Net sales for the first quarter 2011 were $198 million, a 17% increase over first quarter 2010 on 9% price and 8% volume growth with specialty phosphates and GTSP & Other both contributing strongly. 

Specialty phosphates first quarter 2011 sales of $176 million increased 12% compared to first quarter 2010 with prices and volumes each up 6%. 

GTSP & Other sales at $22 million for the 2011 quarter were $9 million above the year ago level on favorable pricing and volumes.

Net income for the first quarter 2011 was $26 million, which included a net benefit of $2 million after-tax ($0.07 per share) to update the provision for expected future claims regarding Mexican water duties.  The update included eliminating a charge for the 2005 period which is now beyond the statute of limitations. Excluding this net benefit, net income would have been $24 million for the first quarter 2011. Net income for the first quarter 2010 was $10 million.

Diluted EPS for the first quarter 2011 was $1.15 compared to $0.47 for the first quarter 2010. Excluding the net benefit mentioned above, first quarter 2011 EPS would have been $1.08.

Randy Gress, CEO of Innophos, commented on the results, "We are pleased with our first quarter results, which reflect encouraging volume and margin performance throughout our business. In particular, we delivered continued growth in our core Specialty phosphates business driven by increasing demand for higher margin food-grade products from our food and beverage customers, the successful shift in our Mexican business toward higher value offerings, and ongoing success in growing our export business.  In addition, the strength of our value proposition continues to cement our relationships with customers allowing us to take appropriate pricing actions that are effectively offsetting the impact of higher raw material costs. Cash generation by the business also continues to be strong, and based on our excellent financial position we were pleased to announce a dividend increase of almost 50% during the first quarter while maintaining our focus on investing in the growth of our business."

Gress continued, "Our continued success in shifting the mix of our business to higher-value, higher margin specialty phosphate products underscores the strategic transformation we have achieved over the last few years. Looking ahead to the remainder of 2011, we will continue to focus on delivering on the strategic objectives that underpin our profitable growth, including: manufacturing upgrades to support continued growth in high-value food, beverage and pharmaceutical end-markets; further expansion of our core products into high-growth geographies; and, continued optimization of our supply chain. We have had a strong start to the year and look forward to the remainder of 2011."  

Segment Results First Quarter 2011 versus 2010

Specialty Phosphates

Specialty phosphates sales revenue was up 12% year over year, with prices and volumes both up 6%. Mexico volume improved 28% with continued growth in exports, while U.S./Canada volume was flat, as growth in Specialty Ingredients and Food & Technical Grade PPA were offset by STPP declines. 

Operating income at $34 million was $12 million above first quarter 2010 levels and $5 million higher than fourth quarter 2010. Operating income margin was 19% for first quarter 2011 compared to 14% for the same period in 2010. As expected, margins increased 1% sequentially as price increases were achieved ahead of raw material cost increases. 

U.S./Canada

U.S./Canada Specialty phosphates sales increased 6% for first quarter 2011 compared to first quarter 2010 primarily on price increases. The business continued to record good progress on commercializing new products, as low sodium baking powders using Innophos' CAL-RISE® leavening agent are expected to be launched at major retailers in the second quarter.

Operating income at $30 million was $10 million above first quarter 2010 levels and $3 million higher sequentially. Operating income margin increased 1% sequentially to 23% for first quarter 2011 compared to 16% for the same period in 2010.

Mexico

The Specialty phosphates business in Mexico showed significant revenue improvement over first quarter 2010. Volumes increased 28% and prices were up 9% for a total revenue increase of 37%. Volume growth was driven by higher grade PPA and food grade specialty phosphates sales.

Operating income at $4 million was $3 million above first quarter 2010 levels and $2 million higher sequentially. Included in the first quarter 2011 results was $2 million of scheduled major maintenance expenses. Operating income margin increased 4% sequentially to 9% for first quarter 2011 compared to 4% for the same period in 2010.

GTSP & Other

GTSP & Other sales (primarily fertilizer co-product) increased 75% for first quarter 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. GTSP pricing improved further on a sequential basis and was up 50% year over year. Volume in 2011 was up 25% versus the year ago quarter and represented around 18% of the total anticipated for the year, a figure in line with fairly typical first quarter demand.

GTSP & Other recorded operating income of $7 million in first quarter 2011 compared to break-even in first quarter 2010. Included in the first quarter 2011 operating income was a $4 million benefit for the elimination of the 2005 portion of the expected future claims regarding Mexican water duties now beyond the statute of limitations and $1 million of scheduled major maintenance expenses. Excluding the noted Mexican water duties benefit, operating income margin was 15% for first quarter 2011, in line with expectations, compared to 1% for first quarter 2010.

Recent Trends and Outlook

Ongoing volume strength is expected to continue in the company's specialty phosphate business and management expects full year 2011 growth in net sales for Specialty phosphates to be similar to the 12% achieved in the current quarter.

Management's expectations for margins remain unchanged for specialty phosphates, with full year 2011 expected to be similar to the 2010 average of 17%. As previously noted, first quarter margins were 2% higher than full year 2011 expectations, and 1% higher sequentially, due to price increases achieved in advance of the increased cost of goods sold expected to become more evident from the 2011 second quarter. 

For GTSP & Other, further pricing improvement and stronger volumes are expected for the second quarter, leaving full year 2011 expectations for this segment, excluding the effects of Mexican water duties updates, also unchanged at around $100 million in revenue with a 15% operating income margin. Current profitability for GTSP & Other is above its historical average, assisted by current strong fertilizer market conditions.

The second quarter sequential increase in cost of goods sold is expected to be in the $6 to $8 million range, leading to a year over year increase near the upper end of the $10 to $15 million range management has previously indicated.  Further increases in rock and sulfur related raw material costs are anticipated into the third quarter, and the company has already begun to take actions to offset these increases.

From the May 3, 2011, Prepared Foods' Daily News.