The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant on March 31, 2013 was $31,712,772 computed by reference to the $77.10 closing price of such common stock equity on March 31, 2013.
As of November 4, 2013 there were 632,958 shares of common stock outstanding.
Portions of the following document are incorporated by reference into the indicated parts of this report: definitive proxy statement for the December 2013 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A—Part III.
For purposes of this report, unless the context indicates otherwise, all references to "we," "us," "our," "Company," and "AMCON" shall mean AMCON Distributing Company and its subsidiaries. The Company's 2013 and 2012 fiscal years ended September 30, are herein referred to as fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively. The fiscal year-end balance sheet dates of September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 are referred to herein as September 2013 and September 2012, respectively. This report and the documents incorporated by reference herein, if any, contain forward looking statements, which are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. See "Forward Looking Statements" under Item 7 of this report.
Our wholesale distribution segment ("Wholesale Segment") distributes consumer products in the Central, Rocky Mountain, and Southern regions of the United States. Additionally, our Wholesale Segment provides a full range of programs and services to assist our customers in managing their business and profitability.
Our retail health food segment ("Retail Segment") operates sixteen health food retail stores located throughout the Midwest and Florida.
Our Wholesale Segment is one of the largest wholesale distributors in the United States serving approximately 4,500 retail outlets including convenience stores, grocery stores, liquor stores, drug stores, and tobacco shops. We currently distribute over 16,000 different consumer products, including cigarettes and tobacco products, candy and other confectionery, beverages, groceries, paper products, health and beauty care products, frozen and chilled products and institutional foodservice products. We also provide a full range of consultative services to our customers in the areas of marketing, merchandising, inventory optimization, and information systems that allow our customers to compete and maximize their profitability. Convenience stores represent our largest customer category. In October 2013, Convenience Store News ranked us as the seventh (7th) largest convenience store distributor in the United States based on annual sales.
Our Wholesale Segment operates six distribution centers located in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Tennessee. These distribution centers, combined with cross-dock facilities, include approximately 602,000 square feet of permanent floor space. Our principal suppliers include Altria, RJ Reynolds, Commonwealth Brands, Lorillard, Hershey, Kelloggs, Kraft, and Mars. We also market private label lines of water, candy products, batteries, film, and other products. We do not maintain any long-term purchase contracts with these suppliers.
Our Retail Segment is a specialty retailer of natural/organic groceries and dietary supplements which focuses on providing high quality products at affordable prices, with an exceptional level of customer service and nutritional consultation. All of the products carried in our stores must meet strict quality and ingredient guidelines, and include offerings such as gluten-free and antibiotic-free groceries and meat products, as well as products containing no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or partially hydrogenated oils. We design our retail sites in an efficient and flexible small-store format, which emphasizes a high energy and shopper-friendly environment.
We operate within the natural products retail industry, which is a subset of the large and stable U.S. grocery industry. This industry includes conventional, natural, gourmet and specialty food markets, mass and discount retailers, warehouse clubs, health food stores, dietary supplement retailers, drug stores, farmers markets, mail order and online retailers, and multi-level marketers. According to The Natural Foods Merchandiser, a leading industry trade publication, retail sales in the natural foods industry exceeded $80 billion during the 2012 calendar year.
Our Retail Segment operates sixteen retail health food stores as Chamberlin's Market & Café and Akin's Natural Foods Market. These stores carry over 32,000 different national and regionally branded and private label products including high-quality natural, organic, and specialty foods consisting of produce, baked goods, frozen foods, nutritional supplements, personal care items, and general merchandise. Chamberlin's, which was established in 1935, operates six stores in and around Orlando, Florida. Akin's, which was also established in 1935, has a total of ten locations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
The management teams for both of our business segments include substantial depth in the areas of logistics, sales, and marketing. This experience is beneficial for the management of vendor and customer relationships as well as overall operational execution.
The size and flexibility of our wholesale distribution operations strategically position us to service a broad range of customers from independent retail outlets to large multi-location retailers. Our customizable customer service programs assist our customers in maximizing vendor promotions and by providing access to private label and custom foodservice programs, store layout and design consultation, and overall profitability consulting.
Our retail health foods business prides itself in carrying a broad and superior-quality selection of natural food products and vitamin supplements. The depth of our product offerings, combined with highly trained and knowledgeable in-store associates, has created a loyal customer following where our stores are sought out destinations, providing a personalized shopping experience.
Maximizing liquidity in the short term.
Reducing debt, investing in new information technologies, and selectively expanding product offerings in the medium term.
Growing both organically and through acquisitions in the long term.
To execute this strategy, our Company has rigorous operational processes in place designed to control costs, manage credit risk, monitor inventory levels, and maintain maximum liquidity. The success of our strategy however, is ultimately dependent on our ability to provide superior service, leading edge technologies, and an exceptional array of product offerings.
The sales of cigarettes represented 73% of our consolidated revenue in both fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012. Sales of candy, beverages, foodservice, groceries, health food products, paper products, health and beauty care products, and tobacco products represented approximately 27% of our consolidated revenue in both fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012.
Information about our segments is presented in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Our Wholesale Segment has a significant presence in the regions in which we operate. There are however, a number of both national and regional wholesale distributors operating in the same geographical regions as our Company, resulting in a highly competitive marketplace. Our principal competitors are national wholesalers such as McLane Co., Inc. (Temple, Texas) and Core-Mark International (San Francisco, California), as well as regional wholesalers such as Eby-Brown LLP (Chicago, Illinois), Farner-Bocken (Carroll, Iowa), and H.T. Hackney (Knoxville, Tennessee) along with a host of smaller grocery and tobacco wholesalers.
Competition within the wholesale distribution industry is primarily based on the range and quality of the services provided, pricing, variety of products offered, and the reliability of deliveries. Our larger competitors principally compete on pricing and breadth of product offerings, while our smaller competitors focus on customer service and their delivery arrangements.
We believe our business model positions us to compete with a wide range of competitors including national, regional, and local wholesalers. As the seventh (7th) largest convenience store distributor in the United States based on annual sales (according to Convenience Store News), our wholesale distribution business has sufficient economies of scale to offer competitive pricing as compared to national wholesalers. Additionally, we believe our flexible distribution and support model allow us to provide a high level of customized merchandising solutions.
Natural food and supplement retailing is an intensely competitive business. We face competition from a variety of sales channels including local, regional, and national retailers, specialty supermarkets, membership clubs, farmers markets, and other natural foods stores, each of which competes with us on the basis of product selection, quality, customer service, and price.
The natural food retail industry is highly fragmented. According to The Natural Foods Merchandiser ("NFM"), there are approximately 11,000 natural food retail stores operating independently or as part of small retail chains and nearly 36,000 stores when national chains such as Whole Foods Markets, Trader Joe's, Sprouts Farmers Market, Natural Grocers, General Nutrition Centers ("GNC"), and Vitamin World are included. The increasing demand for natural products has fueled an expansion by national chains which continue to add new stores and complete acquisitions. Additionally, in recent years conventional supermarkets have begun offering natural food products adding an additional layer of competition.
Sales in the wholesale distribution industry are somewhat seasonal and tend to be higher in warm weather months during which our convenience store customers experience increased customer traffic. The warm weather months generally fall within the Company's third and fourth fiscal quarters. Our retail health food business does not generally experience significant seasonal fluctuations in its business.
AMCON is subject to regulation by federal, state and local governmental agencies, including but not limited to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA"), the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms ("ATF") and the U.S. Department of Transportation ("DOT"). These regulatory agencies generally impose standards for product quality and sanitation, workplace safety, and security and distribution policies.
The Company operates in 24 states and is subject to state regulations related to the distribution and sale of cigarettes and tobacco products, generally in the form of licensing and bonding requirements. Additionally, both state and federal regulatory agencies have the ability to impose excise taxes on cigarette and tobacco products. In recent years a number of states, as well as the federal government, have increased the excise taxes levied on cigarettes and tobacco products. We expect this trend to continue as legislators look for alternatives to fund budget shortfalls and as a mechanism to discourage tobacco product use.
All of AMCON's facilities and operations are subject to state and federal environmental regulations. The Company believes it is in compliance with all such regulations and is not aware of any violations that could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations. Further, the Company has not been notified by any governmental authority of any potential liability or other claim in connection with any of its properties. The costs and effect on the Company to comply with state and federal environmental regulations were not significant during either fiscal 2013 or fiscal 2012.
Approximately thirty of our wholesale delivery employees in our Quincy, Illinois distribution center are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers ("IAMAW"). The current labor agreement with the union is effective through December 2014.
The Company's principal executive offices are located at 7405 Irvington Road, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. The telephone number at that address is 402-331-3727 and our website address is www.amcon.com. We provide free access to the various reports we file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission through our website. These reports include, but are not limited to, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Please note that any internet addresses provided in this report are for information purposes only and are not intended to be hyperlinks. Accordingly, no information found and/or provided at such internet addresses is intended or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.
You may also read and copy any materials we file with the Commission at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549 on official business days during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can get information about the Public Reference Room by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov which contains reports, proxies and other company information.
You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision concerning our securities.
If any of the following risks actually materializes, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline substantially. This Annual Report also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks described below and elsewhere in this Annual Report. See "Forward Looking Statements" under Item 7 of this report for a discussion of forward looking statements.
Regulation of Cigarette and Tobacco Products by the FDA May Negatively Impact Our Operations.
In 2009, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act was signed into law which granted the FDA the authority to regulate the production, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products in the United States. Specifically, the legislation established an FDA office to regulate changes to nicotine yields, chemicals, flavors, ingredients, and the labeling used to produce and market tobacco products. The FDA office is financed through user fees paid by tobacco companies, which is passed on to wholesale distributors and end consumers in the form of higher costs.
To date, most of the regulatory and compliance burden related to this legislation has fallen upon product manufacturers. However, if the FDA were to impose new regulations impacting wholesale distributors that we are not able to comply with, we could face remedial actions such as fines, suspension of product distribution rights, and/or termination of operations. Further, if the FDA were to issue product bans or product restrictions, our future revenue stream could materially decrease. If any of these items were to occur, our results from operations, cash flow, business, and overall financial condition could be negatively impacted.
Our Sales Volume Is Largely Dependent upon the Distribution of Cigarette Products, Which is a Declining Sales Category.
The distribution of cigarettes represents a significant portion of our business. During fiscal 2013, approximately 73% of our consolidated revenues came from the distribution of cigarettes which generated approximately 26% of our consolidated gross profit. Due to manufacturer price increases, restrictions on advertising and promotions, regulation, higher excise and other taxes, health concerns, smoking bans, and other factors, the demand for cigarettes may continue to decline. Further, beginning January 1, 2014 changes under the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will allow insurance companies to charge tobacco users up to fifty percent (50%) more for health insurance policies than polices offered to non-tobacco users; a move which could further depress the demand for cigarettes and tobacco products. If this occurs, our results from operations, cash flow, business, and overall financial condition could be negatively impacted.
Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Are Subject to Substantial Excise Taxes and If These Taxes Are Increased, Our Sales of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Could Decline.
Cigarette and tobacco products are subject to substantial excise taxes. Significant increases in cigarette-related taxes and fees have been imposed by city, state, and federal governments in recent years. Further, the new regulatory responsibilities of the FDA are being funded by fees imposed on tobacco companies. These fees have been passed on to wholesale distributors and end consumers in the form of higher prices for cigarette and tobacco products.
Increases in excise taxes and fees imposed by the FDA may reduce the long-term demand for cigarette and tobacco products and/or result in a sales shift from higher margin premium cigarette and tobacco products to lower margin deep-discount brands, while at the same time increasing the Company's accounts receivable risk and inventory carrying costs. If any of these events were to occur, our results from operations, cash flow, liquidity position, and overall financial condition could be negatively impacted.
Divestiture and Consolidation Trends Within the Convenience Store Industry May Negatively Impact Our Operations.
Divestitures and consolidations within the convenience store industry reflect a trend that may result in customer losses for us if the acquiring entity is served by another wholesale distributor and we are unable to retain the business. If we were to lose a substantial volume of business because of these trends, our results from operations, cash flow, business, and overall financial condition could be negatively impacted.
Volatility in Fuel Prices Could Reduce Profit Margins and Adversely Affect Our Business.
Increases in fuel prices can and do have a negative impact on our profit margins. If fuel prices increase and we are not able to meaningfully pass on these costs to customers, it could adversely impact our results of operations, business, cash flow, and financial condition.
The Wholesale Distribution of Convenience Store Products Is Significantly Affected by Pricing Decisions and Promotional Programs Offered by Manufacturers.
We receive payments from the manufacturers of the products we distribute including allowances, discounts, volume rebates, and other merchandising incentives in connection with various incentive programs. In addition, we receive discounts from states in connection with the purchase of excise stamps for cigarettes. If the manufacturers or states change or discontinue these programs or we are unable to maintain the volume of our sales, our results of operations, business, cash flow, and financial condition could be negatively affected. There are no assurances that the manufacturers or states will maintain these programs.
Competition Within The Wholesale Distribution Industry May Have an Adverse Effect on Our Business.
The wholesale distribution industry is highly competitive. There are many distribution companies operating in the same geographical regions as our Company. Our Company's principal competitors are national and regional wholesalers, along with a host of smaller grocery and tobacco wholesalers. Most of these competitors generally offer a wide range of products at prices comparable to those offered by our Company. Some of our competitors have substantial financial resources and long-standing customer relationships. This competition may reduce our margins and/or cause a loss in market share, adversely impacting our results of operations, cash flow, and financial condition.
We Occasionally Purchase Cigarettes From Manufacturers Not Covered by The Tobacco Industry's Master Settlement Agreement ("MSA"), Which May Expose Us to Certain Potential Liabilities and Financial Risks for Which We Are Not Indemnified.
the MSA resulted in the products sold by the participating manufacturers being priced at higher levels than the products sold by non-MSA manufacturers.
In order to limit our potential tobacco related liabilities, we try to limit our purchases of cigarettes from non-MSA manufacturers for sale in MSA states. The benefits of liability limitations and indemnities we are entitled to under the MSA do not apply to sales of cigarettes manufactured by non-MSA manufacturers. From time-to-time, however, we find it necessary to purchase a limited amount of cigarettes from non-MSA manufacturers. For example, during a transition period while integrating distribution operations from an acquisition we may need to purchase and distribute cigarettes manufactured by non-MSA manufacturers to satisfy the demands of customers of the acquired business. With respect to sales of such non-MSA cigarettes, we could be subject to litigation that could expose us to liabilities for which we would not be indemnified.
If the Tobacco Industry's Master Settlement Agreement Is Invalidated, or Tobacco Manufacturers Cannot Meet Their Obligations to Indemnify Us, We Could Be Subject to Substantial Litigation Liability.
In connection with the MSA, we are indemnified by many of the tobacco product manufacturers from whom we purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products for liabilities arising from the sale of the tobacco products that they supply to us. However, if litigation challenging the validity of the MSA were to be successful and all or part of the MSA is invalidated, we could be subject to substantial litigation due to the sales of cigarettes and other tobacco products, and we may not be indemnified for such costs by the tobacco product manufacturers in the future. In addition, even if we continue to be indemnified by cigarette manufacturers that are parties to the MSA, future litigation awards against such cigarette manufacturers could be so large as to eliminate the ability of the manufacturers to satisfy their indemnification obligations. Our results of operations, business, cash flow, and overall financial condition could be negatively impacted due to increased litigation costs and potential adverse rulings against us.
We Face Competition From Sales of Deep-Discount Brands and Illicit and Other Low Priced Sales of Cigarettes.
Increased selling prices for cigarettes and higher cigarette taxes have resulted in the growth of deep-discount cigarette brands. Deep-discount cigarette brands are brands generally manufactured by companies that are not original participants to the MSA, and accordingly do not have cost structures burdened by the MSA. Since the MSA was signed, the category of deep-discount brands manufactured by smaller manufacturers or supplied by importers has grown substantially. If this growth continues, our results of operations, business cash flows, and overall financial condition would be negatively impacted.
Increases in Retail Health Food Store Competition May Have an Adverse Effect on Our Business.
In the retail health food business, our competitors include national natural foods supermarkets, such as Whole Foods Market and Natural Grocers, specialty supermarkets, regional natural foods stores, small specialty stores, and restaurants. In addition, conventional supermarkets and mass market outlets also offer natural products. Some of these competitors may have greater financial or marketing resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources to sourcing, promoting, and selling their products. Increased competition may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, business, cash flow, and financial condition as the result of lower sales, lower gross profits and/or greater operating costs such as marketing.
Part of Our Strategy Is to Expand Our Retail Health Food Business Through The Opening of New Stores, If We Are Unsuccessful it May Have an Adverse Effect on Our Business.
Our expansion strategy is dependent on finding suitable locations, and we face intense competition from other retailers for such sites. We also need to be able to open new stores timely and operate them successfully. In addition, our success is dependent on our ability to hire, train and integrate new qualified team members. Our success is also dependent on our ability to adapt our distribution, management information and other operating systems to adequately supply products to new stores at competitive prices so that we can operate the stores in a successful and profitable manner. If we are not able to find and open new store locations and close poor performing stores, this could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, business, cash flow, and overall financial condition.
Changes in the Availability of Quality Natural and Organic Products Could Impact Our Business.
There is no assurance that quality natural and organic products including dietary supplements, fresh and processed foods and vitamins will be available to meet our stores future needs. If conventional supermarkets increase their natural and organic product offerings or if new laws require the reformulation of certain products to meet tougher standards, the supply of these products may be constrained. Any significant disruption in the supply of quality natural and organic products could have a material adverse impact on our overall sales and product costs.
Perishable Food Product Losses Could Materially Impact Our Results.
We believe our stores more heavily emphasize perishable products than conventional supermarket stores. Our Company's emphasis on perishable products may result in significant product inventory losses in the event of extended power outages, natural disasters or other catastrophic occurrences.
A Reduction in Traffic to Anchor Stores in the Shopping Areas in Close Proximity to Our Stores Could Significantly Reduce Our Sales and Leave Us With Unsold Inventory, Which Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Many of our stores are located in close proximity to shopping areas that also accommodate other well-known anchor stores. Sales at our stores are derived, in part, from the volume of traffic generated by the other anchor stores in the shopping areas where our stores are located. Customer traffic may be adversely affected by regional economic downturns, a general downturn in the local area where our store is located, long-term nearby road construction projects, the closing of nearby anchor stores or other nearby stores or the decline of the shopping environment in a particular shopping area. Any of these events would reduce our sales and leave us with excess inventory, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operation. In response to such events, we may be required to increase markdowns or initiate marketing promotions to reduce excess inventory, which would further decrease our gross profits and net income.
If We Are Unable to Successfully Identify Market Trends and React to Changing Consumer Preferences in a Timely Manner, Our Sales May Decrease.
develop and maintain vendor relationships that provide us access to the newest merchandise on reasonable terms.
merchandise, either of which could negatively impact our business, results of operations, cash flow, and financial condition.
If We or Our Third-Party Suppliers Fail to Comply With Regulatory Requirements, or are Unable to Provide Products that Meet Our Specifications, Our Business and Our Reputation Could be Negatively Impacted.
If we or our third-party suppliers, including suppliers of our private label products, fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements or to meet our specifications for quality, we could be required to take costly corrective action and our reputation could be negatively impacted. We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities, and therefore depend upon independent third-party vendors to produce our private label branded products, such as vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, body care products, food products and bottled water. Third-party suppliers of our private label products may not maintain adequate controls with respect to product specifications and quality. Such suppliers may be unable to produce products on a timely basis or in a manner consistent with regulatory requirements. Additionally, there are no assurances we would be successful in finding new third-party suppliers that meet our quality guidelines if needed. If any of these events were to occur, our results from operations, cash flow, liquidity position, and overall financial condition could be negatively impacted.
Employee Healthcare Benefits Represent a Significant Expense for Our Company and May Negatively Affect Our Profitability.
Healthcare represents a significant expense item for our Company and have been increasing in recent years similar to that of the general upward trend in healthcare costs nationwide. While we have been successful in controlling these costs in recent years through modifications to insurance coverage, including increasing co-pays and deductibles, there can be no assurance that we will be as successful in controlling such costs in the future. Continued increases in healthcare costs, as well as changes in laws, regulations, and assumptions used to calculate health and benefit expenses, may adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations. In particular, changes mandated under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may increase our healthcare costs and negatively impact our cost structure, cash flow, profitability, and overall financial condition.
Our results of operations and financial condition are particularly sensitive to changes in the overall economy, including the level of consumer spending. Further changes in discretionary spending patterns may decrease demand from our convenience store customers and/or impact the demand for natural food products in our retail health food stores as customers purchase cheaper product alternatives.
Additionally, many of our wholesale segment customers are thinly capitalized and their access to credit in the current business environment may be impacted by their ability to operate as a going concern, presenting additional credit risk for the Company. If the economic downturn persists or the economy deteriorates further, it may result in lower sales and profitability as well as customer credit defaults.
levels may be negatively impacted during periods of product cost deflation, even though our gross profit percentage may remain relatively constant.
Our ability to decrease costs and increase profits, as well as our ability to serve customers most effectively, depends on the reliability of our technology network. We use software and other technology systems, among other things, to generate and select orders, to load and route trucks and to monitor and manage our business on a day-to-day basis. Any disruption to these computer systems could adversely impact our customer service, decrease the volume of our business and result in increased costs. While the Company has invested and continues to invest in technology initiatives, these measures cannot fully insulate us from a disruption that could result in adverse effects on operations and profits.
Maintaining a good reputation and public confidence in the products we distribute is critical to our business. Anything that damages that reputation or the public's confidence in our products, whether or not justified, including adverse publicity about the quality, safety or integrity of our products, could quickly and adversely affect our revenues and profits. In addition, such adverse publicity may result in product liability claims, a loss of reputation, and product recalls which would have a material adverse effect on our sales and operations.
Capital Needed for Expansion May Not Be Available.
The acquisition of other distributors or existing retail stores, the opening of new retail stores, and the development of new or expansion of existing production and distribution facilities requires significant amounts of capital. In the past, our growth has been funded primarily through proceeds from bank debt, private placements of equity and debt and internally generated cash flow. These and other sources of capital may not be available to us in the future, which could impair our ability to further expand our business.
Covenants in Our Revolving Credit Facility May Restrict Our Ability to React to Changes Within Our Business or Industry.
Our revolving credit facility imposes certain restrictions on us that could increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions by limiting our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and industry. Specifically, these restrictions limit our ability, among other things, to incur additional indebtedness, make distributions, pay dividends, issue stock of subsidiaries, make investments, repurchase stock, create liens, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate, or transfer and sell our assets.
Failure to Meet Restrictive Covenants in Our Revolving Credit Facility Could Result in Acceleration of the Facility and We May not be Able to Find Alternative Financing.
Under our credit facility, we are required to maintain a minimum debt service ratio if our excess availability falls below 10% of the maximum loan limit as defined in our revolving credit agreement. Our ability to comply with this covenant may be affected by factors beyond our control. If we breach, or if our lender contends that we have breached this covenant or any other restrictions, it could result in an event of default under our revolving credit facility, which would permit our lenders to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be immediately due and payable, and our lenders under our revolving credit facility could terminate their commitments to make further extensions of credit under our revolving credit facility. Additionally, our real estate notes payable includes a cross-default provision that would cause it to be in default and due immediately if our credit facility was deemed to be in default.
We May Not Be Able to Obtain Capital or Borrow Funds to Provide Us with Sufficient Liquidity and Capital Resources Necessary to Meet Our Future Financial Obligations.
We expect that our principal sources of funds will be cash generated from our operations and if necessary, borrowings under our revolving credit facility. However, the current and future conditions in the credit markets may impact the availability of capital resources required to meet our future financial obligations, or to provide funds for our working capital, capital expenditures and other needs for the foreseeable future. We may require additional equity or debt financing to meet our working capital requirements or to fund our capital expenditures. We may not be able to obtain financing on terms satisfactory to us, or at all.
We Depend on Relatively Few Suppliers for a Large Portion of Our Products, and Any Interruptions in the Supply of the Products That We Sell Could Adversely Affect Our Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
We do not have any long-term contracts with our suppliers committing them to provide products to us. Although our purchasing volume can provide leverage when dealing with suppliers, suppliers may not provide the products we sell in the quantities we request or on favorable terms. Because we do not control the actual production of the products we sell, we are also subject to delays caused by interruption in production based on conditions beyond our control. These conditions include job actions or strikes by employees of suppliers, inclement weather, transportation interruptions, and natural disasters or other catastrophic events. Our inability to obtain adequate supplies of the products we sell as a result of any of the foregoing factors or otherwise, could cause us to fail to meet our obligations to our customers.
We Would Lose Business if Cigarette or Other Manufacturers That We Use Decide to Engage in Direct Distribution of Their Products.
In the past, some large manufacturers have decided to engage in direct distribution of their products and eliminate distributors such as our Company. If other manufacturers make similar product distribution decisions in the future, our revenues and profits would be adversely affected and there can be no assurance that we will be able to take action to compensate for such losses.
We May Be Subject to Product Liability Claims Which Could Adversely Affect Our Business.
We may face exposure to product liability claims in the event that the use of products sold by us is alleged to cause injury or illness. With respect to product liability claims, we believe that we have sufficient liability insurance coverage and indemnities from manufacturers. However, product liability insurance may not continue to be available at a reasonable cost, or, if available, may not be adequate to cover all of our liabilities. We generally seek contractual indemnification and insurance coverage from parties supplying the products we sell, but this indemnification or insurance coverage is limited, as a practical matter, to the creditworthiness of the indemnifying party and the insurance limits of any insurance provided by suppliers. If we do not have adequate insurance or if contractual indemnification is not available or if the counterparty cannot fulfill its indemnification obligation, product liability relating to allegedly defective products could materially adversely impact our results of operations, business, cash flow, and overall financial condition.
We Depend on Our Senior Management and Key Personnel.
We depend on the continued services and performance of our senior management and other key personnel. While we maintain key person life insurance policies and have employment agreements with certain key personnel, the loss of service from any of our executive officers or key employees could harm our business.
We Operate in a Competitive Labor Market and a Number of Our Employees Are Covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements.
We compete with other businesses in each of our markets with respect to attracting and retaining qualified employees. A shortage of qualified employees could require us to enhance our wage and benefits packages in order to compete effectively in the hiring and retention of qualified employees or to hire more expensive temporary employees.
In addition, at September 2013 approximately thirty of our delivery drivers in our Wholesale Segment are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with a labor organization, which expires in December 2014. If we were not able to renew our future labor agreements on similar terms, we may be unable to recover labor cost increases through increased prices or may suffer business interruptions as a result of strikes or other work stoppages.
We Are Subject to Significant Governmental Regulation and If We Are Unable to Comply with Regulations That Affect Our Business or If There Are Substantial Changes in These Regulations, Our Business Could Be Adversely Affected.
As a distributor and retailer of food products, we are subject to regulation by the FDA. Our operations are also subject to regulation by OSHA, the Department of Transportation and other federal, state and local agencies. Each of these regulatory authorities has broad administrative powers with respect to our operations. If we fail to adequately comply with government regulations or regulations become more stringent, we could experience increased inspections, regulatory authorities could take remedial action including imposing fines or shutting down our operations or we could be subject to increased audit and compliance costs. If any of these events were to occur, our results of operations, business, cash flow, and financial condition would be adversely affected.
We cannot predict the impact that future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, the effect of additional government regulations or administrative orders, when and if promulgated, or disparate federal, state and local regulatory schemes would have on our business in the future. They could, however, require the reformulation of certain products to meet new standards, the recall or discontinuance of certain products not able to be reformulated, additional record keeping, expanded documentation of the properties of certain products, expanded or different labeling and/or scientific substantiation. While we do not manufacture any products, any of the aforementioned items could disrupt the supply levels of inventory that we sell. Any or all of such requirements could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, business, cash flow, and financial condition.
The Company Has Few Shareholders of Record And, If this Number Drops below 300, the Company Will No Longer Be Obligated to Report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in Such Case We May Be Delisted from NYSE MKT, Reducing the Ability of Investors to Trade in Our Common Stock.
If the number of owners of record (including direct participants in the Depository Trust Company) of our common stock falls below 300, our obligations to file reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 could be suspended. If we take advantage of this right we will likely reduce administrative costs of complying with public company rules, but periodic and current information updates about the Company would not be available to investors. In addition, the common stock of the Company would be removed from listing on NYSE MKT. This would likely impact investors' ability to trade in our common stock.
We Have Various Mechanisms in Place to Discourage Takeover Attempts, Which May Reduce or Eliminate Our Stockholders' Ability to Sell Their Shares for a Premium in a Change of Control Transaction.
advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our Board of Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by our stockholders at stockholder meetings.
Our Quincy, Illinois; Bismarck, North Dakota; and Rapid City, South Dakota distribution facilities are owned by our Company, and are subject to first mortgages granted to BMO Harris, NA ("BMO"). The Company leases its remaining distribution facilities, retail stores, offices, and certain equipment under noncancellable operating leases. Management believes that its existing facilities are adequate for the Company's present level of operations, however, larger facilities and additional cross-dock facilities and retail stores may be required if the Company experiences growth in certain market areas.
Executive officers of our Company are appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to all executive officers of our Company, as well as Eric J. Hinkefent, an executive officer of two of our subsidiaries.
CHRISTOPHER H. ATAYAN has served in various senior executive positions with the Company since March 2006, including his service as Chairman of the Board since January 2008 and Chief Executive Officer since October 2006, and has been a director of the Company since 2004. Mr. Atayan has served as the Senior Managing Director of Slusser Associates, a private equity and investment banking firm, since 1988, and has been engaged in private equity and investment banking since 1982. He also serves on the Board of Eastek Holdings, LLC, a manufacturing company.
KATHLEEN M. EVANS has been President of the Company since 1991. Prior to that time, Ms. Evans served as Vice President of the AMCON Corporation from 1985 to 1991. From 1978 to 1985, Ms. Evans acted in various capacities with AMCON Corporation and its operating subsidiaries.
ANDREW C. PLUMMER has served as the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since January 2007. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Plummer served the Company in various roles including Acting Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Controller, and Manager of SEC Compliance. Prior to joining AMCON in 2004, Mr. Plummer practiced public accounting, primarily with the accounting firm Deloitte and Touche, LLP.
ERIC J. HINKEFENT has served as President of both Chamberlin's Natural Foods, Inc. and Health Food Associates, Inc. since October 2001. Prior to that time, Mr. Hinkefent served as President of Health Food Associates, Inc.
The Company's common stock trades on NYSE MKT (formerly NYSE Amex Equities) under the trading symbol "DIT". As of October 31, 2013, the closing price of our common stock on NYSE MKT was $80.60 and there were 632,958 common shares outstanding. As of that date, the Company had approximately 700 persons holding common shares beneficially of which approximately 160 are shareholders of record (including direct participants in the Depository Trust Company). The following table reflects the range of the high and low closing prices per share of the Company's common stock reported by NYSE MKT for fiscal 2013 and 2012.
On a quarterly basis, the Company's Board of Directors evaluates the potential declaration of dividend payments on the Company's common stock. Our dividend policy is intended to return capital to shareholders when it is most appropriate. The Company's revolving credit facility provides that it may not pay dividends on its common shares in excess of $1.00 per common share on an annual basis. There is no limit on dividend payments provided that certain excess availability measurements have been maintained for the thirty day period immediately prior to the payment of any such dividends or distributions, and immediately after giving effect to any such dividend or distribution payments, the Company has a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 1.10 to 1.0 as defined in the credit facility agreement.
Our Board of Directors could decide to alter our dividend policy or not pay quarterly dividends at any time in the future. Such an action by the Board of Directors could result from, among other reasons, changes in the marketplace, changes in our performance or capital needs, changes in federal income tax laws, disruptions in the capital markets, or other events affecting our business, liquidity or financial position. The Company paid cash dividends of $0.5 million, or $0.72 per common share, during both fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012.
The Company has Series A and B Convertible Preferred Stock ("Convertible Preferred Stock") outstanding at September 2013 which are not registered under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. The Company paid cash dividends on the Series A and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock totaling $0.2 million during fiscal 2013 and $0.3 million during fiscal 2012. See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for further information regarding these securities.
authorized for repurchase in either open market or privately negotiated transactions, as previously approved by the Company's Board of Directors.
We refer you to Item 12 of this report for the information required by Item 201(d) of SEC Regulation S-K.
Pursuant to the conversion rights contained in the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series B"), during the first fiscal quarter of 2013 holders of the Series B converted 4,000 shares into 4,056 shares of the Company's common stock.
The shares of common stock described above were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, which exemption is available for transactions involving securities exchanged by the issuer with its existing security holders exclusively where no commission or other remuneration is paid or given directly or indirectly for soliciting such exchange. Our company received no payment in connection with the issuances of such shares. No underwriters were involved with the issuance of the shares of common stock described above and no commissions were paid in connection with such issuances. There was no advertisement or general solicitation made in connection with the issuance of the shares of common stock described above.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 and other information in this report, including Critical Accounting Policies and Cautionary Information included at the end of this Item 7. The following discussion and analysis includes the results of operations for the twelve month periods ended September 2013 and September 2012. For more information regarding our business segments, see Item 1 "Business" of this Annual Report.
Both convenience stores and the wholesale distributors which serve them are requiring larger economies of scale to effectively compete. Accordingly, both convenience stores and wholesale distributors are consolidating. While this creates opportunities for our Company to acquire smaller competitors, we also face a significant risk that our customers may be acquired by convenience store chains not serviced by us. This consolidation trend has impacted profit margins industry-wide.
The sale of cigarettes represents approximately 33% of total in-store sales for convenience stores according to NACS. During fiscal 2013, cigarette sales accounted for 73% of our consolidated revenues. The demand for cigarettes and tobacco has been decreasing since the 1980's due to a general decline in the number of smokers in the United States and the impact of legislative actions such as smoking bans and higher excise taxes.
Convenience stores are increasingly relying on technology to manage their business. The ability of distributors to provide capabilities such as inventory scanning, electronic price books, sku rationalization, category management, and access to robust management reporting to their convenience store customers is growing in importance.
In addition to these larger trends, a number of external forces could create additional headwinds for the industry in the coming years. For example, beginning January 1, 2014 changes under the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("ACA") permit insurance companies to charge tobacco users up to fifty percent (50%) more for health insurance policies than those offered to non-tobacco users. While the initial impact of these ACA provisions on tobacco demand is not expected to be significant, that may change over time. Additionally, it is possible that tiered health insurance premiums will become more common for individuals deemed to be obese or have other medical conditions considered to be lifestyle oriented. These shifts in the health insurance market may directly impact the demand and kinds of products sold within the convenience store channel.
In addition to the above considerations, the industry is experiencing increased competition from new market entrants such as well capitalized national drug and dollar stores. While not direct competitors, these retail formats often target product categories historically carried by convenience stores.
Despite these changes in the market place, the convenience store channel remains highly adaptive and innovative. The declining demand for cigarettes and tobacco products is well understood within the industry and most convenience store owners are positioning their businesses for a future which is less reliant on these products. Accordingly, our Company has been heavily focused on assisting independent convenience store owners re-position their businesses. Independent convenience store owners represent a large portion of our customer base and over 63% of the industry's 149,000 total locations.
These efforts have focused on introducing new product lines and merchandising programs to improve sales turnover and profit margins. Categories such as "snacks" and "fresh bakery items" have recently experienced a tremendous wave of innovation around flavors, healthy alternatives, and consumer friendly packing (i.e. non-spill or resealable containers). Additionally, items such as gourmet sandwiches and wraps, specialty drinks and juices, and yogurts offer new growth areas and alternatives to declining cigarette sales.
In an effort to further differentiate our Company from "price-only" competition, we have emphasized a range of services centered around store re-imaging and technology. Store re-imaging is becoming more important as customer expectations around store design and layout, lighting, color schemes, and cleanliness standards are being lifted industry-wide by the most progressive convenience store chains. We also see technology as an effective way to counter "price only" competition. Many wholesale distributors offer very limited technology solutions to their convenience store customers. These distributors will likely struggle to satisfy the coming wave of demand for new customer facing technologies such as mobile applications that provide information about product specials or the ability to place orders remotely.
We believe the direction of wholesale distribution is becoming less about transporting highly commoditized products and more about providing differentiated merchandising and technology solutions to customers. While we expect the operating environment to remain highly competitive, we believe our long legacy of serving independent and fast growing small convenience store operations positions us well to capitalize on these changes.
The retail health food industry posted another record year during the 2012 calendar year, with sales topping $80 billion, a 10% increase over the 2011 calendar year according to The Natural Foods Merchandiser ("NFM"). This compares to a 2012 sales growth rate of 3.1% for traditional supermarkets according to the Progressive Grocer and represents two consecutive years of sales growth of at least 10% industry wide.
Two emerging industry trends gained significant momentum during 2013: 1) heightened attention to food ingredients by consumers and 2) increased competition. These emerging trends present both opportunities and challenges for our own retail health food business.
We believe a number of factors are influencing the increasing demand and acceptance of natural products. First, during 2013 a range of high profile media stories and research reports were released covering subjects such as the arsenic levels in rice, the impact of genetic modified organisms ("GMOs") in processed foods (particularly corn based products), and the potential link between gluten and soy allergies and food additives. These stories and research reports were closely followed by the general media and generated a significant amount of interest among food companies, retailers, and consumers. Additionally, a number of nationally syndicated medical TV programs continue to run frequent programming on topics related to good health and diet. Collectively, we believe this ongoing media coverage is helping fuel the increasing demand for natural products.
The growth in the demand for natural products has not gone unnoticed. The second major trend which emerged during 2013 was an increase in competition. Over the past several years, a wide range of well financed competitors have entered the industry. Regional and national competitors such as Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Natural Grocers have all engaged in new store expansion strategies, often opening new retail sites in close proximity to our existing stores. Additionally, the purchase of consumer health products over the internet continues to grow and compete with brick and mortar retailers. The Midwestern United States in particular has experienced an increase in competition over the past year which has pressured sales and gross margins.
Identifying organic growth and strategic acquisition opportunities remains a top priority for our management team. During fiscal 2013, the Company opened two new Akin's health food stores located in Northwest Arkansas and Nebraska. We continue to believe that mid-market cities still offer attractive options for new store expansion. Our new site selection criteria focuses on areas with strong real estate sites that can accommodate a lively and dynamic customer experience that we strive to create in all of our stores. All of our new stores must adhere to our specific screening criteria.
For over 75 years, our health food stores have succeeded with a simple value proposition; helping our customers maintain good health. While consumer tastes and product offerings will evolve and change over time, we believe our customer focused philosophy will remain attractive.
Sales are reported net of costs associated with incentives provided to retailers. These incentives totaled $19.4 million in fiscal 2013 and $17.2 million in fiscal 2012.
Amounts calculated based on actual changes in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
changes in the volume of products sold to our customers, either due to a change in purchasing patterns resulting from consumer preferences or the fluctuation in the comparable number of business days in our reporting period.
Sales in our Wholesale Segment increased $37.1 million from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2013. Significant items impacting sales during fiscal 2013 included a $23.9 million increase in sales related to price increases implemented by cigarette manufacturers, a $14.6 million increase in sales related to higher state excise taxes between the comparative periods, and a $11.8 million increase in sales in our other product categories. These increases were partially offset by a $13.2 million decrease in sales primarily related to the volume and mix of cigarette cartons sold.
Sales in our Retail Segment decreased approximately $0.2 million from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2013. During fiscal 2013, our Akin's retail stores experienced lower sales due to increased competition from national and regional health food chains. This decrease in sales was partially offset by revenue generated at our two new retail stores which opened during fiscal 2013, as well as higher sales in our Florida market stores.
Our gross profit does not include fulfillment costs and costs related to the distribution network which are included in selling, general and administrative costs, and may not be comparable to those of other entities. Some entities may classify such costs as a component of cost of sales. Cost of sales, a component used in determining gross profit, for the wholesale and retail segments includes the cost of products purchased from manufacturers, less incentives we receive which are netted against such costs.
Gross profit in our Wholesale Segment decreased $1.8 million from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2013. Of this decrease in gross profit, approximately $2.7 million related to changes in the overall volume and mix of cigarette cartons sold as well as a reduction in benefits related to state excise tax increases. These decreases were partially offset by a $0.9 million increase in gross profit in our other product categories.
Gross profit in our Retail Segment increased $0.1 million from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2013. During fiscal 2013, we experienced an increase in gross profit from the opening of two new retail stores as well as higher gross margin in our Florida market stores. These increases were partially offset by lower gross profit in our existing Akin's retail stores.
Operating expense includes selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization. Selling, general, and administrative expenses include costs related to our sales, warehouse, delivery and administrative departments for all segments. Specifically, purchasing and receiving costs, warehousing costs and costs of picking and loading customer orders are all classified as selling, general and administrative expenses. Our most significant expenses relate to employee and facility costs, equipment leases, transportation costs, fuel costs, insurance, and professional fees.
stores. This increase in operating expenses was partially offset by a $0.4 million decrease in our Wholesale Segment operating expenses.
The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2013 was 42.8% as compared to 40.6% in fiscal 2012. The increase in effective tax rates from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2013 was primarily related to changes in the amount of nondeductible expenses under the Internal Revenue Service Code.
General. The Company requires cash to pay operating expenses, purchase inventory, and make capital investments. In general, the Company finances its cash flow requirements with cash generated from operating activities and credit facility borrowings.
Operating Activities. During fiscal 2013, the Company generated cash of approximately $5.7 million from operating activities. Significant sources of cash during the period included lower accounts receivable and other current assets combined with the impact of net earnings. These sources of cash were partially offset by an increase in inventories and a decrease in accounts payable.
Our variability in cash flows from operating activities is dependent on the timing of inventory purchases and seasonal fluctuations. For example, periodically we have inventory "buy-in" opportunities which offer more favorable pricing terms. As a result, we may have to hold inventory for a period longer than the payment terms. This generates a cash outflow from operating activities which we expect to reverse in later periods. Additionally, during the warm weather months, which is our peak time of operations, we generally carry higher amounts of inventory to ensure high fill rates and customer satisfaction.
Investing Activities. The Company used cash of $1.9 million during fiscal 2013 for investing activities. These investing activities primarily related to capital expenditures on property and equipment in our wholesale business segment in addition to capital expenditures related to the opening of two retail stores in our retail segment.
Financing Activities. The Company used cash of $4.0 million from financing activities during fiscal 2013. Of this amount, approximately $0.5 million related to net borrowings on the Company's credit facilty. These borrowings were offset by $1.2 million related to repayments on long-term debt, $2.5 million related to the repurchase of the Company's common stock and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.7 million related to dividends on the Company's common and preferred stock, and $0.1 million related to equity-based stock awards.
Cash on Hand/Working Capital. At September 2013, the Company had cash on hand of $0.3 million and working capital (current assets less current liabilities) of $53.4 million. This compares to cash on hand of $0.5 million and working capital of $49.9 million at September 2012.
A July 2018 maturity date without a penalty for prepayment.
$70.0 million revolving credit limit.
Loan accordion allowing the Company to increase the size of the credit facility agreement by $25.0 million.
A provision providing an additional $10.0 million of credit advances for certain inventory purchases.
Evergreen renewal clause automatically renewing the agreement for one year unless either the borrower or lender provides written notice terminating the agreement at least 90 days prior to the end of any original or renewal term of the agreement.
The Facility bears interest at either the bank's prime rate, or at LIBOR plus 125 - 175 basis points depending on certain credit facility utilization measures, at the election of the Company.
Lending limits subject to accounts receivable and inventory limitations.
An unused commitment fee equal to one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) per annum on the difference between the maximum loan limit and average monthly borrowings.
Secured by collateral including all of the Company's equipment, intangibles, inventories, and accounts receivable.
A financial covenant requiring a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0 as measured by the previous twelve month period then ended only if excess availability falls below 10% of the maximum loan limit as defined in the credit agreement.
Provides that the Company may not pay dividends on its common stock in excess of $1.00 per share on an annual basis. There is no limit on dividend payments provided that certain excess availability measurements have been maintained for the thirty day period immediately prior to the payment of any such dividends or distributions, and immediately after giving effect to any such dividend or distribution payments, the Company has a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 1.10 to 1.0 as defined in the credit facility agreement.
The amount available for use on the Facility at any given time is subject to a number of factors including eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances that fluctuate day-to-day. Based on our collateral and loan limits as defined in the Facility agreement, the credit limit of the Facility at September 2013 was $62.1 million, of which $14.8 million was outstanding, leaving $47.3 million available.
At September 2013, the revolving portion of the Company's Facility balance bore interest based on the bank's prime rate and various short-term LIBOR rate elections made by the Company. The average interest rate was 2.14% at September 2013.
During fiscal 2013, our peak borrowings under the Facility were $50.4 million and our average borrowings and average availability was $30.0 million and $36.0 million, respectively. Our availability to borrow under the Facility generally decreases as inventory and accounts receivable levels increase because of the borrowing limitations that are placed on collateralized assets.
The Company's owned real estate in Bismarck, ND, Quincy, IL, and Rapid City, SD, is financed through a term loan with BMO Harris, NA ("BMO") which is also a participant lender on the Company's revolving line of credit. The BMO loan contains cross default provisions which cause the loan with BMO to be considered in default if the loans where BMO is a lender, including the revolving credit facility, is in default. There were no such cross defaults at September 2013. In addition, the BMO loan contain co-terminus provisions which require all loans with BMO to be paid in full if any of the loans are paid in full prior to the end of their specified terms.
The Company has issued a letter of credit for $0.4 million to its workers' compensation insurance carrier as part of its self-insured loss control program.
The Company's liquidity position is significantly influenced by its ability to maintain sufficient levels of working capital. For our Company and industry in general, customer credit risk and ongoing access to bank credit heavily influence liquidity positions.
The Company does not currently hedge its exposure to interest rate risk or fuel costs. Accordingly, significant price movements in these areas can and do impact the Company's profitability.
The Company believes its liquidity position going forward will be adequate to sustain operations. However, a precipitous change in operating environment could materially impact the Company's future revenue stream as well as its ability to collect on customer accounts receivable or secure bank credit.
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require the Company to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net revenue and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The Company believes that the accounting estimates employed and the resulting balances are reasonable; however, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The Company believes the following critical accounting policies reflect the significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our critical accounting estimates are set forth below and have not changed during fiscal 2013.
NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our estimate of uncollectible accounts receivable at the balance sheet date. We monitor our credit exposure on a daily basis and regularly assess the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts. Because credit losses can vary significantly over time, estimating the required allowance requires a number of assumptions that are uncertain.
ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. We estimate our required allowance for doubtful accounts using the following key assumptions.
Historical collections—Represented as the amount of historical uncollectible accounts as a percent of total accounts receivable.
Specific credit exposure on certain accounts—Identified based on management's review of the accounts receivable portfolio and taking into account the financial wherewithal of particular customers that management deems to have a higher risk of collection.
Market conditions—We consider a broad range of industry trends and macro-economic issues which may impact the creditworthiness of our customers.
NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. In our businesses, we carry large quantities and dollar amounts of inventory. Inventories primarily consist of finished products purchased in bulk quantities to be sold to our customers. Given the large quantities and broad range of products we carry, there is a risk that inventory may become impaired because it has become unsaleable or unrefundable, slow moving, obsolete, or because it has been discontinued. The use of estimates is required in determining the salvage value of this inventory.
Slow moving products—Items identified as slow moving are evaluated on a case-by-case basis for impairment.
Obsolete/discontinued inventory—Products identified that are near or beyond their expiration dates. We may also discontinue carrying certain product lines for our customers. As a result, we estimate the market value of this inventory as if it were to be liquidated.
Estimated salvage value/sales price—The salvage value of the inventory is estimated using management's evaluation of the congestion in the distribution channels and experience with brokers and inventory liquidators to determine the salvage value of the inventory.
Long-lived assets consist primarily of property and equipment, intangible assets, and goodwill acquired in business combinations. Property and equipment and amortizable identified intangible assets are assigned useful lives ranging from 2 to 40 years. Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are not amortized. Impairment of the Company's long-lived assets is assessed during the Company's fourth fiscal quarter or whenever events or circumstances change that indicate the carrying value of such long-lived assets may not be recoverable. The Company recorded no impairment charges during either fiscal 2013 or fiscal 2012.
NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. Management has to estimate the useful lives of the Company's long lived assets. In regard to the Company's impairment analysis, the most significant assumptions include management's estimate of the annual growth rate used to project future sales and expenses.
ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. For property and equipment, depreciable lives are based on our accounting policy which is intended to mirror the expected useful life of the asset. In determining the estimated useful life of amortizable intangible assets, such as customer lists, we rely on our historical experience to estimate the useful life of the applicable asset and consider industry norms as a benchmark. If impairment indicators arise, we then evaluate the potential impairment of property and equipment and amortizable identifiable intangible assets using an undiscounted future cash flow approach, in addition to other public and private company information.
When evaluating the potential impairment of non-amortizable indefinite-lived assets and goodwill we first assess a range of qualitative factors, including but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for the Company's products and services, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel, and the overall financial performance for each of the Company's reporting units. If after completing this assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we proceed to a two-step impairment testing methodology using the income approach (discounted cash flow method).
A discounted cash flow methodology requires estimation in (i) forecasting future earnings (ii) determining the discount rate applicable to the earnings stream being discounted, and (iii) computing a terminal value at some point in the future. The forecast of future earnings is an estimate of future financial performance based on current year results and management's evaluation of the market potential for growth. The discount rate is a weighted average cost of capital using a targeted debt-to-equity ratio using the industry average under the assumption that it represents our optimal capital structure and can be achieved in a reasonable time period. The terminal value is determined using a commonly accepted growth model.
The Company's insurance for workers' compensation, general liability and employee-related health care benefits are provided through high-deductible or self-insured programs. As a result, the Company accrues for its workers' compensation liability based upon claim reserves established with the assistance of a third-party administrator, which are then trended and developed. The reserves are evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Due to the uncertainty involved with the realization of claims incurred but unreported, management is required to make estimates of these claims.
Historical claims experience—We review loss runs for each month to calculate the average monthly claims experience.
Lag period for reporting claims—Based on our analysis, our experience is such that we have a minimum of a one month lag period in which claims are reported.
Historical claims experience—We review prior years' loss runs to estimate the average annual expected claims and review monthly loss runs to compare our estimates to actual claims.
Lag period for reporting claims—We review claims trends and use standard insurance industry loss models to develop reserves on reported claims in order to estimate the amount of incurred but unreported claims.
The Company accounts for its income taxes by recording taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. These expected future tax consequences are measured based on provisions of tax law as currently enacted; the effects of future changes in tax laws are not anticipated. Future tax law changes, such as a change in the corporate tax rate, could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
On a periodic basis, we assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and establish a related valuation allowance as appropriate. In performing our evaluation, we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of the evidence, a valuation allowance is needed. Evidence used includes information about our current financial position and our results of operations for the current and preceding years, as well as all currently available information about future years, including our anticipated future performance, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities and tax planning strategies. When appropriate, we record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to offset future tax benefits that may not be realized.
ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. In determining whether a valuation allowance is appropriate, we consider whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized, based in part upon management's judgments regarding future events.
We recognize revenue in our Wholesale Segment when products are delivered to customers (which generally is the same day products are shipped) and in our retail health food segment when products are sold to consumers. Sales are shown net of returns, discounts, and sales incentives to customers.
NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. We estimate and reserve for anticipated sales discounts. We also estimate and provide a reserve for anticipated sales incentives to customers when earned under established program requirements.
Sales discounts—We use historical experience to estimate the amount of accounts receivable that will not be collected due to customers taking advantage of authorized term discounts.
Volume sales incentives—We use historical experience in combination with quarterly reviews of customers' sales progress in order to estimate the amount of volume incentives due to the customers on a periodic basis.
Our estimates and assumptions for each of the aforementioned critical accounting estimates have not changed materially during the periods presented, nor are we aware of any reasons that they would be reasonably likely to change in the future.
NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. We allocate the purchase price of acquired companies to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and intangible assets acquired, based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over these fair values is recorded as goodwill. Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets.
ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. Critical estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include but are not limited to the projected growth factors, future expected cash flows, discount rates, potential competitive and regulatory environment developments, and changes in the market for the Company's products and services. Management's estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Additionally, estimates associated with the accounting for acquisitions may change as new information becomes available regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists", which states that entities should present the unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of the deferred tax asset for a net operating loss ("NOL") or similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward rather than as a liability when the uncertain tax position would reduce the NOL or other carryforward under the tax law. The Company will be required to adopt this new standard on a prospective basis in the first interim reporting period of fiscal 2015, however, early adoption is permitted as is a retrospective application. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that this new standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and which reflect management's current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company and those statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "future," "position," "anticipate(s)," "expect," "believe(s)," "see," "plan," "further improve," "outlook," "should" or similar expressions. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.
other risks over which the Company has little or no control, and any other factors not identified herein.
Changes in these factors could result in significantly different results. Consequently, future results may differ from management's expectations. Moreover, past financial performance should not be considered a reliable indicator of future performance. Any forward-looking statement contained herein is made as of the date of this document. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or correct any of these forward-looking statements in the future to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of material events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or business over time.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AMCON Distributing Company and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of AMCON Distributing Company and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries ("AMCON" and "the Company") is primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of consumer products in the Central, Rocky Mountain, and Southern regions of the United States.
AMCON's wholesale distribution business includes six distribution centers that sell approximately 16,000 different consumer products, including cigarettes and tobacco products, candy and other confectionery, beverages, groceries, paper products, health and beauty care products, frozen and chilled products and institutional foodservice products. The Company distributes products primarily to retailers such as convenience stores, discount and general merchandise stores, grocery stores, drug stores, and gas stations. In addition, the Company services institutional customers, including restaurants and bars, schools, sports complexes, as well as other wholesalers.
AMCON also operates six retail health food stores in Florida under the name Chamberlin's Market & Café ("Chamberlin's") and ten in the Midwest under the name Akin's Natural Foods Market ("Akin's"). These stores carry natural supplements, groceries, health and beauty care products, and other food items.
The Company's operations are subject to a number of factors which are beyond the control of management, such as changes in manufacturers' cigarette pricing, state excise tax increases, or the opening of competing retail stores in close proximity to the Company's retail stores. While the Company sells a diversified product line, it remains dependent upon the sale of cigarettes which accounted for approximately 73% of our consolidated revenue and 26% of our consolidated gross profit during fiscal 2013 and 73% of our consolidated revenue and 29% of our consolidated gross profit during fiscal 2012.
The Company's fiscal year ends on September 30 and the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 have been included herein.
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of AMCON and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
AMCON utilizes a cash management system under which an overdraft is the normal book balance in the primary disbursing accounts. Overdrafts included in accounts payable at fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 totaled approximately $1.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively, and reflect checks drawn on the disbursing accounts that have been issued but have not yet cleared through the banking system. The Company's policy has been to fund these outstanding checks as they clear with borrowings under its revolving credit facility (see Note 7). These outstanding checks (book overdrafts) are classified as cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
customers, and specific risks identified in the portfolio. The Company determines the past due status of trade receivables based on our terms with each customer. Account balances are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when collection efforts have been exhausted and the account receivable is deemed worthless. Any subsequent recoveries of charged off account balances are recorded as income in the period received.
At September 2013 and September 2012, inventories consisted of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost (determined on a FIFO basis) or market. The wholesale distribution and retail health food segment inventories consist of finished products purchased in bulk quantities to be redistributed to the Company's customers or sold at retail. Finished goods included total reserves of approximately $0.8 million and $0.9 million at September 2013 and September 2012, respectively. These reserves include the Company's obsolescence allowance, which reflects estimated unsaleable or non-refundable inventory based upon an evaluation of slow moving and discontinued products.
Prepaid inventory represents inventory in-transit that has been paid for but not received.
Costs and accumulated depreciation applicable to assets retired or sold are eliminated from the accounts, and the resulting gains or losses are reported as a component of operating income.
asset group may not be recoverable, the potential impairment is determined based on the amount by which the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group.
Our goodwill consists of the excess purchase price paid in business combinations over the fair value of assets acquired. Our intangible assets consist of trademarks, tradenames, customer relationships, and the value of non-competition agreements acquired as part of acquisitions. Goodwill, trademarks, and tradenames are considered to have indefinite lives.
The Company employs the non-amortization approach to account for purchased intangible assets having indefinite useful lives and goodwill. Under the non-amortization approach, goodwill and intangible assets having indefinite useful lives and are not amortized into the results of operations, but instead are reviewed annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired, to assess whether their fair value exceeds their carrying value. The Company performs its annual goodwill and intangible asset impairment assessment during the fourth fiscal quarter of each year.
When evaluating the potential impairment of non-amortizable indefinite-lived assets and goodwill we first assess a range of qualitative factors, including but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for the Company's products and services, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel, and the overall financial performance for each of the Company's reporting units. If after completing this assessment, it is determined that it is more that than likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we then proceed to a two-step impairment testing methodology using the income approach (discounted cash flow method).
In the first step of this testing methodology, we compare the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, with its fair value, as determined by its estimated discounted cash flows. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we then complete the second step of the impairment test to determine the amount of impairment to be recognized. In the second step, we estimate an implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities other than goodwill (including any unrecognized intangible assets). If the carrying value of a reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the Company records an impairment loss equal to the difference in that period.
When required, we arrive at our estimates of fair value using a discounted cash flow methodology which includes estimates of future cash flows to be generated by particular assets, as well as selecting a discount rate to measure the present value of those anticipated cash flows. Estimating future cash flows requires significant judgment and includes making assumptions about projected growth rates, industry-specific factors, working capital requirements, weighted average cost of capital, and current and anticipated operating conditions. The use of different assumptions or estimates for future cash flows could produce different results.
Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are assessed for impairment at least annually or whenever events or circumstances change which may indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment using a process similar to that used in evaluating the elements of property and equipment. If impaired, the related assets are written down to their fair value.
No impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived assets, or identifiable intangible assets with finite lives were recorded during either fiscal 2013 or fiscal 2012.
AMCON recognizes revenue when title passes to our customers. In our Wholesale Segment, this occurs when products are delivered to customers (which generally is the same day products are shipped) and in our retail health food segment when products are sold to consumers. Sales are shown net of returns, discounts, and sales incentives to customers.
The Company's workers' compensation, general liability, and employee-related health care benefits are provided through high-deductible or self-insurance programs. As a result, the Company accrues for its workers' compensation and general liability based upon a claim reserve analysis. The Company has issued a letter of credit in the amount of $0.4 million to its workers' compensation insurance carrier as part of its loss control program. The reserve for incurred, but not reported, employee health care benefits is based on approximately one month of claims, calculated using the Company's historical claims experience rate, plus specific reserves for large claims. The reserves associated with the exposure to these liabilities are reviewed by management for adequacy at the end of each reporting period.
The Company uses the asset and liability method to calculate deferred income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized on temporary differences between financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. The effect of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income during the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when we do not consider it more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.
The Company recognizes expense for its share-based compensation based on the fair value of the awards that are granted. The fair value of the stock options is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Option pricing methods require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the Company's stock price on the grant date and the fair value of restricted stock units is based on the Company's period ending closing price. Measured compensation cost is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the related share-based compensation award and is reflected in our Consolidated Statement of Operations under "selling, general and administrative expenses."
The Company provides sales rebates or discounts to our wholesale customers. These incentives are recorded as a reduction of sales revenue as earned by the customer.
Basic earnings or loss per share data are based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings or loss per share data are based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and the effect of all dilutive potential common shares including stock options and conversion features of the Company's preferred stock issuances.
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series A") and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series B"), (collectively, the "Preferred Stock"), are convertible at any time by the holders into a number of shares of AMCON common stock equal to the number of preferred shares being converted multiplied by a fraction equal to $25.00 divided by the conversion price. The conversion prices for the Preferred Stock are subject to customary adjustments in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, and certain other distributions on the Common Stock. Cumulative dividends for the Preferred Stock are payable in arrears, when, and if declared by the Board of Directors, on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year.
price equals the liquidation preference, after which date it remains the liquidation preference. The Preferred Stock is redeemable at the liquidation value and at the option of the holder. The Series A Preferred Stock and 8,000 shares of the Series B Preferred Stock are owned by Mr. Christopher Atayan, AMCON's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The Series B Preferred Stock holders have the right to elect one member of our Board of Directors, pursuant to the voting rights in the Certificate of Designation creating the Series B. Christopher H. Atayan was first nominated and elected to this seat in 2004.
During fiscal 2013, the Company repurchased 38,000 shares of its Series B Convertible Preferred Stock along with 1,255 shares of its common stock in a private transaction totaling approximately $2.5 million. The shares acquired by the Company were purchased from an institutional investor in a privately negotiated transaction that was not effected on any trading market. Prior to the Company's repurchase of the preferred and common shares, the institutional holder of the Series B Preferred Stock also converted 4,000 of its Series B share holdings into 4,056 common shares of the Company.
Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders is calculated by dividing net income less preferred stock dividend requirements by the weighted average common shares outstanding for each period. Diluted earnings per share available to common shareholders is calculated by dividing income from operations less preferred stock dividend requirements (when anti-dilutive) by the sum of the weighted average common shares outstanding and the weighted average dilutive options, using the treasury stock method.
Shares of common stock underlying outstanding stock options and restricted stock unit awards at September 2013 and September 2012 which were anti-dilutive were not included in the computations of diluted earnings per share. Such anti-dilutive awards excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share included 500 shares of common stock with an average exercise price of $65.97 at September 2013 and 5,950 shares of common stock with an average exercise price of $54.53 at September 2012.
Diluted earnings per share calculation includes all stock options, convertible preferred stock, and restricted stock units deemed to be dilutive.
Diluted earnings per share calculation excludes dividend payments for convertible preferred stock deemed to be dilutive, as those amounts are assumed to have been converted to common stock of the Company.
Goodwill, trademarks and tradenames are considered to have indefinite useful lives and therefore no amortization has been taken on these assets. At September 2013, identifiable intangible assets considered to have finite lives were represented by customer relationships and the value of a non-competition agreement acquired as part of previous acquisitions. The customer relationships are being amortized over eight years and the value of the non-competition agreement is being amortized over five years. These intangible assets are evaluated for accelerated attrition or amortization adjustments if warranted. Amortization expense related to these assets totaled $0.4 million during both fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012.
The Company primarily finances its operations through a credit facility agreement with Bank of America (the "Facility") and long-term debt agreements with banks.
Market rate risk for fixed rate debt is estimated as the potential increase in fair value of debt obligations resulting from decreases in interest rates. Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of the Company's long-term debt approximated its carrying value at September 2013.
AMCON has issued a letter of credit in the amount of approximately $0.4 million to its workers' compensation insurance carrier as part of its self-insured loss control program.
At September 2013, the Company had a $0.4 million noncurrent deferred tax asset related to federal net operating loss carryforwards. These federal net operating loss carryforwards totaled approximately $1.1 million and were primarily attributable to the Company's fiscal 2002 purchase of Hawaiian Natural Water Company, Inc. ("HNWC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The utilization of HNWC's net operating losses is limited by Internal Revenue Code Section 382 to approximately $0.1 million per year through 2022.
At September 2013, the Company had a valuation allowance of approximately $0.6 million against certain state net operating losses, which more likely than not will not be utilized. The Company had no material unrecognized tax benefits, interest, or penalties during either fiscal 2013 or fiscal 2012, and the Company does not anticipate any such items during the next twelve months. The Company's policy is to record interest and penalties directly related to income taxes as income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various states and the tax years 2010 and forward remain open under U.S. and state statutes.
The Company sponsors a profit sharing plan (i.e. a section 401(k) plan) covering substantially all employees. The plan allows employees to make voluntary contributions up to 100% of their compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Service limits. The Company matches 50% of the first 4% contributed and 100% of the next 2% contributed for a maximum match of 4% of employee compensation. The Company made matching contributions to the profit sharing plan of approximately $0.7 and $0.6 million (net of employee forfeitures) in fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively.
The Company's Series A Preferred Stock and 8,000 shares of the Series B Preferred Stock is owned by Mr. Christopher Atayan, AMCON's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. During both fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, the Company paid Mr. Atayan cash dividends of approximately $0.2 million related to his ownership of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock.
Our Retail Segment leases warehouse space from TIP Properties, LLC, which is owned by Mr. Eric Hinkefent, President of Chamberlin's Natural Foods, Inc. and Health Food Associates, and another Company employee. Annual rental payments related to this lease were approximately $0.1 million in both fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012.
The Company leases various office and warehouse facilities and equipment under noncancellable operating leases. Rents charged to expense under these operating leases totaled approximately $4.8 million in fiscal 2013 and $5.2 million in fiscal 2012.
The Company carries property, general liability, vehicle liability, directors and officers' liability and workers' compensation insurance. Additionally, the Company carries an umbrella liability policy to provide excess coverage over the underlying limits of the aforementioned primary policies.
The Company's insurance programs for workers' compensation, general liability, and employee related health care benefits are provided through high deductible or self-insured programs. Claims in excess of self-insurance levels are fully insured subject to policy limits. Accruals are based on historical claims experience, actual claims filed, and estimates of claims incurred but not reported.
The Company's liabilities for unpaid and incurred, but not reported claims, for workers' compensation, general liability, and health insurance at September 2013 and September 2012 was $1.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively. These amounts are included in accrued expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in the Company's opinion, recorded reserves are adequate to cover the future payment of claims previously incurred. However, it is possible that recorded reserves may not be adequate to cover the future payment of claims.
Adjustments, if any, to claims estimates previously recorded, resulting from actual claim payments, are reflected in operations in the periods in which such adjustments are known.
The Company has an Omnibus Incentive Plan ("the Omnibus Plan") which provides for equity incentives to employees. The Omnibus Plan was designed with the intent of encouraging employees to acquire a vested interest in the growth and performance of the Company. The Omnibus Plan permits the issuance of up to 150,000 shares of the Company's common stock in the form of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance share awards as well as awards such as stock appreciation rights, performance units, performance shares, bonus shares, and dividend share awards payable in the form of common stock or cash. The number of shares issuable under the Omnibus Plan is subject to customary adjustments in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, and certain other distributions on the Company's common stock. At September 2013, awards with respect to a total of 130,726 shares, net of forfeitures, had been awarded pursuant to the Omnibus Plan and awards with respect to another 19,274 shares may be awarded under the plan.
Net income before income taxes included compensation expense related to the amortization of the Company's stock option awards of $0.1 million during fiscal 2013 and less than $0.1 million in fiscal 2012. At September 2013, total unamortized compensation expense related to stock options was approximately $0.2 million. This unamortized compensation expense is expected to be amortized over approximately the next 36 months.
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding was approximately $2.1 million and $1.3 million at September 2013 and September 2012, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercisable was approximately $1.7 million and $1.2 million at September 2013 and September 2012, respectively.
The total intrinsic value of stock options was less than $0.1 million in both fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012. The total fair value of stock options vested during fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
8,000 of the restricted stock unit awards were vested as of September 2013. The remaining 4,000 restricted stock units will vest on November 22, 2013.
5,300 of the restricted stock units were vested as of September 2013. The remaining 10,600 restricted stock units will vest in equal amounts on October 25, 2013 and October 25, 2014.
The 15,000 restricted stock units will vest in equal amounts on October 23, 2013, October 23, 2014 and October 23, 2015.
There is no direct cost to the recipients of the restricted stock units, except for any applicable taxes. The recipients of the restricted stock units are entitled to the customary adjustments in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, and certain other distributions on the Company's common stock. All cash dividends and/or distributions payable to restricted stock recipients will be held in escrow until all the conditions of vesting have been met.
The restricted stock units provide that the recipients can elect, at their option, to receive either common stock in the Company, or a cash settlement based upon the closing price of the Company's shares, at the time of vesting. Based on these award provisions, the compensation expense recorded in the Company's Condensed Statement of Operations reflects the straight-line amortized fair value based on the period end closing price.
$0.5 million in both fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively. The total intrinsic value of restricted stock units vested during fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 was approximately $1.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
intercompany eliminations, and assets held and charges incurred by our holding company. The segments are evaluated on revenues, gross margins, operating income (loss), and income before taxes.
During fiscal 2013, the Company repurchased 38,000 shares of its Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and 1,255 shares of its common stock from its holders in a private transaction for approximately $2.5 million. In a separate and unrelated private transaction during fiscal 2013, the Company also repurchased 12,954 shares of its common stock from an independent third party for cash and other consideration totaling approximately $0.8 million.
On October 22, 2013, the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors awarded 17,900 restricted stock units to members of the Company's management team. The restricted stock units provide that the award recipients can elect, at their option, to receive either common stock in the Company, or a cash settlement, at the time of vesting. The awards vest in equal amounts on October 22, 2014, October 22, 2015, and October 22, 2016.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act, an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2013 was made under the supervision and with the participation of our senior management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and fraud. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management's override of the control.
The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and the dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that our transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.
We have completed our evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley and Item 308(a) of Regulation S-K. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2013. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO 1992). Based on its assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2013.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Company's registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management's report in this annual report.
There were no changes in our internal control that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
The Registrant's Proxy Statement to be used in connection with the December 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Proxy Statement") will contain under the captions "Item 1: Election of Directors—What is the structure of our board and how often are directors elected?", "Item 1: Election of Directors—Who are this year's nominees?", "Item 1: Election of Directors—What is the business experience of the nominees and of our continuing board members and the basis for the conclusion that each such person should serve on our board?", "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance", "Corporate Governance and Board Matters—Code of Ethics", and "Corporate Governance and Board Matters—Committees of the Board—Audit Committee", certain information required by Item 10 of Form 10-K and such information is incorporated herein by this reference.
The information appearing under the caption "Executive Officers of the Registrant" in Part I of this report also is incorporated herein by reference. Our Board of Directors has adopted a code of ethical conduct that applies to our executive officers, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer. This code of ethical conduct is available without charge to any person who requests it by writing to our corporate secretary. It also is available on our internet website (www.amcon.com) by clicking on the "Corporate Governance" tab under "Investor Relations". Any substantive amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of this code that applies to our principal executive officer or principal financial officer will be disclosed on our internet website and, if required by rules of the SEC or NYSE MKT, on the reports we file with the SEC.
The Registrant's Proxy Statement will contain under the captions "Executive Compensation and Related Matters" and "Corporate Governance and Board Matters—Director Compensation" the information required by Item 11 of Form 10-K, and such information is incorporated herein by this reference. Rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission permit the Company to omit the disclosure contemplated by Item 407(e)(4) and (e)(5) relating to "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "Compensation Committee Report", respectively, and this annual report does not include such disclosure.
The Registrant's Proxy Statement will contain under the captions "Ownership of Our Common Stock by Our Directors and Executive Officers and Other Principal Stockholders" and "Executive Compensation and Related Matters—Equity Compensation Plan Information" the information required by Item 12 of Form 10-K and such information is incorporated herein by this reference.
The Registrant's Proxy Statement will contain under the captions "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions", "Item 1: Election of Directors—What is the structure of our board and how often are directors elected?" and "Corporate Governance and Board Matters—Committees of the Board", the information required by Item 13 of Form 10-K and such information is incorporated herein by this reference.
The Registrant's Proxy Statement will contain under the caption "Independent Auditor Fees and Services", the information required by Item 14 of Form 10-K and such information is incorporated herein by this reference.
The financial statements filed as part of this filing are listed on the index to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8.
Amended and Restated Bylaws of AMCON Distributing Company dated January 29, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of AMCON's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 4, 2008).
Certification by Andrew C. Plummer, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, furnished pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Interactive Data File (filed herewithin electronically).
Represents management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.