AMERICAN VANGUARD CORP

Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

(1)

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

American Vanguard Corporation (the “Company” or “AVD”) is primarily a specialty solutions manufacturer that develops and markets safe synthetic, biological and biorational products for agricultural, commercial and consumer uses. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM), and the Company operates within a single operating and single reporting segment. The Company’s CODM makes strategic decisions based on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and market opportunities and synergies across the entire organization. Therefore, the Company’s CODM allocates resources and assesses financial performance on a consolidated basis.

All U.S. Dollar amounts reflected in the notes to the consolidated financial statements are presented in thousands, except per share data.

The Company believes that the combination of its cash flows from future operations, current cash on hand and the availability under the Company’s credit facility will be sufficient to meet its working capital and capital expenditure requirements and will provide the Company with adequate liquidity to meet its anticipated operating needs for at least the next 12 months from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. Although operating activities are expected to provide cash, to the extent of growth in the future, its operating and investing activities will use cash and, consequently, this growth may require the Company to access some or all of the availability under the credit facility. It is also possible that additional sources of finance may be necessary to support additional growth.

Change in Accounting Principle—Historically, the Company included warehousing, handling and outbound freight costs in operating expenses on its consolidated statements of operations. Effective January 1, 2023, the Company elected to include these costs in cost of sales instead of operating expenses on its consolidated statements of operations. The effects of the change in accounting have been retrospectively applied to all periods presented. The Company believes that the change in accounting is preferable as it aligns the Company’s classification of this warehousing, handling and outbound freight costs in such a way as to present operational management with a clearer vision of the operational performance by business unit. This accounting change also increases the comparability of the Company’s financial performance with its peer companies as most peer companies include these warehousing, handling and outbound freight costs in cost of sales rather than operating expenses. As a result, this change is intended to help interested parties better understand the Company’s performance and facilitate comparisons with most of the Company’s peer companies. This change in accounting principle does not impact operating income, net income, and net income per share. The following table compares the Company’s historical classification with the classification after the adoption of the change in accounting for the three years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Reclassifications—Certain prior years’ amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Cost of Sales— Cost of sales primarily includes inventory procurement, production, warehousing, handling, and outbound freight. These costs include direct labor, materials, and manufacturing overhead. Depreciation and amortization expense included in cost of sales amounted to $6,599, $8,906, and $9,232 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

Advertising Expense—The Company expenses advertising costs in the period incurred. Advertising expenses are recognized as selling expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and were $5,736, $5,836 and $5,201 in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Cash—The Company maintains cash balances that exceed federally insured limits with a number of financial institutions.

Inventories—Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the average cost method, and includes material, labor, factory overhead and subcontracting services. Inventory reserves are recorded for excess and slow-moving inventory. The Company recorded an inventory reserve of $2,756 and $3,015 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The components of inventories, consist of the following:

Finished products consist of products that are sold to customers in their current form as well as intermediate products that require further formulation to be saleable to customers.

Leases— The Company has operating leases for warehouses, manufacturing facilities, offices, cars, railcars and certain equipment for which operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding lease liabilities are recorded. The Company measures ROU assets throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs, plus any prepaid lease payments, less the unamortized balance of lease incentives received. The lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date. Leases that include both lease and non-lease components are accounted for as a single lease component for each asset class, except for real estate leases.

The minimum payments under operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term in the consolidated statements of operations. Operating lease expenses related to variable lease payments are recognized in cost of sales or as operating expenses in a manner consistent with the nature of the underlying lease and as the events, activities, or circumstances in the lease agreement occur. Leases with a term of less than 12 months are not recognized on the consolidated balance sheets, and the related lease expenses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Accounting for leases requires management to exercise judgment and make estimates in determining the applicable discount rate, lease term and payments due under a lease. Most of our leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, nor is it available to us from our lessors. As an alternative, the Company uses our estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is derived from information available at the lease commencement date, including publicly available data, in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company also estimated the fair value of the lease and non-lease components for some of our warehouse leases based on market data and cost data.

The lease term includes the non-cancellable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by either an option to extend (or not terminate) that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company has leases with a lease term ranging from 1 year to 20 years.

The operating leases of the Company do not contain major restrictions or covenants such as those relating to dividends or additional financial obligations. Finance leases are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements. There were no lease transactions with related parties during 2023, 2022 and 2021.

The operating lease expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $7,579, $6,531 and $6,053, respectively. Lease expenses related to variable lease payments and short-term leases were immaterial. Additional information related to operating leases are as follows:

The weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate related to the operating leases as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:

Revenue Recognition— The Company recognizes revenue when control of the ordered goods or services are transferred to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Amounts billed for shipping and handling activities after the transfer of control to the customer are considered fulfillment activities and are recognized as revenue. The costs are accrued when the related revenue is recognized. Taxes collected from customers relating to product sales and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from revenues. The Company sells its products mainly to distributors and retailers. In addition, the Company also sells its products direct to end users internationally. The products include insecticides, herbicides, soil fumigants, fungicides and biologicals. In addition, the Company recognizes royalty income related to licensing arrangements which qualify as functional licenses rather than symbolic licenses. Upon signing a new licensing agreement, the Company typically receives up-front fees, which are generally characterized as non-refundable royalties. These fees are recognized as revenue upon the execution of the license agreements. Minimum royalty fees are recognized once the Company has an enforceable right for payment. Sales-based royalty fees are typically recognized when the sales occur. The Company calculates and accrues estimated royalties based on the contractual terms and correspondence with the licensees regarding actual sales. Selective enterprise information of sales disaggregated by category and geographic region is as follows:

Contract Assets— Contract assets relate to royalties earned on certain functional licenses granted for the use of the Company’s intellectual property. The Company didnot have any contract assets as of December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2022, the contract assets amounted to $3,100. The respective short-term and long-term contract assets at December 31, 2022 of $2,098 and $1,002 are included in other receivables and other assets, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets.

Accrued Program Costs— The Company offers various discounts to customers based on the volume purchased within a defined period, other pricing adjustments, some grower volume incentives or other key performance indicator driven payments made to distributors, retailers or growers, usually at the end of a growing season. The Company describes these payments as “Programs.” Programs are a critical part of doing business in both the U.S. crop and non-crop chemicals marketplaces. These discount Programs represent variable consideration. Revenues from sales are recorded at the net sales price, which is the transaction price, less an estimate of variable consideration. Variable consideration includes amounts expected to be paid to its customers using the expected value method. Each quarter management compares individual sale transactions with Programs to determine what, if any, Program liabilities have been incurred. Once this initial calculation is made for the specific quarter, sales and marketing management, along with executive and financial management, review the accumulated Program balance and, for volume driven payments, make assessments of whether or not customers are tracking in a manner that indicates that they will meet the requirements set out in agreed upon terms and conditions attached to each Program. Following this assessment, management adjusts the accumulated accrual to properly reflect the liability at the balance sheet date. Programs are paid out predominantly on an annual basis, usually in the final quarter of the financial year or the first quarter of the following year.

Customer Prepayments— From time to time, the Company receives prepayments from customers which are recorded as customer prepayments on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not recognize revenue on any such payments until the customer places binding purchase orders, the goods are shipped, and control is transferred to the customer. Revenue recognized for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 that were included in the customer prepayments balance at the beginning of 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $88,097, $63,064, and $37,779, respectively. During 2023, the Company refunded $22,500 to customers.

Current Expected Credit Losses— The Company maintains an allowance to cover its Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL") on its trade receivables, other receivables and contract assets arising from the possible failure of customers to make contractual payments. The Company estimates credit losses expected over the life of its trade receivables, other receivables and contract assets based on historical information combined with current conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay and reasonable and supportable forecasts. In most instances, the Company’s policy is to write off trade receivables when they are deemed uncollectible regarding likely future payments. The vast majority of the Company's trade receivables, other receivables and contract assets are less than 365 days. Under the CECL impairment model, the Company develops and documents its allowance for credit losses on its trade receivables based on multiple portfolios. The determination of portfolios is based primarily on geographical location, type of customer and accounts receivables aging.

Deferred Loan Fees— These fees in connection with the Company’s senior credit facility are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the borrowing and included in interest expense, net.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation— Property, plant and equipment includes the cost of land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office furniture and fixtures, automobiles, construction projects and improvements to existing plant and equipment. Interest costs related to construction projects are capitalized at the Company’s current weighted average effective interest rate. Expenditures for minor repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When property or equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and the gain or loss realized on disposition is reflected in operations. All plant and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method, utilizing the estimated useful property lives.

Business Combinations— The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The Company’s estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the fair value of these tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill or an adjustment to the gain from a bargain purchase. In addition, when appropriate uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances are initially recorded in connection with a business combination as of the acquisition date. The Company continues to collect information and re-evaluates these estimates and assumptions quarterly and records any adjustments to the Company’s preliminary estimates to goodwill or an adjustment to the gain from a bargain purchase, provided that the Company is within the measurement period. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

From time to time, certain of our acquisition agreements include contingent earn-out arrangements, which are generally based on the achievement of future income thresholds. The fair values of these earn-out arrangements are included as part of the purchase price of the acquired companies on their respective acquisition dates. For each transaction, the Company engages third-party valuation specialists to assist it in making estimates of the fair value of contingent earn-out payments, both as part of the initial purchase price and at each subsequent financial statement date until the end of the related performance period. The Company records the estimated fair value of contingent consideration as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company reviews and re-assesses the estimated fair value of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis, and the updated fair value could be materially different from the initial estimates or prior quarterly amounts. Changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out liabilities are reported in operating results.

Asset Acquisitions— If an acquisition of an asset or group of assets does not meet the definition of a business, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition rather than a business combination. An asset acquisition does not result in the recognition of goodwill and transaction costs are capitalized as part of the cost of the asset or group of assets acquired. The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The acquisitions costs are allocated to the assets acquired on a relative fair value basis.

Intangible Assets— The primary identifiable intangible assets of the Company relate to assets associated with its product and business acquisitions. All the Company’s intangible assets are amortizing assets with finite lives. The estimated useful life of an identifiable intangible asset is based upon several factors including the effects of demand, competition, and expected changes in the marketability of the Company’s products.

Impairment— The carrying values of long-lived assets other than goodwill are reviewed for impairment annually and/or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates recoverability of an asset group by comparing the carrying value to the future undiscounted cash flows that it expects to generate from the asset group. If the comparison indicates that the carrying value of an asset group is not recoverable, measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset. There were no circumstances that would indicate any impairment of the carrying value of these long-lived assets andno material impairment losses were recorded in 2023, 2022, or 2021.

The Company reviews goodwill for impairment utilizing either a qualitative or quantitative assessment. If the Company decides that it is appropriate to perform a qualitative assessment and concludes that the fair value of a reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. If the Company performs a quantitative assessment, the Company compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amounts and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount that the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The determination of a reporting units’ fair value includes the Company’s use of a discounted cash flows model and a market approach. Key assumptions in the discounted cash flow include, but are not limited to, discount rates, future net sales growth, gross margins, expenses, capital expenditures, and terminal growth rates. The market approach key assumption relates to the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) multiples. The Company annually tests goodwill for impairment in the beginning of the fourth quarter, or earlier if triggering events occur. The Company didnot record any impairment losses in 2023, 2022, or 2021.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments— The accounting standard for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This accounting standard established a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs required:

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Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

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Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

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Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The Company did not have any significant Level 1 investments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, except for its equity investment in Clean Seed Capital Group Ltd. (see Note 16 – Equity Investments).

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, which principally include cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximates fair value because of the relatively short maturity of such instruments. The carrying amount of the Company’s borrowings, which are considered Level 2 liabilities, approximates fair value as they bear interest at a variable rate that represents current market rates.

The Company measures its contingent earn-out liabilities in connection with business acquisitions at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company may use various valuation techniques depending on the terms and conditions of the contingent consideration including a Monte-Carlo simulation. This simulation uses probability distribution for each significant input to produce thousands of possible outcomes and the results are analyzed to determine probabilities of different outcomes occurring. Refer to Note 10 for the Company’s earn-out liability movements.

Foreign Currency Translation— Certain international operations use the respective local currencies as their functional currency, while other international operations use the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency. The Company considers the U.S. Dollar as its reporting currency. Translation adjustments for subsidiaries where the functional currency is its local currency are included in other comprehensive gain (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) resulting from exchange rate fluctuation on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are reported in earnings. Assets and liabilities of the foreign operations denominated in local currencies are translated at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the weighted average rate of exchange during the period. Translations of intercompany loans of a long-term investment nature are included as a component of translation adjustment in other comprehensive gain (loss).

Income Taxes—The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in ASC 740. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for valuation allowances, the Company considers projected future taxable income and the availability of tax planning strategies. If in the future the Company determines that it will not be able to realize its recorded deferred tax assets, an increase in the valuation allowance would be recorded, decreasing earnings in the period in which such determination is made.

The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon the Company’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where there is greater than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recorded the largest amount of tax benefit that may potentially be realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where there is less than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements.

Per Share Information—Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution to EPS that could occur if securities or other contracts, which, for the Company, consists of restricted stock grants and options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, are exercised as calculated using the treasury stock method.

The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows:

For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, no options or grants were excluded from the computation.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and revenues, at the date that the consolidated financial statements are prepared. Significant estimates relate to the allowance for expected credit losses, inventory reserves, impairment of long-lived assets, investments and goodwill, assets acquired, and liabilities assumed in connections with business combinations and asset acquisitions, accrued program costs, stock-based compensation and income taxes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Total comprehensive income—In addition to net income, total comprehensive income includes changes in equity that are excluded from the consolidated statements of operations and are recorded directly into a separate section of stockholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, total comprehensive income consisted of net income and foreign currency translation adjustments.

Stock-Based Compensation—The Company estimates the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Compensation expense on awards subject to performance conditions is based on the quantity of awards that is probable of vesting.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized is reduced for estimated forfeitures. Estimated forfeitures recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations reduced compensation expense by $322, $370, and $320 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The Company estimates that 17.4% of both restricted stock grants and performance-based restricted shares that are currently subject to vesting will be forfeited. These estimates are reviewed quarterly and revised as necessary.

The Company values restricted stock grants using the Company’s traded stock price at closing on the date of grant. The weighted average grant-date fair values of restricted stock grants during 2023, 2022, and 2021 were $20.31, $23.53, and $20.00, respectively.

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance—In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosure.” The ASU updates reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through requiring enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and information used to assess segment performance. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The ASU includes amendments requiring enhanced income tax disclosures, primarily related to standardization and disaggregation of rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its disclosures.

The Company reviewed all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they were either not applicable or not expected to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

(2) Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2023 and 2022 consist of the following:

For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company’s aggregate depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment was $8,352, $7,974, and $8,530, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company disposed fully depreciated assets in the mount of $4,056, $416 and $658, respectively. Interest capitalized amounted to $567 and $317 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(3) Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022 is summarized as follows:

Principal payments on long-term debt at December 31, 2023 of $138,900 are due in August 2026. The deferred loan fees are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023.

The Company’s main bank is BMO Bank, N.A. (formerly Bank of the West), a wholly owned subsidiary of BMO Financial Group. BMO is the syndication manager for the Company’s loans.

The Company and certain of its affiliates are parties to a revolving line of senior credit facility agreement entitled the “Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement” dated as of August 5, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”), which is a senior secured lending facility among AMVAC, the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, as Agent (including the Company and AMVAC BV), as Borrowers, on the one hand, and a group of commercial lenders led by BMO Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, documentation agent, syndication agent, collateral agent and sole lead arranger, on the other hand. The Credit Agreement consists of a line of credit of up to $275,000, an accordion feature of up to $150,000, a letter of credit and swingline sub-facility (each having limits of $25,000) and has a maturity date of August 5, 2026. The Credit Agreement amended and restated the previous credit facility, which had a maturity date of June 30, 2022. With respect to key financial covenants, the Credit Agreement contains two: namely, borrowers are required to maintain a Total Leverage (“TL”) Ratio of no more than 3.5-to-1, during the first three years, stepping down to 3.25-to-1 as of December 31, 2024, and a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ("FCCR") of at least 1.25-to-1. In addition, to the extent that it completes acquisitions totaling $15 million or more in any 90-day period, AMVAC may step-up the TL Ratio by 0.5-to-1, not to exceed 4.00-to-1, for the next three full consecutive quarters. Acquisitions below $50 million do not require Agent consent.

The Company’s borrowing capacity varies with its financial performance, measured in terms of Consolidated EBITDA as defined in the Credit Agreement, for the trailing twelve-month period. Under the Credit Agreement, revolving loans bear interest at a variable rate based, at borrower’s election with proper notice, on either (i) LIBOR plus the “Applicable Margin” which is based upon the Total Leverage (“TL”) Ratio (“LIBOR Revolver Loan”) or (ii) the greater of (x) the Prime Rate, (y) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, and (z) the Daily One-Month LIBOR Rate plus 1.00%, plus, in the case of (x), (y) or (z) the Applicable Margin (“Adjusted Base Rate Revolver Loan”). The Company and the Lenders entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement, effective March 9, 2023, whereby LIBOR was replaced by SOFR with a credit spread adjustment of 10.0 bps for all SOFR periods. The revolving loans now bear interest at a variable rate based at our election with proper notice, on either (i) SOFR plus 0.1% per annum and the “Applicable Margin” or (ii) the greater of (x) the Prime Rate, (y) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, and (z) the Daily One-Month SOFR Rate plus 1.10%, plus, in the case of (x), (y) or (z) the Applicable Margin (“Adjusted Base Rate Revolver Loan”). Interest payments for SOFR Revolver Loans are payable on the last day of each interest period (either one-, three- or six- month periods, as selected by the Company) and the maturity date, while interest payments for Adjusted Base Rate Revolver Loans are payable on thelast business day of each month and the maturity date.

On November 7, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment Number Six to the Third Amended Loan and Security Agreement that provided relief in respect of both financial covenants. Specifically, with respect to the Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, the existing ratio of 3.5 through September 30, 2024 and 3.25 through December 31, 2024 and thereafter was changed to 5.5 through September 30, 2023, 4.5 for the periods ending December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, 4.0 for the period ending June 30, 2024, 3.5 through September 30, 2024 and returning to 3.25 from December 31, 2024 and thereafter. In addition, the Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio was changed from 1.25 to 1.0 for the periods ending September 30, 2023, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024 and returning to 1.25 for the period ending June 30, 2024 and thereafter. Further, after the delivery of financial statements and a covenant compliance certificate for the period ending December 31, 2023, the Borrowers may elect to terminate the covenant modification period (“CMP”) and revert to the terms of the existing Credit Agreement, if Total Leverage is less than 2.75. Further, for the duration of the CMP, the Company is restricted from making share repurchases. Finally, the Applicable Margin (SOFR and Adjusted Base Rate) and Letter of Credit fees increase by 0.50 basis points for each tier of interest during CMP. As of December 31, 2023, the Company is in compliance with the terms of the CMP and is considering terminating the related covenant modification. The interest rate on December 31, 2023, was 8.33%. Interest incurred, including amortization of deferred loan fees, was $12,391, $4,238, and $3,781 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

According to the terms of the Credit Agreement, as amended, and based on our performance against the most restrictive covenant listed above, the Company had the capacity to increase its borrowings by up to $115,002 and $200,372 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the Company was deemed to be in compliance with its financial covenants. Furthermore, the Company’s leverage at December 31, 2023, as defined in the Credit Agreement, was 2.46.

Substantially all the Company’s assets are pledged as collateral under the Credit Agreement, as amended.

(4) Income Taxes

The provisions for income taxes are:

Total income tax expense differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 21.0% to income before income tax expense, as a result of the following:

Income before provision for income taxes and losses on equity investments are:

Temporary differences between the consolidated financial statements’ carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities that give rise to significant portions of the net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2023 and 2022 relate to the following:

As of December 31, 2023, the Company maintained a full valuation allowance against its net deferred income tax assets related to the Company’s operations in Brazil, Spain, Singapore, and Ukraine totaling $3,317. The valuation allowance decreased by $536 for the year ended December 31, 2023, of which $1,912 relates to unrealized foreign exchange gains and foreign currency translation included in other comprehensive income for 2023, and $1,376 included in the provision for income taxes for 2023. As of December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance against the net deferred income tax assets related to the Company’s operations in Brazil, Spain, and Ukraine totaling $3,853, of which $379 is included in the provision for income taxes for 2022 and $788 related to unrealized foreign exchange gains included in other comprehensive income for 2022.

Gross foreign NOLs related to the Company's foreign operations were $19,699 and $8,342, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Substantially all of the Company’s foreign NOLs can be carried forward indefinitely.

Gross domestic federal and state NOLs available across all jurisdictions in which we operate were $3,598 and $3,622 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company’s federal and state NOLs expire over varying intervals in the future and are subject to annual limitation in accordance with IRC Section 382.

The following is a roll-forward of the Company’s total gross unrecognized tax benefits, not including interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 included in other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets:

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 the Company incurred $1,342, $2,161, and $2,909, respectively in interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits on its consolidated balance sheets.

It is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change and $304 of unrecognized tax benefits is expected to be released within the next twelve months due to expiration of the statute of limitations.

The Company believes it is more likely than not that the deferred assets detailed in the table above, exclusive of those in Brazil, Spain, Singapore and Ukraine with the previously mentioned full valuation allowances, will be realized in the normal course of business. It is the intent of the Company that undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that amounted to $78,600 at December 31, 2023, are permanently reinvested. Determination of the unrecognized deferred tax liability is not practical due to the complexities of a hypothetical calculation.

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as to income tax in multiple state jurisdictions. Federal income tax returns of the Company are subject to Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examination for the 2020 through 2022 tax years. State income tax returns are subject to examination for the 2019 through 2022 tax years. The Company has foreign income tax returns subject to examination.

Beginning in 2022, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("TCJA"), requires taxpayers to capitalize and amortize research and development expenditures pursuant to Internal Revenue Code, or IRC, Section 174, which resulted in increases in the Company’s deferred tax asset balance of $7,140 as of December 31, 2023. There was an increase in cash tax payments in the amount of $3,344 and $6,180 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

(5) Litigation and Environmental

The Company records a liability on its consolidated financial statements for loss contingencies when a loss is known or considered probable, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When determining the estimated loss or range of loss, significant judgment is required to estimate the amount and timing of a loss to be recorded. The Company recognizes legal expenses in connection with loss contingencies as incurred.

DBCP Cases

Over the course of the past 30 years, AMVAC and/or the Company have been named or otherwise implicated in a number of lawsuits concerning injuries allegedly arising from either contamination of water supplies or personal exposure to 1, 2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (“DBCP”). DBCP was manufactured by several chemical companies, including Dow Chemical Company, Shell Oil Company and AMVAC (which ceased manufacture in about 1980) and was approved by the USEPA to control nematodes. DBCP was also applied on banana farms in Latin America. The USEPA suspended registrations of DBCP in October 1979, except for use on pineapples in Hawaii. That suspension was partially based on 1977 studies by other manufacturers that indicated a possible link between male fertility and exposure to DBCP among their factory production workers involved with producing the product. Four inactive cases (two pending in Nicaragua and two in Hawai’i) remain pending, while one active case is described below.

Chavez & Marquinez. Two cases were filed independently in 2012 by the same law firm (HendlerLaw, P.C.) in Louisiana and Delaware involving claims on behalf of banana workers for personal injury allegedly arising from exposure to DBCP. Through several years of law and motion practice, the number of plaintiffs in the actions has been reduced from about 2,750 to 290 banana workers from Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala and Panama, and both cases have been consolidated before the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (USDC DE No. 1:12-CV-00695 & 00697). Discovery commenced in 2018 and has consisted largely of seeking medical examinations from the remaining plaintiffs. In December 2022, defendants in this matter filed a motion for summary judgment against the Ecuadorian plaintiffs under the theory that the statute of limitations for negligence barred the action. The trial court granted the motion. Plaintiffs appealed that ruling. However, in January 2024, the court rejected defendants’ motion for summary judgment on the basis of “the most analogous case” doctrine and remanded the matter to the trial court for further proceedings. At this stage in the proceedings, the Company does not believe that a loss is probable or reasonably estimable and has not recorded a loss contingency for these matters.

Other Matters

Pitre etc. v. Agrocentre Ladauniere et al. On February 11, 2022, a strawberry grower named Les Enterprises Pitre, Inc. filed a complaint in the Superior Court, District of Labelle, Province of Quebec, Canada, entitled Pitre, etc. v. Agrocentre Ladauniere, Inc. etal, including Amvac Chemical Corporation, seeking damages in the amount of approximately $5 million arising from stunted growth of, and reduced yield from, its strawberry crop allegedly from the application of Amvac’s soil fumigant, Vapam, in spring of 2021. Examinations of plaintiff were held in mid-August 2022, during which plaintiff in effect confirmed that he had planted his seedlings before expiration of the full time interval following product application (as per the product label), that he had failed to follow the practice of planting a few test seedlings before planting an entire farm, and that he had placed his blind trust in his application adviser on all manner of timing and rate. An examination of the Company’s most knowledgeable witness is scheduled to take place in 2024. The Company believes that the claims have no merit and intends to defend the matter. At this stage in the proceedings, there is not sufficient information to form a judgment as to either the probability or amount of loss; thus, the company has not set aside a reserve in connection with this matter.

Catalano v. AMVAC Chemical Corp. On June 6, 2022, AMVAC was served with a summons and complaint for a matter entitled Andrew Catalano and Ruth Catalano v. AMVAC in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Orange (30-2022-01263987-CU-PL-CXC) in which plaintiff, who worked as a professional applicator of pesticides, including Orthene (for which AMVAC is registrant) seeks damages for an injury (specifically, cardiomyopathy) allegedly arising from his exposure to this product. AMVAC is unaware of any link between cardiovascular disease and Orthene (which has been commercially available for over 30 years) and believes that this case has no merit and intends to defend it vigorously. The Company filed an answer, including multiple affirmative defenses. Further, the parties are exchanging document requests, and plaintiffs have been unable to supply any data establishing a causal link between use of this product and the heart condition that plaintiff alleges. At this stage, there is not sufficient information to form a judgment as to either the probability or amount of any loss; thus, the company has not set aside a reserve in connection with this matter.

Reyes v. AMVAC. On September 28, 2023, the Company received correspondence from counsel for ex-employee Jorge Reyes Jr. addressed to the California Department of Industrial Relations alleging a host of wage and hour violations under California law. This is a precursor to a civil filing under applicable state law. Subsequently, plaintiff, putatively on behalf of the class of similarly situated, non-exempt California-based employees, served a summons and complaint on the Company’s registered agent that had been electronically filed as Case No. 238TCV23665, encaptioned Jorge Reyes v. AMVAC etc., etal., with the Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles, Central District. As is typical of this sort of action, plaintiff alleges wages and hours violations of all imaginable types, including overtime, minimum wage, sick leave, rest periods and so on. The Company intends to defend the matter vigorously. At this stage of the proceedings, it is too early to tell whether any of the claims have merit. Accordingly, the company has not recorded a loss contingency in connection therewith.

Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency Investigation. On November 10, 2016, AMVAC was served with a grand jury subpoena from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama, seeking documents regarding the importation, transportation, and management of a specific pesticide. The Company retained defense counsel to assist in responding to the subpoena and otherwise in defending the Company’s interests. AMVAC is cooperating in the investigation. After interviewing multiple witnesses (including three employees before a grand jury in February 2022) and making multiple document requests, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) identified the Company and a manager-level employee as targets of the government’s investigation. DOJ’s investigation focused on potential violations of two environmental statutes, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), as well as obstruction of an agency proceeding and false statement statutes. In March 2022, the individual target entered into a plea agreement relating to provision of false information in a government proceeding. In July 2022, the DoJ sent correspondence to the Company’s counsel to the effect that it was focusing on potential RCRA violations relating to the reimportation of Australian containers in 2015. Our defense counsel conferred with DoJ from time to time over the past 18 months in the interest in resolving the matter. In January 2024, the Company and DoJ reached an agreement in principle, which is subject to approval by the cognizant court and with respect to which the Company recorded a loss contingency.

The governmental agencies involved in this investigation have a range of civil and criminal penalties they may seek to impose against corporations and individuals for violations of FIFRA, RCRA and other federal statutes including, but not limited to, injunctive relief, fines, penalties and modifications to business practices and compliance programs, including the appointment of a monitor. If violations are established, the amount of any fines or monetary penalties which could be assessed and the scope of possible non-monetary relief would depend on, among other factors, findings regarding the amount, timing, nature and scope of the violations, and the level of cooperation provided to the governmental authorities during the investigation. Based upon the content of agreement in principle, the Company does not believe that the investigation will have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, operations, financial condition or cash flow.

(6) U.S. Employee Deferred Compensation and Stock Purchase Plans

The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan (“the Plan”) for all eligible employees. The Plan calls for each eligible employee, at the employee’s election, to participate in an income deferral arrangement under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k). The plan allows eligible employees to make contributions, which cannot exceed 100% of compensation, or the annual dollar limit set by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company matches the first 5% of employee contributions. The Company’s contributions to the Plan amounted to $2,507, $2,409 and $2,273 in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

During 2001, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the AVD Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP Plan”). The Plan allows eligible employees to purchase shares of common stock through payroll deductions at a discounted price. An original aggregate number of approximately 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share (subject to adjustment for any stock dividend, stock split or other relevant changes in the Company’s capitalization) were allowed to be sold pursuant to the Plan, which is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan allows for purchases in a series of offering periods, each six months in duration, with new offering periods (other than the initial offering period) commencing on January 1 and July 1 of each year. The initial offering period commenced on July 1, 2001. Pursuant to action taken by the Company’s Board of Directors on December 10, 2010, the expiration of the Plan was extended to December 31, 2013. The Plan was amended and restated on June 30, 2011, following stockholders’ ratification of the extended expiration date. The Plan was amended as of June 6, 2018, following stockholders’ ratification of a ten-year extension to the expiration date (which now stands at December 31, 2028). Under the Plan, as amended as of June 6, 2018,995,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were authorized. As of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021,441,915,491,940, and 543,180 shares, respectively, remained available under the plan. The expense recognized under the Plan was immaterial during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Shares of common stock purchased through the Plan in 2023, 2022 and 2021 were 50,025,51,240 and 50,782, respectively.

(7) Major Customers

In 2023, there were three customers that accounted for 15%,14% and 8%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated sales. In 2022, there were three customers that accounted for 18%,13%, and 8% of the Company’s consolidated sales. In 2021, there were three customers that accounted for 17%,14% and 8% of the Company’s consolidated sales.

The Company primarily sells its products to distributors, buying cooperatives, other co-operative groups and, in certain territories, end users, and extends credit based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition. The Company had three significant customers who each accounted for approximately 6%,5% and 3% of the Company’s receivables as of December 31, 2023. The Company had three significant customers who each accounted for approximately 15%,3% and 3% of the Company’s receivables as of December 31, 2022. The Company has long-standing relationships with its customers and considers its credit risk associated with its domestic business for accounts receivable to be insignificant.

The Company’s receivables, excluding allowances for expected credit losses, by geography as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:

International sales by territory based on customer location for 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

(8) Product and Business Acquisitions

On October 5, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of all outstanding stock of Punto Verde S.A. Punversa (Punto Verde), a well-established distributor in Guayaquil, Ecuador, to strengthen its product portfolio and market access in the Latin American region. The Company paid cash consideration of $4,492, which was net of cash acquired of $233. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and the purchase consideration was allocated as follows:

The purchase price allocation is preliminary with respect to the valuation of intangible assets, goodwill, and income taxes. The operating results of Punto Verde have been included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations from the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Pro-forma financial information is not included herein as the pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material.

(9) Intangible Assets and Goodwill

The following schedule represents intangible assets recognized in connection with product acquisitions (See Note 1 for the Company’s accounting policy regarding intangible assets):

The following schedule represents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets and goodwill as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Product rights and trademarks are amortized over the lesser of the useful life ranging from 15 to 32 years, or the patent life. Customer lists are amortized over their expected useful lives ofnine toten years. The amortization expense is included in operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

The following schedule represents future amortization charges related to intangible assets:

(10) Contingent Consideration

The following table illustrates the Company’s contingent earn-out movements related to its business acquisitions for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:

The Company didnot have any contingent earn-out obligations as of December 31, 2023.

(11) Commitments

We enter into various obligations in the ordinary course of business, generally of a short-term nature. They primarily relate to purchase commitments for inventory and orders submitted for equipment for our production plants as well as service agreements.

(12) Research and Development

Research and development expenses which are included in operating expenses were $12,347, $10,829 and $10,354 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

(13) Equity Plan Awards

Under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan of 1993, as amended (“the Plan”), all employees are eligible to receive non-assignable and non-transferable restricted stock, options to purchase common stock, and other forms of equity. As of December 31, 2023, the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under the Plan is 1,376,610.

The below tables illustrate the Company’s stock-based compensation, unamortized stock-based compensation, and remaining weighted average period for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. This projected expense will change if any stock options and restricted stock are granted or cancelled prior to the respective reporting periods, or if there are any changes required to be made for estimated forfeitures.

The Company also granted stock options in past periods. All outstanding stock options are fully vested and exercisable and no expense was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Restricted and Unrestricted Stock

A summary of nonvested restricted and unrestricted stock is presented below:

Performance-Based Restricted Stock

A summary of nonvested performance-based stock is presented below:

Performance Based Restricted Stock Granted in 2023—During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company issued a total of 94,028 performance-based shares to employees. The shares granted during 2023 have an average fair value of $21.51. The fair value was determined by using the publicly traded share price as of the market close on the date of grant. The Company will recognize as expense the value of the performance-based shares over the required service period from grant date. The shares will cliff vest on April 20, 2026, with a measurement period commencing January 1, 2023, and ending December 31, 2025. Eighty percent of these performance-based shares are based upon the financial performance of the Company, specifically, earnings before interest and tax (“EBIT”) goal weighted at 50% and a net sales goal weighted at 30%. The remaining 20% of performance-based shares are based upon AVD stock price appreciation over the same performance measurement period. The EBIT and net sales goals measure the relative growth of the Company’s EBIT and net sales for the performance measurement period, as compared to the median growth of EBIT and net sales for an identified peer group. The stockholder return goal measures the relative growth of the fair market value of the Company’s stock price over the performance measurement period, as compared to that of the Russell 2000 Index and the median fair market value of the common stock of the comparator companies, identified in the Company’s 2022 Proxy Statement. All parts of these awards vest in three years but are subject to reduction to a minimum (or even zero) for recording less than the targeted performance and to increase to a maximum of 200% for achieving in excess of the targeted performance.

Performance Based Restricted Stock Granted in 2022—During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued a total of 83,190 performance-based shares to employees. The shares granted during 2022 have an average fair value of $23.63. The fair value was determined by using the publicly traded share price as of the market close on the date of grant. The Company will recognize as expense the value of the performance-based shares over the required service period from grant date. The shares will cliff vest on April 20, 2025, with a measurement period commencing January 1, 2022, and ending December 31, 2024. Eighty percent of these performance-based shares are based upon the financial performance of the Company, specifically, earnings before interest and tax (“EBIT”) goal weighted at 50% and a net sales goal weighted at 30%. The remaining 20% of performance-based shares are based upon AVD stock price appreciation over the same performance measurement period. The EBIT and net sales goals measure the relative growth of the Company’s EBIT and net sales for the performance measurement period, as compared to the median growth of EBIT and net sales for an identified peer group. The stockholder return goal measures the relative growth of the fair market value of the Company’s stock price over the performance measurement period, as compared to that of the Russell 2000 Index and the median fair market value of the common stock of the comparator companies, identified in the Company’s 2021 Proxy Statement. All parts of these awards vest in three years but are subject to reduction to a minimum (or even zero) for recording less than the targeted performance and to increase to a maximum of 200% for achieving in excess of the targeted performance.

Performance Based Restricted Stock Granted in 2021—During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued a total of 102,043 performance-based shares to employees. The shares granted during 2021 have an average fair value of $20.03. The fair value was determined by using the publicly traded share price as of the market close on the date of grant. The Company will recognize as expense the value of the performance-based shares over the required service period from grant date. The shares will cliff vest on April 16, 2024, with a measurement period commencing January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2023. Eighty percent of these performance-based shares are based upon the financial performance of the Company, specifically, an EBIT goal weighted at 50% and a net sales goal weighted at 30%. The remaining 20% of performance-based shares are based upon AVD stock price appreciation over the same performance measurement period. The EBIT and net sales goals measure the relative growth of the Company’s EBIT and net sales for the performance measurement period, as compared to the median growth of EBIT and net sales for an identified peer group. The stockholder return goal measures the relative growth of the fair market value of the Company’s stock price over the performance measurement period, as compared to that of the Russell 2000 Index and the median fair market value of the common stock of the comparator companies, identified in the Company’s 2020 Proxy Statement. All parts of these awards vest in three years but are subject to reduction to a minimum (or even zero) for recording less than the targeted performance and to increase to a maximum of 200% for achieving in excess of the targeted performance.

During 2023, the Company concluded that the performance measure based on EBIT and net sales for the performance-based shares granted in 2020, when compared to the peer group, was met at 0% for EBIT and 88.26% for net sales of targeted performance and all related additional expenses were recorded as of December 31, 2023. The 2020 performance shares based on market price was met at 164.9%.

Stock Options

Under the terms of the Company’s ISOP, under which options to purchase common stock can be issued, all employees are eligible to receive non-assignable and non-transferable options to purchase shares. The exercise price of any option may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant; provided, however, that the exercise price of any option granted to an eligible employee owning more than 10% of the outstanding common stock may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the shares underlying such option on the date of grant. No options granted may be exercisable more thanten years after the date of grant.

In 2023, 2022 and 2021, no options were granted.

Incentive Stock Option Plans

Activity of the incentive stock option plans:

Outstanding stock options at December 31, 2023, summarized by exercise price:

Performance Incentive Stock Option Plan

Activity of the performance incentive stock option plan:

All the performance incentive stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2023, have an exercise price per share of $11.49 and a remaining life of 12 months.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2023,2022, and 2021 was $35, $877, and $119, respectively. Cash received from stock options exercised during 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $46, $827, and $172, respectively. All outstanding options are fully vested and the intrinsic value amounted to $0 as of Dece mber 31, 2023.

(14) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table lists the beginning balance, annual activity and ending balance of foreign currency translation adjustment included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss:

(15) Equity Method Investment

On August 2, 2016, AMVAC BV entered into a joint venture with Huifeng (Hong Kong) Ltd, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Huifeng Group. The resulting entity, Hong Kong JV, was intended to focus on activities such as market access and technology transfer between the two members. AMVAC BV is a 50% owner of the entity.

On June 27, 2017, both AMVAC BV and Huifeng (Hong Kong) Ltd. made individual capital contributions of $950 to the Hong Kong JV. As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company’s ownership position in the Hong Kong JV was 50%. The Company utilizes the equity method of accounting with respect to this investment.

On July 7, 2017, the Hong Kong JV purchased the shares of Profeng Australia, Pty Ltd. (“Profeng”), for a total consideration of $1,900. The purchase consists of Profeng Australia, Pty Ltd Trustee and Profeng Australia Unit Trust. Both Trust and Trustee were previously owned by Huifeng (via its wholly owned subsidiary Huifeng (Hong Kong) Ltd). For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company recognized losses of $0 for both 2023 and 2022 and $388 (including a full impairment charge of $288 of the Company’s remaining book value of its Hong Kong JV investment) for 2021, as a result of the Company’s ownership position in the Hong Kong JV. The Hong Kong JV is an inactive entity.

(16) Equity Investments

In February 2016, AMVAC BV made an equity investment of $3,283 in Biological Products for Agriculture (“Bi-PA”). Bi-PA develops biological plant protection products that can be used for the control of pests and disease of agricultural crops. As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company’s ownership position in Bi-PA was 15%. Since this investment does not have readily determinable fair value, the Company has elected to measure the investment at cost less impairment, if any, and to record an increase or decrease for changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of Bi-PA. The Company periodically reviews the investment for possible impairment. The Company recorded an impairment charge in the amount of $399 during the year ended December 31, 2021. There wereno impairment or observable price changes on the investment during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The investment is recorded within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and amounted to $2,884 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

On April 1, 2020, AMVAC purchased 6.25 million shares, an ownership of approximately 8%, of common stock of Clean Seed Capital Group Ltd. (TSX Venture Exchange: “CSX”) for $1,190. The shares are publicly traded, have a readily determinable fair value, and are considered a Level 1 investment. The fair value of the stock amounted to $425 and $784 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and the Company recorded losses of $359, $732 and $391 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The investment is recorded within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and the associated gains and losses are included in the change in fair value of equity investments.

(17) Share Repurchase Programs

The Company periodically repurchases shares of its common stock under a board-authorized repurchase program through a combination of open market transactions and accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") arrangements.

On May 25, 2023, pursuant to a Board of Directors resolution, the Company announced its intention to repurchase up to $15,000 of its common stock under a 10b5-1 plan, par value $0.10 per share, in the open market over the succeeding one year, subject to limitations and restrictions under applicable securities laws. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company purchased 857,455 shares of its common stock for a total of $14,982 at an average price of $17.55 per share under this plan.

On August 22, 2022, pursuant to a Board of Directors resolution, the Company entered into an ASR to repurchase $20,000 of its common stock. Under the ASR agreement, the Company paid $20,000 and immediately received an initial delivery of 802,810 shares in the amount of $16,000, based on a price of $19.93 per share, which represented 80% of the notional amount of the ASR based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") on August 22, 2022. On December 14, 2022, the ASR was completed, and pursuant to the settlement terms of the ASR, the Company received an additional 131,892 shares of its common stock. The average price paid for all of the shares delivered under the ASR was $21.40 per share.

On March 8, 2022, pursuant to a Board of Directors resolution, the Company announced its intention to repurchase an aggregate number of up to 1,000,000 shares of its common stock under a 10b5-1 plan, par value $0.10 per share, in the open market over the succeeding one year, subject to limitations and restrictions under applicable securities laws. The plan terminated on March 8, 2023. During 2023, the Company purchased 27,835 shares of its common stock for a total of $557 at an average price of $19.96 per share under this plan. During 2022, the Company purchased 734,150 shares of its common stock for a total of $14,002 at an average price of $19.07 per share under this plan.

On August 30, 2021, pursuant to a Board of Directors resolution, the Company announced its intention to repurchase an aggregate number of 300,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share, in the open market over the succeeding six months. During 2021, the Company purchased 300,000 shares of its common stock for a total of $4,579 at an average price of $15.26 per share.

The shares and respective amount are recorded as treasury shares on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The table below summarized the number of shares of the Company's common stock that were repurchased during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Pursuant to Amendment Number Six to the Third Amended Loan and Security Agreement, effective November 7, 2023, the Company is currently prevented from making stock repurchases.

(18) Supplemental Cash Flows Information