Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED APRIL 2, 2011
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      TO                     
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 001-11593
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
OHIO   31-1414921
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
14111 SCOTTSLAWN ROAD,    
MARYSVILLE, OHIO   43041
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(937) 644-0011
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
             
Large accelerated filer þ   Accelerated filero   Non-accelerated filer o   oSmaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
     
Class   Outstanding at May 6, 2011
Common Shares, $0.01 stated value, no par value   64,966,209 common shares
 
 

 

 


 

THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
INDEX
         
    PAGE NO.  
       
 
       
       
 
       
    3  
 
       
    4  
 
       
    5  
 
       
    6  
 
       
    32  
 
       
    41  
 
       
    41  
 
       
       
 
       
    41  
 
       
    42  
 
       
    42  
 
       
    43  
 
       
    43  
 
       
    44  
 
       
    45  
 
       
 Exhibit 10.7
 Exhibit 10.11
 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32
 EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
 EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

 

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
CONDENSED, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)
                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Net sales
  $ 1,129.6     $ 1,050.7     $ 1,359.8     $ 1,303.1  
Cost of sales
    665.6       635.1       845.9       833.8  
Cost of sales — product registration and recall matters
    1.3       0.6       2.1       1.5  
 
                       
Gross profit
    462.7       415.0       511.8       467.8  
 
                               
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling, general and administrative
    216.2       216.7       359.4       343.0  
Product registration and recall matters
    1.2       1.1       2.1       2.8  
Other (income) expense, net
    (0.3 )     0.5       (0.8 )     (5.7 )
 
                       
Income from operations
    245.6       196.7       151.1       127.7  
 
                               
Interest expense
    13.8       14.1       23.3       23.8  
 
                       
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    231.8       182.6       127.8       103.9  
 
                               
Income tax expense from continuing operations
    83.2       68.4       45.9       39.8  
 
                       
Income from continuing operations
    148.6       114.2       81.9       64.1  
 
                               
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
    29.0       4.3       27.8       (3.3 )
 
                       
Net income
  $ 177.6     $ 118.5     $ 109.7     $ 60.8  
 
                       
 
                               
BASIC INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 2.26     $ 1.72     $ 1.24     $ 0.97  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    0.44       0.07       0.42       (0.05 )
 
                       
Basic net income per common share
  $ 2.70     $ 1.79     $ 1.66     $ 0.92  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period
    65.8       66.2       66.1       66.0  
 
                       
 
                               
DILUTED INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 2.20     $ 1.69     $ 1.21     $ 0.95  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    0.43       0.07       0.41       (0.05 )
 
                       
Diluted net income per common share
  $ 2.63     $ 1.76     $ 1.62     $ 0.90  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period plus dilutive potential common shares
    67.6       67.4       67.7       67.2  
 
                       
 
                               
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.250     $ 0.125     $ 0.500     $ 0.250  
 
                       
See notes to condensed, consolidated financial statements

 

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THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
CONDENSED, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN MILLIONS)
(UNAUDITED)
                 
    SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,  
    2011     2010  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
               
Net income
  $ 109.7     $ 60.8  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Share-based compensation expense
    10.8       8.2  
Depreciation
    24.6       24.2  
Amortization
    5.4       5.6  
Gain on sale of long-lived assets
    (0.1 )     (21.6 )
Gain on sale of business
    (90.6 )      
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired businesses:
               
Accounts receivable
    (801.7 )     (699.4 )
Inventories
    (202.1 )     (136.0 )
Prepaid and other assets
    (34.4 )     (42.1 )
Accounts payable
    223.4       133.2  
Other current liabilities
    141.4       43.1  
Restructuring reserves
    (0.1 )      
Other non-current items
    5.0       7.3  
Other, net
    4.7       5.3  
 
           
Net cash used in operating activities
    (604.0 )     (611.4 )
 
           
 
               
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Proceeds from sale of long-lived assets
    0.2       23.6  
Proceeds from sale of business, net of transaction costs
    249.8        
Investments in property, plant and equipment
    (44.5 )     (37.9 )
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    205.5       (14.3 )
 
           
 
               
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Borrowings under revolving and bank lines of credit and term loans
    993.7       845.5  
Repayments under revolving and bank lines of credit and term loans
    (651.3 )     (440.4 )
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes, net of discount
    200.0       198.5  
Financing and issuance fees
    (4.1 )     (5.5 )
Dividends paid
    (33.3 )     (17.6 )
Purchase of treasury shares
    (93.7 )      
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
    4.4       3.7  
Cash received from exercise of stock options
    21.8       12.9  
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
    437.5       597.1  
 
           
 
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    1.6       (3.7 )
 
           
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    40.6       (32.3 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    88.1       70.6  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 128.7     $ 38.3  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental cash flow information
               
Interest paid, net of interest capitalized
    18.6       20.0  
Income taxes paid
    4.2       9.0  
See notes to condensed, consolidated financial statements

 

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THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
CONDENSED, CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                         
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     SEPTEMBER 30,  
    2011     2010     2010  
    UNAUDITED     (SEE NOTE 1)  
ASSETS
Current assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 128.7     $ 38.3     $ 88.1  
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $7.9, $10.2 and $7.7, respectively
    1,142.3       916.2       350.9  
Accounts receivable pledged
          80.5        
Inventories, net
    556.1       531.6       352.9  
Assets held for sale
          237.9       193.1  
Prepaid and other assets
    164.5       195.9       133.1  
 
                 
Total current assets
    1,991.6       2,000.4       1,118.1  
 
                       
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $485.1, $439.7 and $461.1, respectively
    396.1       362.7       381.3  
Goodwill
    305.8       305.8       305.8  
Intangible assets, net
    344.7       353.5       330.2  
Other assets
    36.4       29.2       28.6  
 
                 
Total assets
  $ 3,074.6     $ 3,051.6     $ 2,164.0  
 
                 
 
                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                       
Current portion of debt
  $ 764.6     $ 244.3     $ 195.0  
Accounts payable
    365.9       301.8       141.7  
Liabilities held for sale
          45.7       45.3  
Other current liabilities
    508.5       424.2       354.8  
 
                 
Total current liabilities
    1,639.0       1,016.0       736.8  
 
                       
Long-term debt
    416.0       1,156.0       436.7  
Other liabilities
    231.0       205.9       226.0  
 
                 
Total liabilities
    2,286.0       2,377.9       1,399.5  
 
                 
 
                       
Commitments and contingencies (notes 3 and 11)
                       
 
                       
Shareholders’ equity:
                       
Common shares and capital in excess of $.01 stated value per share, 65.7, 66.9 and 66.8 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
    425.7       435.9       434.0  
Retained earnings
    573.3       381.4       499.6  
Treasury shares, at cost: 2.6, 1.7 and 1.8 shares, respectively
    (139.0 )     (90.0 )     (92.0 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (71.4 )     (53.6 )     (77.1 )
 
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    788.6       673.7       764.5  
 
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 3,074.6     $ 3,051.6     $ 2,164.0  
 
                 
See notes to condensed, consolidated financial statements

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (“Scotts Miracle-Gro”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, together with Scotts Miracle-Gro, the “Company”) are engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and sale of branded products for consumer lawn and garden care. The Company’s primary customers include home centers, mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs, large hardware chains, independent hardware stores, nurseries, garden centers and food and drug stores. The Company’s products are sold primarily in North America and the European Union. The Company also operates the Scotts LawnService® business, which provides residential and commercial lawn care, tree and shrub care and limited pest control services in the United States.
On February 28, 2011, the Company completed the sale of a significant majority of the assets of its Global Professional business (excluding the non-European professional seed business, “Global Pro”) to Israel Chemicals Ltd. (“ICL”). Effective in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company classified Global Pro as discontinued operations. See “NOTE 2. DISCONTINUED OPERATONS.”
Due to the nature of the consumer lawn and garden business, the majority of sales to customers occur in the Company’s second and third fiscal quarters. On a combined basis, net sales for the second and third fiscal quarters represent approximately 75% of annual net sales.
ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The Company’s condensed, consolidated financial statements are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, these financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The condensed, consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Scotts Miracle-Gro and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s consolidation criteria are based on majority ownership (as evidenced by a majority voting interest in the entity) and an objective evaluation and determination of effective management control. Interim results reflect all normal and recurring adjustments and are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted or condensed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information in this report should be read in conjunction with Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, which includes a complete set of disclosures, including the Company’s significant accounting policies.
The Company’s Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2010 has been derived from the Company’s audited Consolidated Balance Sheet at that date, but does not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of condensed, consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions the Company may undertake in the future, actual results ultimately may differ from the estimates.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Variable Interest Entities
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance requiring an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. The new guidance also requires enhanced disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity. The Company adopted the new guidance on October 1, 2010 and the adoption did not impact the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures.
Revenue Recognition — Multiple-Element Arrangements
In October 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance addressing the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable entities to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit. The provisions establish the accounting and reporting guidance for arrangements under which the entity will perform multiple revenue-generating activities. Specifically, this guidance addresses how to separate deliverables and how to measure and allocate arrangement consideration to one or more units of accounting. The Company adopted the new guidance on October 1, 2010 and the adoption did not impact the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures.

 

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NOTE 2. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Global Pro
On February 28, 2011, the Company completed the sale of Global Pro to ICL for $270 million, pursuant to the terms of the definitive share and business sale agreement (the “SBSA”) between Scotts Miracle-Gro, The Scotts Company LLC (“Scotts”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scotts Miracle-Gro, and ICL. After agreed upon adjustments, the Company received $264.6 million net proceeds at closing. This amount is subject to further post-closing adjustments, primarily relating to working capital, and is expected to be finalized during the Company’s third quarter of fiscal 2011. Results from discontinued operations for the first six months of fiscal 2011 include an after-tax gain on the sale of Global Pro of $21.5 million, which includes transaction costs.
The Company’s decision to exit the professional ornamental horticulture, turf and specialty agriculture markets and sell Global Pro was another step in its strategy to evolve its business portfolio to better leverage growth opportunities within its core Global Consumer business segment. The Company applied a portion of the net proceeds of the sale toward debt retirement and intends to apply the remaining portion toward capital investments.
In conjunction with the transaction, Scotts and ICL entered into several product supply agreements which are generally up to five years in duration, as well as various trademark and technology licensing agreements with varying durations. The purpose of these agreements is to allow each party to continue leveraging existing production capabilities and intellectual property to meet customer demand for their respective products. Furthermore, certain transitional services are being provided by Scotts to ICL, the majority of which extend for a period of six to 12 months from the date of sale. Scotts estimates that it will supply ICL with approximately $35 million of product, as well as purchase approximately $15 million of materials from ICL, each on an annualized basis.
The Company’s continuing cash inflows and outflows related to these agreements are not considered to be significant in relation to the overall cash flows of Global Pro. Furthermore, none of these agreements permit the Company to influence the operating or financial policies of Global Pro under the ownership of ICL. Therefore, Global Pro met the criteria for presentation as discontinued operations. As such, effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company classified Global Pro as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
The Global Pro results from discontinued operations include an allocation of interest expense relating to the amount of our senior secured credit facilities that was required to be repaid from the sale proceeds. The amount of interest expense allocated to and included in discontinued operations was $0.7 million and $0.9 million for the three-month periods, and $1.7 million and $2.0 million for the six-month periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, respectively.
Smith & Hawken Ltd.
In July 2009, Scotts Miracle-Gro announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Smith & Hawken, Ltd., had adopted a plan to close the Smith & Hawken®+ business. During the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2010, all Smith & Hawken stores were closed and substantially all operational activities of Smith & Hawken were discontinued. As a result, effective in its first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company classified Smith & Hawken as discontinued operations.
In the first six months of fiscal 2010, the Company incurred charges related to the liquidation of the Smith & Hawken business primarily associated with the termination of retail site lease obligations, third-party agency fees and severance and benefit commitments. These charges were partially offset by a gain of approximately $18 million from the sale of the Smith & Hawken intellectual property on December 30, 2009.
 
     
+  
Smith & Hawken® is a registered trademark of Target Brands, Inc. The Company sold the Smith & Hawken brand and certain intellectual property rights related thereto on December 30, 2009, and subsequently changed the name of the subsidiary entity formerly known as Smith & Hawken, Ltd. to Teak 2, Ltd. References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to Smith & Hawken refer to Scotts Miracle-Gro’s subsidiary entity, not the brand itself.

 

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The following table summarizes the results of Global Pro and Smith & Hawken as discontinued operations (in millions):
                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Net sales
  $ 41.8     $ 72.4     $ 88.7     $ 137.0  
Operating costs
    35.9       65.0       78.1       136.5  
Impairment, restructuring and other charges
                      17.1  
Gain on sale of Global Pro business
    (90.6 )           (90.6 )      
Global Pro sale related transaction costs
    9.6             14.8        
Other (income) expense, net
          (0.2 )     0.1       (18.5 )
Interest expense
    0.7       0.9       1.7       2.0  
 
                       
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes
    86.2       6.7       84.6       (0.1 )
Income tax expense from discontinued operations
    57.2       2.4       56.8       3.2  
 
                       
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
  $ 29.0     $ 4.3     $ 27.8     $ (3.3 )
 
                       
The major classes of assets and liabilities of Global Pro were as follows (in millions):
                 
    APRIL 3,     SEPTEMBER 30,  
    2010     2010  
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1.0     $ 1.0  
Accounts receivable, net
    96.7       57.5  
Inventories, net
    57.8       50.7  
Prepaid and other assets
    2.6       3.4  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    14.4       13.5  
Goodwill
    65.4       67.0  
 
           
Assets held for sale
  $ 237.9     $ 193.1  
 
           
 
               
Accounts payable
  $ 17.8     $ 11.4  
Other current liabilities
    17.3       18.7  
Other liabilities
    10.6       15.2  
 
           
Liabilities held for sale
  $ 45.7     $ 45.3  
 
           
The major classes of assets and liabilities of Smith & Hawken were as follows (in millions):
                         
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     SEPTEMBER 30,  
    2011     2010     2010  
Assets of discontinued operations in other current assets
  $     $ 0.2     $ 1.3  
 
                 
 
                       
Accounts payable
  $     $ 3.1     $  
Other current liabilities
    0.4       5.2       0.9  
 
                 
Liabilities of discontinued operations
  $ 0.4     $ 8.3     $ 0.9  
 
                 
NOTE 3. PRODUCT REGISTRATION AND RECALL MATTERS
In April 2008, the Company became aware that a former associate apparently deliberately circumvented the Company’s policies and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“U.S. EPA”) regulations under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1947, as amended (“FIFRA”), by failing to obtain valid registrations for certain products and/or causing certain invalid product registration forms to be submitted to regulators. Since that time, the Company has been cooperating with both the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice (the “U.S. DOJ”) in related civil and criminal investigations into the pesticide product registration issues as well as a state civil investigation into related allegations arising under state pesticide registration laws and regulations.
In late April of 2008, in connection with the U.S. EPA’s investigation, the Company conducted a consumer-level recall of certain consumer lawn and garden products and a Scotts LawnService® product. Subsequently, the Company and the U.S. EPA agreed upon a Compliance Review Plan for conducting a comprehensive, independent review of the Company’s product registration records. Pursuant to the Compliance Review Plan, an independent third-party firm, Quality Associates Incorporated (“QAI”), reviewed substantially all of the Company’s U.S. pesticide product registrations and associated advertisements, some of which were historical in nature and no longer related to sales of the Company’s products. The U.S. EPA investigation and the QAI review process resulted in the temporary suspension of sales and shipments of certain products. In addition, as the QAI review process or the Company’s internal review identified potential FIFRA registration issues (some of which appear unrelated to the actions of the former associate), the Company endeavored to stop selling or distributing the affected products until the issues could be resolved. QAI’s review of the Company’s U.S. pesticide product registrations and associated advertisements is now substantially complete. The results of the QAI review process did not materially affect the Company’s fiscal 2010 or year-to-date fiscal 2011 sales and are not expected to materially affect the Company’s sales during the remainder of fiscal 2011.

 

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In June of 2008, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (“CDPR”) issued a request for information to the Company relating to products that had been the subject of the April 2008 recall. The Company cooperated with that inquiry and reached agreement with CDPR that CDPR would place its investigation on hold pending the completion of the Company’s internal audit. In furtherance of that agreement, in May of 2010, the Company and CDPR executed a tolling agreement that extends CDPR’s rights through April 2012. In July of 2010, CDPR notified the Company that CDPR planned to proceed with its investigation independent of the U.S. EPA and U.S. DOJ. On or about March 3, 2011, the Company received a letter from CDPR offering to settle the matter without the need for an enforcement proceeding for $245,631. As of April 2, 2011, no reserve was established for this matter.
As a result of these registration and recall matters, the Company has recorded charges for affected inventory and other registration and recall-related costs. The effects of these adjustments were pre-tax charges of $2.5 million and $1.7 million for the three-month periods, and $4.2 million and $4.3 million for the six-month periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, respectively. The Company expects to incur $8-$10 million in fiscal 2011 on recall and registration matters, excluding possible fines, penalties, judgments and/or litigation costs. The Company expects that these charges will include costs associated with the rework of certain finished goods inventories, the potential disposal of certain products and ongoing third-party professional services related to the U.S. EPA, U.S. DOJ and state investigations.
The U.S. EPA, U.S. DOJ and CDPR investigations continue and may result in future state, federal or private rights of action including fines and/or penalties with respect to known or potential additional product registration issues. Until the U.S. EPA, U.S. DOJ and related state investigations are complete, the Company cannot reasonably determine the scope or magnitude of possible liabilities that could result from known or potential product registration issues. No reserves for these potential liabilities have been established as of April 2, 2011. However, it is possible that such liabilities, including fines, penalties, judgments and/or litigation costs, could be material and have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
The following tables summarize the impact of the product registration and recall matters on the Company’s results of operations during the three and six months ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, and on accrued liabilities and inventory reserves as of April 2, 2011 (in millions):
                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2, 2011     APRIL 3, 2010     APRIL 2, 2011     APRIL 3, 2010  
Cost of sales — other charges
  $ 1.3     $ 0.6     $ 2.1     $ 1.5  
 
                       
Gross profit
    (1.3 )     (0.6 )     (2.1 )     (1.5 )
Selling, general and administrative
    1.2       1.1       2.1       2.8  
 
                       
Loss from operations
    (2.5 )     (1.7 )     (4.2 )     (4.3 )
Income tax benefit
    0.8       0.6       1.4       1.5  
 
                       
Net loss
  $ (1.7 )   $ (1.1 )   $ (2.8 )   $ (2.8 )
 
                       
                                 
            ADDITIONAL                
    RESERVES AT     COSTS AND             RESERVES AT  
    SEPTEMBER 30,     CHANGES IN     RESERVES     APRIL 2,  
    2010     ESTIMATE     USED     2011  
Inventory reserves
  $ 3.0     $ 0.7     $ (0.7 )   $ 3.0  
Other incremental costs of sales
    0.5       1.5       (1.5 )     0.5  
Other general and administrative costs
    0.5       2.0       (2.0 )     0.5  
 
                       
Accrued liabilities and inventory reserves
  $ 4.0     $ 4.2     $ (4.2 )   $ 4.0  
 
                       
NOTE 4. DETAIL OF INVENTORIES, NET
Inventories, net of reserves for slow moving and obsolete inventories of $22.7 million, $26.2 million and $27.0 million as of April 2, 2011, April 3, 2010 and September 30, 2010, respectively, consisted of:
                         
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     SEPTEMBER 30,  
    2011     2010     2010  
    (IN MILLIONS)  
Finished goods
  $ 363.4     $ 343.7     $ 144.8  
Work-in-process
    33.0       34.9       27.2  
Raw materials
    159.7       153.0       180.9  
 
                 
 
  $ 556.1     $ 531.6     $ 352.9  
 
                 

 

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NOTE 5. MARKETING AGREEMENT
The Company is Monsanto’s exclusive agent for the marketing and distribution of consumer Roundup®* herbicide products (with additional rights to new products containing glyphosate or other similar non-selective herbicides) in the consumer lawn and garden market within the United States and other specified countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Under the terms of the Marketing Agreement, the Company is entitled to receive an annual commission from Monsanto as consideration for the performance of the Company’s duties as agent. The annual gross commission under the Marketing Agreement is calculated as a percentage of the actual earnings before interest and income taxes (EBIT) of the consumer Roundup® business in the markets covered by the Marketing Agreement and is based on the achievement of two earnings thresholds, as defined in the Marketing Agreement. The Marketing Agreement also requires the Company to make annual payments to Monsanto as a contribution against the overall expenses of the consumer Roundup® business. The annual contribution payment is defined in the Marketing Agreement as $20 million.
In consideration for the rights granted to the Company under the Marketing Agreement for North America, the Company was required to pay a marketing fee of $32 million to Monsanto. The Company has deferred this amount on the basis that the payment will provide a future benefit through commissions that will be earned under the Marketing Agreement. Based on management’s current assessment of the likely term of the Marketing Agreement, the useful life over which the marketing fee is being amortized is 20 years.
Under the terms of the Marketing Agreement, the Company performs certain functions, primarily manufacturing conversion, distribution and logistics, and selling and marketing support, on behalf of Monsanto in the conduct of the consumer Roundup® business. The actual costs incurred for these activities are charged to and reimbursed by Monsanto. The Company records costs incurred under the Marketing Agreement for which the Company is the primary obligor on a gross basis, recognizing such costs in “Cost of sales” and the reimbursement of these costs in “Net sales,” with no effect on gross profit or net income. The related net sales and cost of sales were $19.0 million and $18.4 million for the three-month periods, and $34.2 million and $35.1 million for the six-month periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, respectively.
The elements of the net commission earned under the Marketing Agreement and included in “Net sales” are as follows (in millions):
                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2, 2011     APRIL 3, 2010     APRIL 2, 2011     APRIL 3, 2010  
Gross commission
  $ 32.9     $ 29.9     $ 32.9     $ 29.9  
Contribution expenses
    (5.0 )     (5.0 )     (10.0 )     (10.0 )
Amortization of marketing fee
    (0.2 )     (0.2 )     (0.4 )     (0.4 )
 
                       
Net commission income
    27.7       24.7       22.5       19.5  
Reimbursements associated with Marketing Agreement
    19.0       18.4       34.2       35.1  
 
                       
Total net sales associated with Marketing Agreement
  $ 46.7     $ 43.1     $ 56.7     $ 54.6  
 
                       
The Marketing Agreement has no definite term except as it relates to the European Union countries (the “EU term”). The EU term extends through September 30, 2011, with up to two additional automatic renewal periods of two years each, subject to non-renewal only upon the occurrence of certain performance defaults. Thereafter, the Marketing Agreement provides that the parties may agree to renew the EU term for an additional three years.
The Marketing Agreement provides Monsanto with the right to terminate the Marketing Agreement upon an event of default (as defined in the Marketing Agreement) by the Company, a change in control of Monsanto or the sale of the consumer Roundup® business. The Marketing Agreement provides the Company with the right to terminate the Marketing Agreement in certain circumstances, including an event of default by Monsanto or the sale of the consumer Roundup® business. Unless Monsanto terminates the Marketing Agreement due to an event of default by the Company, Monsanto is required to pay a termination fee to the Company that varies by program year. The termination fee is calculated as a percentage of the value of the Roundup® business exceeding a certain threshold, but in no event will the termination fee be less than $16 million. If Monsanto were to terminate the Marketing Agreement due to an event of default by the Company, however, the Company would not be entitled to any termination fee, and the Company would lose all, or a substantial portion, of the significant source of earnings and overhead expense absorption the Marketing Agreement provides. Monsanto may also be able to terminate the Marketing Agreement within a given region, including North America, without paying a termination fee if unit volume sales to consumers in that region decline: (1) over a cumulative three-fiscal-year period; or (2) by more than 5% for each of two consecutive years.
 
     
*  
Roundup® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC, a company affiliated with Monsanto Company (“Monsanto”).

 

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Under the Marketing Agreement, Monsanto must provide the Company with notice of any proposed sale of the consumer Roundup® business, allow the Company to participate in the sale process and negotiate in good faith with the Company with respect to any such proposed sale. In the event the Company acquires the consumer Roundup® business in such a sale, the Company would receive as a credit against the purchase price the amount of the termination fee that would have been paid to the Company if Monsanto had exercised its right to terminate the Marketing Agreement in connection with a sale to another party. If Monsanto decides to sell the consumer Roundup® business to another party, the Company must let Monsanto know whether the Company intends to terminate the Marketing Agreement and forfeit any right to a termination fee or whether it will agree to continue to perform under the Marketing Agreement on behalf of the purchaser.
NOTE 6. DEBT
The components of long-term debt are as follows (in millions):
                         
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     SEPTEMBER 30,  
    2011     2010     2010  
Credit Facilities:
                       
Revolving loans
  $ 760.6     $ 720.7     $ 111.7  
Term loans
          386.4       302.4  
Senior Notes — 7.25%
    200.0       200.0       200.0  
Senior Notes — 6.625%
    200.0              
Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement
          72.3        
Contingent consideration
    10.8       10.6       10.9  
Other
    9.2       10.3       6.7  
 
                 
 
    1,180.6       1,400.3       631.7  
Less current portions
    764.6       244.3       195.0  
 
                 
 
  $ 416.0     $ 1,156.0     $ 436.7  
 
                 
In February 2007, Scotts Miracle-Gro and certain of its subsidiaries entered into the following senior secured credit facilities totaling up to $2.15 billion in the aggregate: (a) a senior secured five-year term loan facility in the principal amount of $560 million and (b) a senior secured five-year revolving loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $1.59 billion. Under the terms of these senior secured credit facilities, the Company may request an additional $200 million in revolving credit and/or term credit commitments, subject to approval from the lenders. In December 2010, the senior secured credit facilities were amended to increase the maximum permitted principal amount of unsecured indebtedness that is not subordinated from $200 million to $450 million. Borrowings may be made in various currencies including U.S. dollars, Euros, British pounds, Australian dollars and Canadian dollars. Amortization payments on the term loan portion of the senior secured credit facilities began on September 30, 2007. As of April 2, 2011, cumulative payments on the term loan totaled $560 million, thereby eliminating the balance of the Company’s term loan.
As of April 2, 2011, there was $803.1 million of availability under the senior secured credit facilities, including letters of credit. Under the senior secured credit facilities, the Company has the ability to issue letter of credit commitments up to $65 million. At April 2, 2011, the Company had letters of credit in the aggregate face amount of $26.3 million outstanding.
On January 14, 2010, Scotts Miracle-Gro issued $200 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “7.25% Senior Notes”). The net proceeds of the offering were used to reduce outstanding borrowings under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities. The 7.25% Senior Notes represent general unsecured senior obligations of Scotts Miracle-Gro, and were sold to the public at 99.254% of the principal amount thereof, to yield 7.375% to maturity. The 7.25% Senior Notes have interest payment dates of January 15 and July 15 of each year, which began on July 15, 2010, and may be redeemed prior to maturity at applicable redemption premiums. The 7.25% Senior Notes contain usual and customary incurrence-based covenants, which include, but are not limited to, restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the incurrence of liens and the issuance of certain preferred shares, and the making of certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments, as well as other usual and customary covenants, which include, but are not limited to, restrictions on sale and leaseback transactions, restrictions on purchases or redemptions of Scotts Miracle-Gro stock and prepayments of subordinated debt, limitations on asset sales and restrictions on transactions with affiliates. The 7.25% Senior Notes mature on January 15, 2018.
On December 16, 2010, Scotts Miracle-Gro issued $200 million aggregate principal amount of 6.625% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “6.625% Senior Notes”) in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The net proceeds of the offering were used to repay outstanding borrowings under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities and for general corporate purposes. The 6.625% Senior Notes represent general unsecured senior obligations of Scotts Miracle-Gro and rank equal in right of payment with the Company’s existing and future unsecured senior debt, including, without limitation, the 7.25% Senior Notes. The 6.625% Senior Notes have interest payment dates of June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2011, and may be redeemed prior to maturity at applicable redemption premiums. The 6.625% Senior Notes contain usual and customary incurrence-based covenants, as well as other usual and customary covenants, substantially similar to those contained in the 7.25% Senior Notes. The 6.625% Senior Notes mature on December 15, 2020.

 

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Certain of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s domestic subsidiaries serve as guarantors of both the 7.25% and the 6.625% Senior Notes. Refer to “NOTE 15. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTORS” for more information regarding the guarantor entities.
The Company was in compliance with the terms of all borrowing agreements at April 2, 2011.
At April 2, 2011, the Company had outstanding interest rate swap agreements with major financial institutions that effectively convert a portion of variable-rate debt denominated in U.S. dollars to a fixed rate. The swap agreements had a total U.S. dollar notional amount of $900 million at April 2, 2011. Interest payments made between the effective date and expiration date are hedged by the swap agreements, except as noted below. The notional amount, effective date, expiration date and rate of these swap agreements are shown in the table below.
                     
NOTIONAL AMOUNT     EFFECTIVE   EXPIRATION      
(IN MILLIONS)     DATE (a)   DATE   FIXED RATE  
$ 200     2/14/2007   2/14/2012     5.20%  
  50     2/14/2012   2/14/2016     3.78%  
  150 (b)     11/16/2009   5/16/2016     3.26%  
  50 (c)     2/16/2010   5/16/2016     3.05%  
  150 (b)     12/20/2011   6/20/2016     2.61%  
  150 (c)     2/7/2012   5/7/2016     2.42%  
  100 (c)     2/21/2012   5/23/2016     2.40%  
  50 (d)     12/6/2012   9/6/2017     2.96%  
     
(a)  
The effective date refers to the date on which interest payments are first hedged by the applicable swap agreement.
 
(b)  
Interest payments made during the six-month period of each year that begins with the month and day of the effective date are hedged by the swap agreement.
 
(c)  
Interest payments made during the three-month period of each year that begins with the month and day of the effective date are hedged by the swap agreement.
 
(d)  
Interest payments made during the nine-month period of each year that begins with the month and day of the effective date are hedged by the swap agreement.
Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement
On May 1, 2009, the Company entered into a Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement (the “2009 MARP Agreement”), with an initial stated termination date of May 1, 2010, or such later date as may be mutually agreed by the Company and its lender. The 2009 MARP Agreement provided for the discounted sale, on an uncommitted, revolving basis, of accounts receivable generated by a specified account debtor, with aggregate limits not to exceed $80 million. The 2009 MARP Agreement provided an interest rate that approximated the 7-day LIBOR rate plus 225 basis points.
On May 13, 2010, the Company and its lender entered into a First Amendment to the 2009 MARP Agreement (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment, which was effective May 1, 2010, extended the stated termination date of the 2009 MARP Agreement through May 12, 2011, or such later date as may be mutually agreed by the Company and its lender. On May 10, 2011, the Company and its lender entered into a Second Amendment to the 2009 MARP Agreement which further extended the stated termination date through September 30, 2011, or such later date as may be mutually agreed by the Company and its lender.
The 2009 MARP Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment, provides an interest rate that approximates the 7-day LIBOR rate plus 125 basis points; the amendments did not otherwise modify any substantive provisions of the 2009 MARP Agreement.
The Company accounts for the sale of receivables under the 2009 MARP Agreement, as amended, as short-term debt and continues to carry the receivables on its Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheet, primarily as a result of the Company’s right to repurchase receivables sold. The caption “Accounts receivable pledged” on the accompanying Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets in the amount of $80.5 million as of April 3, 2010 represents the pool of receivables that were designated as “sold” under the 2009 MARP Agreement and served as collateral for short-term debt thereunder in the amount of $72.3 million as of April 3, 2010. There were no short-term borrowings under the amended 2009 MARP Agreement as of April 2, 2011 and September 30, 2010.

 

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Contingent Consideration
In May 2006, the Company acquired certain brands and assets of Turf-Seed, Inc., a leading producer of quality commercial turfgrasses, for cash of $10.0 million, assumed liabilities of $4.5 million and contingent consideration due in the second half of fiscal 2012. The final determination of the contingent consideration is largely based on the performance of the Company’s consumer and professional seed business for the twelve-month period ending in May 2012.
Estimated Fair Values
A description of the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair values of the Company’s debt instruments is as follows:
Credit Facilities
The interest rate currently available to the Company fluctuates with the applicable LIBOR rate, prime rate or Federal Funds Effective Rate, and thus the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
7.25% Senior Notes
The fair value of the 7.25% Senior Notes can be determined based on the trading of the 7.25% Senior Notes in the open market. The difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the 7.25% Senior Notes represents the premium or discount on that date. Based on the trading value on or around April 2, 2011, the fair value of the 7.25% Senior Notes was approximately $212.0 million.
6.625% Senior Notes
The fair value of the 6.625% Senior Notes can be determined based on the trading of the 6.625% Senior Notes. The difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the 6.625% Senior Notes represents the premium or discount on that date. Based on the trading value on or around April 2, 2011, the fair value of the 6.625% Senior Notes was approximately $205.8 million.
Accounts Receivable Pledged
The interest rate on the short-term debt associated with accounts receivable pledged under the 2009 MARP Agreement fluctuates with the one-week LIBOR rate, and thus the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
NOTE 7. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The components of other comprehensive income (expense) (“OCI”) and total comprehensive income were as follows (in millions):
                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Net income
  $ 177.6     $ 118.5     $ 109.7     $ 60.8  
Other comprehensive income (expense):
                               
Change in valuation of derivative instruments
    0.5       2.9       8.1       5.3  
Pension and other postretirement related items
    5.7       3.0       7.1       8.8  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    (11.7 )     5.4       (9.5 )     5.1  
 
                       
Comprehensive income
  $ 172.1     $ 129.8     $ 115.4     $ 80.0  
 
                       
NOTE 8. RETIREMENT AND RETIREE MEDICAL PLANS COST INFORMATION
The following summarizes the net periodic benefit cost from continuing operations for the various retirement and retiree medical plans sponsored by the Company (in millions):
                                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2, 2011     APRIL 3, 2010  
    U.S.     International     U.S.     U.S.     International     U.S.  
    Pension     Pension     Medical     Pension     Pension     Medical  
Components of net periodic benefit cost
                                               
Service cost
  $     $ 0.4     $ 0.1     $     $ 0.5     $ 0.1  
Interest cost
    1.2       2.7       0.4       1.3       2.2       0.4  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1.3 )     (2.6 )           (1.3 )     (1.9 )      
Net amortization
    1.3       0.4             1.1       0.5        
 
                                   
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 1.2     $ 0.9     $ 0.5     $ 1.1     $ 1.3     $ 0.5  
 
                                   

 

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    SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2, 2011     APRIL 3, 2010  
    U.S.     International     U.S.     U.S.     International     U.S.  
    Pension     Pension     Medical     Pension     Pension     Medical  
Components of net periodic benefit cost
                                               
Service cost
  $     $ 0.8     $ 0.2     $     $ 1.0     $ 0.3  
Interest cost
    2.4       5.4       0.8       2.6       4.6       0.8  
Expected return on plan assets
    (2.6 )     (5.2 )           (2.6 )     (4.0 )      
Net amortization
    2.5       0.8             2.2       1.0        
 
                                   
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 2.3     $ 1.8     $ 1.0     $ 2.2     $ 2.6     $ 1.1  
 
                                   
NOTE 9. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION AWARDS
Share-Based Awards
The following is a summary of the share-based compensation awards granted during the periods indicated:
                 
    SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2, 2011     APRIL 3, 2010  
Options
    429,700       363,300  
Restricted stock units (including deferred stock units)
    90,908       287,276  
Performance shares
          4,200  
Performance units
    53,874        
 
           
Total share-based awards
    574,482       654,776  
 
           
 
               
Aggregate fair value at grant dates (in millions)
  $ 13.5     $ 16.8  
At April 2, 2011, approximately 0.7 million common shares authorized for issuance pursuant to The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Amended and Restated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan were not subject to outstanding awards and were available to underlie the grant of new share-based awards.
Total share-based compensation recognized was as follows for the periods indicated (in millions):
                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2, 2011     APRIL 3, 2010     APRIL 2, 2011     APRIL 3, 2010  
Share-based compensation
  $ 6.5     $ 5.3     $ 10.8     $ 8.2  
Stock Options/Stock Appreciation Rights
Aggregate stock option and stock appreciation right (“SAR”) activity consisted of the following for the six months ended April 2, 2011 (options/SARs in millions):
                 
            WTD.  
            Avg.  
    No. of     Exercise  
    Options/SARs     Price  
Beginning balance
    4.6     $ 31.74  
Granted
    0.4       51.73  
Exercised
    (0.7 )     31.86  
Forfeited
    (0.1 )     38.27  
 
             
Ending balance
    4.2       33.61  
 
             
Exercisable
    2.9       32.24  
The following summarizes certain information pertaining to stock option and SAR awards outstanding and exercisable at April 2, 2011 (options/SARs in millions):
                                                 
    Awards Outstanding     Awards Exercisable  
    No. of     WTD. Avg.     WTD. Avg.     No. of     WTD. Avg.        
Range of   Options/     Remaining     Exercise     Options/     Remaining     WTD. Avg.  
Exercise Price   SARs     Life     Price     SARS     Life     Exercise Price  
$16.69 — $19.82
    0.2       0.15     $ 17.15       0.2       0.15     $ 17.15  
$20.12 — $21.65
    0.9       5.05       21.45       0.4       1.90       21.20  
$24.45 — $28.72
    0.4       2.91       25.74       0.4       2.91       25.74  
$29.01 — $31.62
    0.3       3.85       29.16       0.3       3.72       29.11  
$33.25 — $37.48
    0.4       4.64       35.74       0.4       4.61       35.77  
$37.89 — $38.90
    1.0       6.09       38.59       1.0       6.09       38.59  
$40.81 — $51.73
    1.0       8.35       46.61       0.2       5.49       43.37  
 
                                   
 
    4.2       5.52     $ 33.61       2.9       4.24     $ 32.24  
 
                                   

 

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The intrinsic value of the stock option and SAR awards outstanding and exercisable at April 2, 2011 was as follows (in millions):
         
Outstanding
  $ 104.1  
Exercisable
    75.9  
The grant date fair value of stock option awards is estimated using a binomial model and the assumptions in the following table. Expected market price volatility is based on implied volatilities from traded options on Scotts Miracle-Gro’s common shares and historical volatility specific to the common shares. Historical data, including demographic factors impacting historical exercise behavior, is used to estimate stock option exercises and employee terminations within the valuation model. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life (normally ten years) of the stock option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected life of stock options is based on historical experience and expectations for grants outstanding. The weighted average assumptions for awards granted during the six months ended April 2, 2011 are as follows:
         
Expected market price volatility
    31.85 %
Risk-free interest rates
    2.39 %
Expected dividend yield
    1.93 %
Expected life of stock options in years
    5.97  
Estimated weighted-average fair value per stock option
  $ 14.06  
Restricted Stock (including Performance Shares)
Restricted stock award activity for the period was as follows:
                 
            WTD. Avg.  
            Grant Date  
    No. of     Fair Value  
    Shares     per Share  
Awards outstanding at September 30, 2010
    333,000     $ 31.52  
Vested
    (140,000 )     37.07  
Forfeited
    (26,400 )     25.53  
 
             
Awards outstanding at April 2, 2011
    166,600       27.80  
 
             
Restricted Stock Units (including Deferred Stock Units and Performance Units)
Restricted stock unit award activity for the period was as follows:
                 
            WTD. Avg.  
            Grant Date  
    No. of     Fair Value  
    Shares     per Share  
Awards outstanding at September 30, 2010
    531,626     $ 34.60  
Granted
    144,782       51.77  
Vested
    (12,355 )     31.71  
Forfeited
    (58,500 )     34.56  
 
             
Awards outstanding at April 2, 2011
    605,553       38.77  
 
             
As of April 2, 2011, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based awards amounted to $20.7 million. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years. Unearned compensation cost is amortized by grant on the straight-line method over the vesting period, with the amortization expense classified as a component of “Selling, general and administrative” expense within the Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Operations. Vesting periods are generally three years, although compensation expense related to non-vested share-based awards is accelerated for those employees who are eligible for early vesting based on age and service requirements.
During the six months ended April 2, 2011, the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $23.9 million. The total fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units vested during the six months ended April 2, 2011 was $5.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Cash received from the exercise of stock options for the six months ended April 2, 2011 was $21.8 million.
NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES
The effective tax rate related to continuing operations for the six months ended April 2, 2011 was 35.9%, compared to 38.3% for the six months ended April 3, 2010. The effective tax rate used for interim reporting purposes is based on management’s best estimate of factors impacting the effective tax rate for the full fiscal year. In accordance with the Company’s decision to report certain aspects of the business as discontinued operations, an allocation of the income tax expense has been separately determined to specifically report the discontinued operations net of tax. There can be no assurance that the effective tax rate estimated for interim financial reporting purposes will approximate the effective tax rate determined at fiscal year end.

 

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Scotts Miracle-Gro or one or more of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to examinations by these tax authorities for fiscal years prior to 2007. The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and certain foreign and U.S. state and local tax authorities. The IRS is currently reviewing the fiscal 2008 tax period only. In regards to a local German audit, the tax periods under investigation are limited to fiscal years 2004 through 2008. In regards to U.S. state and local audits, the tax periods under investigation are limited to fiscal years 1997 through 2008. In addition to these audits, certain other tax deficiency notices and refund claims for previous years remain unresolved.
The Company currently anticipates that few of its open and active audits will be resolved within the next 12 months. The Company is unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate as to when or if cash settlements with taxing authorities may occur. Although audit outcomes and the timing of audit payments are subject to significant uncertainty, the Company does not currently anticipate that the resolution of these tax matters or any events related thereto will result in a material change to its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
NOTE 11. CONTINGENCIES
Management regularly evaluates the Company’s contingencies, including various lawsuits and claims which arise in the normal course of business, product and general liabilities, workers’ compensation, property losses and other fiduciary liabilities for which the Company is self-insured or retains a high exposure limit. Self-insurance reserves are established based on actuarial loss estimates for specific individual claims plus actuarially estimated amounts for incurred but not reported claims and adverse development factors applied to existing claims. Legal costs incurred in connection with the resolution of claims, lawsuits and other contingencies are expensed as incurred. In the opinion of management, its assessment of contingencies is reasonable and related reserves, in the aggregate, are adequate; however, there can be no assurance that final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The following are the more significant of the Company’s identified contingencies:
FIFRA Compliance and the Corresponding Governmental Investigations
For a description of the Company’s ongoing FIFRA compliance efforts and the corresponding governmental investigations, see “NOTE 3. PRODUCT REGISTRATION AND RECALL MATTERS.”
Other Regulatory Matters
In 2004, the Company completed negotiations with the Philadelphia District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the “Corps”) regarding the terms of site remediation and the resolution of the Corps’ civil penalty demand in connection with the Company’s prior peat harvesting operations at its Lafayette, New Jersey facility. The final consent decree required the Company to perform five years of wetland monitoring and to complete additional actions if after five years the monitoring indicated the wetlands had not developed satisfactorily. As site monitoring activities were not initiated until the beginning of 2006, the five-year monitoring period extended until December 2010. Having received notice from the Environmental Defense Section of the U.S. DOJ that the terms of the consent decree had been satisfied, on January 24, 2011, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey ordered the matter closed.
At April 2, 2011, $2.9 million was accrued for other regulatory matters in the “Other liabilities” line in the Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheet. The amounts accrued are believed to be adequate to cover such known regulatory exposures based on current facts and estimates of likely outcomes. However, if facts and circumstances change significantly, they could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Other
The Company has been named as a defendant in a number of cases alleging injuries that the lawsuits claim resulted from exposure to asbestos-containing products, apparently based on the Company’s historic use of vermiculite in certain of its products. The complaints in these cases are not specific about the plaintiffs’ contacts with the Company or its products. The Company in each case is one of numerous defendants and none of the claims seek damages from the Company alone. The Company believes that the claims against it are without merit and is vigorously defending against them. It is not currently possible to reasonably estimate a probable loss, if any, associated with these cases and, accordingly, no accrual or reserves have been recorded in the Company’s condensed, consolidated financial statements. The Company is reviewing agreements and policies that may provide insurance coverage or indemnity as to these claims and is pursuing coverage under some of these agreements and policies, although there can be no assurance of the results of these efforts. There can be no assurance that these cases, whether as a result of adverse outcomes or as a result of significant defense costs, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company is involved in other lawsuits and claims which arise in the normal course of business. These claims individually and in the aggregate are not expected to result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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NOTE 12. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
Derivatives and Hedging
The Company is exposed to market risks, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates and commodity prices. To manage a portion of the volatility related to these exposures, the Company enters into various financial transactions. The utilization of these financial transactions is governed by policies covering acceptable counterparty exposure, instrument types and other hedging practices. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
The Company formally designates and documents qualifying instruments as hedges of underlying exposures at inception. The Company formally assesses, both at inception and at least quarterly, whether the financial instruments used in hedging transactions are effective at offsetting changes in cash flows of the related underlying exposure. Fluctuations in the value of these instruments generally are offset by changes in the cash flows of the underlying exposures being hedged. This offset is driven by the high degree of effectiveness between the exposure being hedged and the hedging instrument. GAAP requires all derivative instruments to be recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company designates commodity hedges as cash flow hedges of forecasted purchases of commodities and interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges of interest payments on variable rate borrowings. Any ineffective portion of a change in the fair value of a qualifying instrument is immediately recognized in earnings. The amounts recorded in earnings related to ineffectiveness of derivative hedges for the three- and six-month periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010 were not significant.
Foreign Currency Swap Contracts
The Company periodically uses foreign currency swap contracts to manage the exchange rate risk associated with intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries that are denominated in local currencies. At April 2, 2011, the notional amount of outstanding foreign currency swap contracts was $107.7 million, with a liability position based on negative fair value of $0.4 million. At April 3, 2010, there were no outstanding foreign currency swap contracts. Foreign currency swap contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment in accordance with GAAP are recorded at fair value as an element of interest expense. The fair value of foreign currency swap contracts is determined based on changes in spot rates. The unrealized loss on the foreign currency swap contracts approximates the unrealized gain on the intercompany loans recognized by the Company’s lending subsidiaries.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements as a means to hedge its variable interest rate exposure on debt instruments. The fair values are reflected in the Company’s Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net amounts to be received or paid under the swap agreements are reflected as adjustments to interest expense. Since the interest rate swap agreements have been designated as hedging instruments, unrealized gains or losses resulting from adjusting these swaps to fair value are recorded as elements of accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”) within the Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of the swap agreements is determined based on the present value of the estimated future net cash flows using implied rates in the applicable yield curve as of the valuation date.
At April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, the Company had outstanding interest rate swap agreements with major financial institutions that effectively converted a portion of the Company’s variable-rate debt to a fixed rate. The swap agreements had a total U.S. dollar equivalent notional amount of $900 million and $450 million at April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, respectively. Refer to “NOTE 6. DEBT” for the terms of the swap agreements outstanding at April 2, 2011. Included in the AOCI balance at April 2, 2011 was a pre-tax loss of $12.8 million related to interest rate swap agreements that is expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next 12 months, consistent with the timing of the underlying hedged transactions.
Commodity Hedges
The Company had outstanding hedging arrangements at April 2, 2011 designed to fix the price of a portion of its urea needs. The contracts are designated as hedges of the Company’s exposure to future cash flow fluctuations associated with the cost of urea. The objective of the hedges is to mitigate the earnings and cash flow volatility attributable to the risk of changing prices. Unrealized gains or losses in the fair value of these contracts are recorded to the AOCI component of shareholders’ equity. Realized gains or losses remain as a component of AOCI until the related inventory is sold. Upon sale of the underlying inventory, the gain or loss is reclassified to cost of sales. Included in the AOCI balance at April 2, 2011 was a pre-tax gain of $1.6 million related to urea derivatives that is expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next 12 months, consistent with the timing of the underlying hedged transactions.
The Company enters into fuel derivatives for its Scotts LawnService® business that qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Unrealized gains or losses in the fair value of these contracts are recorded in OCI except for any ineffective portion of the change in fair value, which is immediately recorded in earnings. For the effective portion of the change in fair value, realized gains or losses remain as a component of AOCI until the related fuel is consumed by the Scotts LawnService® service vehicles. Upon consumption of the fuel, the gain or loss is reclassified to cost of sales. Included in the AOCI balance at April 2, 2011 was a pre-tax gain of $0.1 million related to fuel derivatives that is expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next 12 months, consistent with the timing of the underlying hedged transactions.

 

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Periodically, the Company also uses fuel derivatives to partially mitigate the effect of fluctuating diesel and gasoline costs on operating results. Fuel derivatives used by the Company that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment in accordance with GAAP are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses on open contracts and realized gains or losses on settled contracts recorded as an element of cost of sales.
As of April 2, 2011, the Company had the following outstanding commodity contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted purchases:
         
Commodity   Volume
Urea
  11,000 tons
Diesel
  3,108,000 gallons
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments were as follows (in millions):
                             
    ASSETS / (LIABILITIES)  
        APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     SEPTEMBER 30,  
DERIVATIVES DESIGNATED AS HEDGING       2011     2010     2010  
INSTRUMENTS   BALANCE SHEET LOCATION   FAIR VALUE  
 
                           
Interest rate swap agreements
  Other assets   $ 3.6     $ 2.3     $  
 
  Other current liabilities     (12.8 )     (11.8 )     (12.1 )
 
  Other liabilities     (2.9 )     (6.9 )     (12.5 )
 
                           
Commodity hedging instruments
  Prepaid and other assets     0.3       0.8       1.9  
 
                     
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
      $ (11.8 )   $ (15.6 )   $ (22.7 )
 
                     
 
                           
DERIVATIVES NOT DESIGNATED AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS (1)
                           
Foreign currency swap contracts
  Prepaid and other assets   $     $ 0.1     $  
 
  Other current liabilities     (0.4 )           (6.6 )
 
                     
 
                           
Commodity hedging instruments
  Prepaid and other current assets     1.4              
 
                     
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (1)
      $ 1.0     $ 0.1     $ (6.6 )
 
                     
 
                           
Total derivatives
      $ (10.8 )   $ (15.5 )   $ (29.3 )
 
                     
 
     
(1)  
See discussion above for additional information regarding the Company’s purpose for entering into derivatives not designated as hedging instruments and its overall risk management strategy.
Refer to “NOTE 13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS” for the Company’s fair value measurements of derivative instruments as they relate to the valuation hierarchy.
The effect of derivative instruments on AOCI and the Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three- and six-month periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010 was as follows:
                                 
    AMOUNT OF GAIN / (LOSS) RECOGNIZED IN AOCI  
    (IN MILLIONS)  
    THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,  
DERIVATIVES IN CASH FLOW HEDGING RELATIONSHIPS   2011     2010     2011     2010  
Interest rate swap agreements
  $ (1.2 )   $ (5.0 )   $ 1.3     $ (6.6 )
Commodity hedging instruments
    (0.7 )     (0.3 )     1.4       2.1  
 
                       
Total
  $ (1.9 )   $ (5.3 )   $ 2.7     $ (4.5 )
 
                       

 

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        AMOUNT OF GAIN / (LOSS) RECLASSIFIED  
    LOCATION OF GAIN /   FROM AOCI INTO EARNINGS (IN MILLIONS)  
    (LOSS) RECLASSIFIED   THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
DERIVATIVES IN CASH FLOW   FROM   APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,  
HEDGING RELATIONSHIPS   AOCI INTO EARNINGS   2011     2010     2011     2010  
Interest rate swap agreements
  Interest expense   $ (3.7 )   $ (6.0 )   $ (6.8 )   $ (11.5 )
Commodity hedging instruments
  Cost of sales     1.3       (2.2 )     1.4       (2.8 )
 
                           
Total
      $ (2.4 )   $ (8.2 )   $ (5.4 )   $ (14.3 )
 
                           
                                     
        AMOUNT OF GAIN / (LOSS) RECOGNIZED  
    LOCATION OF GAIN /   IN EARNINGS (IN MILLIONS)  
    (LOSS)   THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
DERIVATIVES NOT DESIGNATED AS   RECOGNIZED IN   APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,  
HEDGING INSTRUMENTS   EARNINGS   2011     2010     2011     2010  
Foreign currency swap contracts
  Interest expense   $ (3.3 )   $     $ 5.6     $ 0.7  
Commodity hedging instruments
  Cost of sales     1.6       (0.1 )     2.3       (0.1 )
 
                           
Total
      $ (1.7 )   $ (0.1 )   $ 7.9     $ 0.6  
 
                           
NOTE 13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
GAAP defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and prescribes disclosures about fair value measurements. It defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or the most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
   
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
   
Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
   
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
The following describes the valuation methodologies used for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as the general classification within the valuation hierarchy.
Derivatives
Derivatives consist of foreign currency, interest rate and commodity derivative instruments. For further information on the Company’s derivative instruments, refer to “NOTE 12. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES.”
Other
Other financial assets consist of investment securities in non-qualified retirement plan assets. These securities are valued using observable market prices in active markets.
The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at April 2, 2011 (in millions):
                                 
    Quoted Prices in                    
    Active Markets for     Significant Other     Unobservable        
    Identical Assets     Observable Inputs     Inputs        
    (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Total  
Assets
                               
Derivatives
                               
Interest rate swap agreements
  $     $ 3.6     $     $ 3.6  
Commodity hedging instruments
          1.7             1.7  
Other
    7.9                   7.9  
 
                       
Total
  $ 7.9     $ 5.3     $     $ 13.2  
 
                       
Liabilities
                               
Derivatives
                               
Interest rate swap agreements
  $     $ (15.7 )   $     $ (15.7 )
Foreign currency swap contracts
          (0.4 )           (0.4 )
 
                       
Total
  $     $ (16.1 )   $     $ (16.1 )
 
                       

 

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The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at April 3, 2010 (in millions):
                                 
    Quoted Prices in                    
    Active Markets for     Significant Other     Unobservable        
    Identical Assets     Observable Inputs     Inputs        
    (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Total  
Assets
                               
Derivatives
                               
Interest rate swap agreements
  $     $ 2.3     $     $ 2.3  
Foreign currency swap contracts
          0.1             0.1  
Commodity hedging instruments
          0.8             0.8  
Other
    6.7                   6.7  
 
                       
Total
  $ 6.7     $ 3.2     $     $ 9.9  
 
                       
Liabilities
                               
Derivatives
                               
Interest rate swap agreements
  $     $ (18.7 )   $     $ (18.7 )
 
                       
Total
  $     $ (18.7 )   $     $ (18.7 )
 
                       
The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2010 (in millions):
                                 
    Quoted Prices in Active                    
    Markets for Identical     Significant Other     Unobservable        
    Assets     Observable Inputs     Inputs        
    (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Total  
Assets
                               
Derivatives
                               
Commodity hedging instruments
  $     $ 1.9     $     $ 1.9  
Other
    6.5                   6.5  
 
                       
Total
  $ 6.5     $ 1.9     $     $ 8.4  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Derivatives
                               
Interest rate swap agreements
  $     $ (24.6 )   $     $ (24.6 )
Foreign currency swap contracts
          (6.6 )           (6.6 )
 
                       
Total
  $     $ (31.2 )   $     $ (31.2 )
 
                       
NOTE 14. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company divides its business into the following segments — Global Consumer and Scotts LawnService®. This division of reportable segments is consistent with how the segments report to and are managed by senior management of the Company. Reclassifications have been made to prior period segment amounts to reflect changes in the allocation of certain shared expenses among the segments, which in management’s judgment better align those expenses with the associated drivers and benefits. Furthermore, the Company’s reportable segments have been revised to reflect the sale of a significant majority of its previously reported Global Professional business segment, which is now reported in discontinued operations. For additional information regarding the sale, refer to “NOTE 2. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS.”
The Global Consumer segment consists of the U. S. Consumer and International Consumer business groups. The business groups comprising this segment manufacture, market and sell dry, granular slow-release lawn fertilizers, combination lawn fertilizer and control products, grass seed, spreaders, water-soluble, liquid and continuous release garden and indoor plant foods, plant care products, potting, garden and lawn soils, mulches and other growing media products, wild bird food, pesticide and rodenticide products. Products are marketed to mass merchandisers, home centers, large hardware chains, warehouse clubs, distributors, garden centers and grocers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America and Australia.

 

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The Scotts LawnService® segment provides lawn fertilization, disease and insect control and other related services such as core aeration, tree and shrub fertilization and limited pest control services primarily to residential consumers through Company-owned branches and franchises in the United States.
Segment performance is evaluated based on several factors, including income from continuing operations before amortization, product registration and recall costs, and impairment, restructuring and other charges, which is not a GAAP measure. Senior management of the Company uses this measure of operating profit to gauge segment performance because the Company believes this measure is the most indicative of performance trends and the overall earnings potential of each segment.
Corporate & Other consists of the non-European professional seed business and corporate general and administrative expenses.
The following tables present segment financial information (in millions):
                                 
    THREE MONTHS     SIX MONTHS  
    ENDED     ENDED  
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Net sales:
                               
Global Consumer
  $ 1,090.4     $ 1,014.7     $ 1,279.2     $ 1,228.7  
Scotts LawnService®
    32.7       30.6       69.8       63.6  
 
                       
Segment total
    1,123.1       1,045.3       1,349.0       1,292.3  
Corporate & Other
    6.7       5.6       11.2       11.2  
Roundup® amortization
    (0.2 )     (0.2 )     (0.4 )     (0.4 )
 
                       
Consolidated
  $ 1,129.6     $ 1,050.7     $ 1,359.8     $ 1,303.1  
 
                       
 
                               
Income from continuing operations before income taxes:
                               
Global Consumer
  $ 299.8     $ 250.7     $ 244.7     $ 210.3  
Scotts LawnService®
    (15.2 )     (15.1 )     (19.7 )     (22.6 )
 
                       
Segment total
    284.6       235.6       225.0       187.7  
Corporate & Other
    (33.6 )     (34.5 )     (64.3 )     (50.1 )
Roundup® amortization
    (0.2 )     (0.2 )     (0.4 )     (0.4 )
Other amortization
    (2.7 )     (2.5 )     (5.0 )     (5.2 )
Interest expense
    (13.8 )     (14.1 )     (23.3 )     (23.8 )
Product registration and recall matters
    (2.5 )     (1.7 )     (4.2 )     (4.3 )
 
                       
Consolidated
  $ 231.8     $ 182.6     $ 127.8     $ 103.9  
 
                       
                         
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     SEPTEMBER 30,  
    2011     2010     2010  
Total assets:
                       
Global Consumer
  $ 2,635.1     $ 2,334.0     $ 1,458.4  
Scotts LawnService®
    168.4       166.7       177.7  
Corporate & Other
    271.1       313.0       334.8  
Assets held for sale
          237.9       193.1  
 
                 
Consolidated
  $ 3,074.6     $ 3,051.6     $ 2,164.0  
 
                 
Total assets reported for the Company’s operating segments include the intangible assets associated with the acquired businesses within those segments. Corporate & Other assets primarily include deferred financing and debt issuance costs, corporate intangible assets and deferred tax assets, and Smith & Hawken assets.
NOTE 15. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTORS
The 7.25% and 6.625% Senior Notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”) issued by Scotts Miracle-Gro on January 14, 2010 and December 16, 2010, respectively, are guaranteed by certain of its domestic subsidiaries and, therefore, the Company has disclosed condensed, consolidating financial information in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10, Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered. The following 100% directly or indirectly owned subsidiaries fully and unconditionally guarantee the Senior Notes on a joint and several basis: EG Systems, Inc., dba Scotts LawnService®; Gutwein & Co., Inc.; Hyponex Corporation; Miracle-Gro Lawn Products, Inc.; OMS Investments, Inc.; Rod McLellan Company; Sanford Scientific, Inc.; Scotts Temecula Operations, LLC; Scotts Manufacturing Company; Scotts Products Co.; Scotts Professional Products Co.; Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc.; SMG Growing Media, Inc.; Swiss Farms Products, Inc.; and The Scotts Company LLC (collectively, the “Guarantors”).

 

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The following information presents condensed, consolidating Statements of Operations for the three- and six-month periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, condensed, consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the six-month periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, and condensed, consolidating Balance Sheets as of April 2, 2011, April 3, 2010 and September 30, 2010. The condensed, consolidating financial information presents, in separate columns, financial information for: Scotts Miracle-Gro on a Parent-only basis, carrying its investment in subsidiaries under the equity method; Guarantors on a combined basis, carrying their investments in subsidiaries which do not guarantee the debt (collectively, the “Non-Guarantors”) under the equity method; Non-Guarantors on a combined basis; and eliminating entries. The eliminating entries primarily reflect intercompany transactions, such as interest expense, accounts receivable and payable, short and long-term debt, and the elimination of equity investments and income in subsidiaries. Because Scotts Miracle-Gro, as the Parent, is obligated to pay the unpaid principal amount and interest on all amounts borrowed by the Guarantors or Non-Guarantors under the senior secured five-year revolving loan facility, the borrowings and related interest expense for the revolving loans outstanding of the Guarantors and Non-Guarantors are also presented in the accompanying Parent-only financial information, and are then eliminated.

 

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The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Operations
for the three months ended April 2, 2011

(in millions)
                                         
            Subsidiary     Non-              
    Parent     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
                                       
Net sales
  $     $ 931.2     $ 198.4     $     $ 1,129.6  
Cost of sales
          536.0       129.6             665.6  
Cost of sales — product registration and recall matters
          1.3                   1.3  
 
                             
 
                                       
Gross profit
          393.9       68.8             462.7  
 
                                       
Operating expenses:
                                       
Selling, general and administrative
          170.9       45.3             216.2  
Product registration and recall matters
          1.2                   1.2  
Other (income) expense, net
          0.1       (0.4 )           (0.3 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from operations
          221.7       23.9             245.6  
 
                                       
Equity income in subsidiaries
    (185.4 )     (8.5 )           193.9        
Other non-operating income
    (5.8 )                 5.8        
Interest expense
    13.8       4.8       1.0       (5.8 )     13.8  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    177.4       225.4       22.9       (193.9 )     231.8  
 
                                       
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations
    (0.2 )     75.2       8.2             83.2  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from continuing operations
    177.6       150.2       14.7       (193.9 )     148.6  
 
                                       
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
          35.1       (6.1 )           29.0  
 
                             
 
                                       
Net income
  $ 177.6     $ 185.3     $ 8.6     $ (193.9 )   $ 177.6  
 
                             

 

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The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Operations
for the six months ended April 2, 2011

(in millions)
                                         
            Subsidiary     Non-              
    Parent     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
                                       
Net sales
  $     $ 1,107.8     $ 252.0     $     $ 1,359.8  
Cost of sales
          679.2       166.7             845.9  
Cost of sales — product registration and recall matters
          2.1                   2.1  
 
                             
 
                                       
Gross profit
          426.5       85.3             511.8  
 
                                       
Operating expenses:
                                       
Selling, general and administrative
          285.1       74.3             359.4  
Product registration and recall matters
          2.1                   2.1  
Other (income) expense, net
          0.3       (1.1 )           (0.8 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from operations
          139.0       12.1             151.1  
 
                                       
Equity income in subsidiaries
    (121.9 )     0.4             121.5        
Other non-operating income
    (9.6 )                 9.6        
Interest expense
    22.5       9.1       1.3       (9.6 )     23.3  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    109.0       129.5       10.8       (121.5 )     127.8  
 
                                       
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations
    (0.5 )     42.5       3.9             45.9  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from continuing operations
    109.5       87.0       6.9       (121.5 )     81.9  
 
                                       
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
          35.1       (7.3 )           27.8  
 
                             
 
                                       
Net income
  $ 109.5     $ 122.1     $ (0.4 )   $ (121.5 )   $ 109.7  
 
                             

 

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The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
for the six months ended April 2, 2011

(in millions)
                                         
            Subsidiary     Non-              
    Parent     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
                                       
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ (8.4 )   $ (472.2 )   $ (123.4 )   $     $ (604.0 )
 
                             
 
                                       
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                                       
Proceeds from sale of long-lived assets
          0.2                   0.2  
Proceeds from sale of business, net of transaction costs
          161.4       88.4             249.8  
Investments in property, plant and equipment
          (39.7 )     (4.8 )           (44.5 )
 
                             
Net cash provided by investing activities
          121.9       83.6             205.5  
 
                                       
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                                       
Borrowings under revolving and bank lines of credit and term loans
          468.0       525.7             993.7  
Repayments under revolving and bank lines of credit and term loans
          (368.2 )     (283.1 )           (651.3 )
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes
    200.0                               200.0  
Financing and issuance fees
    (4.1 )                       (4.1 )
Dividends paid
    (33.3 )                       (33.3 )
Purchase of treasury shares
    (93.7 )                       (93.7 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
          4.4                   4.4  
Cash received from exercise of stock options
    21.8                         21.8  
Intercompany financing
    (82.3 )     251.5       (169.2 )            
 
                             
Net cash provided by financing activities
    8.4       355.7       73.4             437.5  
 
                             
 
                                       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
                1.6             1.6  
 
                             
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
          5.4       35.2             40.6  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
          5.0       83.1             88.1  
 
                             
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $     $ 10.4     $ 118.3     $     $ 128.7  
 
                             

 

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The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Condensed, Consolidating Balance Sheet
as of April 2, 2011

(in millions)
                                         
            Subsidiary     Non-              
    Parent     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
                                       
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ 10.4     $ 118.3     $     $ 128.7  
Accounts receivable, net
          876.8       265.5             1,142.3  
Inventories, net
          452.4       103.7             556.1  
Prepaid and other assets
          120.9       43.6             164.5  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total current assets
          1,460.5       531.1             1,991.6  
 
                                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
          348.0       48.1             396.1  
Goodwill
          305.1       0.7             305.8  
Intangible assets, net
          289.8       54.9             344.7  
Other assets
    15.3       24.8       43.4       (47.1 )     36.4  
Equity investment in subsidiaries
    955.7                   (955.7 )      
Intercompany assets
    998.3                   (998.3 )      
 
                             
 
                                       
Total assets
  $ 1,969.3     $ 2,428.2     $ 678.2     $ (2,001.1 )   $ 3,074.6  
 
                             
 
                                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                                       
Current portion of debt
  $ 762.5     $ 413.3     $ 351.3     $ (762.5 )   $ 764.6  
Accounts payable
          283.7       82.2             365.9  
Other current liabilities
    8.0       357.4       143.1             508.5  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total current liabilities
    770.5       1,054.4       576.6       (762.5 )     1,639.0  
 
                                       
Long-term debt
    400.0       16.0                   416.0  
Other liabilities
    10.2       203.5       64.4       (47.1 )     231.0  
Equity investment in subsidiaries
          229.4             (229.4 )      
Intercompany liabilities
          66.7       169.1       (235.8 )      
 
                             
 
                                       
Total liabilities
    1,180.7       1,570.0       810.1       (1,274.8 )     2,286.0  
 
                                       
Shareholders’ equity
    788.6       858.2       (131.9 )     (726.3 )     788.6  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,969.3     $ 2,428.2     $ 678.2     $ (2,001.1 )   $ 3,074.6  
 
                             

 

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The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Operations
for the three months ended April 3, 2010

(in millions)
                                         
            Subsidiary     Non-              
    Parent     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
                                       
Net sales
  $     $ 875.2     $ 175.5     $     $ 1,050.7  
Cost of sales
          522.0       113.1             635.1  
Cost of sales — product registration and recall matters
          0.6                   0.6  
 
                             
 
                                       
Gross profit
          352.6       62.4             415.0  
 
                                       
Operating expenses:
                                       
Selling, general and administrative
          173.7       43.0             216.7  
Product registration and recall matters
          1.1                   1.1  
Other (income) expense, net
          1.0       (0.5 )           0.5  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from operations
          176.8       19.9             196.7  
 
                                       
Equity income in subsidiaries
    (122.3 )     (15.7 )           138.0        
Other non-operating income
    (8.7 )                 8.7        
Interest expense
    12.7       8.5       1.6       (8.7 )     14.1  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    118.3       184.0       18.3       (138.0 )     182.6  
 
                                       
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations
    (0.2 )     61.8       6.8             68.4  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from continuing operations
    118.5       122.2       11.5       (138.0 )     114.2  
 
                                       
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
                4.3             4.3  
 
                             
 
                                       
Net income
  $ 118.5     $ 122.2     $ 15.8     $ (138.0 )   $ 118.5  
 
                             

 

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The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Operations
for the six months ended April 3, 2010

(in millions)
                                         
            Subsidiary     Non-              
    Parent     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
                                       
Net sales
  $     $ 1,067.5     $ 235.6     $     $ 1,303.1  
Cost of sales
          675.1       158.7             833.8  
Cost of sales — product registration and recall matters
          1.5                   1.5  
 
                             
 
                                       
Gross profit
          390.9       76.9             467.8  
 
                                       
Operating expenses:
                                       
Selling, general and administrative
          274.1       68.9             343.0  
Product registration and recall matters
          2.8                   2.8  
Other (income), net
          (3.6 )     (2.1 )           (5.7 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from operations
          117.6       10.1             127.7  
 
                                       
Equity income in subsidiaries
    (65.1 )     (1.0 )           66.1        
Other non-operating income
    (16.1 )                 16.1        
Interest expense
    20.8       16.1       3.0       (16.1 )     23.8  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    60.4       102.5       7.1       (66.1 )     103.9  
 
                                       
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations
    (0.4 )     37.5       2.7             39.8  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from continuing operations
    60.8       65.0       4.4       (66.1 )     64.1  
 
                                       
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
                (3.3 )           (3.3 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Net income
  $ 60.8     $ 65.0     $ 1.1     $ (66.1 )   $ 60.8  
 
                             

 

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The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
for the six months ended April 3, 2010

(in millions)
                                         
            Subsidiary     Non-              
    Parent     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
                                       
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ (3.3 )   $ (486.9 )   $ (121.2 )   $     $ (611.4 )
 
                             
 
                                       
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                                       
Proceeds from sale of long-lived assets
          23.6                   23.6  
Investments in property, plant and equipment
          (36.3 )     (1.6 )           (37.9 )
 
                             
Net cash used in investing activities
          (12.7 )     (1.6 )           (14.3 )
 
                                       
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                                       
Borrowings under revolving and bank lines of credit and term loans
          544.8       300.7             845.5  
Repayments under revolving and bank lines of credit and term loans
          (324.6 )     (115.8 )           (440.4 )
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes, net of discount
    198.5                               198.5  
Financing and issuance fees
    (5.5 )                       (5.5 )
Dividends paid
    (17.6 )                       (17.6 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
          3.7                   3.7  
Cash received from exercise of stock options
    12.9                         12.9  
Intercompany financing
    (185.0 )     272.2       (87.2 )            
 
                             
Net cash provided by financing activities
    3.3       496.1       97.7             597.1  
 
                             
 
                                       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
                (3.7 )           (3.7 )
 
                             
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
          (3.5 )     (28.8 )           (32.3 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
          6.4       64.2             70.6  
 
                             
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $     $ 2.9     $ 35.4     $     $ 38.3  
 
                             

 

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The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Condensed, Consolidating Balance Sheet
as of April 3, 2010

(in millions)
                                         
            Subsidiary     Non-              
    Parent     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
                                       
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ 2.9     $ 35.4     $     $ 38.3  
Accounts receivable, net
          715.0       201.2             916.2  
Accounts receivable pledged
          80.5                   80.5  
Inventories, net
          442.0       89.6             531.6  
Assets held for sale
                237.9             237.9  
Prepaid and other assets
          147.6       48.3             195.9  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total current assets
          1,388.0       612.4             2,000.4  
 
                                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
          317.0       45.7             362.7  
Goodwill
          305.1       0.7             305.8  
Intangible assets, net
          296.2       57.3             353.5  
Other assets
    12.7       17.9       38.1       (39.5 )     29.2  
Equity investment in subsidiaries
    836.7                   (836.7 )      
Intercompany assets
    748.9                   (748.9 )      
 
                             
 
                                       
Total assets
  $ 1,598.3     $ 2,324.2     $ 754.2     $ (1,625.1 )   $ 3,051.6  
 
                             
 
                                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                                       
Current portion of debt
  $ 168.0     $ 74.3     $ 2.0     $     $ 244.3  
Accounts payable
          228.0       73.8             301.8  
Liabilities held for sale
                45.7             45.7  
Other current liabilities
    3.5       292.0       128.7             424.2  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total current liabilities
    171.5       594.3       250.2             1,016.0  
 
                                       
Long-term debt
    749.0       347.6       390.0       (330.6 )     1,156.0  
Other liabilities
    4.1       190.5       50.8       (39.5 )     205.9  
Equity investment in subsidiaries
          119.0             (119.0 )      
Intercompany liabilities
          334.2       84.1       (418.3 )      
 
                             
 
                                       
Total liabilities
    924.7       1,585.6       775.1       (907.4 )     2,377.9  
 
                                       
Shareholders’ equity
    673.7       738.6       (20.9 )     (717.7 )     673.7  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,598.3     $ 2,324.2     $ 754.2     $ (1,625.1 )   $ 3,051.6  
 
                             
 

 

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The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Condensed, Consolidating Balance Sheet
as of September 30, 2010

(in millions)
                                         
            Subsidiary     Non-              
    Parent     Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
                                       
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ 5.0     $ 83.1     $     $ 88.1  
Accounts receivable, net
          265.5       85.4             350.9  
Inventories, net
          287.7       65.2             352.9  
Assets held for sale
                193.1             193.1  
Prepaid and other assets
          97.9       35.2             133.1  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total current assets
          656.1       462.0             1,118.1  
 
                                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
          334.7       46.6             381.3  
Goodwill
          305.1       0.7             305.8  
Intangible assets, net
          275.2       55.0             330.2  
Other assets
    13.9       16.1       41.1       (42.5 )     28.6  
Equity investment in subsidiaries
    925.8                   (925.8 )      
Intercompany assets
    344.0                   (344.0 )      
 
                             
 
                                       
Total assets
  $ 1,283.7     $ 1,587.2     $ 605.4     $ (1,312.3 )   $ 2,164.0  
 
                             
 
                                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                                       
Current portion of debt
  $ 193.2     $ 1.8     $     $     $ 195.0  
Accounts payable
          92.2       49.5             141.7  
Liabilities held for sale
                45.3             45.3  
Other current liabilities
    3.6       249.1       102.1             354.8  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total current liabilities
    196.8       343.1       196.9             736.8  
 
                                       
Long-term debt
    318.8       25.5       102.1       (9.7 )     436.7  
Other liabilities
    3.6       200.9       64.0       (42.5 )     226.0  
Equity investment in subsidiaries
          97.8             (97.8 )      
Intercompany liabilities
          92.2       242.1       (334.3 )      
 
                             
 
                                       
Total liabilities
    519.2       759.5       605.1       (484.3 )     1,399.5  
 
                                       
Shareholders’ equity
    764.5       827.7       0.3       (828.0 )     764.5  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,283.7     $ 1,587.2     $ 605.4     $ (1,312.3 )   $ 2,164.0  
 
                             
 
                                       

 

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ITEM 2.  
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The purpose of this discussion is to provide an understanding of the financial condition and results of operations of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (“Scotts Miracle-Gro”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, together with Scotts Miracle-Gro, the “Company,” “we” or “us”) by focusing on changes in certain key measures from year-to-year. Management’s Discussion and Analysis is divided into the following sections:
   
Executive summary
   
Results of operations
   
Segment results
   
Liquidity and capital resources
   
Regulatory matters
   
Critical accounting policies and estimates
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We are dedicated to delivering strong, consistent financial results and outstanding shareholder returns by providing products of superior quality and value in order to enhance consumers’ outdoor living environments. We are a leading manufacturer and marketer of branded products for consumer lawn and garden care in North America and Europe. We are Monsanto’s exclusive agent for the marketing and distribution of consumer Roundup® non-selective herbicide products within the United States and other contractually specified countries. We have a presence in similar branded consumer products in Australia, the Far East and Latin America. We also operate Scotts LawnService®, the second largest U.S. lawn care service business. Our operations are divided into the following reportable segments: Global Consumer and Scotts LawnService®.
On February 28, 2011, we completed the sale of a significant majority of the assets of our Global Professional business (excluding our non-European professional seed business, “Global Pro”) to Israel Chemicals Ltd. (“ICL”) for $270 million in an all-cash transaction, subject to certain adjustments, resulting in $264.6 million net proceeds received at closing. Effective in our first quarter of fiscal 2011, we classified Global Pro as discontinued operations. Prior to being reported as discontinued operations, Global Pro was included as part of our former Global Professional business segment. Results for our non-European professional seed business have been reclassified to Corporate & Other.
During our first quarter of fiscal 2010, all Smith & Hawken stores were closed and substantially all operational activities of Smith & Hawken were discontinued. As a result, effective in our first quarter of fiscal 2010, we classified Smith & Hawken as discontinued operations.
As a leading consumer branded lawn and garden company, our product development and marketing efforts are largely focused on providing innovative and differentiated products and on continually increasing brand and product awareness to inspire consumers and create retail demand. We have successfully applied this model for a number of years by focusing on research and development and investing approximately 5% of our annual net sales in advertising to support and promote our products and brands. We continually explore new and innovative ways to communicate with consumers. We believe that we receive a significant return on these expenditures and anticipate a similar commitment to research and development, advertising and marketing investments in the future, with the continuing objective of driving category growth and increasing market share.
Our sales are susceptible in any one year to weather conditions in the markets in which our products are sold. For instance, periods of wet weather can adversely impact sales of certain products, while increasing demand for other products. We believe that our diversified product line and our broad geographic diversification reduce this risk. We also believe that weather conditions in any one year, positive or negative, do not materially alter longer-term category growth trends.

 

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Due to the nature of our lawn and garden business, significant portions of our products ship to our retail customers during our second and third fiscal quarters. Our annual sales are further concentrated in the second and third fiscal quarters by retailers who increasingly rely on our ability to deliver products “in season” when consumers buy our products, thereby reducing retailers’ inventories.
                         
    Percent of Net Sales from  
    Continuing Operations by Quarter  
    2010     2009     2008  
First Quarter
    8.7 %     8.5 %     8.5 %
Second Quarter
    36.2 %     32.0 %     33.3 %
Third Quarter
    40.5 %     42.5 %     40.7 %
Fourth Quarter
    14.6 %     17.0 %     17.5 %
Management focuses on a variety of key indicators and operating metrics to monitor the financial condition and performance of the continuing operations of our business. These metrics include consumer purchases (point-of-sale data), market share, category growth, net sales (including unit volume, pricing, product mix and foreign exchange movements), organic sales growth (net sales growth excluding the impact of foreign exchange movements, product recalls and acquisitions), gross profit margins, income from operations, income from continuing operations, net income and earnings per share. To the extent applicable, these measures are evaluated with and without impairment, restructuring and other charges, which management believes are not indicative of the earnings capabilities of our businesses. We also focus on measures to optimize cash flow and return on invested capital, including the management of working capital and capital expenditures.
In August 2010, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million of our common shares over the next four years and the doubling of our quarterly dividend to $0.25 per common share. On May 4, 2011, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $200 million of our common shares, resulting in authority to repurchase up to a total of $700 million of our common shares through September 30, 2014.
The decisions to increase the amount of cash we intend to return to our shareholders reflect our continued confidence in the performance of our business, which should allow us to return increased cash to shareholders while also making strategic investments that drive long-term profitable growth. During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, we repurchased approximately 1.3 million of our common shares in open market transactions for $68.7 million. Through the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2011, we have repurchased approximately $118.7 million of our common shares.
Product Registration and Recall Matters
In April 2008, we became aware that a former associate apparently deliberately circumvented our policies and U.S. EPA regulations under FIFRA by failing to obtain valid registrations for certain products and/or causing certain invalid product registration forms to be submitted to regulators. Since that time, we have been cooperating with both the U.S. EPA and the U.S. DOJ in related civil and criminal investigations into the pesticide product registration issues as well as a state civil investigation into related allegations arising under state pesticide registration laws and regulations.
In late April of 2008, in connection with the U.S. EPA’s investigation, we conducted a consumer-level recall of certain consumer lawn and garden products and a Scotts LawnService® product. Subsequently, the Company and the U.S. EPA agreed upon a Compliance Review Plan for conducting a comprehensive, independent review of our product registration records. Pursuant to the Compliance Review Plan, an independent third-party firm, QAI, reviewed substantially all of our U.S. pesticide product registrations and associated advertisements, some of which were historical in nature and no longer related to sales of our products. The U.S. EPA investigation and the QAI review process resulted in the temporary suspension of sales and shipments of certain products. In addition, as the QAI review process or our internal review identified potential FIFRA registration issues (some of which appear unrelated to the actions of the former associate), we endeavored to stop selling or distributing the affected products until the issues could be resolved. QAI’s review of our U.S. pesticide product registrations and associated advertisements is now substantially complete. The results of the QAI review process did not materially affect our fiscal 2010 or year-to-date fiscal 2011 sales and are not expected to materially affect the Company’s sales during the remainder of fiscal 2011.
In June of 2008, CDPR issued a request for information to the Company relating to products that had been the subject of the April 2008 recall. We cooperated with that inquiry and reached agreement with CDPR that CDPR would place its investigation on hold pending the completion of our internal audit. In furtherance of that agreement, in May of 2010, the Company and CDPR executed a tolling agreement that extends CDPR’s rights through April 2012. In July of 2010, CDPR notified us that it planned to proceed with its investigation independent of the U.S. EPA and U.S. DOJ. On or about March 3, 2011, we received a letter from CDPR offering to settle the matter without the need for an enforcement proceeding for $245,631. As of April 2, 2011, no reserve was established for this matter.

 

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As a result of these registration and recall matters, we have recorded charges for affected inventory and other registration and recall-related costs. The effects of these adjustments were pre-tax charges of $2.5 million and $1.7 million for the three-month periods, and $4.2 million and $4.3 million for the six-month periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, respectively. We expect to incur $8-$10 million in fiscal 2011 on recall and registration matters, excluding possible fines, penalties, judgments and/or litigation costs. We expect that these charges will include costs associated with the rework of certain finished goods inventories, the potential disposal of certain products and ongoing third-party professional services related to the U.S. EPA, U.S. DOJ and state investigations.
The U.S. EPA, U.S. DOJ and CDPR investigations continue and may result in future state, federal or private rights of action including fines and/or penalties with respect to known or potential additional product registration issues. Until the U.S. EPA, U.S. DOJ and related state investigations are complete, we cannot reasonably determine the scope or magnitude of possible liabilities that could result from known or potential product registration issues. No reserves for these potential liabilities have been established as of April 2, 2011. However, it is possible that such liabilities, including fines, penalties, judgments and/or litigation costs, could be material and have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We are committed to providing our customers and consumers with products of superior quality and value to enhance their lawns, gardens and overall outdoor living environments. We believe consumers have come to trust our brands based on the superior quality and value they deliver, and that trust is highly valued. We also are committed to conducting business with the highest degree of ethical standards and in adherence to the law. While we are disappointed in these events, we believe we have made significant progress in addressing the issues and restoring customer and consumer confidence in our products.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Beginning in our first quarter of fiscal 2011, we classified Global Pro as discontinued operations and we have reclassified our results of operations for the three- and six-month periods ended April 3, 2010 accordingly. Further, beginning in our first quarter of fiscal 2010, we classified Smith & Hawken as discontinued operations. As a result, and unless specifically stated, all discussions regarding results for the three- and six-month periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, respectively, reflect results from our continuing operations.
The following table sets forth the components of income and expense as a percentage of net sales for the three- and six-month periods ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010:
                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
    (UNAUDITED)     (UNAUDITED)  
Net sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of sales
    58.9       60.4       62.2       64.0  
Cost of sales — product registration and recall matters
    0.1       0.1       0.2       0.1  
 
                       
Gross profit
    41.0       39.5       37.6       35.9  
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling, general and administrative
    19.2       20.6       26.4       26.3  
Product registration and recall matters
    0.1       0.1       0.2       0.2  
Other (income) expense, net
          0.1       (0.1 )     (0.4 )
 
                       
Income from operations
    21.7       18.7       11.1       9.8  
Interest expense
    1.2       1.3       1.7       1.8  
 
                       
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    20.5       17.4       9.4       8.0  
Income tax expense from continuing operations
    7.4       6.5       3.4       3.1  
 
                       
Income from continuing operations
    13.1       10.9       6.0       4.9  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
    2.6       0.4       2.1       (0.2 )
 
                       
Net income
    15.7 %     11.3 %     8.1 %     4.7 %
 
                       
Net sales for the three months ended April 2, 2011 were $1.13 billion, an increase of 7.5% from net sales of $1.05 billion for the three months ended April 3, 2010. Net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2011 grew 4.4% versus the comparable period of fiscal 2010. Organic net sales growth, which excludes the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, was 6.8% and 4.0% for the three- and six-month periods ended April 2, 2011, respectively, as noted in the following table:
                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    April 2, 2011     April 2, 2011  
Net sales growth
    7.5 %     4.4 %
Foreign exchange rates
    (0.7 )     (0.4 )
 
           
Organic net sales growth
    6.8 %     4.0 %
 
           
In the Global Consumer segment, organic net sales grew by 6.8% and 3.7% for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively. Organic net sales for the Scotts LawnService® segment grew by 7.2% and 9.7% for the three and six months ended April 2, 2011, respectively. Corporate & Other had an overall sales increase of $1.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 and remained unchanged for the first six months of fiscal 2011. We anticipate full-year fiscal 2011 net sales will increase by 4% to 6% compared to fiscal 2010.

 

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As a percentage of net sales, gross profit margin was 41.0% for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to 39.5% for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. For the first six months of fiscal 2011, our gross profit margin was 37.6% compared to 35.9% in the comparable period of fiscal 2010. Excluding product registration and recall matters, the gross profit rate increased by 150 basis points and 180 basis points for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively. The gross profit rate increase for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011 was primarily driven by favorable product mix, supply chain cost productivity initiatives and reduced commodity costs. Excluding the impact of product registration and recall matters, we anticipate the fiscal 2011 full-year gross profit margin will improve by 70 to 100 basis points compared to fiscal 2010, driven primarily by supply chain cost productivity initiatives and favorable product mix.
The following table sets forth the components of selling, general and administrative expenses (in millions:
                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
    (UNAUDITED)     (UNAUDITED)  
Advertising
  $ 54.0     $ 53.7     $ 65.1     $ 65.7  
Other selling, general and administrative
    159.7       160.5       289.5       272.3  
Amortization of intangibles
    2.5       2.5       4.8       5.0  
 
                       
 
  $ 216.2     $ 216.7     $ 359.4     $ 343.0  
 
                       
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses decreased $0.5 million, or 0.2%, to $216.2 million for the second quarter and increased $16.4 million, or 4.8%, to $359.4 million for the first six months of fiscal 2011 compared to the same periods of fiscal 2010. Foreign exchange rates did not impact the quarter ended April 2, 2011; however, excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates for the first six months of fiscal 2011, SG&A expenses increased 5.3% from the same prior year period. The increase in SG&A for the first six months was primarily attributable to severance costs and targeted investments, including the opening of two new regional offices, as well as incremental marketing and research and development, partially offset by lower variable compensation. For the full-year, we expect SG&A expenses to increase at a level slightly lower than expected full-year sales increases.
We recorded $1.2 million and $2.1 million of SG&A-related product registration and recall costs during the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively, which primarily related to third-party compliance review, legal and consulting fees. For the quarter and six months ended April 3, 2010, we recorded $1.1 million and $2.8 million of SG&A-related product registration and recall costs, respectively.
Other income was $0.3 million and $0.8 million for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively, compared to other expense of $0.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 and other income of $5.7 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010. The variance in the first six months of fiscal 2011 as compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily driven by a gain on the sale of property in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.
Interest expense for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011 was $13.8 million and $23.3 million, respectively, compared to $14.1 million and $23.8 million for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2010, respectively. The decrease in interest expense for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011 was attributable to a decrease in average borrowings, partially offset by an increase in weighted average interest rates. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates, average borrowings decreased by approximately $156.8 million and $176.2 million during the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively, as compared to the same prior year periods. Weighted average interest rates increased by approximately 38 basis points and 68 basis points during the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively, as compared to the same prior year periods. We expect full-year fiscal 2011 interest expense to increase $8-$10 million, as lower average borrowings will be offset by higher interest rates associated with Senior Notes issued in January and December 2010, and the refinancing of our senior secured credit facilities, which we expect to occur by July 1, 2011. These notes were issued as part of a broader strategy to diversify sources of liquidity and debt maturities in anticipation of the expiration of our current senior secured credit facilities in February 2012. Refer to “NOTE 6. DEBT” of the Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements for a further description of both the Senior Notes.
The effective tax rate for continuing operations was 35.9% for the first half of fiscal 2011, compared to 38.3% for the same period of fiscal 2010. Fiscal 2010 income tax expense included a $1.9 million charge recorded during the second quarter related to health care legislation enacted in March 2010 that repealed the existing rule which permitted a tax deduction for the portion of retiree prescription drug expense that was offset by the Medicare Part D subsidy we receive. The effective tax rate used for interim reporting purposes was based on management’s best estimate of factors impacting the effective tax rate for the full fiscal year. Factors affecting the estimated effective tax rate include assumptions as to income by jurisdiction (domestic and foreign), the availability and utilization of tax credits and the existence of elements of income and expense that may not be taxable or deductible, as well as other items. The estimated effective tax rate is subject to revision in later interim periods and at fiscal year end as facts and circumstances change. There can be no assurance that the effective tax rate estimated for interim financial reporting purposes will approximate the effective tax rate determined at fiscal year end.

 

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We reported income from continuing operations of $148.6 million, or $2.20 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to $114.2 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Income from continuing operations for the first six months of fiscal 2011 was $81.9 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, versus $64.1 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, for the same period of fiscal 2010. The increase in income from continuing operations for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011 was driven primarily by higher net sales and gross profit in our Global Consumer segment, partially offset by an increase in SG&A spending. Diluted average common shares used in the diluted net income per common share calculation were 67.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to 67.4 million for the same period a year ago. Diluted average common shares used in the diluted net income per common share calculation were 67.7 million for the six months ended April 2, 2011 versus 67.2 million for the six months ended April 3, 2010. Diluted average common shares included 1.8 million and 1.6 million equivalent shares for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively, to reflect the effect of the assumed conversion of dilutive stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards. For both the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2010, diluted average common shares included 1.2 million equivalent shares. The changes in diluted average common shares were primarily driven by an increase in the Company’s average share price, the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted shares, partially offset by repurchases of our common shares.
We reported income from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $29.0 million and $27.8 million for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively. Income, net of tax, was $4.3 million with a loss, net of tax, of $3.3 million for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2010, respectively. The income in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011 was primarily due to the net gain on the sale of Global Pro to ICL. The loss in the first six months of fiscal 2010 was attributed to Smith & Hawken’s final closure cost activities, partially offset by the sale of the Smith & Hawken intellectual property and Global Pro’s operations. The income in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 was primarily due to Global Pro’s operations, partially offset by residual Smith & Hawken closure expenses.
SEGMENT RESULTS
Our continuing operations are divided into the following segments: Global Consumer and Scotts LawnService®. This division of reportable segments is consistent with how the segments report to and are managed by our senior management. Reclassifications have been made to prior period segment amounts to reflect changes in the allocation of certain shared expenses among the segments, which in management’s judgment better align those expenses with the associated drivers and benefits. Furthermore, our reportable segments have been revised to reflect the sale of Global Pro, which is now reported in discontinued operations. Our non-European professional seed business was not part of the sale and is now included in Corporate & Other.
Segment performance is evaluated based on several factors, including income from continuing operations before amortization, product registration and recall costs, and impairment, restructuring and other charges, which is not a measure recognized under GAAP. Management uses this measure of operating profit to gauge segment performance because we believe this measure is the most indicative of performance trends and the overall earnings potential of each segment.
The following table sets forth net sales by segment (in millions):
                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
    (UNAUDITED)     (UNAUDITED)  
Global Consumer
  $ 1,090.4     $ 1,014.7     $ 1,279.2     $ 1,228.7  
Scotts LawnService®
    32.7       30.6       69.8       63.6  
 
                       
Segment total
    1,123.1       1,045.3       1,349.0       1,292.3  
Corporate & Other
    6.7       5.6       11.2       11.2  
Roundup® amortization
    (0.2 )     (0.2 )     (0.4 )     (0.4 )
 
                       
Consolidated
  $ 1,129.6     $ 1,050.7     $ 1,359.8     $ 1,303.1  
 
                       

 

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The following table sets forth segment income from continuing operations before income taxes (in millions):
                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED  
    APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,     APRIL 2,     APRIL 3,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
    (UNAUDITED)     (UNAUDITED)  
Global Consumer
  $ 299.8     $ 250.7     $ 244.7     $ 210.3  
Scotts LawnService®
    (15.2 )     (15.1 )     (19.7 )     (22.6 )
 
                       
Segment total
    284.6       235.6       225.0       187.7  
Corporate & Other
    (33.6 )     (34.5 )     (64.3 )     (50.1 )
Roundup® amortization
    (0.2 )     (0.2 )     (0.4 )     (0.4 )
Other amortization
    (2.7 )     (2.5 )     (5.0 )     (5.2 )
Interest expense
    (13.8 )     (14.1 )     (23.3 )     (23.8 )
Product registration and recall matters
    (2.5 )     (1.7 )     (4.2 )     (4.3 )
 
                       
Consolidated
  $ 231.8     $ 182.6     $ 127.8     $ 103.9  
 
                       
Global Consumer
Global Consumer segment net sales were $1.09 billion for the second quarter and $1.28 billion for the first six months of fiscal 2011, an increase of 7.5% and 4.1% from the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2010, respectively. Organic net sales grew by 6.8% and 3.7% for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively, primarily driven by unit growth.
Organic net sales in the U.S. increased 6.4% and 3.5% for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively, primarily driven by unit growth. An anticipated delay of shipments until closer to peak consumer seasonal demand resulted in a shift in net sales from the first quarter to the second quarter of fiscal 2011. The increase in net sales for the first six months was primarily driven by higher sales of growing media and grass seed, offset by declines in wild bird food, plant foods and lawn fertilizers. Consumer purchases of our products at our largest U.S. retailers (retail point-of-sale, or “POS”) decreased by 1.4% for the second quarter of fiscal 2011, primarily due to a slow start to the 2011 spring season driven by unfavorable weather in March 2011. An increase in POS of 1.9% for the first six months of fiscal 2011 was primarily driven by an increase in fall 2010 consumer lawn renovation projects that resulted in higher retail sales of grass seed, lawn fertilizer and growing media, partially offset by the slow start to the 2011 spring season. Organic net sales for International Consumer increased by 8.3% and 4.3% for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively, driven by unit growth, offset by slight declines in pricing. Strong growth in net sales for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011 in the United Kingdom, Canada, Central Europe and Asia Pacific were offset by a decline in net sales in France.
Global Consumer segment operating income increased by $49.1 million and $34.4 million in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively, as compared to the same periods in fiscal 2010. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange movements, Global Consumer segment operating income increased by $46.7 million and $31.0 million in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively. The increase in operating income was driven by the increase in net sales accompanied by gross margin rate improvement of 160 basis points and 210 basis points for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively. The increase in gross margin rates was the result of favorable product mix, supply chain cost productivity initiatives and reduced commodity costs. The improvement in net sales and gross margin rates was partially offset by increases in SG&A spending of $1.5 million and $10.4 million in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively, primarily related to strategic investments in marketing, research and development and the opening of two regional offices, partially offset by lower variable compensation.
Scotts LawnService®
Compared to the same periods in the prior fiscal year, Scotts LawnService® revenues increased by $2.1 million and $6.2 million in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively, primarily due to higher customer counts.
Scotts LawnService® segment operating loss increased $0.1 million and decreased $2.9 million in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2011, respectively. The year-to-date fiscal 2011 decrease in operating loss was primarily driven by higher revenue and lower SG&A.
Corporate & Other
The net operating loss for Corporate & Other decreased by $0.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2010. The net operating loss for Corporate & Other increased by $14.2 million in the first six months of fiscal 2011 compared to the same period in fiscal 2010, primarily related to severance costs and the non-recurrence of a gain on a property sale in fiscal 2010.

 

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Management’s Outlook
We anticipate net sales growth of 4% to 6% in fiscal 2011, primarily driven by unit volume growth and pricing in our Global Consumer business. We anticipate that gross profit margin will increase by 70 to 100 basis points in fiscal 2011, driven primarily by supply chain cost productivity initiatives and favorable product mix. SG&A spending is expected to increase at a rate slightly less than sales as we intend to invest a portion of our fiscal 2011 margin growth in revenue-enhancing activities including media, marketing, research and development and our regional offices. We expect interest expense to increase $8-$10 million, primarily driven by higher interest rates associated with Senior Notes issued in January and December 2010, and the refinancing of our senior secured credit facilities, which we expect to occur by July 1, 2011. For all of fiscal 2011, we anticipate income from continuing operations, excluding product registration and recall matters and impairment charges, to increase 10% to 13%.
In the long-term, we remain focused on continuing to grow cash provided by operating activities and return on invested capital, both of which are important drivers of shareholder value. Our regular quarterly dividend, which we doubled in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, will allow us to continue to return funds to shareholders while maintaining our targeted capital structure. In addition, we continue to execute our share repurchase program, acquiring approximately $118.7 million of our common shares through the second quarter of fiscal 2011.
For certain information concerning our risk factors, see “PART II. OTHER INFORMATION: ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Operating Activities
Cash used in operating activities totaled $604.0 million and $611.4 million for the six months ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, respectively. The use of cash in the first six months of our fiscal year is due to the seasonal nature of our operations. We build inventories in preparation for the spring selling season and accounts receivable increase significantly due to heavy March shipments. The slight decrease in the use of cash for operating activities during the first half of fiscal 2011 compared to the first half of fiscal 2010 is primarily due to an increase in net income, offset by higher working capital.
Investing Activities
Investing activities provided cash of $205.5 million for the six months ended April 2, 2011 and used cash of $14.3 million for the six months ended April 3, 2010. The increase in the first six months of fiscal 2011 compared to the same period in fiscal 2010 was primarily due to the $249.8 million net cash proceeds, including transaction costs, received from the sale of Global Pro to ICL. During the same time period in fiscal 2010, we received cash of $23.6 million for the sale of long-lived assets, primarily relating to the sale of the intellectual property of Smith & Hawken to an unrelated third party. Capital spending increased from $37.9 million in the first half of fiscal 2010 to $44.5 million in the first half of fiscal 2011. Our capital spending in the first half of fiscal 2011 included new plants in Missouri and Mississippi, improvements at our growing media facilities and investments in our information technology. In the first half of fiscal 2010, capital spending involved the completion of new production technology to support the national launch of Scotts EZ Seed®, investments to expand our information technology capabilities and improvements at our growing media facilities.
Financing Activities
Financing activities provided cash of $437.5 million and $597.1 million for the six months ended April 2, 2011 and April 3, 2010, respectively. The cash provided by financing activities reflects borrowing activity primarily to support seasonal investment in working capital. The decrease in cash provided by financing activities for the first six months of fiscal 2011 compared to the same period in fiscal 2010 was primarily due to the proceeds from the divestiture of Global Pro, a portion of which was used to pay down debt, and cash received from stock option exercises, partially offset by the repurchase of common shares and an increase in dividends paid.
Borrowing Agreements
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash generated by operations and borrowings under our credit agreements. In February 2007, Scotts Miracle-Gro and certain of its subsidiaries entered into the following senior secured credit facilities totaling up to $2.15 billion in the aggregate: (a) a senior secured five-year term loan facility in the principal amount of $560 million and (b) a senior secured five-year revolving loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $1.59 billion. Under our current structure, we may request an additional $200 million in revolving credit and/or term credit commitments, subject to approval from our lenders.

 

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In December 2010, the senior secured credit facilities were amended to increase the maximum permitted principal amount of unsecured indebtedness that is not subordinated from $200 million to $450 million. Borrowings may be made in various currencies including U.S. dollars, Euros, British pounds, Australian dollars and Canadian dollars. Amortization payments on the term loan portion of the senior secured credit facilities began on September 30, 2007. As of April 2, 2011, cumulative payments on the term loan totaled $560 million, thereby eliminating the balance of the Company’s term loan.
As of April 2, 2011, there was $803.1 million of availability under the senior secured credit facilities, including letters of credit. Under the senior secured credit facilities, we have the ability to issue letter of credit commitments up to $65 million. At April 2, 2011, we had letters of credit in the aggregate face amount of $26.3 million outstanding.
On January 14, 2010, Scotts Miracle-Gro issued $200 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Notes, the net proceeds of which were used to reduce outstanding borrowings under our senior secured credit facility. The 7.25% Senior Notes represent general unsecured senior obligations of Scotts Miracle-Gro, and were sold to the public at 99.254% of the principal amount thereof, to yield 7.375% to maturity. The 7.25% Senior Notes have interest payment dates of January 15 and July 15, which began on July 15, 2010, and may be redeemed prior to maturity at applicable redemption premiums. The 7.25% Senior Notes contain usual and customary incurrence-based covenants, which include, but are not limited to, restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the incurrence of liens and the issuance of certain preferred shares, and the making of certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments, as well as other usual and customary covenants, which include, but are not limited to, restrictions on sale and leaseback transactions, restrictions on purchases for or redemptions of Scotts Miracle-Gro stock and prepayments of subordinated debt, limitations on asset sales and restrictions on transactions with affiliates. The 7.25% Senior Notes mature on January 15, 2018.
On December 16, 2010, Scotts Miracle-Gro issued $200 million aggregate principal amount of the 6.625% Senior Notes, the net proceeds of which were used to reduce outstanding borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities and for general corporate purposes. The Company sold the 6.625% Senior Notes in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The 6.625% Senior Notes represent general unsecured senior obligations of Scotts Miracle-Gro and rank equal in right of payment with our existing and future unsecured senior debt, including, without limitation, the 7.25% Senior Notes. The 6.625% Senior Notes have interest payment dates of June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on June 15, 2011, and may be redeemed prior to maturity at applicable redemption premiums. The 6.625% Senior Notes contain usual and customary incurrence-base covenants, as well as other usual and customary covenants, substantially similar to those contained in the 7.25% Senior Notes. The 6.625% Senior Notes mature on December 15, 2020.
Certain of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s domestic subsidiaries serve as guarantors of both the 7.25% and the 6.625% Senior Notes. Refer to “NOTE 15. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTORS” for more information regarding the guarantor entities.
At April 2, 2011, we had outstanding interest rate swap agreements with major financial institutions that effectively converted a portion of our variable-rate debt denominated in U.S. dollars to a fixed rate. Interest payments made between the effective date and expiration date are hedged by the swap agreements, except as noted below. The notional amount, effective date, expiration date and rate of these swap agreements are shown in the table below.
                     
NOTIONAL AMOUNT   EFFECTIVE   EXPIRATION   FIXED
(IN MILLIONS)   DATE (a)   DATE   RATE
$ 200     2/14/2007   2/14/2012     5.20 %
  50     2/14/2012   2/14/2016     3.78 %
  150 (b)   11/16/2009   5/16/2016     3.26 %
  50 (c)   2/16/2010   5/16/2016     3.05 %
  150 (b)   12/20/2011   6/20/2016     2.61 %
  150 (c)   2/7/2012   5/7/2016     2.42 %
  100 (c)   2/21/2012   5/23/2016     2.40 %
  50 (d)   12/6/2012   9/6/2017     2.96 %
     
(a)  
The effective date refers to the date on which interest payments were first hedged by the applicable swap agreement.
 
(b)  
Interest payments made during the six-month period of each year that begins with the month and day of the effective date are hedged by the swap agreement.
 
(c)  
Interest payments made during the three-month period of each year that begins with the month and day of the effective date are hedged by the swap agreement.
 
(d)  
Interest payments made during the nine-month period of each year that begins with the month and day of the effective date are hedged by the swap agreement.

 

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On May 1, 2009, we entered into a Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement (the “2009 MARP Agreement”), with an initial stated termination date of May 1, 2010, or such later date as may be mutually agreed by us and our lender. The 2009 MARP Agreement provided for the discounted sale, on an uncommitted, revolving basis, of accounts receivable generated by a specified account debtor, with aggregate limits not to exceed $80 million. The 2009 MARP Agreement provided an interest rate that approximated the 7-day LIBOR rate plus 225 basis points.
On May 13, 2010, we entered into a First Amendment (the “First Amendment”) to the 2009 MARP Agreement with our lender. The First Amendment, which was effective May 1, 2010, extended the stated termination date of the 2009 MARP Agreement through May 12, 2011, or such later date as may be mutually agreed by us and our lender. On May 10, 2011, we entered into a Second Amendment to the 2009 MARP Agreement with our lender which further extended the stated termination date through September 30, 2011, or such later date as may be mutually agreed by us and our lender.
The 2009 MARP Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment, provides an interest rate that approximates the 7-day LIBOR rate plus 125 basis points. The amendments did not otherwise modify any substantive provisions of the 2009 MARP Agreement. There were no borrowings under the amended 2009 MARP Agreement as of April 2, 2011.
Contingent consideration related to our May 2006 acquisition of certain brands and assets of Turf-Seed, Inc., a leading producer of quality commercial turfgrasses, is due to the seller in the second half of fiscal 2012. Payment is largely based on the performance of the Company’s consumer and professional seed business for the twelve-month period ending in May 2012.
As of April 2, 2011, we were in compliance with all debt covenants. Our senior secured credit facilities contain, among other obligations, an affirmative covenant regarding our leverage ratio, calculated as indebtedness relative to our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Under the terms of the senior secured credit facilities, the maximum leverage ratio was 3.50 as of April 2, 2011, which is scheduled to decrease to 3.25 on September 30, 2011. Our leverage ratio was 1.58 at April 2, 2011. Our senior secured credit facilities also include an affirmative covenant regarding our interest coverage. Under the terms of the senior secured credit facilities, the minimum interest coverage ratio was 3.50 for the twelve months ended April 2, 2011. Our interest coverage ratio was 10.53 for the twelve months ended April 2, 2011. We continue to monitor our compliance with the leverage ratio, interest coverage ratio and other covenants contained in the senior secured credit facilities and, based upon our current operating assumptions, we expect to remain in compliance with the permissible leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio throughout fiscal 2011. However, an unanticipated charge to earnings, an increase in debt or other factors could materially adversely affect our ability to remain in compliance with the financial or other covenants of our senior secured credit facilities, potentially causing us to have to seek a waiver from our lending group which could result in repricing of our senior secured credit facilities. While we believe we have good relationships with our banking group, we can provide no assurance that such a request would be likely to result in a modified or replacement credit facility on reasonable terms, if at all.
Judicial and Administrative Proceedings
Apart from the proceedings surrounding the FIFRA compliance matters, which are discussed separately, we are party to various pending judicial and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including, among others, proceedings based on accidents or product liability claims and alleged violations of environmental laws. We have reviewed these pending judicial and administrative proceedings, including the probable outcomes, reasonably anticipated costs and expenses, and the availability and limits of our insurance coverage, and have established what we believe to be appropriate reserves. We do not believe that any liabilities that may result from these pending judicial and administrative proceedings are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows; however, there can be no assurance that future quarterly or annual operating results will not be materially affected by final resolution of these matters.
Liquidity
In our opinion, cash flows from operations and capital resources will be sufficient to meet debt service and working capital needs during fiscal 2011, and thereafter for the foreseeable future. However, we cannot ensure that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available under our credit facilities in amounts sufficient to pay indebtedness or fund other liquidity needs. Actual results of operations will depend on numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control.

 

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REGULATORY MATTERS
We are subject to local, state, federal and foreign environmental protection laws and regulations with respect to our business operations and believe we are operating in substantial compliance with, or taking actions aimed at ensuring compliance with, such laws and regulations. Apart from the proceedings surrounding the FIFRA compliance matters, which are discussed separately, we are involved in several legal actions with various governmental agencies related to environmental matters. While it is difficult to quantify the potential financial impact of actions involving these environmental matters, particularly remediation costs at waste disposal sites and future capital expenditures for environmental control equipment, in the opinion of management, the ultimate liability arising from such environmental matters, taking into account established reserves, should not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, there can be no assurance that the resolution of these matters will not materially affect our future quarterly or annual results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Additional information on environmental matters affecting us is provided in Scotts Miracle Gro’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, under “ITEM 1. BUSINESS — Regulatory Considerations” and “ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.”
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preceding discussion and analysis of our consolidated results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with our condensed, consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, includes additional information about us, our operations, our financial condition, our critical accounting policies and accounting estimates, and should be read in conjunction with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
ITEM 3.  
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risks have not changed significantly from those disclosed in Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.
ITEM 4.  
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (the “Registrant”) maintains “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined under Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Registrant’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including its principal executive officer and its principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, the Registrant’s management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and in reaching a reasonable level of assurance, the Registrant’s management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
With the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Registrant, the Registrant’s management has evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based upon that evaluation, the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
In addition, there were no changes in the Registrant‘s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the Registrant’s fiscal six months ended April 2, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Other than as discussed in “NOTE 3. PRODUCT REGISTRATION AND RECALL MATTERS” and “NOTE 11. CONTINGENCIES” of the Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements, pending material legal proceedings have not changed significantly since those disclosed in Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.

 

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ITEM 1A.  
RISK FACTORS
The Company’s risk factors as of April 2, 2011 have not changed materially from those described in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” in Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the exhibits hereto and the information incorporated by reference herein, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Other than statements of historical fact, information regarding activities, events and developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including, but not limited to, information relating to our future growth and profitability targets and strategies designed to increase total shareholder value, are forward-looking statements based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections. Forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our future economic and financial condition and results of operations, the plans and objectives of management and our assumptions regarding our performance and such plans and objectives, as well as the amount and timing of repurchases of Scotts Miracle-Gro common shares. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified through the use of words such as “guidance,” “outlook,” “projected,” “believe,” “target,” “predict,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “may,” “goal,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “should” and other similar words and variations.
Forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are predictions only and actual results could differ materially from management’s expectations due to a variety of factors, including those described in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” in Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons working on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by such risk factors.
The forward-looking statements that we make in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on management’s current views and assumptions regarding future events and speak only as of their dates. We disclaim any obligation to update developments of these risk factors or to announce publicly any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements that we make, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments, except as required by the federal securities laws.
ITEM 2.  
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
  (c)  
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table shows the purchases of common shares of Scotts Miracle-Gro (“Common Shares”) made by or on behalf of Scotts Miracle-Gro or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of Scotts Miracle-Gro for each fiscal month in the three months ended April 2, 2011:
                                 
                    Total Number of        
                    Common Shares     Approximate Dollar  
                    Purchased as     Value of Common Shares  
    Total Number of             Part of Publicly     That May Yet be  
    Common Shares     Average Price Paid     Announced Plans or     Purchased Under the  
Period   Purchased(1)     Per Common Share(2)     Programs(3)     Plans or Programs(3)  
January 2 through January 29, 2011
    477,600     $ 51.50       477,600     $ 625,418,938  
January 30 through February 26, 2011
    466,100     $ 52.74       466,100     $ 600,834,777  
February 27 through April 2, 2011
    350,544     $ 55.94       349,500     $ 581,283,948  
 
                           
Total
    1,294,244     $ 53.15       1,293,200                  
 
                           
 
     
(1)  
All of the Common Shares purchased during the quarter were purchased in open market transactions. The total number of Common Shares purchased during the quarter includes 1,044 Common Shares purchased by the trustee of the rabbi trust established by the Company as permitted pursuant to the terms of The Scotts Company LLC Executive Retirement Plan (the “ERP”). The ERP is an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan which, among other things, provides eligible employees the opportunity to defer compensation above specified statutory limits applicable to The Scotts Company LLC Retirement Savings Plan and with respect to any Executive Management Incentive Pay (as defined in the ERP), Performance Award (as defined in the ERP) or other bonus awarded to such eligible employees. Pursuant to the terms of the ERP, each eligible employee has the right to elect an investment fund, including a fund consisting of Common Shares (the “Scotts Miracle-Gro Common Stock Fund”), against which amounts allocated to such employee’s account under the ERP, including employer contributions, will be benchmarked (all ERP accounts are bookkeeping accounts only and do not represent a claim against specific assets of the Company). Amounts allocated to employee accounts under the ERP represent deferred compensation obligations of the Company. The Company established the rabbi trust in order to assist the Company in discharging such deferred compensation obligations. When an eligible employee elects to benchmark some or all of the amounts allocated to such employee’s account against the Scotts Miracle-Gro Common Stock Fund, the trustee of the rabbi trust purchases the number of Common Shares equivalent to the amount so benchmarked. All Common Shares purchased by the trustee are purchased on the open market and are held in the rabbi trust until such time as they are distributed pursuant to the terms of the ERP. All assets of the rabbi trust, including any Common Shares purchased by the trustee, remain, at all times, assets of the Company, subject to the claims of its creditors. The terms of the ERP do not provide for a specified limit on the number of Common Shares that may be purchased by the trustee of the rabbi trust.
 
(2)  
The average price paid per Common Share is calculated on a settlement basis and excludes commissions.

 

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(3)  
In August 2010, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million of the Common Shares over a four-year period (through September 30, 2014). On May 4, 2011, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $200 million of the Common Shares, resulting in authority to repurchase up to a total of $700 million of the Common Shares through September 30, 2014. The dollar amounts in the “Approximate Dollar Value” column reflect the total $700 million authorized repurchase program.
ITEM 5.  
OTHER INFORMATION
On May 10, 2011, Scotts Miracle-Gro, The Scotts Company LLC (“Scotts LLC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scotts Miracle-Gro, and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank New York Branch (f/k/a Calyon New York Branch) (the “Bank”) entered into a Second Amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2009, by and among the same parties (the “2009 MARP Agreement”). The Second Amendment extended the stated termination date of the 2009 MARP Agreement through September 30, 2011, or such later date as may be mutually agreed by the Bank and Scotts LLC.
The foregoing description of the Second Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of (i) the 2009 MARP Agreement, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 10.1 to Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 6, 2009 and is incorporated herein by reference; (ii) the First Amendment to the 2009 MARP Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2010, among Scotts Miracle-Gro, Scotts LLC and the Bank, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 10.6 to Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 3, 2010 and is incorporated herein by reference; and (iii) the Second Amendment, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 10.7 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 6.  
EXHIBITS
See Index to Exhibits at page 45 for a list of the exhibits included herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
 
 
Date: May 12, 2011  /s/ DAVID C. EVANS    
  David C. Evans   
  Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Strategy and Business Development (Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer) (Duly Authorized Officer)   

 

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THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED APRIL 2, 2011
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
             
EXHIBIT NO.   DESCRIPTION   LOCATION
       
 
   
  10.1    
The Scotts Company LLC Executive Retirement Plan, As Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2011 (executed December 22, 2010)
  Incorporated herein by reference to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (the “Registrant”) for the quarterly period ended January 1, 2011 (File No. 1-11593) [Exhibit 10.3]
       
 
   
  10.2    
Specimen form of Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement for Nonemployee Directors (with Related Dividend Equivalents) used to evidence grants of Deferred Stock Units which may be made under The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Amended and Restated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Deferral of Cash Retainer — post-January 20, 2011 version)
  Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended January 1, 2011 (File No. 1-11593) [Exhibit 10.4]
       
 
   
  10.3    
Specimen form of Performance Unit Award Agreement for Employees (with Related Dividend Equivalents) used to evidence grants of Performance Units which may be made under The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Amended and Restated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (post-January 20, 2011 version)
  Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 26, 2011 (File No. 1-11593) [Exhibit 10.1]
       
 
   
  10.4    
Share and Business Sale Agreement, dated as of February 23, 2011, by and among The Scotts Company LLC, as Seller, each of the Share Sellers and Business Sellers (as defined therein), Israel Chemicals Ltd., as Purchaser, each of the Share Purchasers and Business Purchasers (as defined therein) and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, as Seller Guarantor
  Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 1, 2011 (File No. 1-11593) [Exhibit 10.1]
       
 
   
  10.5    
Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2009, by and among The Scotts Company LLC as the Company, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company as the Parent and Calyon New York Branch as the Bank
  Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 6, 2009 (File No. 1-11593) [Exhibit 10.1]
       
 
   
  10.6    
First Amendment, dated as of May 13, 2010, to the Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2009, among The Scotts Company LLC as the Company, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company as the Parent and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank New York Branch (formerly known as Calyon New York Branch) as the Bank
  Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 3, 2010 (File No. 1-11593) [Exhibit 10.6]
       
 
   
  10.7    
Second Amendment, dated as of May 10, 2011, to the Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2009, among The Scotts Company LLC as the Company, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company as the Parent and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank New York Branch (formerly known as Calyon New York Branch) as the Bank
  *

 

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EXHIBIT NO.   DESCRIPTION   LOCATION
       
 
   
  10.8    
The Scotts Company LLC Executive Severance Plan, adopted on May 4, 2011
  Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 10, 2011 (File No. 1-11593) [Exhibit 10.1]
       
 
   
  10.9    
Form of Tier 1 Participation Agreement under The Scotts Company LLC Executive Severance Plan
  Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 10, 2011 (File No. 1-11593) [Exhibit 10.2]
       
 
   
  10.10    
Specimen form of Employee Confidentiality, Noncompetition, Nonsolicitation Agreement for employees participating in The Scotts Company LLC Executive/Management Incentive Plan (now known as The Scotts Company LLC Amended and Restated Executive Incentive Plan) [post-2005 version]
  Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 1, 2006 (File No. 1-11593) [Exhibit 10.1]
       
 
   
  10.11    
Executive Officers of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company who are parties to form of Employee Confidentiality, Noncompetition, Nonsolicitation Agreement for employees participating in The Scotts Company LLC Amended and Restated Executive Incentive Plan
  *
       
 
   
  31.1    
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications (Principal Executive Officer)
  *
       
 
   
  31.2    
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications (Principal Financial Officer)
  *
       
 
   
  32    
Section 1350 Certifications (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer)
  *
       
 
   
101.INS**  
XBRL Instance Document
  *
       
 
   
101.SCH**  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
  *
       
 
   
101.CAL**  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
  *
       
 
   
101.DEF**  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
  *
       
 
   
101.LAB**  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
  *
       
 
   
101.PRE**  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
  *
     
*  
Included herewith
 
**  
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.

 

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