The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the FY 2012 first quarter statements filed with SEDAR. Included in these documents may be forward-looking statements with respect to the Company. These forward-looking statements by their nature necessarily involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such statements. The Company considers the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based to be reasonable at the time they were prepared but cautions the reader that these assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, may ultimately prove to be incorrect.
MRRM Inc. (the "Company") reported its results for the first time in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") in the first quarter of FY 2012. A reconciliation of reported earnings to earnings that would have been reported under Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") is included on page 5 of this Management Discussion and Analysis.
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements were prepared by the Company in accordance with IFRS and have not been reviewed by the Company's auditors. Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with the presentation adopted in the financial statements.
Additional documents and information are available at the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) and can be accessed through the internet: For MRRM's profile or for documents go to www.sedar.com Information is also available on the Corporate website at www.MRRM.ca.
MONTREAL, May 3, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ -
Consolidated Income And Comprehensive Income and Equity
Revenues for the year (last year) were $59,456,000 ($63,803,000) decreasing by $4,347,000 (-6.8%). As shown in the segmented information, sales and income from operating activities amounted to $59,262,000 ($63,270,000) being 99.7% (99.2%) of total revenues. Income from corporate totaled $194,000 ($533,000). Unrealized losses in fair market value of the portfolio amounted to $21,000 compared to unrealized gains of $393,000 last year. Operating Revenues decreased by $4,008,000 (-6.3%) compared to last year. Revenue from Corporate decreased by $339,000; for details refer to Portfolio Income Summary under Corporate Investments.
Costs and expenses for the year (last year) were $58,754,000 ($61,609,000), a decrease of $2,855,000 (-4.6%). Costs related to operating activities, before exchange and interest, decreased by $2,961,000 (-4.8%). Expenses related to corporate increased by $34,000.
Operating results are discussed later on in this report.
The impact of the fluctuating Canadian dollar resulted in a total currency exchange loss of $185,000 compared to $9,000 last year all included under cost of sales. As disclosed in the Notes, the net exposures were as follows: at February 29, 2012, US$2,565,000; at February 28, 2011, US$4,487,000; at February 28, 2010, US($450,000).
The company uses foreign exchange contracts to manage foreign exchange exposure. At February 29, 2012, the Company had foreign exchange contracts outstanding allowing the Company to buy USD$8,600,000 at an average rate of 1.0209. The maturity dates of these contracts range from March to December 2012. The Company has recorded a current liability on the balance sheet under the caption "derivative financial liabilities" in the amount of $238,000.
Interest expensed on bank indebtedness and the reducing term loan amounted to $159,000 compared to $113,000 last year for an increase of $46,000. Interest related to the long-term debt was $23,000 compared to $68,000 last year.
Profit before income taxes for the year (last year) was $702,000 ($2,194,000), a decrease of $1,492,000. Profit from operating activities for the year (last year) was $700,000 ($1,819,000), a decrease of $1,119,000. Profit (loss) from corporate for the year (last year) was $2,000 ($375,000), a decrease of $373,000.
Income taxes for the year (last year) were $82,000 ($417,000). Details of the income tax components are presented in the Notes to the financial statements.
Profit for the year (last year) was $620,000 ($1,777,000) or $0.24 ($0.70) per share.
Dividends paid during the year amounted to $1,267,000. This represents a special dividend of $0.50 per share. The declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
ANNUAL RESULTS (Expressed in thousands, except for amounts per share - unaudited) |
2012 IFRS $ |
2011 IFRS $ |
2010 GAAP $ |
Revenues | 59,456 | 63,803 | 65,808 |
Profit (loss) | 620 | 1,777 | 1,520 |
Profit (loss) per share | 0.24 | 0.70 | 0.60 |
Total Assets | 36,946 | 38,052 | 34,303 |
Total non-current Financial Liabilities | 0 | 290 | 842 |
Dividends Per share | 0.50 | 0.15 | 0.10 |
Summary of Quarterly Results
The following financial summary is derived from the Company's financial statements for each of the eight most recently completed fiscal quarters.
Summary of Quarterly Financial Results for the eight most recent fiscal quarters | Feb 29, 2012 (2012.Q4) |
Nov 30, 2011 (2012.Q3) |
Aug 31, 2011 (2012.Q2) |
May 31, 2011 (2012.Q1) |
Feb 28, 2011 (2011.Q4) |
Nov 30, 2010 (2011.Q3) |
Aug 31, 2010 (2011.Q2) |
May 31, 2010 (2011.Q1) |
(Expressed in thousands, except for amounts per share - unaudited) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Revenues | 16,014 | 16,522 | 12,572 | 14,348 | 15,864 | 15,870 | 16,471 | 15,598 |
Profit (loss) | 510 | 407 | -119 | -178 | 150 | 900 | 413 | 314 |
Profit (loss) per share | 0.20 | 0.16 | -0.05 | -0.07 | 0.06 | 0.35 | 0.17 | 0.12 |
Dividends per share | 0.00 | 0.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.15 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Revenues for this quarter (last year) were $16,014,000 ($15,864,000), an increase of $150,000 (0.9%). Revenue from operating activities amounted to $15,801,000 ($15,635,000) being 98.7% (98.6%) of total revenues. Income from corporate totaled $213,000 ($229,000). Operating revenues for this quarter increased by $166,000 (1.1%) compared to this quarter last year. Revenue from Corporate decreased by $16,000.
Costs and expenses for this quarter (last year) were $15,532,000 ($15,892,000), a decrease of $360,000 (-2.3%). Costs related to operating activities, before exchange and interest, decreased by $393,000 (-2.5%).
Interest expense for this quarter (last year) was $47,000 ($23,000) and was $29,000 in 2012.Q3, $37,000 in 2012.Q2 and $46,000 in 2012.Q1. As well this quarter, the Company recovered $1,000 due to variation in fair value of the interest rate swap which is a component of the long term debt facility.
Profit before income taxes for this quarter (last year) was $482,000 (-$28,000), an increase of $510,000. Profit from operating activities was $281,000 (-$249,000), an increase of $530,000 and corporate were $201,000 ($221,000), a decrease of $20,000.
Income taxes for this quarter (last year) were -$28,000 (-$178,000). The effective tax rates are presented in the Notes to the financial statements.
Profit for this quarter (last year) was $510,000 ($150,000) or $0.20 ($0.06) per share.
Consolidated Cash Flows, Liquidity and Financial Position
In investing activities, the Company added $2,150,000 of net property, plant and equipment compared to $557,000 last year.
Available credit facilities
The credit facilities available and reported at last year-end remain substantially unchanged. The facilities are comprised of a revolving line of credit for $7,000,000 CDN {or its US equivalent} which bears interest at the Canadian prime rate for Canadian loans and U.S. base rate for U.S. loans and, optionally, the Company may take advantage of Bankers Acceptances. The financial covenants and arrangements relating to financing facilities are detailed in the Notes to the audited consolidated financial statements. These covenants are being respected and have been met.
Trade and other receivables decreased by $52,000 compared to last fiscal year-end. Account balances are substantially current, there are no anticipated serious collection issues and any potential write-offs have been provided for in the accounts.
Inventories increased by $734,000 (9.2%) and overall volumes of rice increased by 5.5%.
Marketable securities - see table of Investment Mix in discussion of results.
Property, plant and equipment increased by $742,000 comprised of additions of $2,150,000 and amortization of $1,408,000.
Bank indebtedness was $3,044,000 compared to a positive cash position of $2,742,000 at last year-end.
Trade and other payables decreased by $2,261,000 mainly due to timing on rice purchases and by amounts due related to the agency business.
Long Term Loan was repaid in full on February 14, 2012 in accordance with the arrangements of the five year reducing term facility agreement.
Deferred taxes, net liability, decreased by $18,000.
Total equity decreased by $323,000 to $18,700,000 from $19,023,000 and represents $7.38 ($7.49) per share.
Capital stock remained unchanged at $539,000 and represents 2,535,000 issued common shares.
The MRRM Inc. shares have a very limited distribution and are infrequently traded on the TSX-Venture Exchange under the symbol MRR.
www.TSX-Venture Exchange
Critical Accounting Policies:
These are the first audited annual consolidated financial statements that comply with IFRS. The accounting policies set out in Note 5 of the Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Statements have been applied in preparing the financial results for the year ended February 29, 2012. The comparative information presented in these consolidated financial statements and the consolidated financial positions for the years ended February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011 and March 1, 2010 ("transition date") have all been revised to reflect earnings and the financial position presented in accordance with IFRS.
First-time adopters of IFRS must apply the provisions of IFRS 1, which requires adopters to retrospectively apply all effective IFRS standards as of the annual reporting date (February 29, 2012) with certain optional and mandatory exemptions. Outlined below are the IFRS 1 optional and mandatory exemptions applied in the conversion from previous Canadian GAAP to IFRS. To the extent possible, management has attempted to ensure that elections made provide shareholders with consistently prepared financial statements, however certain elections have been made on a prospective basis that have resulted in some inconsistencies between the Company's financial statements and the corresponding comparative amounts. These elections are outlined below.
IFRS 1 Optional Exemptions
Borrowing Costs
The Company elected to apply IAS 23, Borrowing Costs, prospectively from the date of transition and to carry forward any borrowing costs capitalized under previous GAAP, without any adjustments.
Financial instrument
The Company has taken the exemption to designate some financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss at the date of transition.
Employee Benefits
IFRS 1 provides the option to retrospectively apply the corridor approach under IAS 19, Employee Benefits, for the recognition of actuarial gains and losses, or recognize all cumulative gains and losses deferred under Canadian GAAP in opening retained earnings at the transition date. The Company elected to recognize all cumulative actuarial gains and losses that existed at its transition date in opening retained earnings for all of its employee benefit plans. Further, the Company has elected to use the exemption not to disclose defined benefit surplus/deficit and experience adjustments before the date of transition.
Business Combinations
The Company elected not to retrospectively apply IFRS 3, Business Combinations, to business combinations prior to March 1, 2010.
Property Plant and Equipment
In lieu of full retrospective application of IAS 16, Property, Plant and Equipment, on transition, IFRS 1 permits that a first-time adopter, at the date of transition, can either record its property, plant and equipment at fair value or its carrying value. The option can be applied separately to each asset or class of assets. The Company elected a combination of both. The approach taken resulted in:
- Continuing to recognize our plant, machinery and equipment, software, computers and furniture and fixtures on a historical cost basis with an adjustment to revise the accumulated amortization in accordance with IFRS compliant estimated useful lives; and
- The deemed cost recorded for the land was its fair value at the transition date.
IFRS 1 Mandatory Exceptions
Financial Assets and Liabilities
Financial assets and liabilities that had been de-recognized before the transition under previous GAAP have not been recognized under IFRS.
Estimates
The Company has used estimates under IFRS that are consistent with those applied under previous GAAP (with adjustment for accounting policy differences) unless there is objective evidence those estimates were in error.
Hedge Accounting
Hedge accounting can only be applied prospectively from the transition date to transactions that satisfy the hedge accounting criteria in IAS 39 at that date. Hedging relationships cannot be designated retrospectively and the supporting documentation cannot be created retrospectively. As a result, only hedging relationships that satisfied the hedge accounting criteria as of the transition date are reflected as hedges in the Company's results under IFRS. Each of the Company's hedging relationships was assessed to conclude that all hedges recorded under Canadian GAAP qualified for hedge accounting under IFRS at the transition date.
Reconciliations of Canadian GAAP to IFRS
In preparing its opening IFRS consolidated financial statements, the Company has adjusted amounts reported previously in financial statements prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. A summary of how the transition from Canadian GAAP to IFRS has affected the Company's financial position and financial performance is set out below. For further detail on the transitional adjustments from Canadian GAAP to IFRS see Note 13 of the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements for the year ended February 29, 2012.
Reconciliation of Shareholders' Equity as Reported Under Canadian GAAP to IFRS
Reconciliation of Equity as at : (Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars) |
March 1, 2010 |
|
February 28, 2011 |
Equity under GAAP | $17,924 | $19,054 | |
Changes due to: | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment | 263 | 52 | |
Actuarial gains/losses on employee future benefits | (7) | (158) | |
Income taxes as a result of the above | (65) | 75 | |
191 | (31) | ||
Equity under IFRS | $18,115 | $19,023 |
Reconciliation of Net Earnings as Reported Under Canadian GAAP to IFRS | |||||||
Reconciliation of Income Statement for the year ending February 28, 2011 | |||||||
(Expressed in thousands of CAD dollars) | |||||||
Canadian GAAP accounts |
Canadian GAAP balance |
IFRS adjustments |
IFRS reclassifications |
IFRS balance |
IFRS accounts |
||
Revenues | |||||||
Sales | $63,270 | $0 | $0 | $63,270 | Sales | ||
Increase in fair value of marketable securities held for trading | 533 |
0 |
0 |
533 |
Finance income |
||
$63,803 | $0 | $0 | $63,803 | ||||
Expenses | Costs and expenses | ||||||
Cost of sales, selling and administrative | $60,023 | $152 | ($8,166) | $52,009 | Cost of sales | ||
3,488 | 3,488 | Distribution | |||||
6,014 | 6,014 | Administrative | |||||
Amortization | 1,156 | 210 | (1,366) | 0 | Included in cost of sales | ||
Finance cost | |||||||
Interest on Long-term debt | 68 | 0 | 0 | 68 | Interest on Long-term debt | ||
Other interest | 45 | 0 | 0 | 45 | Interest on line of credit | ||
0 | 0 | 30 | 30 | Interest on defined benefit plan | |||
Change in fair value of Swap contract | (45) | 0 | 0 | (45) | Change in fair value of swap contract | ||
$61,247 | $362 | $0 | $61,609 | ||||
Earnings before income taxes | $2,556 | $2,194 | Profit (loss) before income taxes | ||||
Income taxes | 557 | (140) | 0 | 417 | Income taxes | ||
Net result for the year | $1,999 | ($222) | $0 | $1,777 | Profit (loss) | ||
Total adjustment to equity | ($222) | $0 |
Reconciliation of Comprehensive Income (Loss) as Reported Under Canadian GAAP to IFRS
Reconciliation of Comprehensive Income for the period ending (Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars) |
February 28, 2011 |
Total Comprehensive Income under GAAP | $1,510 |
Changes in net earnings per above | (222) |
Total Comprehensive Income under IFRS | $1,288 |
The following table reflects Earnings per Share as reported under IFRS in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended as indicated below.
|
February 29 2012 |
February 28 2011 |
Net earnings (loss) attributable to the owners of the parent Company | $620,000 | $1,777,000 |
Weighted average number of shares in circulation | 2,535,000 | 2,535,000 |
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share | $0.24 | $0.70 |
Future Accounting Changes:
At the date of authorization of the Company's financial statements, certain new standards amendments and interpretations to existing standards have been published but are not yet effective, and have not been adopted early by the Company.
Management anticipates that all of the relevant pronouncements will be adopted in the Company's accounting policies for the first period beginning after the effective date of the pronouncement. Information on new standards, amendments and interpretations that are expected to be relevant to the Company's financial statements is provided below. Certain other new standards and interpretations have been issued but are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
The IASB aims to replace IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement in its entirety. The replacement standard (IFRS 9) is being issued in phases. To date, the chapters dealing with recognition, classification, measurement and de-recognition of financial assets and liabilities have been issued. These chapters are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2015. Further chapters dealing with impairment methodology and hedge accounting are still being developed.
Management has yet to assess the impact that this amendment is likely to have on the consolidated financial statements of the Company. However, they do not expect to implement the amendments until all chapters of IFRS 9 have been published and they comprehensively assess the impact of all changes.
IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements
In May 2011, the IASB issued IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, which is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, with early adoption permitted. IFRS 10 provides a single model to be applied in the control analysis for all investees. The Company intends to adopt IFRS 10 for the annual period beginning on March 1, 2013. The extent of the impact of adoption of IFRS 10 is not expected to be material.
IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities
In May 2011, the IASB issued IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interest in Other Entities, which is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, with early adoption permitted. IFRS 12 contains disclosure requirements for companies that have interests in subsidiaries, joint arrangements, associates and unconsolidated structured entities. The Company intends to adopt IFRS 12 for the annual period beginning on March 1, 2013. The extent of the impact of adoption of IFRS 12 is not expected to be material.
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement
In May 2011, the IASB published IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement, which is effective prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. IFRS 13 replaces the fair value measurement guidance contained in individual IFRSs with a single source of fair value measurement guidance. The standard also establishes a framework for measuring fair value and sets out disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The Company intends to adopt IFRS 13 prospectively for the annual period beginning on March 1, 2013. The extent of the impact of adoption of IFRS 13 is not expected to be material.
IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements
In June 2011, the IASB published amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements: Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income, which are effective for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2012 and are to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments require that a company present separately the items of Other Comprehensive Income that may be reclassified to profit or loss in the future from those that would never be reclassified to profit or loss. The Company intends to adopt the amendments for the annual period beginning on March 1, 2013. The extent of the impact of adoption of the amendments is not expected to be material.
IAS 19 Employee Benefits
In June 2011, the IASB published an amended version of IAS 19 Employee Benefits. Adoption of the amendment is required for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The amendment is generally applied retrospectively with certain exceptions. The amendment will require actuarial gains and losses to be recognized immediately in other comprehensive income, past service costs to be fully recognized immediately in profit or loss and the recognition of expected return on plan assets in profit or loss to be calculated based on the rate used to discount the defined benefit obligation. The amendment also requires other additional disclosures. The Company intends to adopt the amendment in its financial statements for the annual period beginning on March 1, 2013. Management has yet to assess the impact of this amended standard.
Discussion of Results:
In Dainty Foods, net sales decreased by $5,264,000 (-9.1%) to $52,788,000 for the year and by $389,000 (-2.7%) for the quarter compared to last year while rice sales volumes decreased by 3.6% for the year and by 6.6% for the quarter compared to last year. The net sales reduction is a result of a temporary halt in purchases by a major industrial customer combined with lower selling prices of flour due to increased competitive pressure and the weaker US Dollar. The loss of volume due to the temporary halt is partially offset by increased volume of other products. Costs and expenses decreased by $4,364,000 (-7.7%) to $52,489,000 for the year compared to last year in proportion to the decrease in sales. Costs and expenses decreased by $1,090,000 (-7.4%) to $13,678,000 for the quarter compared to last year. Profit before income taxes for the year decreased by $901,000 to $299,000 compared to last year and increased by $701,000 for the quarter compared to last year.
The Company continues to pursue new value-added retail products some of which will be outsourced. This outsourcing will minimize capital investment while enhancing Dainty Foods' offerings in the retail marketplace for both branded and private label items. New selling relationships continue to be developed and are intended to add strength to our retail sales efforts. Dainty Foods International (DFI) succeeded in penetrating the US private label retail market.
The 2010 rice harvest volume in the United States was the largest on record. Notwithstanding, industry milling yields for the 2010-2011 North American rice crop have widely been characterized as the worst in fifty years due to climatic conditions during the growing season. Low yields forced milling costs upward. Unusually warm nights during the growing season in 2010 altered the rate of rice kernel maturity and created the yield issue. The yield issues were widespread with the worst experience in Arkansas where more than half of the USA supply is grown. Southern rice mills slowed their processes significantly to deal with low yields, reducing head rice output and causing upward pressure on rice prices.
Parboiled rice was shorted to Dainty and supply was covered with overseas parboiled rice for the first time in the company's history.
Dainty began to mill new crop medium and long grain rice mid-January, 2011, after exhausting all opportunities to locate old crop rice. Our yields through the Windsor facility deteriorated and did not recover. The financial impact of the lower yields is most significant with a large industrial account and food service customers given that the majority of the brown rice milled in Windsor is sold to those accounts. Low yields and the accompanying financial loss did not change prior to the availability of new crop in November of 2011.
The quality of the American rice harvest during the fall of 2011 can be described as normal. Rice market new crop prices have softened in North America. The expectation of rising prices due to a dramatic reduction in planted acreage has been softened by major losses in the traditional American export markets and by stiff competition from South American countries.
Foreign market prices are mixed, with India offering low pricing to consume excess long grain inventories accumulated during their three year export ban. Thai and USA prices are at the top end. Vietnam continues to develop as a significant competitor to Thailand in both long grain and fragrant rice.
There is speculation that American rice acreage planted will decrease further in the new crop plantings in April and May, 2012, as growers choose to plant increased amounts of corn and soybeans.
Dainty has secured significant rice coverage going forward through this new crop year to protect against cost increases as acreage continues to decrease and rice cost plateaus.
Dainty Foods had partially offset the increased costs through negotiated price increases to certain customers. However the negotiation process was only moderately successful due to strong competition from American mills who benefit from the weak US dollar.
Competitive pricing by American rice mills and the weak US dollar have negatively impacted margins for rice flour and bulk bagged food service products.
In Robert Reford, revenue increased by $362,000 (7.0%) to $5,542,000 for the year and by $124,000 for the quarter compared to last year.
Profit before income taxes for the year decreased by $3,000 to $614,000. Profit increased by $87,000 compared to this quarter last year.
Corporate Investments, portfolio income is summarized as follows:
For the year | For the quarter | |||
2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |
Dividend and interest income | $169,000 | $150,000 | $51,000 | $37,000 |
Capital gains (losses) | -$12,000 | -$10,000 | -$70,000 | -$37,000 |
Unrealized change in Fair Value | -$21,000 | $393,000 | $174,000 | $229,000 |
Totals: | $136,000 | $533,000 | $155,000 | $229,000 |
During this quarter, global financial markets improved; as a result $174,000 was recovered for a loss in Fair Market Value of $21,000 for the year compared to an unrealized gain of $393,000 last year. The portfolio remains conservatively invested and no significant policy changes are foreseen. The Corporate Investments continue to be held with a long term view.
Investment Mix | Feb 29, 2012 (2012.Q4) |
Nov 30, 2011 (2012.Q3) |
Aug 31, 2011 (2012.Q2) |
May 31, 2011 (2012.Q1) |
Feb 28, 2011 (2011.Q4) |
Cash & Equivalents | 0.9% | 0.9% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 5.6% |
Bonds | 25.3% | 24.0% | 24.6% | 24.5% | 24.6% |
Preferred Shares | 20.0% | 20.2% | 16.4% | 15.8% | 13.0% |
Canadian Equities | 35.4% | 38.9% | 38.7% | 40.9% | 40.8% |
U.S. & Foreign Equities | 18.4% | 16.0% | 15.6% | 16.2% | 16.0% |
Certification
The Company's management, under the direction and supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, continually evaluates the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and has concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
The Company's management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining internal controls over financial reporting. These controls were designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS.
There have been no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting during this quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
Outlook
Profit for the fiscal year was significantly lower than last year primarily due to higher costs associated with low milling yields of the 2010 North American rice crop. This yield issue began to normalize late in the third quarter as the milling of new crop commenced. Aggressive competitive pricing for rice flour products and bulk bagged rice for the food service market coupled with the value of the American dollar will continue to challenge profitability.
While the Company is anticipating growth in food processing and selling and maintaining a strong position within the ship agency services business, growth will be impacted by several factors including (i) the ability of the Company to secure rice at competitive prices (ii) the rate of acceptance of new private label products (iii) the ability within the marketplace to manage price increases to cover increased costs (iv) the yield and quality of rice supply and (v) general economic conditions.
Risks and Uncertainties
Overview
Management of risk includes properly identifying, communicating and controlling the risks which may cause a serious impact to the business. Management is confident that the Company employs effective procedures to address all material risks.
Competitive pricing in both retail and industrial segments will continue to impact margins.
Detroit River International Crossing Construction Impact:
Significant construction activities are expected to commence on the Transport Canada property site adjacent to the Dainty Foods facility approximately five months from now. Dainty Foods is proceeding with infrastructure changes to the facility to protect our food products from the possibility of airborne contamination. These changes primarily include fine particle filtration units and enclosing dock loading areas to protect our food products from the possibility of airborne contamination.
The capital cost of the protective measures is approximately 3.2 million dollars and the ongoing costs of the operation and maintenance of the new equipment are approximately $350,000 per year.
The company is continuing a negotiation process with Transport Canada to recover the project costs but the outcome of these negotiations is uncertain at this time. Capital costs will be funded from the company's line of credit until a resolution with Transport Canada is reached.
The following items were discussed in the MD&A in the last Annual Report and remain principally unchanged. Please refer to these documents for this information.
Ability to Sustain Revenue | |
Ability to Address Cost and Expense Concerns | |
Economic Conditions | |
Environment |
For further information regarding financial risk management, please refer to the Notes to the interim financial statements.
On behalf of the Board
(Signed) | (Signed) |
Nikola M. Reford Chairman |
Terry Henderson President & Chief Executive Officer |
Dated at Montreal (Westmount), Quebec, May 3, 2012. |
Lou Younan, Vice-President Finance & CFO, MRRM Inc., (514) 908-7777, Fax: (514) 906-0220, [email protected]
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