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Cover and table of contents
10-K 1 fy17clx10k.htm FY17 CLX 10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| ☑ | Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
| for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 | |
| OR | |
| ☐ | Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
| for the transition period from__________to__________. | |
| Commission file number: 1-07151 |
THE CLOROX COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 31-0595760 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
| incorporation or organization) | Identification Number) |
| 1221 Broadway, Oakland, California 94612-1888 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) (ZIP code) | |
| (510) 271-7000 | |
| (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) | |
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | |
| Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common Stock–$1.00 par value | New York Stock Exchange |
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: | |
| None | |
| (Title of class) |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☑. No ☐.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐. No ☑.
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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☑.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| Large accelerated filer ☑ | Accelerated filer ☐ | Non-accelerated filer ☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company ☐ | Emerging Growth Company ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐. No ☑.
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates as of December 30, 2016 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was approximately $15.4 billion.
As of July 28, 2017, there were 129,068,511 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”), to be filed within 120 days after June 30, 2017, are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10 through 14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
THE CLOROX COMPANY
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
This Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 (this Report), including the exhibits hereto and the information incorporated by reference herein, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Except for historical information, statements about future volume, sales, foreign currencies, costs, cost savings, margin, earnings, earnings per share, diluted earnings per share, foreign currency exchange rates, cash flows, plans, objectives, expectations, growth or profitability are forward-looking statements based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections. Words such as “could,” “may,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “predicts” and variations on such words, and similar expressions that reflect our current views with respect to future events and operational and financial performance, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed below. Important factors that could affect performance and cause results to differ materially from management’s expectations are described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Report, as updated from time to time in the Company’s U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings.
The Company’s forward-looking statements in this Report are based on management’s current views and assumptions regarding future events and speak only as of the date when made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by the federal securities laws.
In this Report, unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “the Company,” “Clorox,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to The Clorox Company and its subsidiaries.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview of Business
The Clorox Company is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with fiscal year 2017 net sales of $6.0 billion and approximately 8,100 employees worldwide as of June 30, 2017. Clorox sells its products primarily through mass retail and grocery outlets, warehouse clubs, dollars stores, e-commerce channels, military stores and other retail outlets, and medical supply distributors. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Pine-Sol® cleaners, Liquid-Plumr® clog removers, Poett® home care products, Fresh Step® cat litter, Glad® bags, wraps and container products, Kingsford® and Match Light® charcoal, RenewLife® digestive health products, Hidden Valley® dressings and sauces, Brita® water-filtration products, and Burt’s Bees® natural personal care products. The Company also markets to professional services channels, including infection control products for the healthcare industry with the Clorox Healthcare® brand and Clorox Commercial Solutions® brand. More than 80% of the Company’s sales are generated from brands that hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories. The Company was founded in Oakland, California in 1913 and is incorporated in Delaware.
The Company’s 2020 strategy focuses on delivering long-term, profitable growth and total shareholder return. The Company’s long-term financial goals include annual net sales growth of 3-5%, annual EBIT margin growth of 25-50 basis points and annual free cash flow of 10-12% of net sales.
In May 2016, the Company acquired 100 percent of the digestive health company RenewLife for $290 million. Results for RenewLife’s domestic business are reflected in the Household reportable segment and results for RenewLife’s international business are reflected in the International reportable segment. Included in the Company’s results for fiscal year 2017 and 2016 was $130 million and $21 million, respectively, of RenewLife’s global net sales.
In fiscal year 2017, the Company delivered strong results including 4% net sales growth and a 9% increase in diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations, despite high levels of competition in select categories, increasingly competitive retail dynamics and rising commodity costs and inflationary pressures globally, as well as a difficult macro-economic environment in international markets, including slowing economies and unfavorable foreign exchange rates.
The Company focused on driving profitable sales growth in its United States (U.S.) business, leveraging incremental demand building investments, including product innovation to support category and market share growth. The Company launched new products in many categories in fiscal year 2017, including the Brita® StreamTM pitcher, Burt's Bees® gloss lip crayon and Burt's Bees® flavor crystals® lip balm, Clorox Scentiva® line of sprays and wipes, Clorox® Healthcare FuzionTM cleaner disinfectant, Clorox® Total 360TM electrostatic disinfection system, Fresh Step® Extreme with the power of Febreze® Hawaiian AlohaTM l
itter and Fresh Step® Extreme with the power of Febreze® lightweight litter, Glad Kitchen Pro™ trash bags, Hidden Valley® Simply Ranch® dressing, and Kingsford® BBQ sauces and Kingsford® long-burning charcoal.
In international markets, the Company focused on executing its Go Lean Strategy, which emphasizes driving the long-term profitability of its International business. Continued currency declines across the majority of countries and high inflation in several markets were more than offset by price increases and cost savings initiatives. Despite these challenges, the Company’s international business continues to play an important strategic role, with No. 1 and No. 2 brands in multiple countries.
In fiscal year 2017, the Company repurchased approximately 1.5 million shares of its common stock for $189 million, paid $412 million in dividends to stockholders and announced a 5% increase in its quarterly dividend from prior year, payable in August 2017.
Finally, in fiscal year 2017, the Company remained committed to corporate responsibility by maintaining strong and transparent environmental, social and governance practices. As part of its 2020 sustainability goals, it continued to work to reduce water and energy use, solid waste to landfill and greenhouse gas emissions as well as improve the sustainability of its product portfolio. The Company's achievements were acknowledged through multiple external recognitions, including a No. 12 ranking on the annual list of top corporate citizens by Corporate Responsibility magazine and the EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year award, presented for the second straight year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Company also earned the top rating of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index and was named one of the Best Places to Work in the U.S. by Glassdoor based on employee reviews. In fiscal year 2017, The Clorox Company Foundation and The Burt’s Bees Greater Good Foundation together awarded approximately $5 million in cash grants, and the Company donated products with a fair market value of approximately $5 million and contributed more than $1 million to deserving nonprofits through cause marketing programs for charitable causes.
In fiscal year 2018, the Company anticipates ongoing challenges that may impact its sales and margins, including continued high levels of competition in select categories, a more competitive retail environment, rising commodity costs and the continuation of a difficult macro-economic environment in many international markets.
For additional information on recent business developments, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in Exhibit 99.1, incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Information About Operating Segments and Principal Products
The Company operates through strategic business units that are aggregated into four reportable segments: Cleaning, Household, Lifestyle and International. The four reportable segments consist of the following:
| • | Cleaning consists of laundry, home care and professional products marketed and sold in the United States. Products within this segment include laundry additives, including bleach products under the Clorox® brand and Clorox 2® stain fighter and color booster; home care products, primarily under the Clorox®, Formula 409®, Liquid-Plumr®, Pine-Sol®, S.O.S® and Tilex® brands; naturally derived products under the Green Works® brand; and professional cleaning and disinfecting products under the Clorox®, Dispatch®, Aplicare®, HealthLink® and Clorox Healthcare® brands. |
| • | Household consists of charcoal, bags, wraps and containers, cat litter, and digestive health products marketed and sold in the United States. Products within this segment include charcoal products under the Kingsford® and Match Light® brands; bags, wraps and containers under the Glad® brand; cat litter products under the Fresh Step®, Scoop Away® and Ever Clean® brands; and digestive health products under the RenewLife® brand. |
| • | Lifestyle consists of food products, water-filtration systems and filters and natural personal care products marketed and sold in the United States. Products within this segment include dressings and sauces, primarily under the Hidden Valley®, KC Masterpiece®, Kingsford®and Soy Vay® brands; water-filtration systems and filters under the Brita® brand; and natural personal care products under the Burt’s Bees® brand. |
| • | International consists of products sold outside the United States. Products within this segment include laundry, home care, water-filtration, digestive health products, charcoal and cat litter products, food products, bags, wraps and containers, natural personal care products and professional cleaning and disinfecting products primarily under the Clorox®, Glad®, PinoLuz®, Ayudin®, Limpido®, Clorinda®, Poett®, Mistolin®, Lestoil®, Bon Bril®, Brita®, Green Works®, Pine-Sol®, Agua Jane®, Chux®, RenewLife®, Kingsford®, Fresh Step®, Scoop Away®, Ever Clean®, KC Masterpiece®, Hidden Valley®, Burt’s Bees® brands and Clorox Healthcare® brands. |
Information about the results of each of the Company’s reportable segments for the last three fiscal years and total assets as of the end of the last two fiscal years, reconciled to the consolidated amounts, is set forth below. Certain non-allocated administrative costs, interest income, interest expense and various other non-operating income and expenses are reflected in Corporate. For additional information, refer to the information set forth under the caption “Segment Results from Continuing Operations” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in Exhibit 99.1.
| (Dollars in millions) | Fiscal Year | Cleaning | Household | Lifestyle | International | Corporate | Total Company | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | 2017 | $ | 2,002 | $ | 1,961 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,010 | $ | — | $ | 5,973 | ||||||||||||
| 2016 | 1,912 | 1,862 | 990 | 997 | — | 5,761 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 1,824 | 1,794 | 950 | 1,087 | — | 5,655 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (losses) from continuing operations before Income taxes | 2017 | 523 | 419 | 244 | 81 | (234 | ) | 1,033 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 511 | 428 | 251 | 66 | (273 | ) | 983 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 445 | 375 | 257 | 79 | (235 | ) | 921 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets (1) | 2017 | 881 | 1,103 | 902 | 1,060 | 627 | 4,573 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 883 | 1,092 | 880 | 1,057 | 598 | 4,510 |
(1) Prior year amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to conform to the current year presentation of debt issuance costs required by Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." Refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
The Company’s product lines that accounted for 10% or more of consolidated net sales (U.S. and international) for the fiscal years ended June 30 were as follows:
| 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||
| Home Care products | 25 | % | 24 | % | 24 | % | ||
| Bags, wraps and containers | 18 | % | 19 | % | 19 | % | ||
| Laundry additives | 15 | % | 16 | % | 17 | % | ||
| Charcoal products | 11 | % | 11 | % | 11 | % | ||
| Food products | 10 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % |
Principal Markets and Methods of Distribution
In the U.S., most of the Company’s products are nationally advertised and sold to mass retail and grocery outlets, warehouse clubs, dollar stores, military stores and other retail outlets primarily through a direct sales force, and to grocery stores and grocery wholesalers primarily through a combination of direct sales teams and a network of brokers. The Company sells institutional, janitorial, and food-service versions of many of its products through distributors using a network of brokers, and sells healthcare products through a direct sales force and medical supply distributors. Outside the U.S., the Company sells products to the retail trade through subsidiaries, licensees, distributors and joint-venture arrangements with local partners. Additionally, the Company sells many of its products through e-commerce.
Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations
For detailed financial information about the Company’s foreign and domestic operations, including net sales and property, plant and equipment, net, by geographic area, see the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Exhibit 99.1.
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
The Company purchases raw materials from numerous unaffiliated domestic and international suppliers, some of which are sole-source or single-source suppliers. Interruptions in the delivery of these materials could adversely impact the Company. Key raw materials used by the Company include resin, diesel, sodium hypochlorite, corrugated cardboard, soybean oil and other agricultural commodities. Sufficient raw materials were available during fiscal year 2017. Costs for resin and other commodity costs increased in fiscal year 2017. Additionally, costs for many other materials continued to increase amid volatility and inflation in some key geographic and commodity markets. The Company expects commodity increases to continue in fiscal year 2018. The Company generally utilizes supply contracts to help ensure availability and a number of forward-purchase contracts to help reduce the volatility of the pricing of raw materials needed in its operations. However, the
Company is highly exposed to changes in the prices of commodities used as raw materials in the manufacturing of its products. For further information regarding the impact of changes in commodity prices, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Exhibit 99.1 and “Risk Factors – Volatility and increases in the costs of raw materials, energy, transportation, labor and other necessary supplies or services have negatively impacted, and in the future may negatively impact, the Company’s net earnings and cash flow” in Item 1.A.
Patents and Trademarks
Most of the Company’s brand name consumer products are protected by registered trademarks. The Company’s brand names and trademarks are highly important to its business, and the Company vigorously protects its trademarks from apparent infringements. Maintenance of brand equity value is critical to the Company’s success. The Company’s patent rights are also material to its business and are asserted, where appropriate, against apparent infringements.
Seasonality
Most sales of the Company’s charcoal products occur in the back half of the fiscal year. The volume and sales of charcoal products may be affected by weather conditions.
Customers
Net sales to the Company’s largest customer, Walmart Stores, Inc. and its affiliates, were 26%, 27% and 26% of consolidated net sales for each of the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and occurred across all of the Company’s reportable segments. No other individual customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company's consolidated net sales in any of these fiscal years. The Company's five largest customers accounted for nearly half of the Company's consolidated net sales for each of the fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Competition
The markets for consumer products are highly competitive. The Company’s products compete with other nationally advertised brands and with “private label” brands within each category. Competition comes from similar and alternative products, some of which are produced and marketed by major multinational or national companies having financial resources greater than those of the Company. The Company’s products generally compete on the basis of product performance, brand recognition, and price. A newly introduced consumer product (whether improved or newly developed) usually encounters intense competition requiring substantial expenditures for advertising, sales promotion and trade merchandising support. If a product gains consumer acceptance, it typically requires continued advertising and promotional support and ongoing product improvements to maintain its relative market position. For further information regarding the intense competition the Company faces, see “Risk Factors – The Company faces intense competition in its markets, which could lead to reduced net sales, net earnings and cash flow” in Item 1.A.
Research and Development
The Company conducts research and development primarily at its facility located in Pleasanton, CA, which the Company has leased since 2011. The Pleasanton facility consists of approximately 357,000 square feet of leased space, utilizing advanced labs and open work spaces to encourage creativity, collaboration and innovation. In addition to the leased facility in Pleasanton, CA, the Company conducts research and development activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Meriden, CT; Willowbrook, IL; Durham, NC; and Cincinnati, OH.
The Company devotes significant resources and attention to product development, process technology and consumer insight research to develop commercially viable consumer-preferred products with innovative and distinctive features. The Company incurred expenses of $135 million, $141 million and $136 million in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, on research activities relating to the product innovation and cost savings. In addition, the Company obtains technologies from third parties for use in its products. Royalties relating to such technologies are reflected in the Company’s Cost of products sold. For further information regarding the Company’s research and development costs, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Exhibit 99.1.
Environmental Matters
For information regarding noncapital expenditures related to environmental matters, see the discussions below under “Risk Factors – Environmental matters create potential liabilities that could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations or financial condition” in Item 1.A. No material capital expenditures relating to environmental compliance are presently anticipated.
Number of Persons Employed
As of June 30, 2017, the Company employed approximately 8,100 people.
Available Information
The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available on the Company’s website, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after the reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. These reports are available at TheCloroxCompany.com under Investors/Financial Information/SEC Filings. Information relating to corporate governance at Clorox, including the Company’s Code of Conduct, the Clorox Company Board of Directors Governance Guidelines and Board Committee charters for the Management Development and Compensation Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee, is available at TheCloroxCompany.com under Who We Are//Corporate Governance or https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/who-we-are/corporate-governance/. The Company will provide any of the foregoing information without charge upon written request to Corporate Communications, The Clorox Company, 1221 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612-1888. The information contained on the Company’s website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Report.