The J. M. Smucker Company 425
Filed by The J. M. Smucker Company
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and Deemed Filed Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: The Procter & Gamble Company
Commission File No.: 001-00434
Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
CORPORATE PARTICIPANTS
Mark Belgya
J. M. Smucker Company CFO
Tim Smucker
J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
Richard Smucker
J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and President
Paul Smucker Wagstaff
J. M. Smucker Company VP Foodservice and Beverage Markets
Vince Byrd
J. M. Smucker Company SVP Consumer Market
Steve Oakland
J. M. Smucker Company VP, General Manager, Consumer Oils and Baking
CONFERENCE CALL PARTICIPANTS
Gretchen Montgomery
Deutsche Bank Analyst
Farha Aslam
Stephens, Inc. Analyst
Chuck Cerankosky
FTN Midwest Analyst
Eric Serotta
Merrill Lynch Analyst
Tom Maher
Lord Abbett Analyst
PRESENTATION
Operator
Good morning and welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the J. M. Smucker Companys Fourth Quarter
2008 Earnings Conference Call. At this time I would like to inform you that this conference is
being recorded and that all participants are in a listen-only mode. At the request of the Company,
we will open the conference up for questions-and-answers after the presentation.
I will now turn the conference over to Mr. Mark Belgya. Please go ahead, Sir.
Mark Belgya - J. M. Smucker Company CFO
Thank you. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the J. M. Smucker Companys Fourth Quarter
2008 Earnings Conference Call. I am the Companys Chief Financial Officer and thank you for joining
us this morning.
Also on the call from the Company this morning are Tim Smucker, Chairman and Co-CEO, Richard
Smucker, President and the CEO, Vince Byrd, Senior Vice President of our Consumer Market, Steve
Oakland, Vice President and General Manager of our Consumer Oils and Baking business, Mark Smucker,
Vice President of International, and Paul Smucker Wagstaff, Vice President of Foodservice and
Beverage Markets.
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Financial.
Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
After this brief introduction, I will turn the call over to Tim for opening comments. I will then
review the financial results for the quarter and Richard will comment on our recent Folgers
announcement, provide an overview of 2009 and offer closing remarks. At the conclusion of these
comments, we will be available to answer your questions.
If you have not seen our press release, it is available on our website at smuckers.com. A replay of
this call is available on the website in downloadable MP3 format. If you have any follow-up
questions or comments after todays call, please feel free to contact me or Sonal Robinson,
Director of Corporate Finance and Investor Relations.
I would like to remind you that certain statements in this presentation and during the
question-and-answer period that follows may relate to future events and expectations and, as such,
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities [Legislation]
Reform Act of 1995. I invite you to read the full disclosure statement concerning such
forward-looking statements in the press release.
I also want to point out that the Company uses non-GAAP results for the purpose of evaluating
performance internally. Additional discussion on non-GAAP information is also detailed in our press
release.
With that Ill turn the call over to Tim.
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
Thank you, Mark, and good morning, everyone, and thanks for joining us this morning.
I would like to begin by summarizing the key highlights for the year. First we concluded another
record year with sales up 18% and earnings per share up 9%, both ahead of our strategic goals
despite an unprecedented cost environment. Also our compounded annual growth rate for the past 10
years is 9.6% and for the past five years is 8%, which exceeds and achieves respectively our
long-term growth guidance. Second, we continued weve continued to focus on our strategy of
owning number 1 brands in North America making a number of complementary acquisitions. Third, we
continued to support our brands with marketing investment up 16% for the year and the introduction
of 30 new products. And, finally, we repurchased approximately 5% of our shares, returning value to
our shareholders.
As you know on June 4th, we announced an agreement with Procter & Gamble to merge the Folgers
coffee business into the Smucker Company. The Smucker family of brands is a trusted part of
everyday meals, casual get-togethers and special occasions, all of which foster family connections
and lasting memories. Folgers has a long tradition of being part of memorable meals and is an
excellent fit in our family of brands. We are eager to welcome the Folgers brands and the employees
into the Smucker Company.
While we look forward to completing the Folgers transaction in the fall, we acquired a number of
businesses and brands during fiscal 2008 that continue to strengthen our presence in the center of
the store. We increased our prominence in the baking aisle with the acquisition of Eagle, the
largest producer of sweetened condensed and evaporated milk in North America, and the addition of
Carnation canned milk and products in Canada. We also expanded our presence in the freezer aisle of
the Canadian market with the addition of Europes Best, the number 1 brand of premium all natural
frozen fruit in Canada. Carnation and Europes Best joined our already strong portfolio brands
becoming our seventh and eighth number 1 brand in Canada. And shortly after the year ended, we
acquired the highly recognized [Knotts Berry] Farm brand, a producer and marketer of high-quality
jams, jellies, preserves and gift boxes in the United States.
New products are another important component of our growth strategy. We continually seek to
understand consumers needs and then respond with products that are good and good for you, easy for
you and make you smile. With this strategic architecture guiding our product development, the
Smucker family of brands provides consumers with high-quality products they know they can trust.
Here is an update of some of those recent introductions. We extended the Jif brand to the Snack
Nuts category. Currently we are in test markets in the central United States and response has been
encouraging. Our new television advertising reminds Snack Nut consumers we have to be choosy, were
Jif. The addition of Crisco Olive Oil offers consumers a trusted brand in the good for you olive
oil category. Due to the success in our rollout markets, we continue to move towards national distribution. New packaging has been
created for the product, along with a new media campaign, which will be aired this fall to support
the expanded distribution.
In addition to Crisco Olive Oil, our recent introduction of Crisco Puritan Canola Oil with Omega-3
DHA gives consumers yet another smart choice. Other better for you alternatives include Pillsbury
reduced sugar cake mixes, frostings and brownies, and Martha White Whole Grain Muffins. We have
also extended the reach of our Hungry Jack brand with new products that offer consumers greater
convenience. We are
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Financial.
Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
currently testing Hungry Jack Refrigerated Potatoes, Hungry Jack Frozen
Biscuits and Hungry Jack Snacking Waffles, ready to eat waffles. We believe these new products are
in line with consumer demand and provide opportunities for growth.
Looking at other activities during 2008, we consolidated to a single North American systems
platform and implemented a best-in-class trade marketing system. In addition, we achieved a major
milestone in our go-to-market strategy. In January, we appointed Advantage Sales & Marketing as our
single national growth broker for all of our grocery business in the U.S. Retail segment. The
transition was completed in the fourth quarter and will help us further improve customer service,
realize a number of near-term efficiencies and position us for future growth.
In addition, after Procter & Gamble made the decision to separate Folgers, they appointed Advantage
as the broker for that business. Advantage has been preparing to assume responsibility for the
business which should further facilitate a smooth go-to-market transition and integration.
Our acquisitions, new product development and other initiatives represent an investment of time,
money and people. We would not be able to achieve the success we have without our talented and
dedicated employees who continue to focus on our core business, while embracing change as we grow.
We look forward to the addition of the Folgers business and to welcoming Folgers employees to the
Smucker family. We are confident our strategy will result in long-term profitable growth.
I would like now to turn the call back to Mark to have him review the financial results.
Mark Belgya - J. M. Smucker Company CFO
Thank you, Tim. Sales were up 20% for the quarter with the acquisition of Eagle, Carnation and
Europes Best contributing approximately 60% of the gain while price increases accounted for the
majority of the remainder. These gains were partially offset by volume declines in baking and
peanut butter. Favorable exchange rates also contributed.
GAAP earnings per share were $0.67 this quarter and $0.75 in the fourth quarter of last year,
including restructuring and merger and integration costs which were primarily Eagle-related.
Excluding these charges in both years, earnings per share were $0.73 this quarter and $0.75 in last
years quarter.
Last years fourth quarter benefited from the sales of approximately $50 million and earnings of
$0.08 per share due to the withdrawal of a peanut butter competitor during that period. While the
situation increased the volatility of the peanut butter category over the last 15 months, it is
important to note Jifs volume has increased 11% and net sales have increased 18% over the past two
years, demonstrating the strength of the brand.
Operating income decreased almost $3 million for the quarter, excluding charges and declined as a
percent of sales from 14.1% to 11.3%. Gross margin, excluding charges, declined to 31.1% this year
from an unusually high 36.5% last year. The impact of higher raw material costs, predominantly the
record level for soybean oil and wheat, was the primary cause of the decline. While pricing actions
were taken that essentially offset the higher commodity costs the timing of the pricing lagged the
cost increases and the magnitude of the price increases were not sufficient to maintain profit
margins.
Gross margins in the quarter were also negatively impacted by the addition of the lower margin
Eagle business. The magnitude of the increase in milk costs and an unfavorable sales mix
contributed to Eagles lower than average gross margin. In the coming year we anticipate Eagle
margins to be more in line with their historical levels.
For fiscal 2009, excluding Folgers, we expect raw material costs to increase an additional $150
million over 2008 with soybean oil, wheat, peanuts and certain fruits accounting for the majority
of the increase. Additional price increases taken or planned for 2009, along with the full year
impact of pricing actions taken during 2008, are expected to offset these cost increases. SD&A as a
percent of sales once again declined from 22.2% to 20.3%, helping to somewhat offset the gross margin impact. In line with our brand
building efforts, marketing costs increased 13% compared to last year and nearly 18% specific to
our retail business in the United States and Canada. Corporate overhead expenses increased only
5.5%, leading to an overall decline in SG&A as a percent of sales.
For 2009 we expect to increase marketing investments on the base Smucker business by more than 20%
over last year, primarily in support of the continued rollout of Crisco Olive Oil.
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Financial.
Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
Included in the quarter results is a net insurance settlement of approximately $4 million or $0.05
per share, relating to store damage at our third party distribution center in Memphis, Tennessee.
This amount is reported in the other operating income and expense net, a new line item on the
income statement. Previously, similar type gains and losses, including those on disposition of
assets were reported below operating income and have been reclassified to this line item.
Now turning to segment results, sales in our U.S. Retail segment were up 15% in the fourth quarter.
Excluding the addition of Eagle, sales for the segment were up 5%. Sales in the Consumer area were
up 5%, primarily in Smuckers fruit spreads and Uncrustables and Hungry Jack potatoes, pancakes and
syrups. Sales of Uncrustables through all channels increased 21% in 2008 and exceeded $100 million.
Sales in the oils and baking business increased 6%, excluding Eagle, compared to last year. Volume
and pricing gains in oils more than offset declines in baking ingredients and mixes.
In the Special Markets segment, sales were $171 million for the quarter up 34%. Canada contributed
two-thirds of the increase, primarily due to the impact of the acquired Eagle, Carnation and
Europes Best businesses and favorable exchange rates.
Foodservice was up 8%, excluding Eagle, with gains in both the traditional and school channels.
Sales in our Beverage business were up 16% compared to last year.
The effective tax rate declined from 35.3% in last years fourth quarter to 30% this year,
primarily due to a lower state tax rate resulting from the favorable resolution of certain state
tax contingencies. The full year effective tax rate of 33.1% was in line with our estimate provided
last quarter. In 2009 we expect the effective tax rate to remain favorable to the statutory rate at
approximately 33%, again excluding the impact of Folgers.
During the quarter, we repurchased approximately 1.3 million shares at a cost of about $66 million.
This included 1 million shares acquired as part of a 10-b 5-1 plan. For the full year we
repurchased 2.9 million shares at a total cost of $152 million.
Adding $68 million paid in dividends, we returned approximately $220 million to shareholders during
fiscal 2008. With the transaction structure of the Folgers merger, we will be restricted in our
ability to repurchase shares for two years after the closing of the transaction. We believe that
share repurchase is an attractive alternative for delivering value to our shareholders and will
consider future actions once the two-year limitation expires.
I would now like to turn the call over to Richard.
Richard Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and President
Thank you, Mark, and good morning, everyone. It was another record year in 2008. I would like
to join Tim in recognizing our employees who made this possible. We know that their dedicated
support will enable us to continue to generate strong performance in the years to come.
We look forward to welcoming a new group of talented employees into our Company when we complete
the Folgers merger. This transaction brings one of Americas best-known brands into the Smucker
family of brands and allows us to offer consumers yet another No. 1 brand in a key category.
Folgers has a rich heritage of high-quality product offerings and strong consumer loyalty. Over the
years Folgers has created some of the most memorable marketing and advertising messages including
the well-known tagline, The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup. And whether it is
waking up with a freshly brewed cup of Folgers coffee, with Hungry Jack pancakes, or Smuckers jam
on a piece of toast or ending your day with Folgers coffee and a slice of Pillsbury cake, these
brands are a great fit together with many opportunities for multibrand marketing events.
Folgers is an excellent fit strategically as the number 1 retail package coffee brand in the United
States. It is clearly aligned with our strategy to own and market number 1 food brands in North
America. Folgers is more than a $1 billion brand, our first, and is our 10th number 1 brand. This
powerful combination provides increased size and scale that will benefit all of our businesses.
The transaction is financially compelling, accretive to earnings on a full year basis and
increasing sales to almost $5 billion in the first full year. We also expect margins to expand and
cash flow to increase significantly.
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Financial.
Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
To briefly summarize the transactions, it will be structured as an all stock reverse Morris Trust
transaction. Procter & Gamble shareholders will own approximately 53.5% of the combined company. At
the completion of the transaction, we will have approximately 118 million shares outstanding.
Prior to the merger, Smuckers shareholders as of a record date planned in September will receive a
special dividend of $5.00 per share. This dividend recognizes the loyalty of the Smuckers
shareholders and provides an immediate return of approximately 10%, in addition to the added
strategic value of the merger on their investment in Smuckers. As part of the transaction, Folgers
will incur $350 million of debt which will be assumed by Smuckers after the transaction.
We expect our total debt to increase by approximately $650 million, but we will have a stronger
balance sheet with a debt to EBITDA below two times.
Assuming the transaction closes early in the fourth quarter of calendar 2008, we expect fiscal 2009
sales of approximately $3.8 billion to $4 billion and earnings per share of an approximately $3.45
to $3.50 per share, excluding onetime costs associated with the transaction. Longer-term, we are
committed to strategic net sales growth rate of 6% with acquisitions continuing to play a key role
and an earnings per share growth rate of 8% or better.
There has been a great deal of activity since the announcement. Tim, Vince and I have met with
Folgers management and together we have visited all the Folgers locations to meet the employees,
conduct employee communications and tour the facilities. The passion for Folgers was evident at
each location. These meetings have only enhanced our enthusiasm for the business and its fit with
Smuckers. Together, we have great opportunities to continue to build a business with unparalleled
brands and returns.
We look forward to completing the transaction which brings significant value to current and future
Smuckers shareholders. We will continue to manage for the long term, and are confident that our
investments in new brands and businesses will continue to provide long-term profitable growth.
To summarize the year, first, we completed another record year in terms of financial performance.
Second, we welcomed several new leading brands to the Smucker Company that will provide growth
opportunities in new categories. Third, we added to shareholder return by continuing our strong
dividend policy and repurchasing approximately 5% of our shares outstanding. Fourth, our pricing
moves have finally caught up with our cost increases and we are beginning fiscal 2009 with strong
top and bottom line momentum. And, finally, we have positioned ourselves for substantial future
growth with the announcement of the Folgers transaction.
Thank you very much for your time and we would now be happy to answer your questions.
QUESTION AND ANSWER
Operator
(OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS) [Gretchen Montgomery] with Deutsche Bank.
Gretchen Montgomery - Deutsche Bank Analyst
Good morning. It seems like in the summer months the consumer will experience a fuller flow
through of commodity prices given gasoline prices as well as food, as companies are taking off some
of the protection from earlier in the year. What are your thoughts about demand elasticity going
forward?
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Financial.
Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
Richard Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and President
I think for if you think about our product categories that we are in, we are in pretty a
lot of staple type businesses and people that are eating home more because they dont want to
travel as much or dont want to eat out as much, we think our product categories that we are in and
the brands that we are in will do quite well and, actually, have done quite well during this
period. We normally do fairly well in a rough economy.
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
And we are off to a good start.
Richard Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and President
Yes, we are off to a very good start.
Gretchen Montgomery - Deutsche Bank Analyst
Have you seen that benefit from the shift from away from home eating to at home eating? Have
you started to see that yet?
Paul Smucker Wagstaff - J. M. Smucker Company VP Foodservice and Beverage Markets
Actually on the Foodservice side weve seen a little softness in our restaurant business.
However one of the benefits we have is we have the school market which is very stable and continues
to grow, and then our healthcare market is also doing very well and thats growing. So it is kind
of offset. We are in good shape.
Gretchen Montgomery - Deutsche Bank Analyst
All right. Thank you.
Operator
Farha Aslam with Stephens.
Farha Aslam - Stephens, Inc. Analyst
Good morning. Couple of questions. First, just on the P&G transaction. P&G shareholders do
they have any lockup for a period of time because of the transaction?
Richard Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and President
No. I dont no.
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
No.
Farha Aslam - Stephens, Inc. Analyst
But you guys have a lockup or sort of a restriction that you cant repurchase shares for two
years?
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Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
Paul Smucker Wagstaff - J. M. Smucker Company VP Foodservice and Beverage Markets
Thats correct. That is part of the reverse Morris trust.
Farha Aslam - Stephens, Inc. Analyst
Okay. And then could you just share with us a little bit more detail on your comment that your
pricing has now caught up with your commodities? What level of pricing have you had to take in your
products and when you say that, is that because your hedge on your commodities have pretty much
[know] your costs?
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
The answer to your second question is correct. Our hedging in our commodities, we know our
cost certainly for the most of fiscal 09, but I will let and it our price increases very
quite a bit by categories dependent upon which categories you are in and I will let both Steve and
Vince speak to that.
Vince Byrd - J. M. Smucker Company SVP Consumer Market
We did take pricing on the majority of our categories in May and those were to cover the cost
that weve incurred as well as anticipated costs over the next six months. So we feel we are in
very good shape on the spread side and the Hungry Jack side of the businesses.
Steve Oakland - J. M. Smucker Company VP, General Manager, Consumer Oils and Baking
Steve Oakland. As far as oils and baking, as you know there were dramatic price changes last
year. The oils increases went in earlier in the year. There was an additional 30% on Crisco at the
end of the fiscal year. Those price increases are through and, frankly, oil has had a great Easter.
The oil business, again, we are leaders in that business and we got off to a good start. We led
those pricing increases.
The baking business, price increases went in around the Easter time frame. Those are all in place
now. All the shelf prices have moved; and we seem to see that business settling out right now.
Farha Aslam - Stephens, Inc. Analyst
Okay, and have you seen competitors follow these price increases?
Vince Byrd - J. M. Smucker Company SVP Consumer Market
For the most part, with the exception of fruit spreads itd typically [lag] anywhere from
maybe three to four months, but in the other categories weve seen following or in one case we
actually followed. So, yes, those have already been reflected.
Farha Aslam - Stephens, Inc. Analyst
And my final question is just on packaging, are you guys comparable with your packaging
positions and how much of an increase are you factoring in into your guidance?
Mark Belgya - J. M. Smucker Company CFO
I would say that weve anticipated what weve known up-to-date and included in our raw
material costs was some packaging component. Clearly there is, particularly the plastic is
petroleum-driven and if that were to continue we would have to revisit, but some of the increases
or the increases to date we have factored in.
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Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
Farha Aslam - Stephens, Inc. Analyst
Okay. Thank you very much.
Operator
Chuck Cerankosky with FTN Midwest.
Chuck Cerankosky - FTN Midwest Analyst
Good morning, everyone. Going a little bit back to consumer behavior, what other shifts have
you seen besides more eating at home that affects your business? Im thinking are you seeing, are
you losing any share of private-label at this time?
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
Not really. Not on the spread side. The biggest issue, of course, is we have a major
competitor who is back in the market and gaining share back, but on peanut butter. But no, not
really, on some of the other categories.
Mark Belgya - J. M. Smucker Company CFO
And in the oils business in certain markets theres some size trade down. Some of our gallon
business is going to 64 ounce. Those kind of things. But we build our plan around that and we are
fortunate with the Crisco business, we offer all of those sizes. So we are in a position to hit the
price point that the market wants. So we are still able to get those things merchandised and on the
floor at the different retailers around the country.
Chuck Cerankosky - FTN Midwest Analyst
Yes. As an aside to that size trade down, does that end up helping you do to more frequent
purchase?
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
It may be too early to tell you that. We dont think that the actual usage at home is going to
change that much so it [should] frankly, but those are just happening now. So I dont think we have
enough data to confirm it.
Chuck Cerankosky - FTN Midwest Analyst
How about any channel shifts where your products are moving?
Richard Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and President
Theres a little bit of channel shift. It is not the big big amount. I mean as you know the
deeper discounters are doing a little bit better same-store sales than maybe the traditional
stores, but we obviously are represented in all of those channels.
Chuck Cerankosky - FTN Midwest Analyst
Okay. Do you have any acquisition terms on the Knotts Berry acquisition?
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
Any Im sorry what was acquisition terms, I mean what we paid and so forth?
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Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
Chuck Cerankosky - FTN Midwest Analyst
Exactly.
Mark Belgya - J. M. Smucker Company CFO
We didnt disclose. I think we said, if I recall, we had approximately $40 million in sales on
an annual basis, but that was the extent of the terms discussion.
Chuck Cerankosky - FTN Midwest Analyst
All right. And last question, if we are looking at Eagle margins reverting to historical
patterns this year, what are you comparing it to in your previous comments? We didnt pick up
whether youre talking about fourth quarter Eagle margins or all of fiscal 08.
Steve Oakland - J. M. Smucker Company VP, General Manager, Consumer Oils and Baking
Yes, all of fiscal 08. The Eagle business closed at really a tough time. If you look at
milk costs went from about $11 a hundredweight to mid $20s or low $20s. And just the way the
accounting on that transaction, we had to write all of that inventory up. We werent allowed to
price it until we owned it. We got pricing and immediately after we owned it, but theres obviously
a couple of months lag there. The Eagle organizations balance sheet wasnt that strong. They
didnt have a hedge position on. We obviously have changed that. Milk sells for different amounts
throughout the year. Our organization has been able to lock that in now.
You couldnt have orchestrated a tougher market in the milk business last year. The brand did
great. The sales were fine. Now weve got the costs and the plants in line.
Mark Belgya - J. M. Smucker Company CFO
Just a little more to that, we talked in terms of the administrative side. So I think Steve is
probably more specific to the gross profit in some degree operating income, but we have also been
able to achieve the synergies we expected as it related to the administrative side of the house. So
all in all, clearly margins on the overall equal basis business are going to be moving up from
here.
Chuck Cerankosky - FTN Midwest Analyst
Thank you very much.
Operator
Eric Serotta with Merrill Lynch.
Eric Serotta - Merrill Lynch Analyst
I just wanted to clarify that the $2.73 EPS Im sorry, the $0.73 EPS number that you quoted
was excluding the restructuring charges and the merger integration costs, but it did include the
$0.05 of the insurance proceeds?
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
Thats right, Eric.
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Financial.
Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
Eric Serotta - Merrill Lynch Analyst
And were those proceeds related to a storm or costs that were incurred in this quarter or in a
previous quarter?
Mark Belgya - J. M. Smucker Company CFO
It actually it related to an unfortunate situation that happened in February this past
or this past February in Memphis where a tornado hit and destroyed the facility of the third party
warehouses where it was primarily all Smucker products. So the loss for all intents and purposes
were in the fourth quarter by the time we got through figuring out what it was and totaling up all
the costs.
Eric Serotta - Merrill Lynch Analyst
Okay. Then could you clarify I think someone made a statement earlier that you know most of
your costs for fiscal 2009. Im a little bit surprised by that comment. My understanding was that
you usually plan out for a given season with the retailers and then lock in your costs.
It seems like theres a number of commodities that you are exposed to that you, that really dont
have very liquid or active markets for hedging. So could you maybe clarify that statement a bit in
terms of knowing your costs for fiscal 09? Or I imagine you are not hedged on dairy. Are you hedged
on wheat and oils for the year? Or just for the upcoming fall [bake]?
Steve Oakland - J. M. Smucker Company VP, General Manager, Consumer Oils and Baking
Sure. Obviously these markets have been more volatile than what weve seen in the past. There
have been opportunities in the hedgeable markets to cover fall bake. Our customers expect us to
price fall bake right now. So those coverages need to be in place in order to do that.
You can hedge milk actually. Theres a number of instruments that you can use to try to flatten
that out. Milk prices are low in the summer, and high in the winter. There are instruments you can
do both contracting with the dairy as well as instruments over the counter and traded instruments.
So based on those things, we feel pretty good.
Absolutely, there are some commodities that we are still exposed to. There are some things in our
contracts that we would be exposed to. But given the cost environment we just came out of, we are
probably a little more conservative this year then.
Vince Byrd - J. M. Smucker Company SVP Consumer Market
Yes and I guess I would add if you think about peanuts and fruit, we know for the most part
where those are going to land fourth the next fiscal year given some contracts. Now there is
obviously some exposures as relates to corn and corn sweetener, but we have those locked for a
period of time as well. So overall we are in pretty good shape.
Eric Serotta - Merrill Lynch Analyst
Okay. Great. Good luck.
Operator
(OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS). Tom Maher with Lord Abbett.
Tom Maher - Lord Abbett Analyst
Good morning. I was wondering if you could sort of walk through the re-entry into the peanut
butter market of the major competitor in terms of the promotional activity and, perhaps, the
progression of that through the quarter?
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Financial.
Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
Steve Oakland - J. M. Smucker Company VP, General Manager, Consumer Oils and Baking
Sure. What I think is fairly obvious that they have decided to get back the market share that
they lost. And, again, to take a step back, a year ago when it occurred, we and others obviously
benefited from that. We at that point pulled some trade support because obviously there was no need
to, quite frankly, to discount it.
But clearly they are back. To be honest with you, they are discounting it at double-digit levels
below even private-label and 30% below over 30% below the two other major manufacturers,
including ourselves. So they are back to about where they were before the incident occurred.
I guess as we look forward though, we have addressed capacity-related concerns that we had last
fiscal year. And we are back on a full promotional basis for the most part. It is still a bit of a
volatile situation, given what is going on with the raw material and peanuts, but again we feel we
are in very, very good shape.
So I guess that would be how I would summarize it.
Tom Maher - Lord Abbett Analyst
Okay. Then in terms of oils, the last major price increase on Crisco, has that been has
that gone fully through to the end consumers at this point?
Mark Belgya - J. M. Smucker Company CFO
All the vegetable oil pricing youd see on the shelf today.
Tom Maher - Lord Abbett Analyst
Okay so in terms of at least the immediate impact we have seen what it will do to volumes one
way or the other?
Mark Belgya - J. M. Smucker Company CFO
Yes. Absolutely. And all brands and weve seen private-label go up.
Tom Maher - Lord Abbett Analyst
Okay and then just lastly on, I think in the press release you guys actually called out the
impact on the Eagle business of milk. Any chance you would quantify that because that is obviously
newer raw material for you guys and given the dynamics of that acquired business. Just trying to
get a sense of whether that is fully stabilized and how much of that might have been impacted the
quarter just reported?
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
Tom, we wont wouldnt give the specifics to, but it stabilized at think as Steve just
reported as we go into 09. Several of the factors that negatively impacted 08 have been
addressed. The cost is settled. Weve done some hedging and were comfortable that the margins will
improve.
Tom Maher - Lord Abbett Analyst
Okay. So in terms of the gross margin pressure weve seen, it is not like things are about to
improve, but perhaps weve kind of seen the bulk of that impact?
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
Thats right.
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Financial.
Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
Tom Maher - Lord Abbett Analyst
Okay. Thank you.
Operator
Eric Serotta.
Eric Serotta - Merrill Lynch Analyst
Just a quick follow-up on the peanut butter business. The $10 million to $15 million in sales
this quarter or in the year ago quarter or opportunistic sales, you said in the press release that
equated to about $0.08 in EPS. Could you give us a rough estimate as to what the incremental
benefit was on the bottom line for the first quarter of 08 just so as we are modeling to have a
basis for looking at year-over-year comparison?
Mark Belgya - J. M. Smucker Company CFO
I think we if I recall we gave itself as to last year and I guess I would just private in
that fourth quarter of last year was the most dramatic increase because it occurred as you recall
right at the end of February or in February. It would be less than the impact that we had in the
fourth quarter, but probably not being more specific than that.
Eric Serotta - Merrill Lynch Analyst
Would the margins benefit would the margins on those incremental sales be as great as the
margins were on the incremental sales in the fiscal fourth quarter of 07?
Mark Belgya - J. M. Smucker Company CFO
No, they would not.
Eric Serotta - Merrill Lynch Analyst
Okay. Great. Thank you.
Operator
Chuck Cerankosky with FTN Midwest.
Chuck Cerankosky - FTN Midwest Analyst
Thank you. Going to the Folgers acquisition, do you see any significant obstacles in getting
that transaction completed, either regulatory or anything else? Also could you perhaps more
narrowly define when it might close at this point?
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
No. We dont see any problems with it in any of the approvals. It just takes some time. We are
planning to close it in the October, November period, something like that.
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Financial.
Final Transcript
Jun. 19. 2008 / 8:30AM ET, SJM Q4 2008 J. M. Smucker Company Earnings Conference Call
Chuck Cerankosky - FTN Midwest Analyst
All right. Good luck with that.
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
Thank you very much. We are very excited about it.
Chuck Cerankosky - FTN Midwest Analyst
Lot of work. Thank you.
Operator
Gentlemen, I will now turn the conference back to you to conclude.
Tim Smucker - J. M. Smucker Company Co-CEO and Chairman
Thank you very much for taking time to be with us today and again I just want to share that we
are tremendously excited about the Folgers transaction. As Richard said in his comments, weve had
the privilege to visit with a number of the Folgers team. Im just so impressed with the passion
that they have for the business. We think it is going to be a perfect fit for us going forward and
a great platform for continued growth. So thanks a lot and have a great day.
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to access the rebroadcast after this live call, you may do
so by calling 1-888-203-1112 or 1-719-457-0820 with the passcode of 7462309 or by accessing the
website for a downloadable MP3 format.
This concludes our conference call for today. Thank you all for participating and have a nice day.
All parties may now disconnect.
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© 2008 Thomson Financial. Republished with permission. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of Thomson
Financial.
The J. M. Smucker Company Forward-Looking Language
This document contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding estimates of
future earnings and cash flows that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially. Uncertainties that could affect actual results include, but are not
limited to: general economic conditions in the U.S.; the volatility of commodity markets from which
raw materials are procured and the related impact on costs; crude oil price trends and its impact
on transportation, energy, and packaging costs; the ability to successfully implement price
changes; the success and cost of introducing new products and the competitive response; the success
and cost of marketing and sales programs and strategies intended to promote growth in the Companys
businesses; general competitive activity in the market, including competitors pricing practices
and promotional spending levels; the concentration of certain of the Companys businesses with key
customers and the ability to manage and maintain key customer, supplier, and employee
relationships; the loss of significant customers or a substantial reduction in orders from these
customers or the bankruptcy of any such customer; the ability of the Company to obtain any required
financing; the timing and amount of capital expenditures, restructuring, and merger and integration
costs; the outcome of current and future tax examinations and other tax matters, and their related
impact on the Companys tax positions; the ability of the Company to obtain regulatory and
shareholders approval of the Folgers merger without unexpected delays or conditions; the ability
of the Company to integrate acquired and merged businesses in a timely and cost effective manner;
the ability to achieve synergies and cost savings in the amounts and within the time frames
anticipated; foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations; the timing and cost of acquiring
common shares under the Companys share repurchase authorization; and other factors affecting share
prices and capital markets generally. Other risks and uncertainties that may materially affect the
Company are detailed from time to time in the respective reports filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 10-Q, 10-K, and 8-K.
Additional Information
In connection with the proposed transaction between Smucker and P&G, Smucker will file a
registration statement on Form S-4 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
registering the common shares to be issued to P&G shareholders in connection with the Folgers
transaction and will also file a proxy statement with the SEC that will be sent to the shareholders
of Smucker. Shareholders are urged to read the proxy statement and the prospectus included in the
registration statement and any other relevant documents when they become available, because they
will contain important information about Smucker, Folgers and the proposed transaction. The proxy
statement, prospectus and other documents relating to the proposed transaction (when they are
available) can be obtained free of charge from the SECs website at www.sec.gov. The documents
(when they are available) can also be obtained free of charge from Smucker upon written request to
The J. M. Smucker Company, Shareholder Relations, Strawberry Lane, Orrville, Ohio 44667 or by
calling (330) 684-3838, or from P&G upon written request to The Procter & Gamble Company,
Shareholder Services Department, P.O. Box 5572, Cincinnati, Ohio 45201-5572 or by calling (800)
742-6253.
This communication is not a solicitation of a proxy from any security holder of Smucker. However,
P&G, Smucker and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the proposed
transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of
The J. M. Smucker Company may be found in its 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on
June 26, 2007, and its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2007 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders filed with the SEC on July 9, 2007. Information about the directors and executive
officers of The Procter & Gamble Company may be found in its 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the SEC on August 28, 2007, and its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2007 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders filed with the SEC on August 28, 2007.