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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

      

     

 

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FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

☐	TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number 0-32565

RiceBran Technologies

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Issuer’s telephone number, including area code:  (602) 522-3000

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 ☒ No ☐

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 ☒ No ☐

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.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule l2b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.   Yes ☒ No ☐

 

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RiceBran Technologies

Index

Form 10-Q

 

Cautionary Note about Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to, any projections of earnings, revenue, liquidity or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services, products or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.  Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “could,” “will,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect” or “anticipate” or other similar words.  The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, risks and uncertainties, including the factors that may affect future results set forth in this Current Report on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.  We disclaim any obligation to update any forward looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this quarterly report.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements.

 

RiceBran Technologies

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

(Unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

RiceBran Technologies

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

(Unaudited) (in thousands)

 

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

RiceBran Technologies

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2014

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

RiceBran Technologies

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

(Unaudited) (in thousands)

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

RiceBran Technologies

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of RiceBran Technologies and subsidiaries were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for reporting on Form 10-Q; therefore, as permitted under these rules, certain footnotes and other financial information included in audited financial statements were condensed or omitted.  The interim financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the interim results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented.

These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.  The report of our independent registered public accounting firm that accompanies the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, included in that Annual Report on Form 10-K, contains a going concern explanatory paragraph in which our independent registered public accounting firm expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.  The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

The interim results reported in these condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year, or any other future period, and have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern based on the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers, which supersedes current revenue recognition guidance and most industry-specific guidance.  Under the new standard we will recognize revenue from the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  Revenue from a contract that contains multiple performance obligations will be allocated to each performance obligation generally on a relative standalone selling price basis.  The guidance is effective for our annual and interim periods beginning in 2018.  Early adoption is prohibited.  We have not yet determined the impact that the new guidance will have on our results of operations and financial position and have not yet determined the method by which we will adopt the standard in 2018.

In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance which makes targeted amendments to current consolidation guidance.  Among other things, the standard changes the manner in which we would assess one of the characteristics of variable interest entities (VIEs) and introduces a separate analysis specific to limited partnerships and similar entities (such as Nutra SA) for assessing if the equity holders at risk lack decision making.  Limited partnerships and similar entities will be a VIE unless the limited partners hold substantive kick-out rights or participating rights.  A right to liquidate an entity is akin to a kick-out right.  Guidance for limited partnerships under the voting model has been eliminated.  A limited partner and similar partners with a controlling financial interest obtained through substantive kick-out rights would consolidate a limited partnership or similar entity. The guidance is effective for our annual and interim periods beginning in 2016.  Early adoption is allowed.  We have not yet determined the impact that the new guidance will have on our results of operations and financial position and have not yet determined if we will early adopt the standard.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation and disclosure of debt issuance costs. The update requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of being presented as an asset. Debt disclosures will include the face amount of the debt liability and the effective interest rate. The update requires retrospective application and represents a change in accounting principle. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The adoption of this statement will impact future presentation and disclosures of the financial statements.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued an update on simplifying the measurement of inventory, which changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value. Inventory measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) and the retail inventory method (RIM) are not impacted by the new guidance. The guidance only addresses the measurement of the inventory if its value declines or is impaired. Prior to the issuance of the standard, inventory was measured at the lower of cost or market (where market was defined as replacement cost, with a ceiling of net realizable value and floor of net realizable value less a normal profit margin). This necessitated obtaining three data points to determine market value. Replacing the concept of market with the single measurement of net realizable value is intended to create efficiencies. The guidance defines net realizable value as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption of the guidance and believe the adoption of the guidance will not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

We are a human food ingredient, functional food ingredient, packaged functional food and animal nutrition company focused on value-added processing and marketing of healthy, natural and nutrient dense products derived from raw rice bran (RRB), an underutilized by-product of the rice milling industry.  Using our bio-refining business model, we apply our proprietary and patented technologies and intellectual properties to convert RRB into numerous high value products including stabilized rice bran (SRB), rice bran oil (RBO), defatted rice bran (DRB), RiBalance (a complete rice bran nutritional package derived from further processing of SRB), RiSolubles (a highly nutritious, carbohydrate and lipid rich fraction of SRB), RiFiber (a fiber rich derivative of SRB), the ProRyza family of rice bran protein-based products and other valuable derivatives extracted from these core products.  Our target markets are natural food, functional food, nutritional supplement and animal nutrition manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, both domestically and internationally.

We have two reportable operating segments: (i) USA segment, which manufactures and distributes SRB in various granulations, Stage II products (described below) and Proryza products; in addition, we formulate and package finished consumer products for our customers on a business-to-business basis at our Healthy Natural Inc. plant in Irving, Texas; and (ii) Brazil segment, which extracts crude RBO and DRB from raw rice bran, which are then further processed into degummed rice bran oil, dewaxed rice bran oil, neutralized rice bran oil and fully refined rice bran oil for sale internationally and in Brazil, compounded animal nutrition products and a number of valuable human food and animal nutrition products derivatives and co-products. In addition we incur corporate and other expenses not directly attributable to operating segments, which include costs related to our corporate staff, general and administrative expenses including public company expenses, intellectual property, professional fees, and other expenses.  No corporate allocations, including interest, are made to the operating segments.

The USA segment produces SRB inside two supplier rice mills in California and one owned facility in Louisiana.  A facility located in Lake Charles, Louisiana has been idle since May 2009.  The USA segment also includes our Dillon, Montana Stage II facility which produces our Stage II products RiSolubles (a highly nutritious, carbohydrate and lipid rich fraction of SRB), RiFiber (a fiber rich derivative of SRB), RiBalance (a complete rice bran nutritional package derived from further processing SRB), and ProRyza, a family of protein products.  Stage II refers to the patented processes run at our Dillon, Montana facility and includes products produced at that facility using our patented processes.  In January 2014, we completed the acquisition of H&N Distribution Inc., now operating as Healthy Natural, Inc. (HN), which has been integrated into our USA segment.  HN is a formulator and co-packer of products targeted at customers in the direct marketing, internet sales and retail distribution markets, and operates a facility in Irving, Texas. HN serves the natural products, nutritional supplement and nutraceutical and functional food sectors.  We acquired HN as part of our strategy to vertically integrate our business in order to leverage our proprietary and patented technologies.  Certain manufacturing facilities included in our USA segment have proprietary processing equipment and patented technology for the stabilization and further processing of rice bran into finished products.  In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, approximately 81% and 82% of USA segment revenue was from sales of human food products and the remainder was from sales of animal nutrition products.

 

The Brazil segment consists of the consolidated operations of Nutra SA, LLC (Nutra SA), whose only operating subsidiary is Industria Riograndens De Oleos Vegetais Ltda. (Irgovel), located in Pelotas, Brazil.  Irgovel manufactures RBO and DRB products for both the human ingredient and animal nutrition markets in Brazil and internationally.  In refining RBO to an edible grade, several co-products are obtained, including degummed oil, lecithin, dewaxed oil, rice wax, neutralized oil and free fatty acids used in the detergent industry.  DRB is compounded with a number of other ingredients to produce complex animal nutrition products which are packaged and sold under Irgovel brands in the Brazilian market, sold as a raw material for further processing into human food ingredients or sold in bulk into the animal nutrition markets in Brazil and neighboring countries.  In 2015 Irgovel made initial sales of human grade stabilized defatted rice bran to the meat industry in the North American market.  In 2014, approximately 39% of Brazil segment product revenue was from sales of RBO products and the remainder was from sales of DRB products.  In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, approximately 55% and 51% of Brazil segment product revenue was from sales of RBO products and the remainder was from sales of DRB products.

In 2014 and the first nine months of 2015, we continued to experience losses and negative cash flows from operations which raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.  We believe that we will be able to obtain additional funds to operate our business, should it be necessary, however, there can be no assurances that our efforts will prove successful.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

In January 2014, we completed the acquisition of HN, the operations of which are accretive to cash flows.  Our Brazilian subsidiary, Irgovel, recently completed the final stages of a major capital expansion. Throughout 2014, significant cash was used during the shutdown period and subsequent restart of the plant. Operations at Irgovel have begun to improve during the third quarter of 2015, such that Irgovel should continue to improve its gross profit margins in the latter portion of 2015 subject to raw bran availability. However, there are no assurances that this will occur.

On May 12, 2015, we entered into an $8 million senior secured credit facility agreement consisting of a $3.5 million maximum working capital revolver and two term loan tranches. These funds are being used for working capital and capital expenditure needs in both of our operating segments.  Pursuant to this agreement, cash contributions to the Brazil segment, exclusive of any release of restricted cash, may not exceed $2.0 million, all of which has been funded.  In addition to these funds, we are seeking to confirm an arbitration award issued in Brazil which would release to us approximately $1.9 million in an escrow account associated with the purchase of Irgovel. For further discussion of the escrow account, see Note 11.  On November 3, 2015, we entered into a forbearance and amendment agreement with a lender that amends our financial covenants.  As part of that agreement we are required to use $1.0 million of the funds released to pay down a senior secured term loan. See further discussion in Note 10.

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to RiceBran Technologies shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during all periods presented.  Shares underlying options, warrants and convertible debt are excluded from the basic EPS calculation but are considered in calculating diluted EPS.  Nonvested shares that vest solely on the basis of a service condition are not included in the denominator of the computation of basic EPS.

Diluted EPS is computed by dividing the net income (loss) attributable to RiceBran Technologies shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period increased by the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding if the impact of assumed exercises and conversions is dilutive.  The dilutive effect of outstanding options and warrants is calculated using the treasury stock method.  The dilutive effect of outstanding convertible debt is calculated using the if-converted method.  Nonvested shares that vest solely on the basis of a service condition are included in the denominator of the computation of diluted EPS during their requisite service period under the treasury stock method.

 

Below are reconciliations of the numerators and denominators in the EPS computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

The impact of potentially dilutive securities outstanding at September 30, 2015 and 2014, was not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 because to do so would be antidilutive.  Those securities listed in the table above which were antidilutive for the periods presented, which remain outstanding, could potentially dilute EPS in the future.

We hold a variable interest which relates to our equity interest in Nutra SA.  We are the primary beneficiary of Nutra SA, and as such, Nutra SA’s assets, liabilities and results of operations are included in our consolidated financial statements.  The other equity holders’ interests are reflected in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in Nutra SA, in the consolidated statements of operations, and redeemable noncontrolling interest in Nutra SA, in the consolidated balance sheets.  Our variable interest in Nutra SA is our Brazil segment.  A summary of the carrying amounts of Nutra SA balances included in our consolidated balance sheets follows (in thousands).

 

Nutra SA’s debt is secured by its accounts receivable and property.  The non-Brazilian entities in our consolidated group do not guarantee any of Nutra SA’s debt.  At September 30, 2015, $1.3 million of the debt is denominated in U.S. Dollars and the remaining debt is denominated in the Brazilian Real. See further discussion in Note 10.

 

A summary of changes in redeemable noncontrolling interest in Nutra SA follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands).

 

 

In December 2010, we entered into a membership interest purchase agreement (MIPA) with AF Bran Holdings-NL LLC and AF Bran Holdings LLC (Investors).  As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Investors interest was 32.1% and 34.7%.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we invested an additional $3.4 million in Nutra SA.  No investments were made in the three months ended September 30, 2015.  The Investors’ share of Nutra SA’s net income (loss) increases (decreases) redeemable noncontrolling interest.  We are restricted from competing with Nutra SA and Irgovel in Brazil as further described in the MIPA.

Redeemable noncontrolling interest in Nutra SA is recorded in temporary equity, above the equity section and after liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets, because the Investors have drag along rights which provide the Investors the ability to force a sale of Nutra SA assets in the future.  We have assessed the likelihood of the Investors exercising these rights as less than probable at September 30, 2015.  We will continue to evaluate the probability of the Investors exercising their drag along rights each reporting period.  We will begin to accrete the redeemable noncontrolling interest up to fair value if and when it is probable the Investors will exercise these rights.

Under the original limited liability company agreement for Nutra SA (LLC agreement), as amended, any units held by the Investors beginning January 1, 2014, accrued a yield at 4% (Yield).  The LLC agreement was further amended on August 11, 2015 which resulted in the removal of the Yield requirement and the associated liability.

Nutra SA must distribute all distributable cash (as defined in the LLC Agreement) to the members on March 31 of each year as follows: (i) first, to us and the Investors in proportion to our additional capital preference percentages (with respect to us, this means total  contributions we make on or after June 3, 2015 as a percentage of the total contributions we make after June 3, 2015 plus the amount contributed by the investors as of April 30, 2015; with respect to the Investors, this means the amount contributed by the investors as of April 30, 2015, as a percentage of the amount contributed by the investors as of April 30, 2015, plus total contributions we make on or after June 3, 2015), (ii) second, to the Investors in an amount equal to 2.0 times the Investors’ capital contributions, less the aggregate amount of distributions paid to the Investors, (iii) third, to us in an amount equal to twice the capital contributions made by us, less the aggregate amount of distributions paid to us; and (iv) fourth, to us and the Investors in proportion to our respective membership interests.

Under the LLC agreement, the business of Nutra SA is to be conducted by the manager, currently our CEO, subject to the oversight of the management committee.  The management committee is comprised of three of our representatives and two Investor representatives.  Upon an event of default or a qualifying event, we will no longer control the management committee and the management committee will include three Investor representatives and two of our representatives.  In addition, following an event of default or a qualifying event, a majority of the members of the management committee may replace the manager of Nutra SA.

As of September 30, 2015, there have been no unwaived events of default.  Events of default, as defined in the MIPA and the October 2013 amendment of investment agreements, are failure of Irgovel to meet minimum annual processing targets or to achieve EBITDA of at least $4.0 million in any year beginning in 2015.

As of September 30, 2015, there have been no qualifying events.  The LLC agreement defines a qualifying event as the bankruptcy of RiceBran Technologies or Nutra SA.

The Investors have drag along rights, the right to force the sale of all Nutra SA assets after January 1, 2018.  The right terminates upon the occurrence of certain events (a $50 million Nutra SA initial public offering or a change of control, as defined).  We may elect to exercise a right of first refusal to purchase the Investors’ interest instead of proceeding to a sale.

 

RiceBran Technologies

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

In evaluating whether we are the primary beneficiary of Nutra SA, we considered the matters which could be put to a vote of the members.  Until there is an event of default or a qualifying event, the Investors’ rights and abilities, individually or in the aggregate, do not allow them to substantively participate in the operations of Nutra SA.  The Investors do not currently have the ability to dissolve Nutra SA or otherwise force the sale of all its assets.  They do have drag along rights in the future.  We will continue to evaluate our ability to control Nutra SA each reporting period.

Cash provided by operations in our Brazil segment is generally unavailable for distribution to our Corporate and USA segments pursuant to the terms of the LLC agreement.

Inventories are composed of the following (in thousands):

 

		September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
Finished goods		$	1,562			$	1,103
Work in process			190				380
Raw materials			1,392				1,441
Packaging supplies			755				584
Total inventories		$	3,899			$	3,508

 

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):

 

		September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
Land		$	320			$	364
Furniture and fixtures			429				539
Plant			12,877				15,942
Computer and software			1,566				1,701
Leasehold improvements			637				568
Machinery and equipment			17,577				21,519
Property			33,406				40,633
Less accumulated depreciation			15,273				15,880
Property, net		$	18,133			$	24,753

 

Included in accounts payable at September 30, 2015 is $0.1 million related to amounts payable for machinery and equipment additions.

A summary of goodwill activity follows (in thousands):

 

 

A summary of equity activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, (in thousands, except share and per share data) follows.

 

A summary of stock option and warrant activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, follows.

 

The board of directors adopted our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan in August 2014, after the plan was approved by shareholders.  A total of 1,600,000 shares of common stock were initially reserved for issuance under the plan.  Under the terms of the plan, we may grant options to purchase common stock and shares of common stock to officers, directors, employees or consultants providing services on such terms as are determined by the board of directors.  Our board of directors administers the plan, determines vesting schedules on plan awards and may accelerate the vesting schedules for award recipients.  The options granted under the plan have terms of up to 10 years.

In the third quarter of 2014, we issued shares of common stock to directors and executive officers at a grant date fair value of $4.91 per share.  We issued 44,026 shares which vested in August 2014, 52,412 shares which vested in June 2015 and 185,182 shares which vest in August 2017.  In the third quarter of 2015, we recognized $0.1 million in compensation.  As of September 30, 2015, we expect to recognize the remaining $0.6 million of unrecognized compensation over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.

In addition to granting the options listed in the summary of stock option and warrant activity above, in June 2015 we issued shares of common stock to directors and executive officers at a grant date fair value of $3.38 per share.  We issued 67,003 shares which vest in equal annual installments over the next three years and 72,044 shares which vest in June 2016 (or at the next annual shareholder meeting date if earlier).  In the third quarter of 2015, we recognized $0.1 million in compensation.  As of September 30, 2015, we expect to recognize the remaining $0.4 million of unrecognized compensation over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.

On May 12, 2015, we issued warrants to purchase 300,000 shares of our stock at a strike price of $5.25, exercisable over a five year term.  The warrants were issued in conjunction with a senior secured credit facility agreement with a lender.

 

 

On May 12, 2015 we issued warrants to purchase 289,669 shares of our stock at a strike price of $5.25, exercisable over a five year term.  The warrants were issued in conjunction with the extinguishment and reissuance of certain subordinated notes.

 

As of September 30, 2015, we have three warrant agreements outstanding (with two holders) that contain antidilution clauses.  The related warrants are classified as derivative warrant liabilities in our balance sheets.  Under the antidilution clauses contained in these warrants, in the event of equity issuances at prices below the exercise prices of these warrants, we may be required to lower the exercise price on these warrants and increase the number of shares underlying these warrants.  Equity issuances may include issuances of our common stock, certain awards of options to employees, and issuances of warrants and/or other convertible instruments.

The following table summarizes current and long-term portions of debt (in thousands).

 

On May 12, 2015, we entered into an $8 million senior secured credit facility agreement with a lender consisting of a $3.5 million maximum working capital revolver and two term loan tranches.  The credit facility will mature on June 1, 2018, with the potential for two one-year maturity extensions.  This credit facility is subject to certain financial and non-financial covenants which include a minimum liquidity covenant that requires we maintain $2.0 million of total liquidity at all times which is defined as $1.0 million in cash on hand and $1.0 million of available borrowings.  We are currently not in compliance with the minimum liquidity covenant and on November 3, 2015 we entered into a forbearance and amendment agreement with the lender.  The agreement waives current non-compliance with covenants and amends the original secured credit facility agreement. The agreement modifies the minimum liquidity covenant through March 2016 to require that we maintain $1.5 million of total liquidity at all times which is defined as $0.5 million in cash on hand and $1.0 million of available borrowings.  The agreement also requires that upon release of the $1.9 million in an escrow account associated with the purchase of Irgovel, as further described in Note 11, we would be required to use $1.0 million of the funds to pay against the senior secured term loan.  The term loans currently bear an interest rate of 11.50% per year, payable quarterly, with principal payments commencing in October 2016.  As of September 30, 2015, a term loan in the principal amount of $2.5 million remains outstanding with an unamortized debt discount of $0.7 million.  We are accreting the note up to its face value at an average annual interest rate of 26.7%.  As of September 30, 2015, the working capital revolver has a balance of $1.6 million.

 

As a result of the credit facility transaction, the notes for a majority of the subordinated note holders representing approximately 97% of the principal due were amended, resulting in a $1.9 million loss on extinguishment, which includes $0.7 million of warrants issued as discussed in Note 9. The maturity date on these notes was extended to June 1, 2018, with principal payments commencing in October 2016. The amendment also increased the interest to an annual rate of 11.75%.   The remaining subordinated notes that were not modified will continue to bear an interest rate of 5% per year and will mature in July 2016. We are accreting these notes up to their face value at an average annual interest rate of 24.5%. As of September 30, 2015, the remaining unamortized debt discount related to these notes was less than $0.1 million. All subordinated note interest is payable quarterly. As of September 30, 2015, subordinated notes in the principal amount of $6.5 million remain outstanding.

All Brazil segment debt is denominated in the Brazilian Real (R$), except advances on customer export orders which are denominated in U.S. Dollars.

In December 2011, Irgovel entered into loan agreements with the Bank of Brazil.  As of September 30, 2015, the notes held a principal balance of R$7.3 million. The annual interest rate on the loans is 6.5%, payable quarterly and the loans mature December 2021.  Irgovel must make monthly principal payments under each of the loans.  Irgovel used R$1.5 million of the proceeds for working capital purposes and the remainder for the purchase of equipment and machinery.  In July 2012, Irgovel entered into an agreement with the bank under which it borrowed R$1.7 million for the purchase of certain equipment at an annual interest rate of 5.5%.  Interest is payable quarterly on the amounts outstanding and the maturity date of the loans is July 2019.  Irgovel must make monthly principal payments under the loans.  The capital expansion loans are secured by the related equipment. 

Irgovel has working capital lines of credit secured by accounts receivable.  The total amount of borrowing cannot exceed 30%-100% of the collateral, depending on the agreement.  The annual interest rates on this debt range from 8.4% to 34.8%, and average 26.0%.  Principal maturities of amounts outstanding extend through September 2019.

Irgovel obtains advances against certain customer export orders from various banks.  The annual interest rates on these advances range from 5.0% to 10.0%, and average 9.6%.  Principal maturities of amounts outstanding extend through 2015.

Irgovel has an unsecured note payable for Brazilian federal and social security taxes under special Brazilian government tax programs.  Principal and interest payments are due monthly through January 2029.  Interest on the notes is payable monthly at the Brazilian SELIC target rate, which was 14.3% at September 30, 2015.

As of September 30, 2015, we are and expect to remain, in compliance with the provisions and covenants associated with our debt agreements, unless otherwise noted above.

In addition to the matters discussed below, from time to time we are involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business.  When applicable, we record accruals for contingencies when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.  While the outcome of lawsuits and other proceedings against us cannot be predicted with certainty, in the opinion of management, individually or in the aggregate, no such lawsuits are expected to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.  Defense costs are expensed as incurred and are included in professional fees.

 

On August 28, 2008, former Irgovel stockholder David Resyng filed an indemnification suit against Irgovel, Osmar Brito and the remaining former Irgovel stockholders (Sellers), requesting:  (i) the freezing of the escrow account maintained in connection with the transfer of Irgovel’s corporate control to us and the presentation of all documentation related to the transaction, and (ii) damages in the amount of the difference between (a) the sum received by David Resyng in connection with the judicial settlement agreement executed in the action for the partial dissolution of the limited liability company filed by David Resyng against Irgovel and the Sellers and (b) the amount received by the Sellers in connection with the sale of Irgovel’s corporate control to us, in addition to moral damages as determined in the court’s discretion.  The amount of damage claimed by Mr. Resyng is approximately $3.0 million.

We believe that the filing of the above lawsuit is a fundamental default of the obligations undertaken by the Sellers under the Quotas Purchase Agreement for the transfer of Irgovel’s corporate control, executed by and among the Sellers and us on January 31, 2008 (Purchase Agreement).  Consequently, we believe that the responsibility for any indemnity, costs and expenses incurred or that may come to be incurred by Irgovel and/or us in connection with the above lawsuit is the sole responsibility of the Sellers.

On February 6, 2009, the Sellers filed a collection lawsuit against us seeking payment of the second installment of the purchase price under the Purchase Agreement, which the Sellers assert is approximately $1.0 million.  We have withheld payment of the second installment pending resolution of the Resyng lawsuit noted above.  Our parent company has not been served with any formal notices in regard to this matter.  To date, only Irgovel has received formal legal notice.  In addition, the Purchase Agreement requires that all disputes between us and the Sellers be adjudicated through arbitration.  On October 29, 2010, we initiated an arbitration proceeding against the Sellers for breaches of the Purchase Agreement, including claims related to Sellers’ handling of the Resyng claim and whether any future payments are required under the Purchase Agreement.  On February 25, 2015, the arbitration panel issued its opinion along with a May 14, 2015 clarification and ordered the Sellers to pay Irgovel and us R$4.9 million plus arbitration fees, legal fees, and interest.  We are currently seeking to confirm and obtain a final award in Brazil.

As part of the Purchase Agreement, $2.0 million was deposited into an escrow account to cover contingencies with the net remaining funds payable to the Sellers upon resolution of all contingencies.  As of September 30, 2015, the balance in the escrow account was $1.9 million and is included in restricted cash in our balance sheets.  There is an escrow liability related to the lawsuit in accrued expenses on our balance sheets as of September 30, 2015, totaling $1.7 million.  When the escrow account was funded, we established an accrued liability equal to the amount of the escrow for contingencies and the net balance due to the Sellers under the terms of the Purchase Agreement.  As of September 30, 2015, $0.2 million of pre-acquisition contingencies have either been paid or specifically identified and accrued, leaving a balance of $1.7 million to settle any remaining contingencies.  We believe that there is no additional material exposure as any amounts determined to be owed as a result of the above noted litigation and contingencies will be covered by the escrow account.  If and when received, we agreed to pay to Nutra SA ninety percent of any funds received from the escrow account or treat the funds retained as a distribution from Nutra SA and reduce our ownership percentage accordingly.

As further described in Note 5, in accordance with a membership interest purchase agreement with AF Bran Holdings-NL LLC and AF Bran Holdings LLC (Investors), Irgovel is required to meet minimum annual processing targets or to achieve EBITDA of at least $4.0 million in any year beginning in 2015. If not achieved, this would result in an event of default. It is possible that an event of default may be triggered and a waiver of non-compliance may not be obtained from the Investors.

 

The tables below present segment information for the periods identified and provide reconciliations of segment information to total consolidated information (in thousands).

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014		Corporate				USA				Brazil				Consolidated
Revenues		$	-			$	5,895			$	4,516			$	10,411
Cost of goods sold			-				3,867				5,579				9,446
Gross profit			-				2,028				(1,063	)			965
Depreciation and amortization (in selling, general and administrative)			(14	)			(502	)			(179	)			(695	)
Other operating expense			(1,624	)			(1,095	)			(1,295	)			(4,014	)
Income (loss) from operations		$	(1,638	)		$	431			$	(2,537	)		$	(3,744	)
Net income (loss) attributable to RiceBran Technologies shareholders		$	(1,723	)		$	431			$	(2,404	)		$	(3,696	)
Interest expense			274				-				769				1,043
Depreciation (in cost of goods sold)			-				255				842				1,097
Purchases of property			15				661				258				934

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014		Corporate				USA				Brazil				Consolidated
Revenues		$	-			$	17,636			$	11,802			$	29,438
Cost of goods sold			-				12,360				13,503				25,863
Gross profit			-				5,276				(1,701	)			3,575
Depreciation and amortization (in selling, general and administrative)			(38	)			(1,699	)			(535	)			(2,272	)
Other operating expense			(4,593	)			(2,891	)			(3,260	)			(10,744	)
Income (loss) from operations		$	(4,631	)		$	686			$	(5,496	)		$	(9,441	)
Net income (loss) attributable to RiceBran Technologies shareholders		$	(16,201	)		$	686			$	(5,106	)		$	(20,621	)
Interest expense			7,664				-				2,132				9,796
Depreciation (in cost of goods sold)			-				768				2,039				2,807
Purchases of property			131				1,519				2,571				4,221

 

The tables below present segment information for selected balance sheet accounts (in thousands).

 

Corporate segment total assets include cash, restricted cash, property and other assets.

 

The following table presents revenue by geographic area for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands).

 

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		2015				2014				2015				2014
United States		$	6,267			$	5,948			$	18,090			$	16,986
Brazil			255				4,063				6,157				11,030
Other international			2,395				400				5,735				1,422
Total revenues		$	8,917			$	10,411			$	29,982			$	29,438

 

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and other receivables and accounts payable approximates their carrying value due to their shorter maturities.  As of September 30, 2015, the fair value of our USA segment debt (Level 3 measurement) is less than $0.1 million higher than the $10.1 million carrying value of that debt, based on current market rates for similar debt with similar maturities.  The fair value of our Brazil segment debt (Level 3 measurement) approximates the carrying value of that debt based on the current market rates for similar debt with similar maturities.

Fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  Certain assets and liabilities are presented in the financial statements at fair value.  Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis include derivative warrant and conversion liabilities.  Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis may include property.

We assess the inputs used to measure fair value using a three-tier hierarchy based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market:

●

Level 1 – inputs include quoted prices for identical instruments and are the most observable.

●

Level 2 – inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and observable inputs such as interest rates, currency exchange rates and yield curves.

●

Level 3 – inputs are not observable in the market and include management’s judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

For instruments measured using Level 3 inputs, a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances is disclosed.

The following tables summarize the fair values by input hierarchy of items measured at fair value on a recurring basis on our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

Warrants accounted for as derivative liabilities are valued using the lattice model each reporting period and the resultant change in fair value is recorded in the statements of operations.  The lattice model requires us to assess the probability of future issuance of equity instruments at a price lower than the current exercise price of the warrants.  The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the treasury yield curve rate of instruments with the same term as the warrant.  Additional assumptions that were used to calculate fair value follow.

 

		September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Risk-free interest rate		0.4% - 1.0%		0.1% - 1.0%
		(0.9% weighted average)		(0.7% weighted average)
Expected volatility		55.0% - 90.1%		95%
		(83.7% weighted average)

 

 

The following tables summarize the changes in level 3 items measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

(1)

Included in change in fair value of derivative warrant and conversion liabilities in our consolidated statements of operations.

Entities beneficially owned by Baruch Halpern, a director, invested $2.6 million in our subordinated convertible notes and related warrants in 2012.  The terms of the notes beneficially owned by Mr. Halpern were modified in the fourth quarter of 2013. These notes were extinguished and replaced with new subordinated notes in the second quarter of 2015.  The loss on extinguishment recognized in the second quarter of 2015 related to this transaction was approximately $0.8 million.  In all periods presented, we paid less than $0.2 million of interest on subordinated notes beneficially owned by Mr. Halpern.

W. John Short, our chief executive officer and director, invested in our subordinated convertible notes and related warrants $25 thousand in January 2012 and $25 thousand in April 2013.  The terms of the notes beneficially owned by Mr. Short were modified in the fourth quarter of 2013.  These notes were extinguished and replaced with new subordinated notes in the second quarter of 2015.  The loss on extinguishment recognized in the second quarter of 2015 related to this transaction was approximately $16 thousand.  In all periods presented, we paid less than $10 thousand of interest on subordinated notes beneficially owned by Mr. Short.

Due to offerings and conversions occurring between December 2013 and May 2014, we believe our ability to utilize previously accumulated net operating loss carryforwards are subject to substantial annual limitations due to “change in ownership” provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and similar state regulations.  Therefore in 2014, we recorded the impact of the expiration of substantial net operating loss carryforwards prior to utilization.  We have not yet finalized the exact amount of such limitation, as the rules in this area are complex, and our estimate of the annual limitation is subject to change.

One USA segment customer accounted for approximately 30% and 29% of our consolidated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  This customer accounted for approximately 4% and 2% of our consolidated accounts receivable balances at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis addresses material changes in the results of operations and financial condition of RiceBran Technologies and subsidiaries for the periods presented.  This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, the related notes thereto, and management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2014.

In 2014 and the first nine months of 2015, we continued to experience losses and negative cash flows from operations which raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.  We believe that we will be able to obtain additional funds to operate our business, should it be necessary, however, there can be no assurances that our efforts will prove successful.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

In January 2014, we completed the acquisition of H&N Distribution, Inc. (HN), the operations of which are accretive to cash flows.  Our Brazilian subsidiary, Irgovel, recently completed the final stages of a major capital expansion. Throughout 2014, significant cash was used during the shutdown period and subsequent restart of the plant. Operations at Irgovel have begun to improve during the third quarter of 2015, such that Irgovel should continue to improve its gross profit margins in the latter portion of 2015 subject to raw bran availability.

We are a human food ingredient, functional food ingredient, packaged functional food and animal nutrition company focused on value-added processing and marketing of healthy, natural and nutrient dense products derived from raw rice bran (RRB), an underutilized by-product of the rice milling industry.  Using our bio-refining business model, we apply our proprietary and patented technologies and intellectual properties to convert RRB into numerous high value products including stabilized rice bran (SRB), rice bran oil (RBO), defatted rice bran (DRB), RiBalance (a complete rice bran nutritional package derived from further processing of SRB), RiSolubles (a highly nutritious, carbohydrate and lipid rich fraction of SRB), RiFiber (a fiber rich derivative of SRB), the ProRyza family of rice bran protein-based products and other valuable derivatives extracted from these core products.  Our target markets are natural food, functional food, nutritional supplement and animal nutrition manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, both domestically and internationally.

We have two reportable operating segments: (i) USA segment, which manufactures and distributes SRB in various granulations, Stage II products (described below) and Proryza products; in addition, we formulate and package finished consumer products for our customers on a business-to-business basis at our Healthy Natural Inc. plant in Irving, Texas; and (ii) Brazil segment, which extracts crude RBO and DRB from raw rice bran, which are then further processed into degummed rice bran oil, dewaxed rice bran oil, neutralized rice bran oil and fully refined rice bran oil for sale internationally and in Brazil, compounded animal nutrition products and a number of valuable human food and animal nutrition products derivatives and co-products. In addition we incur corporate and other expenses not directly attributable to operating segments, which include costs related to our corporate staff, general and administrative expenses including public company expenses, intellectual property, professional fees, and other expenses.  No corporate allocations, including interest, are made to the operating segments.

The USA segment produces SRB inside two rice bran stabilization facilities, located within supplier rice mills in Arbuckle and West Sacramento, California, and one owned facility in Mermentau, Louisiana.  At Dillon, Montana, the USA segment produces our Stage II products including: RiSolubles, a highly nutritious, carbohydrate and lipid rich fraction of SRB; RiFiber, a fiber rich derivative of SRB, RiBalance, a complete rice bran nutritional package derived from further processing RiBalance, and ProRyza, protein-based products.  “Stage II” refers to the patented processes run at our Dillon, Montana facility and describes products produced at that facility using our patented processes.  The manufacturing facilities included in our USA segment have proprietary processing equipment and process patented technology for the stabilization and further processing of rice bran into finished products.  Beginning January 2, 2014, with the acquisition of HN, we also formulate and copack products at a leased facility in Irving, Texas.  We lease two facilities in West Sacramento, California that house offices, a laboratory, and two warehouse facilities.  We use an owned facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana, as a temporary warehouse.  In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, approximately 81% and 82% of USA segment revenue was from sales of human food products and the remainder was from sales of animal nutrition products.

 

The Brazil segment consists of the consolidated operations of Nutra SA, whose only operating subsidiary is Irgovel, located in Pelotas, Brazil.  Irgovel manufactures RBO and DRB products for both the human ingredient and animal nutrition markets in Brazil and internationally.  In refining RBO to an edible grade, several co-products are obtained, including degummed oil, lecithin, dewaxed oil, rice wax, neutralized oil and free fatty acids used in the detergent industry.  DRB is compounded with a number of other ingredients to produce complex animal nutrition products which are packaged and sold under Irgovel brands in the Brazilian market, sold as a raw material for further processing into human food ingredients or sold in bulk into the animal nutrition markets in Brazil and neighboring countries.  In 2015 Irgovel made initial sales of human grade stabilized defatted rice bran to the meat industry in the North American market.  In 2014, approximately 39% of Brazil segment product revenue was from sales of RBO products and the remainder was from sales of DRB products.  In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, approximately 55% and 51% of Brazil segment product revenue was from sales of RBO products and the remainder was from sales of DRB products.

Consolidated net loss attributable to RiceBran Technologies shareholders for the three months ended September 30, 2015, was $0.5 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to a loss of $3.7 million, or $0.47 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Revenues (in thousands):

 

Consolidated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2015, were $8.9 million compared to $10.4 million in the prior year period, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 14.4%.

USA segment revenues decreased $0.9 million, or 14.6% in 2015 compared to 2014.  The change was mostly attributable to decreases in human nutrition product revenues.  We believe that the lower demand was due to customer specific logistic issues associated with a redesign of packaging by the customer.  We believe the issue is temporary and anticipate that our fourth quarter financial results will return to pre-third quarter levels or better. We will continue to focus on increasing the higher margin human nutrition products in our mix of revenues.

Brazil segment revenues increased 33% on a local currency basis, but decreased $0.6 million, or 14.1% in 2015 compared to 2014 as a result of the decline in exchange rate between the Brazilian Real and the US Dollar.  Revenues from oil, oil related products and bulk DRB were up compared to prior year and were partially offset by a decline in bagged animal feed volume.  However, due to the quarter over quarter 35% decline in the Brazilian Real versus US Dollar exchange rate, the revenue gains on a local currency basis were completely negated.

Gross profit (in thousands):

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2015				Gross Profit %				2014				Gross Profit %				Change				Change in Gross Profit %
USA segment		$	1,317				26.2			$	2,028				34.4			$	(711	)			(8.2	)
Brazil segment			740				19.1				(1,063	)			(23.5	)			1,803				42.6
Total gross profit		$	2,057				23.1			$	965				9.3			$	1,092				13.8

 

Consolidated gross profit increased $1.1 million, or 13.8 percentage points, to $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $1.0 million in the prior year period.

 

The USA segment gross profit decreased $0.7 million, to $1.3 million in 2015, from $2.0 million in 2014.  The 8.2 percentage point decline in gross profit percentage was attributable to costs being allocated to lower levels of production. Change in sales mix also had an impact due to higher margin human nutrition product revenues decreasing as a percentage of total revenues to 81% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 from 83% in the prior year.  The impact of these factors were moderately mitigated by decreases in raw bran cost. The cost of raw bran declined by approximately 45% in California and 35% in Louisiana when comparing the current quarter to the prior year.

Brazil segment gross profit increased $1.8 million, or 42.6 percentage points.  The improvement is primarily due to plant efficiency related to increasing the volume of raw bran processed and improving sales mix towards higher margin oil related products as a percentage of overall revenues.  Raw bran processed in the third quarter of 2015 increased 5% over the prior year and reflects the improvements in efficiencies related to the plant operations.  Continuing improvement in gross profit is anticipated as processing volume increases, sales mix improves and certain quality issues are resolved which will result in higher selling prices.

 

Consolidated operating expenses were $3.4 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $4.7 million for the third quarter of 2014, a decrease of $1.3 million.

Corporate segment selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) decreased $0.6 million. Stock based compensation and bonus expense decreased $0.2 million. The remaining decrease was the result of lower travel expense and professional fees.

USA segment SG&A expenses increased $0.1 million primarily due to changes in salary, wages, and benefit related expenses.  USA segment depreciation and amortization expense decreased $0.1 million due to incremental declines in amortization expense of intangible assets associated with the acquisition of HN in 2014.

Brazil segment SG&A expenses decreased $0.5 million primarily due to the decline in exchange rate between the Brazilian Real and the US Dollar.  Brazil segment depreciation and amortization expense decreased $0.2 million due to intangible assets becoming fully amortized in 2015.