90,805

 
$
176,743

 
$
178,869

Fragrances
79,924

 
85,474

 
161,522

 
172,638

Global expenses
(8,629
)
 
(19,869
)
 
(20,194
)
 
(36,303
)
Restructuring and other charges, net
358

 
(182
)
 
170

 
(304
)
Acquisition and related costs (1)
(6,566
)
 

 
(7,066
)
 

Operational improvement initiative costs (2)
(281
)
 
(3,113
)
 
(562
)
 
(5,732
)
Operating profit
148,821

 
153,115

 
310,613

 
309,168

Interest expense
(11,407
)
 
(11,403
)
 
(22,502
)
 
(23,080
)
Other (expense) income, net
(436
)
 
4,641

 
5,275

 
3,198

Income before taxes
$
136,978

 
$
146,353

 
$
293,386

 
$
289,286

 
(1)
Acquisition and related costs are associated with the acquisitions of Ottens Flavors and Lucas Meyer as discussed in Note 3, including inventory step-up charges related to Ottens Flavors.
(2)
Operational improvement initiative costs relate to the closing of a smaller facility in Europe and certain manufacturing activities in Asia, while transferring production to larger facilities in each respective region.
Net sales are attributed to individual regions based upon the destination of product delivery. Net sales related to the U.S. for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were $167 million and $175 million, respectively and for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were $330 million and $336 million, respectively. Net sales attributed to all foreign countries in

 
9
 



total for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were $601 million and $613 million, respectively and for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were $1,212 million and $1,223 million, respectively. No country other than the U.S. had net sales in any period presented greater than 7.0% of total consolidated net sales.

Note 10. Employee Benefits:

Pension and other defined contribution retirement plan expenses included the following components:
U.S. Plans
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Service cost for benefits earned
$
984

 
$
885

 
$
1,968

 
$
1,769

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
5,954

 
6,232

 
11,907

 
12,463

Expected return on plan assets
(8,083
)
 
(6,913
)
 
(16,165
)
 
(13,826
)
Net amortization and deferrals
5,203

 
4,255

 
10,406

 
8,509

Net periodic benefit cost
4,058

 
4,459

 
8,116

 
8,915

Defined contribution and other retirement plans
2,093

 
1,791

 
4,228

 
3,902

Total expense
$
6,151

 
$
6,250

 
$
12,344

 
$
12,817

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-U.S. Plans
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Service cost for benefits earned
$
4,102

 
$
4,002

 
$
8,485

 
$
7,950

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
6,151

 
8,541

 
12,543

 
16,952

Expected return on plan assets
(12,440
)
 
(12,675
)
 
(25,390
)
 
(25,155
)
Net amortization and deferrals
3,314

 
3,000

 
6,801

 
5,954

Net periodic benefit cost
1,127

 
2,868

 
2,439

 
5,701

Defined contribution and other retirement plans
1,693

 
1,444

 
3,288

 
2,622

Total expense
$
2,820

 
$
4,312

 
$
5,727

 
$
8,323

The Company expects to contribute a total of approximately $30 million to its non-U.S. pension plans during 2015. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, there were no contributions made to the qualified U.S. pension plans, but during the six months ended June 30, 2015, $35.0 million of contributions were made. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, $3.4 million and $22.5 million of contributions were made to the non-U.S. plans, respectively. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, $1.1 million and $2.1 million of benefit payments were made with respect to the Company’s non-qualified U.S. pension plan, respectively.
Expense recognized for postretirement benefits other than pensions included the following components: 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Service cost for benefits earned
$
301

 
$
323

 
$
601

 
$
645

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
1,082

 
1,238

 
2,164

 
2,475

Net amortization and deferrals
(712
)
 
(979
)
 
(1,423
)
 
(1,958
)
Total postretirement benefit expense
$
671

 
$
582

 
$
1,342

 
$
1,162

The Company expects to contribute approximately $5 million to its postretirement benefits other than pension plans during 2015. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, $1.7 million and $3.4 million of contributions were made.

 
10
 




Note 11. Financial Instruments:
Fair Value
Accounting guidance on fair value measurements specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
Level 1–Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2–Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.
Level 3–Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.
This hierarchy requires us to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. We determine the fair value of structured liabilities (where performance is linked to structured interest rates, inflation or currency risks) using the LIBOR swap curve and forward interest and exchange rates at period end. Such instruments are classified as Level 2 based on the observability of significant inputs to the model. We do not have any instruments classified as Level 1 or Level 3, other than those included in pension asset trusts as discussed in Note 13 of our 2014 Form 10-K.
These valuations take into consideration our credit risk and our counterparties’ credit risk. The estimated change in the fair value of these instruments due to such changes in our own credit risk (or instrument-specific credit risk) was immaterial as of June 30, 2015.

The amounts recorded in the balance sheet (carrying amount) and the estimated fair values of financial instruments at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following: 
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents (1)
$
377,254

 
$
377,254

 
$
478,573

 
$
478,573

Credit facilities and bank overdrafts (2)
68,948

 
68,948

 
12,335

 
12,335

Long-term debt: (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes - 2007
500,000

 
576,942

 
500,000

 
587,650

Senior notes - 2006
125,000

 
130,352

 
125,000

 
133,137

Senior notes - 2013
299,795

 
294,136

 
299,782

 
296,290

 
(1)
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments.
(2)
The carrying amount of our credit facilities and bank overdrafts approximates fair value as the interest rate is reset frequently based on current market rates as well as the short maturity of those instruments.
(3)
The fair value of our long-term debt was calculated using discounted cash flows applying current interest rates and current credit spreads based on our own credit risk.
Derivatives
We periodically enter into foreign currency forward contracts with the objective of reducing exposure to cash flow volatility associated with our intercompany loans, foreign currency receivables and payables, and anticipated purchases of certain raw materials used in operations. These contracts generally involve the exchange of one currency for a second currency at a future date, have maturities not exceeding twelve months and are with counterparties which are major international financial institutions.

During the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, we entered into several forward currency contracts which qualified as net investment hedges, in order to mitigate a portion of our net European investments from foreign currency risk. The effective portions of net investment hedges are recorded in Other comprehensive income (“OCI”) as a component of Foreign currency translation adjustments in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of

 
11
 



Comprehensive Income. Realized gains (losses) are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") where they will remain until the net investments in our European subsidiaries are divested. The outstanding forward currency contracts have remaining maturities of approximately one year. Four of these forward currency contracts matured during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

During the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, we entered into several forward currency contracts which qualified as cash flow hedges. The objective of these hedges is to protect against the currency risk associated with forecasted U.S. dollar (USD) denominated raw material purchases made by Euro (EUR) functional currency entities which result from changes in the EUR/USD exchange rate. The effective portions of cash flow hedges are recorded in OCI as a component of Gains/(losses) on derivatives qualifying as hedges in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Realized gains/(losses) in AOCI related to cash flow hedges of raw material purchases are recognized as a component of Cost of goods sold in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in the same period as the related costs are recognized.
During 2014, we entered into interest rate swap agreements that effectively converted the fixed rate on a portion of our long-term borrowings to a variable short-term rate based on the LIBOR plus an interest markup. These swaps are designated as fair value hedges. Amounts recognized in Interest expense were immaterial for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.
The following table shows the notional amount of the Company’s derivative instruments outstanding as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014: 
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Foreign currency contracts
$
296,600

 
$
191,150

Interest rate swaps
$
425,000

 
$
425,000


The following tables show the Company’s derivative instruments measured at fair value (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy), as reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014: 
 
June 30, 2015
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Fair Value of
Derivatives
Designated as
Hedging
Instruments
 
Fair Value of
Derivatives Not
Designated as
Hedging
Instruments
 
Total Fair
Value
Derivative assets (a)
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
$
12,519

 
$
2,686

 
$
15,205

Interest rate swaps
2,169

 

 
2,169

 
$
14,688

 
$
2,686

 
$
17,374

Derivative liabilities (b)
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
$
2,911

 
$
3,178

 
$
6,089

 
$
2,911

 
$
3,178

 
$
6,089

 
December 31, 2014
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Fair Value of
Derivatives
Designated as
Hedging
Instruments
 
Fair Value of
Derivatives Not
Designated as
Hedging
Instruments
 
Total Fair
Value
Derivative assets (a)
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
$
16,637

 
$
4,398

 
$
21,035

Interest rate swaps
683

 

 
683

 
$
17,320

 
$
4,398

 
$
21,718

Derivative liabilities (b)
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
$
6

 
$
1,055

 
$
1,061

 
(a)
Derivative assets are recorded to Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
(b)
Derivative liabilities are recorded as Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.


 
12
 



The following table shows the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments which were not designated as hedging instruments in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income on
Derivative
 
Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
on Derivative
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
$
371

 
$
3,465

 
Other expense (income), net
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income on
Derivative
 
Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
on Derivative
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
$
10,075

 
$
538

 
Other expense (income), net
Most of these net gains (losses) offset any recognized gains (losses) arising from the revaluation of the related intercompany loans during the same respective periods.
The following table shows the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow and net investment hedging instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): 
 
Amount of (Loss) Gain
Recognized in OCI on
Derivative (Effective
Portion)
 
Location of (Loss) Gain
Reclassified from AOCI into
Income (Effective Portion)
 
Amount of (Loss) Gain
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income (Effective
Portion)
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
(6,035
)
 
1,530

 
Cost of goods sold
 
3,561

 
(725
)
Interest rate swaps (1)
69

 
68

 
Interest expense
 
(69
)
 
(68
)
Derivatives in Net Investment Hedging Relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
(1,030
)
 
673

 
N/A
 

 

Total
$
(6,996
)
 
$
2,271

 
 
 
$
3,492

 
$
(793
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of (Loss) Gain
Recognized in OCI on
Derivative (Effective
Portion)
 
Location of (Loss) Gain
Reclassified from AOCI into
Income (Effective Portion)
 
Amount of (Loss) Gain
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income (Effective
Portion)
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
5,979

 
1,921

 
Cost of goods sold
 
4,584

 
(1,478
)
Interest rate swaps (1)
138

 
137

 
Interest expense
 
(138
)
 
$
(137
)
Derivatives in Net Investment Hedging Relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
3,531

 
298

 
N/A
 

 

Total
$
9,648

 
$
2,356

 
 
 
$
4,446

 
$
(1,615
)
 
(1) Interest rate swaps were entered into as pre-issuance hedges for the $300 million bond offering.


 
13
 



No ineffectiveness was experienced in the above noted cash flow hedges during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. The ineffective portion of the net investment hedges was not material during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.
The Company expects that approximately $15.2 million (net of tax) of derivative gains included in AOCI at June 30, 2015, based on current market rates, will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months. The majority of this amount will vary due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
The following tables present changes in the accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive income, including current period other comprehensive income and reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income:
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
(Losses) Gains on
Derivatives
Qualifying as
Hedges
 
Pension and
Postretirement
Liability
Adjustment
 
Total
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, as of December 31, 2014
$
(173,342
)
 
$
12,371

 
$
(379,459
)
 
$
(540,430
)
OCI before reclassifications
(32,958
)
 
10,563

 

 
(22,395
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI

 
(4,446
)
 
11,023

 
6,577

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
(32,958
)
 
6,117

 
11,023

 
(15,818
)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, as of June 30, 2015
$
(206,300
)
 
$
18,488

 
$
(368,436
)
 
$
(556,248
)
 
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
(Losses) Gains on
Derivatives
Qualifying as
Hedges
 
Pension and
Postretirement
Liability
Adjustment
 
Total
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, as of December 31, 2013
$
(104,278
)
 
$
(4,012
)
 
$
(284,421
)
 
$
(392,711
)
OCI before reclassifications
(1,826
)
 
443

 

 
(1,383
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI

 
1,615

 
8,765

 
10,380

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
(1,826
)
 
2,058

 
8,765

 
8,997

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, as of June 30, 2014
$
(106,104
)
 
$
(1,954
)
 
$
(275,656
)
 
$
(383,714
)


 
14
 



The following table provides details about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income: 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Affected Line Item in the
Consolidated Statement
of Comprehensive  Income
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
 
 
 
(Losses) gains on derivatives qualifying as hedges
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
5,239

 
(2,038
)
 
Cost of goods sold
Interest rate swaps
(138
)
 
(137
)
 
Interest expense
 
(655
)
 
560

 
Provision for income taxes
 
$
4,446

 
$
(1,615
)
 
Total, net of income taxes
(Losses) gains on pension and postretirement liability adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service cost
2,318

 
(14,729
)
 
(a) 
Actuarial losses
(18,102
)
 
2,224

 
(a) 
 
4,761

 
3,740

 
Provision for income taxes
 
$
(11,023
)
 
$
(8,765
)
 
Total, net of income taxes
 
(a)
The amortization of prior service cost and actuarial loss is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. Refer to Note 13 of our 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding net periodic benefit cost.

Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies:
Guarantees and Letters of Credit
The Company has various bank guarantees and letters of credit which are available for use to support its ongoing business operations and to satisfy governmental requirements associated with pending litigation in various jurisdictions.
At June 30, 2015, we had total bank guarantees and standby letters of credit of approximately $29.9 million with various financial institutions. Included in the above aggregate amount is a total of $16.5 million in bank guarantees which the Company has posted for certain assessments in Brazil for other diverse income tax and indirect tax disputes related to fiscal years 1998-2011. There were no material amounts utilized under the standby letters of credit as of June 30, 2015.
In order to challenge the assessments in these cases in Brazil, the Company has been required to, and has separately pledged assets, principally property, plant and equipment, to cover assessments in the amount of approximately $15.1 million as of June 30, 2015.
Lines of Credit
The Company has various lines of credit which are available to support its ongoing business operations. At June 30, 2015, we had available lines of credit (in addition to the Credit Facility discussed in Note 8 of our 2014 Form 10-K) of approximately $72.9 million with various financial institutions. There were no significant amounts drawn down pursuant to these lines of credit as of June 30, 2015.
Litigation
The Company assesses contingencies related to litigation and/or other matters to determine the degree of probability and range of possible loss. A loss contingency is accrued in the Company’s consolidated financial statements if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Because litigation is inherently unpredictable and unfavorable resolutions could occur, assessing contingencies is highly sensitive and requires judgments about future events. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company reviews contingencies related to litigation to determine the adequacy of accruals. The amount of ultimate loss may differ from these estimates and further events may require the Company to increase or decrease the amounts it has accrued on any matter.
Periodically, we assess our insurance coverage for all known claims, where applicable, taking into account aggregate coverage by occurrence, limits of coverage, self-insured retentions and deductibles, historical claims experience and claims experience with our insurance carriers. The liabilities are recorded at management’s best estimate of the probable outcome of the lawsuits and claims, taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the individual matters as well as past experience on similar matters. At each balance sheet date, the key issues that management assesses are whether it is probable

 
15
 



that a loss as to asserted or unasserted claims has been incurred and if so, whether the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We record the expected liability with respect to claims in Other liabilities and expected recoveries from our insurance carriers in Other assets. We recognize a receivable when we believe that realization of the insurance receivable is probable under the terms of the insurance policies and our payment experience to date.
Environmental
Over the past 20 years, various federal and state authorities and private parties have claimed that we are a Potentially Responsible Party (“PRP”) as a generator of waste materials for alleged pollution at a number of waste sites operated by third parties located principally in New Jersey and have sought to recover costs incurred and to be incurred to clean up the sites.
We have been identified as a PRP at eight facilities operated by third parties at which investigation and/or remediation activities may be ongoing. We analyze our potential liability on at least a quarterly basis. We accrue for environmental liabilities when they are probable and estimable. We estimate our share of the total future cost for these sites to be less than $5 million.

While joint and several liability is authorized under federal and state environmental laws, we believe the amounts we have paid and anticipate paying in the future for clean-up costs and damages at all sites are not material and will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. This assessment is based upon, among other things, the involvement of other PRPs at most of the sites, the status of the proceedings, including various settlement agreements and consent decrees, and the extended time period over which payments will likely be made. There can be no assurance, however, that future events will not require us to materially increase the amounts we anticipate paying for clean-up costs and damages at these sites, and that such increased amounts will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
China Odor Matter
The Company has been notified by Chinese authorities of compliance issues pertaining to the emission of odors from several of its plants in China. The Company has been addressing these issues by making investments in additional odor-abatement equipment.
The Company’s Flavors facility in China was temporarily idled and another facility is currently operating at a reduced workload. The Company is also making additional odor-abatement investments across all of its China facilities while it continues to work with the various authorities in China. To meet production requirements, the Company has moved a portion of its Chinese Flavors production to other IFF and third party facilities. If the Company is required to close a plant, or operate one at significantly reduced production levels on a permanent basis, the Company may be required to record charges that could have a material impact on its consolidated financial results of operations, financial position and cash flows in future periods.
Other Contingencies
The Company has contingencies involving third parties (such as labor, contract, technology or product-related claims or litigation) as well as government-related items in various jurisdictions in which we operate pertaining to such items as value-added taxes, other indirect taxes, customs and duties and sales and use taxes. It is possible that cash flows or results of operations, in any period, could be materially affected by the unfavorable resolution of one or more of these contingencies.
The most significant government-related contingencies exist in Brazil. With regard to the Brazilian matters, we believe we have valid defenses for the underlying positions under dispute; however, in order to pursue these defenses, we are required to, and have provided, bank guarantees and pledged assets in the aggregate amount of $31.6 million. The Brazilian matters take an extended period of time to proceed through the judicial process and there are a limited number of rulings to date.
In March 2012, ZoomEssence, Inc. filed a complaint against the Company in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey alleging trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract and unjust enrichment in connection with certain spray dry technology disclosed to the Company. In connection with the claims, ZoomEssence is seeking an injunction and monetary damages. ZoomEssence initially sought a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, but the Court denied these applications in an order entered on September 27, 2013, finding that ZoomEssence had not demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of its claims. The Court subsequently referred the matter to mediation, however the private mediation session did not result in a resolution of the dispute. On November 3, 2014, ZoomEssence amended its complaint against the Company to include allegations of breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, fraud in the inducement, and misappropriation of confidential and proprietary information.  On November 13, 2014, the Company filed a counterclaim against ZoomEssence alleging trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment, misappropriation of confidential and proprietary information,  common law unfair competition, tortious interference with contractual relations, and conversion. The case is currently proceeding through

 
16
 



discovery with a trial on the merits anticipated in mid-2016. The Company denies the allegations and will vigorously defend and pursue its position in Court. At this stage of the litigation, based on the information currently available to the Company, management does not believe that this matter represents a material loss contingency.
Based on the information available as of June 30, 2015, we estimate a range of reasonably possible loss related to the matters above, collectively, is $0-$31 million.



 
17
 



Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
Company background
We create, manufacture and supply flavors and fragrances for the food, beverage, personal care and household-products industries either in the form of compounds or individual ingredients. Our flavors and fragrance compounds combine a large number of ingredients that are blended, mixed or reacted together to produce proprietary formulas created by our perfumers and flavorists.
Flavors are the key building blocks that impart taste in processed food and beverage products and, as such, play a significant role in determining consumer preference of the end products in which they are used. While we are a global leader, our flavors business is more regional in nature, with different formulas that reflect local tastes and ingredients. As a leading creator of flavors, we help our customers deliver on the promise of delicious and healthy foods and drinks that appeal to consumers. Our flavors compounds are ultimately used by our customers in four end-use categories: (1) Savory, (2) Beverages, (3) Sweet, pharmaceutical and oral care (“Sweet”), and (4) Dairy.
Our fragrances are a key component in the world’s finest perfumes and best-known consumer brands, including beauty care, fabric care, personal wash and home care products. Our Fragrance Compounds are defined into broad market categories, (1) Fine Fragrances and (2) Consumer Fragrances. Consumer Fragrances consists of five end-use categories: (1) Fabric Care, (2) Home Care, (3) Personal Wash, (4) Hair Care and (5) Toiletries. In addition, Fragrance Ingredients, which are used internally and sold to third parties, including customers and competitors, for use in preparation of compounds, are included in the Fragrances business unit.
The flavors and fragrances market is part of a larger market which supplies a variety of ingredients and components that consumer products companies utilize in their products. The broader market includes large multinational companies or smaller regional and local participants which supply products such as seasonings, texturizers, spices, enzymes, certain food-related commodities, fortified products and cosmetic ingredients. The flavors and fragrances market is estimated to be at least $18 billion; however the exact size of the global market is not available due to fragmentation of data. We, together with the other top three companies, are estimated to comprise approximately two-thirds of the total estimated sales in the global flavors and fragrances sub-segment of the broader market.
Vision 2020
During the second quarter of 2015, the Company announced its Vision 2020 strategy, which focuses on building differentiation and accelerating profitable growth. The strategy has four pillars:
(1) Win Where We Compete - achieve a #1 or #2 market leadership position in key markets and categories, and with specific customers.
(2) Innovating Firsts - strengthen our position and drive differentiation in priority R&D platforms such as delivery systems, modulation, new molecules and naturals.
(3) Become Our Customers' Partner of Choice - attain commercial excellence by providing our customers with in-depth local consumer understanding, industry-leading innovation, outstanding service and the highest quality products.
(4) Strengthen and Expand the Portfolio - actively pursue value-creation through partnerships, collaborations, and acquisitions within flavors, fragrances and adjacencies.
Talent and Organization, Continuous Improvement, and Sustainability enable the successful execution of Vision 2020.
The Company also announced its long-term financial targets for 2016 to 2020. These include 4-6% currency neutral sales growth, 7-9% currency neutral operating profit growth, and 10% currency neutral EPS growth. In addition to these organic goals, the Company is also targeting $500 million to $1 billion of sales growth through acquisitions by 2020. Leveraging its strong cash flow generation and commitment to Vision 2020, the Company increased its targeted cash return to shareholders to 50-60% of adjusted net income.
2015 Progress
During the second quarter of 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of Henry H. Ottens Manufacturing Co., Inc. ("Ottens Flavors") for approximately $199.2 million. The acquisition did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The acquisition strengthened our position in the targeted North American market for Flavors.

 
18
 



On July 30, 2015, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of Lucas Meyer Cosmetics, a business of Unipex Group, ("Lucas Meyer") for approximately Euro 283 million ($311 million). (The total shares acquired include shares effectively acquired pursuant to put and call option agreements). This acquisition is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Net sales during the second quarter of 2015 declined 3% on a reported basis but increased 5% on a currency neutral basis (which excludes the effects of changes in currency), with the acquisition of Ottens Flavors contributing approximately 1% to both reported and currency neutral basis amounts. The currency neutral growth of 5% reflects new win performance (net of losses) in both Flavors and Fragrance Compounds and lower volume erosion on existing business.
Exchange rate fluctuations had an 800 basis point (bps) unfavorable impact on net sales for the second quarter, driven mainly by the weakening of the Euro against the U.S. dollar. The effect of exchange rates can vary by business and region, depending upon the mix of sales by destination country as well as the relative percentage of local sales priced in U.S. dollars versus local currencies.
Gross margins increased year-over-year to 45.0% in the second quarter of 2015 from 44.7% in the 2014 period. Included in the second quarter of 2015 was $1.1 million of costs associated with operational improvement initiatives and acquisition related inventory "step-up" costs, compared to $3.1 million of costs related to restructuring and operational improvement initiatives included in the 2014 period. Excluding these items, gross margin remained consistent with the prior year period. The overall raw material cost base remains elevated, including certain categories where prices remain well above average levels. We believe input costs will increase less than 1% in 2015 as higher prices on certain categories, such as naturals, will largely offset benefits associated with oil-based derivatives that are expected to occur later in 2015. We continue to seek improvements in our margins through operational performance and mix enhancement.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
Sales
Reported sales in the second quarter of 2015 decreased approximately 3%. In currency neutral terms, sales increased 5%, reflecting new win performance in both Flavors and Fragrance Compounds and lower volume erosion on existing business and the acquisition of Ottens Flavors (which added approximately 1% to both reported and currency neutral basis amounts). We continue to benefit from our diverse portfolio of end-use product categories and geographies and had growth in three of four regions and Consumer Fragrances and Flavor Compounds both had positive currency neutral growth. Flavors realized currency neutral growth of 7% for the second quarter of 2015, including 3% from Ottens Flavors. Our Fragrance business achieved currency neutral growth of 4%. Fragrances performance reflects new win performance in our Consumer Fragrances end-use categories, led by sales in Fabric Care. Overall, our second quarter 2015 results continued to be driven by our strong emerging market presence that represented 52% of currency neutral sales and experienced 7% currency neutral growth. From a geographic perspective, for the second quarter, Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME), Latin America (LA) and Greater Asia (GA) all delivered currency neutral growth in 2015, led by EAME and LA, with 9%.
Operating profit
Operating profit decreased $4.3 million to $148.8 million (19.4% of sales) in the 2015 second quarter compared to $153.1 million (19.4% of sales) in the comparable 2014 period. The three months ended June 30, 2015 included a benefit related to restructuring reversals of $0.4 million, operational improvement initiative costs of $0.3 million and $6.6 million of acquisition and related costs compared to $3.3 million of restructuring and operational improvement initiative costs in the prior year period. Excluding these charges, adjusted operating profit was $155.3 million (20.2% of sales) for the second quarter of 2015 compared to $156.4 million (19.8% of sales) for the second quarter of 2014. Foreign currency changes had an unfavorable impact on operating profit of approximately 8% in the second quarter of 2015.
Other expense (income), net
Other expense (income), net decreased $5 million to $0.4 million of expense in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $4.6 million of income in the second quarter of 2014. The year-over-year decrease is primarily driven by lower foreign exchange gains and lower mark-to-market adjustments on deferred compensation plan assets during 2015 compared to the 2014 period.
Net income
Net income decreased by $4.9 million quarter-over-quarter to $105.4 million for the second quarter of 2015.


 
19
 



Cash flows
Cash flows from operations for the six months ended June 30, 2015 were $166.3 million or 10.8% of sales, compared to cash inflow from operations of $154.0 million or 9.9% of sales for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase in cash flow from operations in 2015 reflects higher net income, lower payments for incentive compensation and higher cash inflows from core working capital (trade receivables, inventories and accounts payable), which were partially offset principally by higher pension contributions in the 2015 period.
Results of Operations
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS
EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Net sales
$
767,541

 
$
788,414

 
(3
)%
 
$
1,542,448

 
$
1,558,638

 
(1
)%
Cost of goods sold
422,501

 
435,767

 
(3
)%
 
851,131

 
864,579

 
(2
)%
Gross profit
345,040

 
352,647

 
 
 
691,317

 
694,059

 
 
Research and development (R&D) expenses
62,514

 
66,431

 
(6
)%
 
125,976

 
127,934

 
(2
)%
Selling and administrative (S&A) expenses
134,063

 
132,919

 
1
 %
 
254,898

 
256,653

 
(1
)%
Restructuring and other charges, net
(358
)
 
182

 
(297
)%
 
(170
)
 
304

 
(156
)%
Operating profit
148,821

 
153,115

 
 
 
310,613

 
309,168

 
 
Interest expense
11,407

 
11,403

 
 %
 
22,502

 
23,080

 
(3
)%
Other expense (income), net
436

 
(4,641
)
 
(109
)%
 
(5,275
)
 
(3,198
)
 
65
 %
Income before taxes
136,978

 
146,353

 
 
 
293,386

 
289,286

 
 
Taxes on income
31,604

 
36,068

 
(12
)%
 
59,754

 
72,294

 
(17
)%
Net income
$
105,374

 
$
110,285

 
(4
)%
 
$
233,632

 
$
216,992

 
8
 %
Diluted EPS
$
1.29

 
$
1.35

 
(4
)%
 
$
2.86

 
$
2.64

 
8
 %
Gross margin
45.0
%
 
44.7
%
 
30

 
44.8
%
 
44.5
%
 
30

R&D as a percentage of sales
8.1
%
 
8.4
%
 
(30
)
 
8.2
%
 
8.2
%
 

S&A as a percentage of sales
17.5
%
 
16.9
%
 
60

 
16.5
%
 
16.5
%
 

Operating margin
19.4
%
 
19.4
%
 

 
20.1
%
 
19.8
%
 
30

Adjusted operating margin (1)
20.2
%
 
19.8
%
 
40

 
20.6
%
 
20.2
%
 
40

Effective tax rate
23.1
%
 
24.6
%
 
(150
)
 
20.4
%
 
25.0
%
 
(460
)
Segment net sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flavors
$
372,478

 
$
375,513

 
(1
)%
 
$
749,586

 
$
742,018

 
1
 %
Fragrances
395,063

 
412,901

 
(4
)%
 
792,862

 
816,620

 
(3
)%
Consolidated
$
767,541

 
$
788,414

 
 
 
$
1,542,448

 
$
1,558,638

 
 
 
(1)
Adjusted operating margin excludes the benefit from Restructuring and other charges, net of $0.4 million, operational improvement initiative costs of $0.3 million and acquisition and related costs of $6.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and excludes $3.3 million of restructuring and operational improvement initiative costs for the three months ended June 30, 2014. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, adjusted operating margin excludes the benefit from Restructuring and other charges, net of $0.2 million, operational improvement initiative costs of $0.6 million and acquisition related costs of $7.1 million compared to the exclusion of $6.0 million of Restructuring and other charges, net and operational improvement initiative costs during the comparable 2014 period.
Cost of goods sold includes the cost of materials and manufacturing expenses. R&D expenses relate to the development of new and improved products, technical product support and compliance with governmental regulations. S&A expenses include expenses necessary to support our commercial activities and administrative expenses supporting our overall operating activities.



 
20
 




SECOND QUARTER 2015 IN COMPARISON TO SECOND QUARTER 2014
Sales
Sales for the second quarter of 2015 totaled $767.5 million, a decrease of 3% from the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, currency neutral sales increased 5%, as a result of new win performance (net of losses) in both Flavors and Fragrance Compounds and lower volume erosion on existing business. On both a reported and currency neutral basis, the acquisition of Ottens Flavors added approximately 1% to net sales amounts. Overall currency neutral growth was driven by 7% growth in emerging markets.
Flavors Business Unit
Flavors reported sales declined 1%, and currency neutral sales growth was up 7% during the second quarter of 2015 compared to the 2014 period. The acquisition of Ottens Flavors added approximately 3% to both reported and currency neutral basis amounts. In addition, the overall performance reflects new wins. The currency neutral overall increase was due to high single-digit growth in Dairy, mid single-digit growth in Savory and low single-digit growth in Beverage. The Flavors business delivered currency neutral growth in all regions, led by LA. Sales in LA were driven by double-digit gains in Beverage, Savory and Dairy. Sales in EAME were driven by double-digit gains in Savory and mid single-digit gains in Beverage. GA sales were driven by mid single-digit gains in Savory, Beverage and Dairy and sales in North America (NOAM) were led by high double-digit gains in Dairy.
Fragrances Business Unit
The Fragrances business experienced a decline of 4% in reported sales and a 4% increase in currency neutral sales for the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. The overall currency neutral increase was primarily driven by double-digit gains in our Fabric Care category and high single-digit gains in our Home Care and Hair Care categories, offset by low to high single-digit declines in Toiletries, Personal Wash and Fragrance Ingredients. Our Fragrance Compounds saw currency neutral sales growth of 5%, while Fragrance Ingredients declined 3% over the prior year period.
Sales Performance by Region and Category
 
 
 
% Change in Sales-Second Quarter 2015 vs. Second Quarter 2014
 
 
Fine Fragrances
 
Consumer Fragrances
 
Ingredients
 
Total Frag.
 
Flavors
 
Total
NOAM
Reported
-7
 %
 
-1
 %
 
-16
 %
 
-6
 %
 
5
 %
 
0
 %
EAME
Reported
-6
 %
 
-7
 %
 
-11
 %
 
-8
 %
 
-12
 %
 
-10
 %
 
Currency Neutral (1)
17
 %
 
14
 %
 
1
 %
 
12
 %
 
6
 %
 
9
 %
LA
Reported
-19
 %
 
13
 %
 
2
 %
 
4
 %
 
6
 %
 
5
 %
 
Currency Neutral (1)
-15
 %
 
15
 %
 
1
 %
 
6
 %
 
14
 %
 
9
 %
GA
Reported
-2
 %
 
-4
 %
 
-8
 %
 
-4
 %
 
2
 %
 
-1
 %
 
Currency Neutral (1)
-2
 %
 
-2
 %
 
-1
 %
 
-2
 %
 
6
 %
 
3
 %
Total
Reported
-9
 %
 
-1
 %
 
-11
 %
 
-4
 %
 
-1
 %
 
-3
 %
 
Currency Neutral (1)
2
 %
 
6
 %
 
-3
 %
 
4
 %
 
7
 %
 
5
 %
(1)
Currency neutral sales growth is calculated by translating prior year sales at the exchange rates for the corresponding 2015 period.

NOAM Flavors sales increased 5%, which included sales from Ottens Flavors and high double-digit growth in Dairy. NOAM Fragrance sales decreased 6% in the second quarter of 2015, principally due to double-digit declines in Fragrance Ingredients and Toiletries and mid to high single-digit decreases in Fine Fragrance, Hair Care and Personal Wash, which were only partially offset by double-digit growth in Fabric Care.
EAME Flavors currency neutral sales growth of 6% was led by double-digit growth in Savory and mid single-digit growth in Beverage, which more than offset mid single-digit declines in Dairy. EAME Fragrance currency neutral sales increased 12% overall, driven mainly by double-digit growth in Fabric Care, Fine Fragrance, Home Care and Hair Care categories, as well as low single-digit increases in Fragrance Ingredients.
LA Flavors currency neutral sales were up 14% driven by double-digit gains in the Savory, Beverage and Dairy categories as well as high single-digit growth in Sweet. LA Fragrances currency neutral sales increased 6% overall,

 
21
 



principally led by double-digit gains in Fabric Care and Home Care, which more than offset double-digit declines in Fine Fragrance and Toiletries.
GA Flavors had currency neutral sales growth of 6% principally from mid single-digit gains in Savory, Beverage and Dairy. GA Fragrances currency neutral sales decline of 2% was principally driven by low to mid single-digit declines in Personal Wash, Home Care and Fabric Care, which was only partially offset by mid to high single-digit gains in Hair Care and Toiletries.

Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold, as a percentage of sales, decreased 30 bps to 55.0% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 55.3% in the second quarter of 2014. Included in cost of goods sold was $1.1 million of charges related to operational improvement initiative costs and acquisition related inventory "step-up" costs in 2015 compared to $3.1 million of restructuring and operational improvement initiative related costs in 2014.
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses
Overall R&D expenses, as a percentage of sales, decreased slightly compared to the prior year period at 8.1% in the second quarter of 2015 versus 8.4% in the second quarter of 2014.
Selling and Administrative (S&A) Expenses
S&A expenses increased $1.2 million to $134.1 million or 17.5%, as a percentage of sales, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 16.9% in the second quarter of 2014. The $1.2 million increase is principally due to the acquisition of Ottens Flavors and spending to support the future growth of the Company, partially offset by the impact of currency and lower incentive compensation expense.
Operating Results by Business Unit
We evaluate the performance of business units based on segment profit which is defined as operating profit before Restructuring and other charges, net, Global expenses (as discussed in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) and certain non-recurring items, net, Interest expense, Other (expense) income, net and Taxes on income. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the reconciliation to Income before taxes. 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
2015
 
2014
Segment profit:
 
 
 
Flavors
$
84,015

 
$
90,805

Fragrances
79,924

 
85,474

Global expenses
(8,629
)
 
(19,869
)
Restructuring and other charges, net
358

 
(182
)
Acquisition and related costs
(6,566
)
 

Operational improvement initiative costs
(281
)
 
(3,113
)
Operating profit
$
148,821

 
$
153,115

Profit margin
 
 
 
Flavors
22.6
%
 
24.2
%
Fragrances
20.2
%
 
20.7
%
Consolidated
19.4
%
 
19.4
%

Flavors Segment Profit
Flavors segment profit decreased approximately 7% to $84.0 million in the second quarter of 2015, or 22.6% as a percentage of sales, compared to $90.8 million, or 24.2% as a percentage of sales, in the comparable 2014 period. The decrease in segment profit and profit margin was driven primarily by unfavorable currency impacts, lower incentive compensation in the prior year, scale up costs of new sites in Turkey and Indonesia and other one-off costs, including incremental operating costs associated with the China Flavors facility. These costs were only partially offset by net wins, productivity initiatives and sales mix. The impact of Ottens Flavors was not significant to the 2015 second quarter Flavors segment profit results.
Fragrances Segment Profit

 
22
 



Fragrances segment profit declined approximately 6% to $79.9 million in the second quarter of 2015, or 20.2% as a percentage of sales, compared to $85.5 million, or 20.7% as a percentage of sales, in the comparable 2014 period. The decline in segment profit and profit margin was primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency impacts, which were partially offset by favorable volume growth and productivity initiatives.
Global Expenses
Global expenses represent corporate and headquarters-related expenses which include legal, finance, human resources and R&D and other administrative expenses that are not allocated to an individual business unit. In the second quarter of 2015, Global expenses were $8.6 million compared to $19.9 million during the second quarter of 2014. The decrease was principally driven by the favorable impact of our cash flow hedging program and lower incentive compensation expense.
Restructuring and Other Charges, Net
In 2014, the Company closed its fragrance ingredients manufacturing facility in Augusta, Georgia and consolidated production into other Company facilities. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a reversal of severance accruals of $0.4 million.
Interest Expense
Interest expense remained consistent at $11.4 million in both the second quarter of 2015 and 2014. Average cost of debt was 4.7% for the 2015 three month period compared to 4.9% for the 2014 three month period.
Other Expense (Income), Net
Other expense (income), net decreased by approximately $5 million to $0.4 million of expense in the second quarter of 2015 versus $4.6 million of income in the comparable 2014 period. The year-over-year decrease was primarily driven by lower foreign exchange gains and lower amounts of income related to lower mark-to-market adjustments on deferred compensation plan assets during 2015 compared to the 2014 period.
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was 23.1% compared with 24.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2014. Excluding the impact of items affecting comparability in the current quarter, the second quarter 2015 adjusted effective tax rate was 22.6%, or 230 bps lower than the second quarter 2014 adjusted effective tax rate of 24.9%, due to higher earnings from lower tax jurisdictions, lower loss provisions and lower repatriation costs in 2015.

FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2015 IN COMPARISON TO FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2014
Sales
Sales for the first six months of 2015 totaled $1.5 billion, a decrease of 1% from the prior year period. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, currency neutral sales increased 6%. On both a reported and currency neutral basis, the acquisition of Ottens Flavors added less than 1% to net sales amounts. The overall increase on a currency neutral basis of 6% was primarily due to new win performance in both Flavors and Fragrance Compounds and lower volume erosion on existing business. Overall currency neutral growth was driven by 8% growth in emerging markets.
Flavors Business Unit
Flavors reported sales growth was 1%, and currency neutral sales growth was 8% during the first six months of 2015 compared to the 2014 period. The acquisition of Ottens Flavors added approximately 1% to net sales on a currency neutral basis. The overall performance primarily reflects new wins and volume growth. The overall increase was due to high single-digit growth in Beverage and Dairy as well as mid single-digit growth in Savory. The Flavors business delivered currency neutral growth in all regions, led by LA. Sales in LA were driven by double-digit gains in Beverage, Savory and Dairy categories. Sales in EAME and GA were led by high single-digit gains in Savory and Beverage and sales in NOAM were led by high double-digit gains in Dairy and high single-digit gains in Sweet.
Fragrances Business Unit
The Fragrances business experienced a decline of 3% in reported sales but a 4% increase in currency neutral sales for the first six months of 2015 compared to the 2014 period. The overall increase on a currency neutral basis was primarily driven by double-digit gains in our Fabric Care and Home Care categories, which was only partially offset by mid to low single-digit

 
23
 



declines in Toiletries and Fragrance Ingredients. Our Fragrance Compounds saw currency neutral sales growth of 6%, while Fragrance Ingredients declined 3% over the prior year period.
Sales Performance by Region and Category
 
 
 
% Change in Sales-First Six Months 2015 vs. First Six Months 2014
 
 
Fine Fragrances
 
Consumer Fragrances
 
Ingredients
 
Total Frag.
 
Flavors
 
Total
NOAM
Reported
-10
 %
 
2
 %
 
-18
 %
 
-6
 %
 
8
 %
 
1
 %
EAME
Reported
-9
 %
 
-4
 %
 
-9
 %
 
-7
 %
 
-8
 %
 
-8
 %
 
Currency Neutral (1)
8
 %
 
14
 %
 
0
 %
 
9
 %
 
7
 %
 
8
 %
LA
Reported
-11
 %
 
13
 %
 
2
 %
 
6
 %
 
10
 %
 
8
 %
 
Currency Neutral (1)
-7
 %
 
16
 %
 
-2
 %
 
9
 %
 
18
 %
 
12
 %
GA
Reported
16
 %
 
-1
 %
 
-1
 %
 
-1
 %
 
1
 %
 
0
 %
 
Currency Neutral (1)
17
 %
 
1
 %
 
7
 %
 
2
 %
 
5
 %
 
4
 %
Total
Reported
-9
 %
 
2
 %
 
-10
 %
 
-3
 %
 
1
 %
 
-1
 %
 
Currency Neutral (1)
0
 %
 
8
 %
 
-3
 %
 
4
 %
 
8
 %
 
6
 %
(1)
Currency neutral sales growth is calculated by translating prior year sales at the exchange rates for the corresponding 2015 period.

NOAM Flavors sales increased 8% which included sales from Ottens Flavors and high double-digit gains in Dairy and high single-digit gains in Sweet. NOAM Fragrance sales decreased 6% in the first six months of 2015, principally due to double-digit declines in Fragrance Ingredients, Fine Fragrance and Toiletries, that were only partially offset by double-digit growth in Fabric Care and mid single-digit growth in Home Care categories.
EAME Flavors currency neutral sales growth of 7% was led by high single-digit growth in Savory and Beverage and mid single-digit growth in Sweet. EAME Fragrance currency neutral sales increased 9% overall, driven mainly by high double-digit growth in Fabric Care and Home Care categories as well as high single-digit gains in Fine Fragrance.
LA Flavors currency neutral sales were up 18% driven by double-digit gains in the Beverage, Savory and Dairy and high single-digit growth in Sweet. LA Fragrances currency neutral sales increased 9% overall, principally led by high double-digit gains in Fabric Care and Home Care as well as double-digit gains in Hair Care, which more than offset double-digit declines in Personal Wash and Toiletries and low single-digit declines in Fragrance Ingredients.
GA Flavors had currency neutral sales growth of 5% principally from high single-digit gains in Beverage and Savory. GA Fragrances currency neutral sales growth of 2% was principally driven by high double-digit growth in Fine Fragrance as well as high single-digit growth in Toiletries and mid single-digit growth in Fragrance Ingredients and Hair Care.

Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold, as a percentage of sales, decreased 30 bps to 55.2% in the first six months of 2015 compared to 55.5% in the 2014 period. Included in cost of goods sold was $1.4 million of charges related to operational improvement initiative costs and acquisition related costs in 2015 compared to $5.7 million of restructuring and operational improvement initiative costs in 2014.
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses
Overall R&D expenses, as a percentage of sales, remained consistent with the prior year period at 8.2% for both the first six months of 2015 and 2014.
Selling and Administrative (S&A) Expenses
S&A expenses remained consistent at $254.9 million or 16.5%, as a percentage of sales, in the first six months of 2015 compared to 16.5% in the 2014 period.
Operating Results by Business Unit
We evaluate the performance of business units based on segment profit which is defined as operating profit before Restructuring and other charges, net, Global expenses (as discussed in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) and

 
24
 



certain non-recurring items, net, Interest expense, Other (expense) income, net and Taxes on income. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the reconciliation to Income before taxes. 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
2015
 
2014
Segment profit:
 
 
 
Flavors
$
176,743

 
$
178,869

Fragrances
161,522

 
172,638

Global expenses
(20,194
)
 
(36,303
)
Restructuring and other charges, net
170

 
(304
)
Acquisition and related costs
(7,066
)
 

Operational improvement initiative costs
(562
)
 
(5,732
)
Operating profit
$
310,613

 
$
309,168

Profit margin
 
 
 
Flavors
23.6
%
 
24.1
%
Fragrances
20.4
%
 
21.1
%
Consolidated
20.1
%
 
19.8
%

Flavors Segment Profit
Flavors segment profit decreased approximately 1% to $176.7 million in the first six months of 2015, or 23.6% as a percentage of sales, compared to $178.9 million, or 24.1% as a percentage of sales, in the comparable 2014 period. The decrease in segment profit and profit margin was driven primarily by unfavorable foreign currency impacts, lower incentive compensation in the prior year, scale up costs of new sites in Turkey and Indonesia and other one-off costs, including incremental operating costs associated with the China Flavors facility. These costs were only partially offset by net wins, productivity initiatives and sales mix. The impact of Ottens Flavors did not significantly impact Flavors segment profit for the 2015 period.
Fragrances Segment Profit
Fragrances segment profit declined approximately 6% to $161.5 million in the first six months of 2015