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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950137-01-000910.txt : 20010328
<SEC-HEADER>0000950137-01-000910.hdr.sgml : 20010328
ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950137-01-000910
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 13
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20001231
FILED AS OF DATE: 20010327
FILER:
COMPANY DATA:
COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL INC
CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001046257
STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CANNED, FROZEN & PRESERVED FRUIT, VEG & FOOD SPECIALTIES [2030]
IRS NUMBER: 223514823
STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE
FISCAL YEAR END: 1231
FILING VALUES:
FORM TYPE: 10-K
SEC ACT:
SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-13397
FILM NUMBER: 1580189
BUSINESS ADDRESS:
STREET 1: PO BOX 345
STREET 2: 6500 ARCHER RD
CITY: SUMMIT
STATE: IL
ZIP: 60501
BUSINESS PHONE: 7085636500
MAIL ADDRESS:
STREET 1: CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL INC
STREET 2: PO BOX 345 6500 ARCHER RD
CITY: SUMMIT
STATE: IL
ZIP: 60501
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>10-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c61002e10-k.txt
<DESCRIPTION>ANNUAL REPORT
<TEXT>
<PAGE> 1
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 December 31, 2000
Commission file number 1-13397
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE 22-3514823
- ------------------------------- -------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
6500 SOUTH ARCHER AVENUE, BEDFORD PARK, ILLINOIS 60501-1933
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) ----------
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (708) 563-2400
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
------------------- -----------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights New York Stock Exchange
(currently traded with Common Stock)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K 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. [ ]
The aggregate market value of the Registrant's voting stock held by
non-affiliates of the Registrant (based upon the per share closing price of
$25.96 on March 20, 2001, and, for the purpose of this calculation only, the
assumption that all Registrant's directors and executive officers are
affiliates) was approximately $857,385,000.
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share, as of March 20, 2001, was 35,289,807.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
Information required by Part II (Items 5, 6, 7 and 8) and Part IV (Item
14(a)(1)) of this document is incorporated by reference to certain portions of
the Registrant's 2000 Annual Report to Stockholders.
Information required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12 and 13) of this document is
incorporated by reference to certain portions of the Registrant's definitive
Proxy Statement distributed in connection with its 2001 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
<PAGE> 2
PART I.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
THE COMPANY
Corn Products International, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated as a
Delaware corporation in March 1997 to assume the operations of the corn refining
business of Bestfoods, formerly CPC International Inc. ("CPC" or "Bestfoods")
and to effect the distribution of 100 percent of the outstanding shares of the
Company to the Bestfoods common stockholders. On December 31, 1997, Bestfoods
transferred the assets and related liabilities of its corn refining business to
the Company. Effective at 11:59:59 p.m. on December 31, 1997, Bestfoods
distributed all of the common stock of the Company to holders of common stock of
Bestfoods. Since that time, the Company has operated as an independent company
whose common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Unless the context
indicates otherwise, references to the "Company" and "Corn Products" refer to
the corn refining business of Bestfoods for periods prior to January 1, 1998 and
to Corn Products International, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the periods on or
after such date.
OVERVIEW
The corn refining business dates back to the original formation of
Bestfoods' predecessor over 90 years ago. In 1906, Corn Products Refining
Company was formed through an amalgamation of virtually all the corn syrup and
starch companies in the United States. International expansion followed soon
thereafter and in 1928 Latin American operations commenced in Brazil, followed
quickly by expansions into Argentina and Mexico.
Corn Products International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces
a large variety of food ingredients and industrial products derived from the wet
milling of corn and other starch-based materials (such as tapioca and yucca).
The Company is one of the largest corn refiners in the world and the leading
corn refiner in Latin America. In addition, it is the world's leading producer
of dextrose and has strong regional leadership in cornstarch and liquid
sweeteners. The Company had consolidated net sales of $1.86 billion in 2000.
Approximately 62 percent of the Company's 2000 revenues were generated in North
America with the remainder coming from South America, Asia and Africa.
Corn refining is a capital-intensive two-step process that involves the wet
milling and processing of corn. During the front-end process, corn is steeped in
water and separated into starch and co-products such as animal feed and germ.
The starch is then either dried for sale or further modified or refined through
various processes to make sweeteners and other starch-based products designed to
serve the particular needs of various industries. The Company's sweetener
products include high fructose corn syrups ("HFCS"), glucose corn syrups, high
maltose corn syrups, dextrose, maltodextrins and glucose and corn syrup solids.
The Company's starch-based products include both industrial and food grade
starches.
The Company supplies a broad range of customers in many industries. The
Company's most important customers are in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical,
paper products, corrugated and laminated paper, textile and brewing industries
and in the animal feed markets worldwide. The Company believes its customers
value its local approach to service.
<PAGE> 3
BUSINESS STRATEGY
Corn Products International's vision is to be "Your local resource,
worldwide" to users of corn refined products. We plan on working toward
achieving our Vision by continuously focusing on our customers, by providing an
environment that attracts and retains competent and committed employees and by
seeking to implement the following closely linked strategies, pursuing our
"Strategize globally - Execute locally" approach:
- - Continue to drive for leadership in delivered cost efficiency in the
markets we serve. Since ours is a cost-driven business, we intend to
continue implementing productivity improvements and cost-reduction efforts
at our factories. We expect to improve facility reliability with ongoing
preventative maintenance, and continue to drive down logistics, raw
material and supplies cost through a combination of local and corporate
strategic procurement. In the Sales, General and Administrative areas, we
plan on continuing to benchmark and analyze costs and processes to further
assure cost competitiveness.
- - Maintain our product leadership positions - globally in dextrose, and
regionally in starch, high fructose corn syrup and glucose. We believe that
our ongoing expansion and product-quality investments position the Company
for continued sales growth. We intend to invest to satisfy future
profitable customer demand and to maintain our share position.
- - In North America, our highest priority is to improve the U.S. business
profitability as we seek opportunities that broaden our market presence and
better utilize our infrastructure and existing facilities. We plan on
taking full advantage of our unique position in NAFTA as the only corn
refiner with facilities in all three NAFTA markets: Canada, Mexico and the
United States. We believe that our business should benefit from the
establishment of a joint marketing company, CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC,
with Minnesota Corn Processors, LLC to market and distribute sweeteners
supplied from both companies commencing in 2001. We expect that this
venture will ultimately strengthen our U.S. market position and provide
cost savings and synergies in our North American business. In anticipation
of another difficult year, we plan on focusing on our new business model
which includes realizing logistic synergies, changing our cost structure
and optimizing volume and product mix. We will continue to seek other
investment and alliance opportunities to strengthen this business.
- - In our Rest of World segment, we intend to improve our solid South American
business further by achieving significant profit growth in this region with
emphasis on our Southern Cone of South America operations. In Asia and
Africa, we plan to expand within our current business geography and enter
new markets through acquisitions and alliances. In addition, we plan to
evaluate major growth investment opportunities within and outside our
current reach and act on those we judge to be clearly beneficial to
long-term earnings growth. We believe that this strategy will produce
ongoing business expansion, attractive profit growth and improving
shareholder value.
- - Evaluate other major growth investment opportunities in and outside our
current geographic and product portfolio reach. We plan to act on those
that we judge to be clearly beneficial to our long-term market position,
earnings growth and shareholder value.
<PAGE> 4
PRODUCTS
The Company's sweetener products have grown to account for slightly more
than one half of net sales while starch products and co-products each account
for less than one quarter of net sales.
Sweetener Products. The Company's sweetener products represented
approximately 55 percent, 51 percent and 50 percent of the Company's net sales
for 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
High Fructose Corn Syrup: The Company produces three types of high
fructose corn syrup: (i) HFCS-55, which is primarily used as a sweetener in
soft drinks made in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Japan; (ii)
HFCS-42, which is used as a sweetener in various consumer products such as
fruit-flavored beverages, yeast-raised breads, rolls, dough, ready-to-eat
cakes, yogurt and ice cream; and (iii) HFCS-90 which is used in specialty
and low calorie foods.
Glucose Corn Syrups: Corn syrups are fundamental ingredients in many
industrial products and are widely used in food products such as baked
goods, snack foods, beverages, canned fruits, condiments, candy and other
sweets, dairy products, ice cream, jams and jellies, prepared mixes and
table syrups. The Company offers corn syrups that are manufactured through
an ion exchange process, a method that creates the highest quality, purest
corn syrups.
High Maltose Corn Syrup: This special type of glucose syrup has a
unique carbohydrate profile, making it ideal for use as a source of
fermentable sugars in brewing beers. High maltose corn syrups are also used
in the production of confections, canning and some other food processing
applications.
Dextrose: The Company was granted the first U.S. patent for dextrose
in 1923. The Company currently produces dextrose products that are grouped
in three different categories - monohydrate, anhydrous and specialty.
Monohydrate dextrose is used across the food industry in many of the same
products as glucose corn syrups, especially in confectionery applications.
Anhydrous dextrose is used to make solutions for intravenous injection and
other pharmaceutical applications, as well as some specialty food
applications. Specialty dextrose products are used in a wide range of
applications, from confectionery tableting to dry mixes to carriers for
high intensity sweeteners. Dextrose also has a wide range of industrial
applications, including use in wall board and production of biodegradable
surfactants (surface agents), humectants (moisture agents), and as the base
for fermentation products including vitamins, organic acids, amino acids
and alcohol.
Maltodextrins and Glucose and Corn Syrup Solids: These products have a
multitude of food applications, including formulations where liquid corn
syrups cannot be used. Maltodextrins are resistant to browning, provide
excellent solubility, have a low hydroscopicity (do not retain moisture),
and are ideal for their carrier/bulking properties. Corn syrup solids have
a bland flavor, remain clear in solution, and are easy to handle and also
provide bluing properties.
Starch Products. Starch products represented approximately 21 percent, 22
percent and 25 percent of the Company's net sales for 2000, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. Starches are an important
<PAGE> 5
component in a wide range of processed foods, where they are used particularly
as a thickener and binder. Cornstarch is also sold to cornstarch packers for
sale to consumers. Starches are also used in paper production to produce a
smooth surface for printed communications and to improve strength in today's
recycled papers. In the corrugating industry, starches are used to produce high
quality adhesives for the production of shipping containers, display board and
other corrugated applications. The textile industry has successfully used
starches for over a century to provide size and finishes for manufactured
products. Industrial starches are used in the production of construction
materials, adhesives, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, as well as in mining, water
filtration and oil and gas drilling.
Co-Products and others. Co-products and others accounted for 24 percent, 27
percent and 25 percent of the Company's net sales for 2000, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. Refined corn oil is sold to packers of cooking oil and to
producers of margarine, salad dressings, shortening, mayonnaise and other foods.
Corn gluten feed is sold as animal feed. Corn gluten meal and steepwater are
sold as additives for animal feed. Enzymes are produced and marketed for a
variety of food and industrial applications.
OPERATIONS
The Company's North American consolidated operations, which include the
U.S., Canada and Mexico, operate 11 plants producing regular and modified
starches, dextrose, high fructose and high maltose corn syrups and corn syrup
solids, dextrins and maltodextrins, caramel color and sorbitol. The Company's
plant in Bedford Park, Illinois is a major supplier of starch and dextrose
products for the Company's U.S. and export customers. The Company's other U.S.
plants in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Stockton, California enjoy strong
market shares in their local areas, as do the Company's Canadian plants in
Cardinal, London and Port Colborne, Ontario. The Company is the largest corn
refiner in Mexico and was first to produce HFCS-55 locally for sale to the
Mexican soft drink bottling industry, having completed an HFCS channel at the
San Juan Del Rio plant in 1997.
The Company is the largest corn refiner in South America, with leading
market shares in Chile, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina. Its South American
consolidated operations have 12 plants that produce regular, modified, waxy and
tapioca starches, high maltose and corn syrups, dextrins and maltodextrins,
dextrose, caramel color, sorbitol and vegetable adhesives.
The Company has additional subsidiaries in Kenya, South Korea, Malaysia and
Pakistan, which operate five additional plants. These operations produce
modified, regular, waxy and tapioca starches, dextrins, glucose, dextrose and
caramel color.
In addition to the operations in which it engages directly, the Company has
strategic alliances through technical license agreements with companies in
India, Thailand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Serbia and Venezuela. As a group, the
Company's strategic alliance partners produce high fructose, glucose and high
maltose syrups (both corn and tapioca), regular, modified, waxy and tapioca
starches, dextrose and dextrins, maltodextrins and caramel color. These products
have leading market positions in many of their target markets.
COMPETITION
The corn refining industry is highly competitive. Most of the Company's
products are viewed as
<PAGE> 6
commodities that compete with virtually identical products and derivatives
manufactured by other companies in the industry. The U.S. is a particularly
competitive market with participation by eleven corn refiners. Competitors
include ADM Corn Processing Division ("ADM") (a division of Archer Daniels
Midland Company), Cargill, A.E. Staley Manufacturing Co. ("Staley") (a
subsidiary of Tate & Lyle, PLC) and National Starch and Chemical Company
("National Starch") (a subsidiary of Imperial Chemicals Industries plc). Mexico
and Canada face competition from US imports and local production including
ALMEX, a Mexican joint venture between ADM and Staley. In South America, Cargill
and National Starch have corn-refining operations in Brazil. Other local corn
refiners also operate in many of our markets. Competition within markets is
largely based on price, quality and product availability.
Several of the Company's products also compete with products made from raw
materials other than corn. High fructose corn syrup and monohydrate dextrose
compete principally with cane and beet sugar products. Co-products such as corn
oil and gluten meal compete with products of the corn dry milling industry and
with soybean oil, soybean meal and others. Fluctuations in prices of these
competing products may affect prices of, and profits derived from, the Company's
products.
CUSTOMERS
The Company supplies a broad range of customers in over 60 industries.
Approximately 22 percent of the Company's 2000 net sales were to companies
engaged in the processed foods industry and approximately 19 percent of the
Company's 2000 net sales were to companies engaged in the soft drink industry.
Additionally, approximately 10 percent of the Company's 2000 net sales were to
companies engaged in the brewing industry.
RAW MATERIALS
The basic raw material of the corn refining industry is yellow dent corn.
In the United States, the corn refining industry processes about 10 percent to
15 percent of the annual U.S. corn crop. The supply of corn in the United States
has been, and is anticipated to continue to be, adequate for the Company's
domestic needs. The price of corn, which is determined by reference to prices on
the Chicago Board of Trade, fluctuates as a result of three primary supply
factors -- farmer planting decisions, climate and government policies -- and
three major market demand factors -- livestock feeding, shortages or surpluses
of world grain supplies and domestic and foreign government policies and trade
agreements.
Corn is also grown in other areas of the world, including Canada, South
Africa, Argentina, Brazil, China and Australia. The Company's affiliates outside
the United States utilize both local supplies of corn and corn imported from
other geographic areas, including the United States. The supply of corn for
these affiliates is also generally expected to be adequate for the Company's
needs. Corn prices for the Company's non-U.S. affiliates generally fluctuate as
a result of the same factors that affect U.S. corn prices.
Due to the competitive nature of the corn refining industry and the
availability of substitute products not produced from corn, such as sugar from
cane or beet, end product prices may not necessarily fluctuate in relation to
raw material costs of corn.
Approximately 50 percent of the Company's starch and refinery products are
sold at prices established in supply contracts lasting for periods of up to one
year. The remainder of the Company's starch and refinery products is not sold
under firm pricing arrangements and actual pricing for those products is
affected by the cost of corn at the time of production and sale.
<PAGE> 7
The Company follows a policy of hedging its exposure to commodity
fluctuations with commodities futures contracts for certain of its North
American corn purchases. All firm priced business is hedged when contracted.
Other business may or may not be hedged at any given time based on management's
judgment as to the need to fix the costs of its raw materials to protect the
Company's profitability. Realized gains and losses arising from such hedging
transactions are considered an integral part of the cost of those commodities
and are included in the cost when purchased. See Registrant's Annual Report to
Stockholders "Management's Discussion and Analysis" section on "Risk and
Uncertainties - Commodity costs."
GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE
The Company operates domestically and internationally in one business
segment, corn refining. The Company has wholly owned operations in North
America, South America, Asia and Africa, as well as joint venture interests and
licensing and technical agreements. In 2000, approximately 62 percent of the
Company's net sales were derived from operations in North America and 38 percent
from operations in other geographic areas, primarily South America (representing
approximately 65 percent of sales of other geographic areas). See Note 13 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for certain financial information
with respect to geographic areas.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Company's product development activity is focused on developing product
applications for identified customer and market needs. Through this approach,
the Company has developed value-added products for use in the corrugated paper,
food, textile, baking and confectionery industries. The Company usually
collaborates with customers to develop the desired product application either in
the customers' facilities, the Company's technical service laboratories or on a
contract basis. The Company's marketing, product technology and technology
support staff devote a substantial portion of their time to these efforts.
Product development is enhanced through technology transfers pursuant to
existing licensing arrangements.
SALES AND DISTRIBUTION
Salaried sales personnel, who are generally dedicated to customers in a
geographic region, sell the Company's products directly to manufacturers and
distributors. In addition, the Company has a staff that provides technical
support to the sales personnel on an industry basis. Commencing in 2001, in the
United States the Company began selling and distributing sweeteners through a
joint marketing company, CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC, a company in which it
has a 50 percent ownership interest. The Company generally utilizes contract
truck drivers to deliver bulk products to customer destinations but also has
some of its own trucks for product delivery. In North America, the trucks
generally ship to nearby customers. For those customers located considerable
distances from Company plants, a combination of railcars and trucks is used to
deliver product. Railcars are generally leased for terms of five to fifteen
years.
PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND TECHNICAL LICENSE AGREEMENTS
The Company owns a number of patents, which relate to a variety of products
and processes, and
<PAGE> 8
a number of established trademarks under which the Company markets such
products. The Company also has the right to use certain other patents and
trademarks pursuant to patent and trademark licenses. The Company does not
believe that any individual patent or trademark is material. There is not
currently any pending challenge to the use or registration of any of the
Company's significant patents or trademarks that would have a material adverse
impact on the Company or its results of operations.
The Company is a party to several technical license agreements with third
parties in other countries whereby the Company provides technical, management
and business advice on the operations of corn refining businesses and receives
royalties in return. These arrangements provide the Company with product
penetration in the various countries in which they exist, as well as experience
and relationships that could facilitate future expansion. The duration of the
agreements ranges from one to ten years or longer, and many of these
relationships have been in place for many years. These agreements in the
aggregate provide approximately $2 million of annual revenue to the Company.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2000, the Company had approximately 6,000 employees, of
which approximately 900 were located in the U.S. Approximately 35 percent of
U.S. and 63 percent of non-U.S. employees are unionized. The Company believes
its union and non-union employee relations are good.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
As a manufacturer and maker of food items and items for use in the
pharmaceutical industry, the Company's operations and the use of many Company
products are subject to various U.S., state, foreign and local statutes and
regulations, including the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the
Occupational Safety and Health Act, and to regulation by various government
agencies, including the United States Food and Drug Administration, which
prescribe requirements and establish standards for product quality, purity and
labeling. The finding of a failure to comply with one or more regulatory
requirements can result in a variety of sanctions, including monetary fines. The
Company may also be required to comply with U.S., state, foreign and local laws
regulating food handling and storage. The Company believes these laws and
regulations have not negatively affected its competitive position.
The operations of the Company are also subject to various U.S., state,
foreign and local laws and regulations with respect to environmental matters,
including air and water quality and underground fuel storage tanks, and other
regulations intended to protect public health and the environment. The Company
believes it is in material compliance with all such applicable laws and
regulations. Based upon current laws and regulations and the interpretations
thereof, the Company does not expect that the costs of future environmental
compliance will be a material expense, although there can be no assurance that
the Company will remain in compliance or that the costs of remaining in
compliance will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition and results of operations.
The Company currently anticipates that it may spend an immaterial amount in
fiscal 2001 for environmental control equipment to be incorporated into existing
facilities and in planned construction projects. This equipment is intended to
enable the Company to continue its policy of compliance with existing
environmental laws and regulations. Under the U.S. Clean Air Act Amendments of
1990, air toxin regulations will be promulgated for a number of industry source
categories. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regulatory timetable
specifies the promulgation of standards for vegetable oil production during the
year 2001 and for industrial boilers in the year 2002. At that time, the
Company's U.S. facilities may require additional pollution control devices to
meet these standards. Currently, the Company can not accurately estimate the
ultimate financial impact of the standards.
<PAGE> 9
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
Set forth below are the names and ages of all executive officers of the
Company, indicating their positions and offices with the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age All positions and offices with the Company
- ---- --- ------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Konrad Schlatter 65 Formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Corn Products from 1997 until his retirement
effective January 31, 2001. Prior thereto, Mr.
Schlatter served as Senior Vice President of
Bestfoods from 1990 to 1997 and Chief Financial
Officer of Bestfoods from 1993 to 1997.
Samuel C. Scott III 56 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Corn
Products since February 2001 and President of Corn
Products since 1997. Mr. Scott also served as
Chief Operating Officer of Corn Products from 1997
through January 2001. Prior thereto, he served as
President of Bestfoods' worldwide Corn Refining
Business from 1995 to 1997 and was President of
Bestfoods' North American Corn Refining Business
from 1989 to 1997. He was elected a Vice President
of Bestfoods in 1991. Mr. Scott is a director of
Motorola, Inc. and Russell Reynolds Associates.
Cheryl K. Beebe 45 Vice President since 1999 and Treasurer of Corn
Products since 1997. Ms. Beebe served as Director
of Finance and Planning for the Bestfoods Corn
Refining Business worldwide from 1995 to 1997 and
as Director of Financial Analysis and Planning for
Corn Products North America from 1993. Ms. Beebe
joined Bestfoods in 1980 and served in various
financial positions in Bestfoods.
Marcia E. Doane 59 Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary of Corn Products since 1997. Ms. Doane
served as Vice President, Legal and Regulatory
Affairs of the Corn Products Division of Bestfoods
from 1996 to 1997. Prior thereto, she served as
Counsel to the Corn Products Division from 1994 to
1996. Ms. Doane joined Bestfoods' legal department
in 1989 as Operations Attorney for the Corn
Products Division.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 10
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Jorge L. Fiamenghi 45 Vice President and President of the South America
Division of Corn Products since 1999. Mr. Fiamenghi
served as President and General Manager Corn
Products Brazil from 1996 to 1999. Mr. Fiamenghi
was General Manager for the Bestfoods Corn Refining
affiliate in Argentina beginning in 1991. Prior
thereto, he was Financial and Planning Director for
the Bestfoods South American Corn Refining division
from 1989 to 1991 and served as Financial and
Administrative Manager for the Bestfoods Corn
Refining division in Mexico beginning in 1987. Mr.
Fiamenghi joined Bestfoods in 1971 and served in
various financial and planning positions in
Bestfoods.
Jack C. Fortnum 44 Vice President since 1999 and Controller of Corn
Products since 1997. Mr. Fortnum served as the
Vice President of Finance for Refineries de Maize,
Bestfoods' Argentine subsidiary, from 1995 to
1997, as the Director of Finance and Planning for
Bestfoods Latin America Corn Refining Division
from 1993 to 1995, and as the Vice President and
Comptroller of Canada Starch Operating Company
Inc., the Canadian subsidiary of Bestfoods, and
Vice President of Finance of the Canadian Corn
Refining Business from 1989.
Jeffrey B. Hebble 45 Vice President since 2000 and President of the
Asia/Africa Division of Corn Products since
February 2001. Prior thereto, Mr. Hebble served
as Vice President of the Asia and Africa Division
since 1998. Mr. Hebble joined Bestfoods in 1986
and served in various positions in the Corn
Products Division and in Stamford Food
Industries, a Corn Products subsidiary in
Malaysia.
James J. Hirchak 46 Vice President - Human Resources of Corn Products
since 1997. Mr. Hirchak joined Bestfoods in 1976
and held various Human
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 11
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Resources positions in Bestfoods until 1984, when
he joined Bestfoods' Corn Products Division. In
1987, Mr. Hirchak was appointed Director, Human
Resources for Corn Products' North American
operations and he served as Vice President, Human
Resources for the Corn Products Division from 1992
to 1997.
Frank J. Kocun 58 Formerly Vice President and President,
Asia/Africa Division (formerly known as
Cooperative Management Group) of Corn Products
from 1997 until his retirement effective January
31, 2001. Mr. Kocun served as President of the
Cooperative Management Group of the Corn Products
Division of Bestfoods from 1991 to 1997 and as
Vice President of the Cooperative Management
Group from 1985. Mr. Kocun joined Bestfoods in
1968 and served in various executive positions in
the Corn Products Division and in Penick
Corporation, a Bestfoods subsidiary.
Michael R. Pyatt 53 Vice President and President Corn Products
U.S.-Canadian Region since 1997. Mr. Pyatt served
as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
of Canada Starch Operating Company Inc., a
Bestfoods subsidiary, from 1994 to 1997 and as
President of the Canadian business of Bestfoods'
Corn Products Division, Vice Chairman of Canada
Starch and as a Vice President of the Corn
Products Division since 1992. Mr. Pyatt joined
Bestfoods in 1982 and served in various sales and
marketing positions in its Canadian business.
James W. Ripley 57 Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial
Officer of Corn Products since 1997. Mr. Ripley
served as Comptroller of Bestfoods from 1995 to
1997. Prior thereto, he served as Vice President
of Finance for Bestfoods' North American Corn
Refining Division from 1984 to 1995. Mr. Ripley
joined Bestfoods in 1968 as chief international
accountant, and subsequently served as Bestfoods'
Assistant Corporate Comptroller, Corporate General
Audit Coordinator and Assistant Comptroller for
Bestfoods' European Consumer Foods Division.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 12
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Richard M. Vandervoort 57 Vice President -Strategic Business Development and
Investor Relations of Corn Products since 1998.
Mr. Vandervoort has served as Vice President -
Business Development and Procurement, Corn
Products International North American Division
from 1997 to 1998. Prior thereto, he served as
Vice President - Business Management and Marketing
for Bestfoods' Corn Products Division from 1989 to
1997. Mr. Vandervoort joined Bestfoods in 1971
and served in various executive sales positions in
Bestfoods' Corn Products Division and in
Peterson/Puritan Inc., a Bestfoods subsidiary.
</TABLE>
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company operates, directly and through its subsidiaries, 28
manufacturing facilities, 27 of which are owned and one of which is leased
(Jundiai, Brazil). In addition, the Company owns its corporate headquarters in
Bedford Park, Illinois. The following list details the location of the Company's
manufacturing facilities:
U.S. South America
---- -------------
Stockton, California Baradero, Argentina
Bedford Park, Illinois Chacabuco, Argentina
Winston-Salem, North Carolina Balsa Nova, Brazil
Beloit, Wisconsin Cabo, Brazil
Jundiai, Brazil
Mogi-Guacu, Brazil
Conchal, Brazil
Canada Llay-Llay, Chile
------ Barranquilla, Colombia
Cardinal, Ontario Cali, Colombia
London, Ontario Medellin, Colombia
Port Colborne, Ontario Guayaquil, Ecuador
Asia
Africa ----
------- Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Eldoret, Kenya Faisalabad, Pakistan
Inchon, South Korea
Ichon, South Korea
Mexico
------
San Juan del Rio
Guadalajara (2 plants)
Mexico City
<PAGE> 13
While the Company has achieved high capacity utilization, the Company
believes its manufacturing facilities are sufficient to meet its current
production needs. The Company has preventive maintenance and de-bottlenecking
programs designed to further improve grind capacity and facility reliability.
The Company has electricity co-generation facilities at all of its U.S. and
Canadian plants, as well as at its plants in San Juan del Rio, Mexico, Baradero,
Argentina and Faisalabad, Pakistan, that provide electricity at a lower cost
than is available from third parties. The Company generally owns and operates
such co-generation facilities itself, but has two large facilities at its
Stockton, California and Cardinal, Ontario locations that are owned by, and
operated pursuant to, co-generation agreements with third parties.
The Company believes it has competitive, up-to-date and cost-effective
facilities. In recent years, significant capital expenditures have been made to
update, expand and improve the Company's facilities, averaging in excess of $135
million per year for the last five years. Capital investments have included the
rebuilding of the Company's plants in Cali, Colombia and Baradero, Argentina; an
expansion of both grind capacity and dextrose production capacity at the
Company's Argo facility in Bedford Park, Illinois and Baradero, Argentina; entry
into the high maltose corn syrup business in Brazil, Colombia and Argentina;
entry into the HFCS business in Argentina and the installation of energy
co-generation facilities in Canada. In addition, prior to the Company's
acquisition of Arancia-CPC, the Mexican business completed a major expansion of
the San Juan del Rio plant to produce HFCS. The Company believes these capital
expenditures will allow the Company to operate highly efficient facilities for
the foreseeable future with further annual capital expenditures that are in line
with historical averages.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Under the terms of the agreements relating to the spin-off of the Company
from Bestfoods, the Company agreed to indemnify Bestfoods for certain
liabilities relating to the operation of the Corn Refining Business prior to the
spin-off, including liabilities relating to the antitrust legal proceedings
described below.
In July 1995, Bestfoods received a federal grand jury subpoena in
connection with an investigation by the Antitrust Division of the U.S.
Department of Justice of U.S. corn refiners regarding the marketing of high
fructose corn syrup and other "food additives" (the investigation of Bestfoods
relates only to high fructose corn syrup). Bestfoods has produced the documents
sought by the Justice Department and the federal grand jury has since been
disbanded. Bestfoods, as a high fructose corn syrup producer, was also named as
one of the defendants in a number of private treble damage class actions, by
direct and indirect customers, and one individual action, alleging violations of
federal and state antitrust laws. Following the certification of the
consolidated federal class actions, Bestfoods entered into
<PAGE> 14
settlements of the federal claims and the one individual action. Bestfoods
remains a party to the state law actions filed in Alabama, California, the
District of Columbia, West Virginia and Kansas, each of which was filed in 1995
or 1996. The amount of damages claimed in the various pending state law actions
is either unspecified or stated as not exceeding $50,000 per claimant.
The Company was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed on January 24,
2000, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, by
Indopco, Inc. d/b/a/ National Starch and Chemical Company ("National Starch").
Also named as defendants were the Company's majority-owned subsidiary, Arancia
Corn Products, S.A. de C.V. ("Arancia Corn Products"), and Araten, S.A. de C.V.
("Araten") and Promociones Industriales Aralia, S.A. de C.V. ("Aralia"),
companies which the complaint alleged are controlled by the family of Ignacio
Aranguren-Castiello, a member of Corn Products Board of Directors. In addition
to the claims brought only against Araten and Aralia, the complaint alleged that
by inducing certain companies controlled by the Aranguren family ("Aranguren
Companies") to enter into various agreements, the Company tortiously interfered
with a joint venture agreement that was originally between National Starch and
Aranguren y Cia. The complaint also alleged that the Company aided and abetted
the Aranguren Companies in a breach of fiduciary duty to National Starch and
conspired with the Aranguren Companies to deprive National Starch of its rights
under the joint venture agreement. The complaint further sought a declaratory
judgement concerning the defendants' obligation to deliver raw starch pursuant
to a Supply Agreement between the joint venture and Arancia Corn Products. In
addition to declaratory and injunctive relief, the complaint sought compensatory
damages of $50 million and punitive damages of at least $50 million. The Company
defended this matter vigorously and, based upon a settlement reached among the
other parties involved in the proceeding, the lawsuit was terminated with
prejudice upon the filing with the court of a Stipulation of Discontinuance on
January 19, 2001.
The Company is currently subject to various other claims and suits arising
in the ordinary course of business, including certain environmental proceedings.
The Company does not believe that the results of such legal proceedings, even if
unfavorable to the Company, will be material to the Company. There can be no
assurance, however, that any claims or suits arising in the future, whether
taken individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders, through the
solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter ended December
31, 2000.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
Shares of Corn Product's Common Stock are traded on the New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE") under the ticker symbol "CPO." The range of the NYSE reported
high, low and closing market prices of the Company's Common Stock, holders of
record and quarterly dividends are incorporated by reference from the
Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders, page 35, section entitled
"Supplemental Financial Information."
<PAGE> 15
The Company's policy is to pay a modest dividend. The amount and timing of
the dividend payment, if any, is based on a number of factors including
estimated earnings, financial position and cash flow. The payment of a dividend
is solely at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors. It is subject
to the Company's financial results and the availability of surplus funds to pay
dividends.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report to
Stockholders, pages 35-36, section entitled "Supplemental Financial
Information."
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report to
Stockholders, pages 9-15, section entitled "Management's Discussion and
Analysis."
ITEM 7A. QUALITATIVE & QUANTITATIVE RISKS
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report to
Stockholders, pages 14-15, section entitled "Management's Discussion and
Analysis - Risk and Uncertainties."
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE. For more than 70 years, the
Company has operated a multinational business subject to the risks inherent in
operating in foreign countries and with foreign currencies. The Company's US
Dollar denominated results are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations, and its
non-US operations are subject to political, economic and other risks.
The Company primarily sells world commodities and, therefore, believes that
local prices will adjust relatively quickly to offset the effect of a local
devaluation. The Company generally does not enter into foreign currency hedging
transactions. The Company's policy is to hedge commercial transactions and
certain liabilities that are denominated in a currency other than the currency
of the operating unit entering into the underlying transaction.
UNCERTAIN ABILITY TO GENERATE ADEQUATE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE. The Company's
ability to generate operating income and to increase profitability depends to a
large extent upon its ability to price finished products at a level that will
cover manufacturing and raw material costs and provide a profit margin. The
Company's ability to maintain appropriate price levels is determined by a number
of factors largely beyond the Company's control, such as aggregate industry
supply and market demand, which may vary from time to time and by the geographic
region of the Company's operations.
UNCERTAIN ABILITY TO CONTAIN COSTS OR TO FUND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. The
Company's future profitability and growth also depends on the Company's ability
to contain operating costs and per-unit product costs, to maintain and/or
implement effective cost control programs and to develop successfully
value-added products and new product applications, while at the same time
maintaining competitive pricing and superior quality products, customer service
and support. The Company's ability to maintain a competitive cost structure
depends on continued containment of manufacturing, delivery and administrative
costs as well as the implementation of cost-effective purchasing programs for
raw materials, energy and related manufacturing requirements. The Company plans
to focus capital
<PAGE> 16
expenditures on implementing productivity improvements and, if supported by
profitable customer demand, expand the production capacity of its facilities.
The Company may need additional funds for working capital as the Company grows
and expands its operations. To the extent possible, the Company expects to fund
its capital expenditures from operating cash flow. If the Company's operating
cash flow is insufficient to fund such expenditures, the Company may either
reduce its capital expenditures or utilize certain general credit facilities.
The Company may also seek to generate additional liquidity through the sale of
debt or equity securities in private or public markets or through the sale of
non-productive assets. The Company cannot provide any assurance that cash flow
from operations will be sufficient to fund anticipated capital expenditures or
that additional funds can be obtained from financial markets or from the sale of
assets at terms favorable to the Company. If the Company is unable to generate
sufficient cash flows or raise sufficient additional funds to fund capital
expenditures, it may not be able to achieve its desired operating efficiencies
and expansion plans, which may adversely impact the Company's competitiveness
and, therefore, its results of operations.
INTEREST RATE EXPOSURE. Approximately 30 percent of the Company's
borrowings are long-term fixed rate notes. Of the remaining 70 percent of the
Company's borrowings, approximately 30 percent are short-term credit facilities
with floating interest rates and 40 percent are long-term loans with variable
interest rates primarily tied to LIBOR. Should short-term rates change, this
could affect our interest costs.
At December 31, 2000 and 1999, the carrying and fair value of long-term
debt, including the current portion, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
2000 1999
--------------------------------- ---------------------------
(in millions) Carrying value Fair value Carrying value Fair value
--------------------------------- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
US revolving credit facility, due 2002 $ 209 $ 209 $ -- $ --
8.45% senior notes, due 2009 200 184 200 196
Canadian term loans 27 27 -- --
Mexican Import Credit Facility, due 2001 at LIBOR + 1.75% 40 40 40 40
Mexican Import Credit Facility, due 2007 at LIBOR + 3.30% -- -- 60 60
Mexican Export Credit Facility, due 2000 at LIBOR + 1.49% -- -- 24 24
Other, due in varying amounts through 2007, fixed and
floating interest rates ranging from 6.57% - 21.37%
48 48 57 57
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 524 $ 508 $ 381 $377
</TABLE>
COMPETITION; EXPANDING INDUSTRY CAPACITY. The Company operates in a highly
competitive environment. Almost all of the Company's products compete with
virtually identical or similar products manufactured by other companies in the
corn refining industry. In the United States, there are ten other corn refiners,
several of which are divisions of larger enterprises that have greater financial
resources and some of which, unlike the Company, have vertically integrated
their corn refining and other operations. Many of the Company's products also
compete with products made from raw materials other than corn. Fluctuation in
prices of these competing products may affect prices of, and profits derived
from, the Company's products. Competition within markets is largely based on
price, quality and product availability.
PRICE VOLATILITY AND UNCERTAIN AVAILABILITY OF CORN. Corn purchasing costs,
which include the price of the corn plus delivery cost, vary between 40 percent
and 65 percent of the Company's product
<PAGE> 17
costs. The price and availability of corn is influenced by economic and
industry conditions, including supply and demand factors such as crop disease
and severe weather conditions such as drought, floods or frost, that are
difficult to anticipate and cannot be controlled by the Company. In addition,
government programs supporting sugar prices indirectly impact the price of corn
sweeteners, especially high fructose corn syrup. The Company cannot assure that
it will be able to purchase corn at prices that it can adequately pass on to
customers or in quantities sufficient to sustain or increase its profitability.
COMMODITY COSTS. The Company's finished products are made primarily from
corn. Purchased corn accounts for 40 percent to 65 percent of finished product
costs. In North America, the Company sells a large portion of finished product
at firm prices established in supply contracts lasting for periods of up to one
year. In order to minimize the effect of volatility in the cost of corn related
to these firm-priced supply contracts, the Company enters into corn futures
contracts, or takes hedging positions in the corn futures market. From time to
time, the Company may also enter into anticipatory hedges. These contracts
typically mature within one year. At expiration, the Company settles the
derivative contracts at a net amount equal to the difference between the
then-current price of corn and the fixed contract price. While these hedging
instruments are subject to fluctuations in value, changes in the value of the
underlying exposures the Company is hedging generally offset such fluctuations.
While the corn futures contracts or hedging positions are intended to minimize
the volatility of corn costs on operating profits, occasionally the hedging
activity can result in losses, some of which may be material. In the Rest of
World, sales of finished product under long-term, firm-priced supply contracts
are not material.
As the Company's hedging instruments generally relate to contracted
firm-priced business, and based on the Company's overall commodity hedge
exposure at December 31, 2000, a hypothetical 10 percent change in market rates
applied to the fair value of the instruments would have no material impact on
the Company's earnings, cash flows, financial position or fair value of
commodity price and risk-sensitive instruments over a one-year period.
Energy costs for the Company represent a significant portion of its
operating costs. The primary use of energy is to create steam in the production
process and in dryers to dry product. The forms of energy we consume are coal,
natural gas and fuel oil. The market prices for these commodities vary depending
on supply and demand, world economies and other factors. The Company purchases
these commodities based on its anticipated usage and the future outlook for
these costs. The Company cannot assure that it will be able to purchase these
commodities at prices that it can adequately pass on to customers to sustain or
increase profitability.
VOLATILITY OF MARKETS. The market price for the common stock of the Company
may be significantly affected by factors such as the announcement of new
products or services by the Company or its competitors; technological innovation
by the Company, its competitors or other vendors; quarterly variations in the
Company's operating results or the operating results of the Company's
competitors; general conditions in the Company's and its customers' markets;
changes in the earnings estimates by analysts or reported results that vary
materially from such estimates. In addition, the stock market has experienced
significant price fluctuations that have affected the market prices of equity
securities of many companies that have been unrelated to the operating
performance of any individual company. These broad market fluctuations may
materially and adversely affect the market price of the Company's common stock.
<PAGE> 18
UNCERTAINTY OF DIVIDENDS. The payment of dividends is at the discretion of
the Company's Board of Directors and will be subject to the Company's financial
results and the availability of surplus funds to pay dividends. No assurance can
be given that the Company will continue to pay dividends.
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS. Certain provisions of the Company's Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Corn Products Charter") and the
Company's By-laws (the "Corn Products By-Laws") and of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the "DGCL") may have the effect of delaying, deterring or
preventing a change in control of the Company not approved by the Company's
Board. These provisions include (i) a classified Board of Directors, (ii) a
requirement of the unanimous consent of all stockholders for action to be taken
without a meeting, (iii) a requirement that special meetings of stockholders be
called only by the Chairman of the Board or the Board of Directors, (iv) advance
notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations, (v) limitations
on the ability of stockholders to amend, alter or repeal the Company's By-laws
and certain provisions of the Corn Products Charter, (vi) authorization for the
Company's Board to issue without stockholder approval preferred stock with such
terms as the Board of Directors may determine and (vii) authorization for the
Corn Products Board to consider the interests of creditors, customers, employees
and other constituencies of the Company and its subsidiaries and the effect upon
communities in which the Company and its subsidiaries do business, in evaluating
proposed corporate transactions. With certain exceptions, Section 203 of the
DGCL ("Section 203") imposes certain restrictions on mergers and other business
combinations between the Company and any holder of 15 percent or more of the
Company's Common Stock. In addition, the Company has adopted a stockholder
rights plan (the "Rights Plan"). The Rights Plan is designed to protect
stockholders in the event of an unsolicited offer and other takeover tactics,
which, in the opinion of the Company's Board, could impair the Company's ability
to represent stockholder interests. The provisions of the Rights Plan may render
an unsolicited takeover of the Company more difficult or less likely to occur or
might prevent such a takeover.
These provisions of the Corn Products Charter and Corn Products By-laws,
the DGCL and the Rights Plan could discourage potential acquisition proposals
and could delay or prevent a change in control of the Company, although such
proposals, if made, might be considered desirable by a majority of the Company's
stockholders. Such provisions could also make it more difficult for third
parties to remove and replace the members of the Company's Board. Moreover,
these provisions could diminish the opportunities for a stockholder to
participate in certain tender offers, including tender offers at prices above
the then-current market value of the Company's Common Stock, and may also
inhibit increases in the market price of the Company's Common Stock that could
result from takeover attempts or speculation.
LIMITED RELEVANCE OF HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION. The Company's
historical financial information may not necessarily reflect the results of
operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company in the future.
RELIANCE ON MAJOR CUSTOMERS. A substantial portion of the Company's 2000
worldwide sales were made to companies engaged in the processed foods industry
and the soft drink industry. If the Company's processed foods customers or soft
drink customers were to substantially decrease their purchases, the business of
the Company might be materially adversely affected.
<PAGE> 19
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report contains or may contain certain forward-looking statements
concerning the Company's financial position, business and future prospects, in
addition to other statements using words such as "anticipate," "believe,"
"plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend" and other similar expressions. These
statements contain certain inherent risks and uncertainties. Although we believe
our expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, stockholders are cautioned that no assurance can be
given that our expectations will prove correct. Actual results and developments
may differ materially from the expectations conveyed in these statements, based
on factors such as the following: fluctuations in worldwide commodities markets
and the associated risks of hedging against such fluctuations; fluctuations in
aggregate industry supply and market demand; general economic, business, market
and weather conditions in the various geographic regions and countries in which
we manufacture and sell our products, including fluctuations in the value of
local currencies and changes in regulatory controls regarding quotas, tariffs
and biotechnology issues; and increased competitive and/or customer pressure in
the corn refining industry. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the
date on which they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of
the statement. If we do update or correct one or more of these statements,
investors and others should not conclude that we will make additional updates or
corrections. For a further description of risk factors, see the Company's most
recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q
or 8-K.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report to
Stockholders, pages 16-36, sections entitled "Reports of Management and
Independent Auditors," "Financial Statements" and "Supplemental Financial
Information."
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information contained under the headings "Board of Directors," "Matters
To Be Acted Upon - Election of Directors" and "Section 16(a) Beneficial
Ownership Reporting Compliance" in the Company's definitive proxy statement for
the Company's 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Proxy Statement") and
the information contained under the heading "Executive Officers of the Company"
in Item 1 hereof is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information contained under the heading "Executive Compensation" in
the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE> 20
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information contained under the heading "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein
by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information contained under the heading "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by
reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
Item 14(a)(1) Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report to
Stockholders, pages 16-36, sections entitled "Report by Management and
Independent Auditors," "Financial Statements" and "Supplemental Financial
Information."
Item 14(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All financial statement schedules have been omitted because the information
either is not required or is otherwise included in the financial statements and
notes thereto.
Item 14(a)(3) Exhibits
The Exhibits set forth in the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed as a
part of this report. The following is a list of each management contract or
compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an Exhibit to this
report:
Exhibit Number
10.7
10.8
10.9
10.10
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
10.20
Item 14(b) Reports on Form 8-K
The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the quarter
ended December 31, 2000.
<PAGE> 21
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 26th day of
March, 2001.
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: /s/ Samuel C. Scott
--------------------------------
Samuel C. Scott III
Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant, in the capacities indicated and on the 26th day of March, 2001.
Signature Title
- --------- -----
/s/ Samuel C. Scott Chairman, President and Chief
- ----------------------------- Executive Officer
Samuel C. Scott III
/s/ James W. Ripley Chief Financial Officer
- ----------------------------
James W. Ripley
/s/ Jack C. Fortnum Corporate Controller
- ----------------------------
Jack C. Fortnum
*Ignacio Aranguren-Castiello Director
- ----------------------------
Ignacio Aranguren-Castiello
*Alfred C. DeCrane, Jr. Director
- ----------------------------
Alfred C. DeCrane, Jr.
*Guenther E. Greiner Director
- ----------------------------
Guenther E. Greiner
*Ronald M. Gross Director
- ----------------------------
Ronald M. Gross
*Karen L. Hendricks Director
- ----------------------------
Karen L. Hendricks
*Richard G. Holder Director
- ----------------------------
Richard G. Holder
*Bernard H. Kastory Director
- ----------------------------
Bernard H. Kastory
*William S. Norman Director
- ----------------------------
William S. Norman
*Konrad Schlatter Director
- ----------------------------
Konrad Schlatter
*Clifford B. Storms Director
- ----------------------------
Clifford B. Storms
*By: /s/ Marcia E. Doane
- ----------------------------
Marcia E. Doane
Attorney-in-fact
(Being the principal executive officer, the principal financial and accounting
officers and all of the directors of Corn Products International, Inc.)
<PAGE> 22
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
2.1** Distribution Agreement dated December 1, 1997, between the
Company and Bestfoods
3.1** Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form 10, File No. 1-13397
3.2* Amended By-Laws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.ii to the
Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2000, File No. 1-13397
4.1** Rights Agreement dated November 19, 1997 between the Company and
First Chicago Trust Company of New York, filed as Exhibit 1 to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-Al2B, File No.
1-13397
4.2** Certificate of Designation for the Company's Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, filed as Exhibit 1 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-Al2B, File No. 1-13397
4.3** 5-Year Revolving Credit Agreement dated December 17, 1997 among
the Company and the agents and banks named therein
4.4* Indenture Agreement dated as of August 18, 1999 between the
Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, filed on August 27,
1999 as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K,
File No. 1-13397
10.1** Master Supply Agreement dated January 1, 1998 between the
Company and Bestfoods
10.2** Tax Sharing Agreement dated December 1, 1997 between the Company
and Bestfoods
10.3** Employee Benefits Agreement dated December 1, 1997 between the
Company and Bestfoods, filed as Exhibit 4.E to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-43525
10.4** Access Agreement dated January 1, 1998 between the Company and
Bestfoods
10.5* CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC Limited Liability Company
Agreement dated December 1, 2000 between the Company and
Minnesota Corn Processors, LLC
10.6* Supply Agreement dated January 1, 2001 by and among the Company,
Minnesota Corn Processors, LLC and CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC
10.7** 1998 Stock Incentive Plan of the Company, filed as Exhibit 4.D to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8,
File No. 333-43525
10.8** Deferred Stock Unit Plan of the Company
10.9** Form of Severance Agreement entered into by each of K. Schlatter,
S.C. Scott,
<PAGE> 23
J.L. Fiamenghi, F.J. Kocun and J.W. Ripley (the "Named Executive
Officers")
10.10* Form of Amendment to Executive Severance Agreement entered into
by each of S.C. Scott, J.L. Fiamenghi, F.J. Kocun and J.W. Ripley
10.11** Letter Agreement dated December 12, 1997 between the Company and
F.J. Kocun
10.12** Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by each of the
members of the Company's Board of Directors and the Named
Executive Officers
10.13** Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors of the Company
10.14** Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
10.15** Executive Life Insurance Plan
10.16** Deferred Compensation Plan
10.17* Annual Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.18 to the Company's
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999
10.18* Performance Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Company's annual
report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999
10.19* Amendment No. 1 to 1998 Stock Incentive Plan dated January 20,
1999
10.20* Amendment No. 2 to 1998 Stock Incentive Plan dated November 21,
2000
12.1* Earnings Per Share Computation
12.2* Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
13.1* Portions of the 2000 Annual Report to Stockholders of the Company
18.1* Preferability letter from KPMG
21.1* Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1* Consent of KPMG LLP
24.1* Power of Attorney
- -------------------
* Incorporated herein by reference as indicated in the exhibit description.
**Incorporated herein by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.5
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>c61002ex10-5.txt
<DESCRIPTION>LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT DATED 12/1/00
<TEXT>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.5
CORNPRODUCTSMCP SWEETENERS LLC
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2000
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I GENERAL DEFINITIONS.................................................................2
1.1. Definitions.........................................................................2
1.2. Interpretation......................................................................9
ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION.......................................................................9
2.1. Formation...........................................................................9
2.2. Name................................................................................9
2.3. Purposes............................................................................9
2.4. Duration...........................................................................10
2.5. Registered Office and Registered Agent; Principal and Executive Offices............10
2.6. Qualification in Other Jurisdictions...............................................10
2.7. No State-Law Partnership...........................................................10
ARTICLE III MEMBERS..........................................................................11
3.1. Initial Members....................................................................11
3.2. Admission of Additional Members....................................................11
ARTICLE IV CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS.............................................................11
4.1. Initial Capital Contributions......................................................11
4.2. Initial Voting Interests...........................................................13
4.3. No Further Required Capital Contributions..........................................13
4.4. Borrowings by the Company..........................................................13
4.5. Capital Accounts...................................................................13
4.6. Return of Capital Contributions....................................................16
4.7. Interest...........................................................................16
4.8. Loans from Members.................................................................16
ARTICLE V ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS......................................................16
5.1. Allocations of Income, Gain, Loss, Deduction and Credit from the Sale of
Designated Products...............................................................16
5.2. Allocations of Income, Gain, Loss, Deduction and Credit from the Commission
Sales of Optional and Imported Products..........................................16
5.3. Allocations of Other Income, Gain, Loss, Deduction and Credit......................17
5.4. Monthly Allocation, Allocation Methodology.........................................17
5.5. Allocations on Dissolution and Winding Up..........................................17
5.6. Book/Tax Disparities; Section 754 Elections; Etc...................................17
5.7. Allocation of Nonrecourse Deductions...............................................18
5.8. Allocation of Member Nonrecourse Deductions........................................18
5.9. Minimum Gain Chargeback............................................................18
5.10. Member Minimum Gain Chargeback....................................................18
5.11. Qualified Income Offset...........................................................18
5.12. Limitations on Loss Allocation. ..................................................19
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5.13. Curative Allocations....................................................19
5.14. Interest in Company Profits.............................................19
5.15. Distributions in Kind...................................................19
5.16. Allocations and Distributions to Transferred Interests..................20
5.17. Distributions of Distributable Funds....................................20
5.18. Order of Application....................................................20
ARTICLE VI RIGHTS, POWERS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS...............................21
6.1. Authority; Liability to Third Parties....................................21
6.2. Transfer of Membership Interests.........................................21
6.3. Admission of Transferee as Member........................................22
6.4. Confidentiality..........................................................22
6.5. Non-Solicitation.........................................................23
6.6. Restriction on Activities................................................23
ARTICLE VII MEETINGS OF MEMBERS....................................................23
7.1. Place of Meetings........................................................23
7.2. Meetings.................................................................23
7.3. Notice...................................................................24
7.4. Waiver of Notice.........................................................24
7.5. Quorum...................................................................24
7.6. Voting...................................................................24
7.7. Conduct of Meetings......................................................24
7.8. Action by Written Consent................................................25
7.9. Required Approvals of Members............................................25
7.10. Proxies.................................................................25
ARTICLE VIII MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY.............................................25
8.1. Management of Business...................................................25
8.2 Number and Election of Managers..........................................25
8.3. General Powers of Managers...............................................26
8.4. Chairman of the Board of Managers........................................26
8.5. Required Approvals of Managers...........................................27
8.6. Authority of Individual Managers.........................................28
8.7. Place of Meetings........................................................28
8.8. Regular Meetings.........................................................28
8.9. Special Meetings.........................................................28
8.10. Proxies.................................................................28
8.11. Quorum of and Action by Managers........................................28
8.12. Quorum of and Action by Managers with Respect to Special Items..........28
8.13. Compensation............................................................29
8.14. Resignation and Removal.................................................29
8.15. Vacancies...............................................................29
8.16. Action by Written Consent...............................................29
</TABLE>
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8.17. Other Business............................................................29
8.18. Standard of Care; Liability...............................................29
8.19. Appointment of Employees; Responsibilities................................30
8.20. Company Accountants.......................................................30
ARTICLE IX OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY PROPERTY.............................................31
ARTICLE X FISCAL MATTERS; BOOKS AND RECORDS..........................................31
10.1. Bank Accounts; Investments................................................31
10.2. Records Required by Act; Right of Inspection..............................31
10.3. Books and Records of Account..............................................32
10.4. Tax Returns and Information...............................................32
10.5. Delivery of Financial Statements to Members...............................32
10.6. Business Plan and Budgets.................................................32
10.7. Audits....................................................................32
10.8. Fiscal Year...............................................................32
10.9. Tax Elections.............................................................32
10.10. Tax Matters Member.......................................................33
ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE.............................................33
11.1. Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses...............................33
11.2. Insurance.................................................................35
11.3. Limit on Liability of Members.............................................35
11.4. Tax-Related Indemnification Obligations...................................35
ARTICLE XII DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP...............................................36
12.1. Events Causing Dissolution................................................36
12.2. Effective Date of Dissolution.............................................37
12.3. Certain Termination Fees..................................................37
12.4. Operation Prior to Effective Date of Dissolution..........................38
12.5. Winding Up................................................................38
12.6. Compensation of Liquidator................................................41
12.7. Distribution of Company Property and Proceeds of Sale Thereof.............41
12.8. Final Audit...............................................................41
12.9. Deficit Capital Accounts..................................................42
ARTICLE XIII DISPUTE RESOLUTION......................................................42
13.1. Negotiation of Disputes...................................................42
13.2. Agreement to Mediate......................................................42
13.3. Commencement of Litigation................................................43
13.4. Continuity of Service and Performance.....................................43
ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.................................................43
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14.1. Conference Telephone Meetings.......................................43
14.2. Electronic Meetings.................................................43
14.3. Counterparts........................................................43
14.4. Entire Agreement....................................................43
14.5. Partial Invalidity..................................................43
14.6. Amendment...........................................................44
14.7. Binding Effect......................................................44
14.8. Offset..............................................................44
14.9. Effect of Waiver or Consent.........................................44
14.10. Further Assurances.................................................44
14.11. Governing Law......................................................44
</TABLE>
SCHEDULE I- MEMBERS INTERESTS
SCHEDULE II- ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS
SCHEDULE III- DESIGNATED PRODUCTS
SCHEDULE IV- IMPORTED PRODUCTS
SCHEDULE V- FORM OF SUPPLY AGREEMENT
iv
<PAGE> 6
CORNPRODUCTSMCP SWEETENERS LLC
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of December 1, 2000 by and
among Corn Products International, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Corn
Products"), Minnesota Corn Processors, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company
("MCP") (Corn Products and MCP being herein referred to individually as a
"Member" and collectively as the "Members"), and CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company (the "Company").
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
WHEREAS, Corn Products and MCP have filed a Certificate of Formation
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to organize the Company
under and pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
WHEREAS, the Company's primary activity shall initially be to serve as
the sales and distribution outlet for the Members in the designated product
categories. These sales activities apply to such products produced within the
United States and sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Company will
also offer on a commission basis certain other sales, marketing and distribution
services to the Members with respect to certain optional products and will
engage in the sale, marketing and distribution within the United States of
certain imported products on a commission basis. Finally, the Company will
indirectly distribute designated products on a commission basis exclusively
through Corn Products' Affiliates in Canada and Mexico. The authority of the
Members to engage in the foregoing activities is subject to the restrictions
contained herein.
WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein,
each of Corn Products and MCP are concurrently with the execution of this
Agreement acquiring certain Membership Interests (as herein defined) in the
Company.
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act,
each of the Company and the Members desire to enter into this Agreement to set
forth the respective rights, powers and interests of the Members with respect to
the Company and their respective Membership Interests therein and to provide for
the management of the business and operations of the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements
made herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:
<PAGE> 7
ARTICLE I
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
1.1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
each have the meaning set forth in this Article I, (unless the context otherwise
requires).
"AAA" means the American Arbitration Association.
"ACQUIRING PERSON" means any Person or two or more Persons that
act as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group for the
purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities, other equity interests
or all or substantially all of a business or its assets.
"ACT" means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as it may
be amended from time to time, and any successor to such Act.
"ACTION" means any action, claim, suit, arbitration, inquiry,
subpoena, discovery request, proceeding or investigation by or before any court
or grand jury, any governmental or other regulatory or administrative entity,
agency or commission or any arbitration tribunal.
"ADJUSTED CAPITAL ACCOUNT" means, with respect to any Member, the
balance, if any, in such Member's Capital Account as of the end of the relevant
taxable year, after: (i) crediting to such Capital Account any amounts that such
Member is obligated to restore pursuant to Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) of the
Treasury Regulations (or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the
penultimate sentences of Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) of the
Treasury Regulations) and (ii) debiting to such Capital Account the items
described in Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) of the Treasury
Regulations.
"ADJUSTED PROPERTY" means any property the Carrying Value of which
has been adjusted pursuant to Section 4.5(e).
"AFFILIATE" means, when used with reference to a specific Person
(or when not referring to a specific Person shall mean an Affiliate of a
Member), any Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such
specific Person.
"AGGREGATE CONTRIBUTIONS" means, at any time, the sum of the
Capital Contributions of all Members theretofore made to the Company.
"AGREED VALUE" means the fair market value of Contributed
Property, as established by the Members in Article IV.
"AGREEMENT" means this Limited Liability Company Agreement,
including all schedules and exhibits referred to in and attached to this
Agreement, as originally executed and as subsequently amended from time to time
in accordance with the provisions hereof.
2
<PAGE> 8
"ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS" means the agreements listed in Schedule II
hereto, as originally executed and as subsequently amended from time to time in
accordance with the provisions hereof.
"ARBITRATION ACT" means the United States Arbitration Act, 9
U.S.C.ss.ss.1-16, as the same may be amended from time to time.
"ASSOCIATED" means, as to any Member, an officer, director,
employee, agent or other representative of such Member, or a Person otherwise
entitled to receive a financial benefit from or through such Member or any of
its Affiliates.
"BANKRUPTCY" means, with respect to any Member, the happening of
any one or more of the following events: (a) a Member: (i) makes an assignment
for the benefit of creditors; (ii) files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy;
(iii) is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or there has been entered against such
Member an order for relief, in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding; (iv)
files a petition or answer seeking in respect of such Member any reorganization,
arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar
relief under any statute, law or regulation; (v) files an answer or other
pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition
filed against such Member in any proceeding of a nature described above; or (vi)
seeks, consents or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or
liquidator of such Member or of all or any substantial part of such Member's
properties; or (b) 120 days after the commencement of any proceeding against any
Member seeking reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment,
liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any statute, law or regulation,
if such proceeding has not been dismissed, or within 90 days after the
appointment without such Member's consent or acquiescence of a trustee, receiver
or liquidator of the Member or of all or any substantial part of such Member's
properties, if such appointment is not vacated or stayed, or within 90 days
after the expiration of any such stay, if such appointment is not vacated.
"BANKRUPTCY CODE" means Title 11 of the United States Code, as now
in effect or as hereafter amended.
"BULK" means finished products sold by pipeline or single
container, rail car or other transportation vehicle where the finished product
pipeline shipment, container, rail car or vehicle load has a capacity in excess
of five tons. Bulk does not include a single container, rail car or other
transportation vehicle containing subcontainers or packages of less than five
tons. Excluded from this definition of Bulk shall be any such products sold or
otherwise transferred to a third party and normally delivered by pipeline for
processing into finished products other than Designated Products.
"BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday and
those legal public holidays specified in 5 U.S.C. ss. 6103(a), as the same may
be amended from time to time.
"BUSINESS PLAN" means a business and profit plan with respect to
each fiscal year of the Company containing forecasts by customer of price and
volume, sales targets, forecasts of capital, operating, transportation and other
expenses, and forecasts of commission income, and such additional information as
shall be agreed to by the Managers.
3
<PAGE> 9
"CAPITAL ACCOUNT" means the Capital Account maintained for each
Member pursuant to Section 4.5 of this Agreement.
"CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION" means the total amount of cash and
property, including Initial Capital Contributions and Subsequent Capital
Contributions, if any, contributed to the Company by all the Members or any one
Member, as the case may be.
"CARRYING VALUE" means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property,
the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all
depreciation, cost recovery and amortization deductions charged to the Capital
Accounts pursuant to Section 4.5(d) with respect to such property, as well as
any other reductions as a result of sales, retirements and other dispositions of
assets included in a Contributed Property, as of the time of determination, (b)
with respect to an Adjusted Property, the value of such property immediately
following the adjustment provided in Section 4.5(e) reduced (but not below zero)
by all depreciation, cost recovery and amortization deductions charged to the
Capital Accounts pursuant to Section 4.5(d) with respect to such property, as
well as any other reductions as a result of sales, retirements or dispositions
of assets included in Adjusted Property, as of the time of determination, and
(c) with respect to any other property, the adjusted basis of such property for
federal income tax purposes as of the time of determination.
"CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION" means the Certificate of Formation of
the Company described in Section 2.1.
"CHANGE IN CONTROL" means, with respect to a Member, (i) the sale
or other transfer to an Acquiring Person of all or substantially all of the
business or assets of such Member or (ii) the sale or other transfer to an
Acquiring Person of the direct or Beneficial Ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of more than 50% of the
Voting Power of such Member.
"CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now in effect
or as hereafter amended.
"COMMISSION SALES AGREEMENT" means an individual agreement or
agreements between or among the Company and Corn Products and/or MCP or certain
Affiliates of Corn Products related to the sale of Imported Products, Optional
Products and products sold by the Company into Mexico and Canada.
"COMPANY" means CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC, the limited
liability company formed by the filing of the Certificate of Formation, as
constituted from time to time.
"COMPANY ACCOUNTANTS" means the independent certified public
accounting firm appointed from time to time by the Managers.
"COMPANY PROPERTY OR PROPERTIES" means all interests, properties,
whether real, personal or intellectual, and rights of any type owned or held by
the Company, whether owned or held by the Company at the date of its formation
or thereafter acquired.
4
<PAGE> 10
"CONTRIBUTED PROPERTY" means property or other consideration
(other than cash) contributed to the Company in exchange for Membership
Interests under Article IV.
"DEFAULT" means any material default with respect to a duty under
or a covenant of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements which has not
been cured by the defaulting Member within 60 days after receipt by the
defaulting Member of Written Notification of such default from the
non-defaulting Member.
"DESIGNATED PERSON" means Archer Daniels Midland Corporation,
Cargill, Inc., Tate & Lyle Ltd. PLC, Coca Cola Corporation, Pepsi Cola
Corporation or Cott Beverages, or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing.
"DESIGNATED PRODUCTS" means the following finished products (a)
Bulk Liquid High Fructose Corn Syrup (up to 85 percent fructose); (b) Bulk
Liquid Corn Syrups, including Low Dextrose Equivalent, Regular Dextrose
Equivalent, High Dextrose Equivalent and High Maltose; (c) Bulk Liquid Blends
(consisting of any two or more of the following products: (i) Liquid High
Fructose Corn Syrup (up to 85 percent fructose), (ii) Liquid Corn Syrup, and
(iii) Liquid Sucrose); (d) Bulk Liquid Dextrose (99 percent, 95 percent and
Versatose); (e) Bulk Unmodified Food Starch; and, (f) all modifications,
reformulations or newly-developed sweetener products that are produced by either
of the Members and are within the product descriptions set forth in (a) through
(e); provided, however, that the Designated Products shall not include those
quantities of the foregoing sweetener products that either of the Members is
obligated as of November 17, 2000 to supply to a third party pursuant to a
contract that, by its terms, cannot be assigned to the Company. Schedule III
sets forth the specific product codes of each individual product included as a
Designated Product. The Members shall update Schedule III at least annually in
connection with the preparation of the Business Plan to reflect the addition or
deletion of any specific product codes that are appropriate to conform to the
foregoing definition.
"DISSOLUTION NOTICE" means Written Notification of a Member's
election to dissolve the Company, given pursuant to Section 12.1(d).
"DISTRIBUTABLE FUNDS" means all funds received by or released to
the Company or otherwise released from hold-backs or reserves during any period
(including all interest income from temporary investments made by the Company
pending distribution of funds), after subtracting funds used during such period
(a) to pay all costs and expenses incurred during such period, including all
expenses incurred in any sale or disposition transaction, (b) to discharge
during such period any indebtedness or liabilities of the Company for which such
proceeds are to be used and (c) to create or increase during such period such
reserves or hold-backs as the Managers may determine for the discharge of known
or existing liabilities or obligations of the Company or otherwise for the
Company's present or future obligations, needs or business opportunities. The
method for calculating Distributable Funds shall be reviewed at least annually
and any changes in this definition approved by the Managers shall supercede this
definition.
"EXCESS AMOUNT" means the aggregate amount in a Member's Capital
Account in excess of the amount attributable to such Member's Capital
Contribution.
5
<PAGE> 11
"EXECUTIVE OFFICES" means the office of the Company located in the
northwestern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, unless another location is agreed to
by the Members.
"IMPORTED PRODUCTS" means all Designated Products which are
produced by a Member or its Affiliates outside the United States and exported
into and sold in the United States. Schedule IV sets forth the specific product
codes of each individual product included as a Designated Product. The Members
shall update Schedule IV at least annually in connection with the preparation of
the Business Plan to reflect the addition or deletion of any specific product
codes that are appropriate to conform to the foregoing definition.
"INITIAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION" has the meaning specified in
Section 4.1.
"INITIAL MEMBERS" means each Person listed on Schedule I of this
Agreement, and any Affiliate of such Person that, at the time of determination,
holds Membership Interests.
"INTERIM CAPITAL TRANSACTION" means (a) a transaction pursuant to
which the Company borrows funds, including, without limitation, a refinancing of
any Company debt, (b) a sale, condemnation or other disposition of all or a
portion of the Company assets or (c) the receipt of insurance proceeds or other
damage recoveries by the Company, in any such case which does not result in and
is not entered into in connection with the dissolution and termination of the
Company.
"MANAGERS" means, at any time, the Persons elected in accordance
with Section 8.2 who are then managing the Company in accordance with Article
VIII.
"MEMBER NONRECOURSE DEBT" means any liability (or portion thereof)
of the Company that constitutes debt which, by its terms, is nonrecourse to the
Company and the Members, but for which a Member bears the economic risk of loss,
as determined under Section 1.704-2(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations.
"MEMBER NONRECOURSE DEBT MINIMUM GAIN" means an amount of gain
characterized as "partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain" under Section
1.704-2(i)(2) and 1.704-2(i)(3) of the Treasury Regulations. Subject to the
preceding sentence, Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain shall mean an amount,
with respect to each Member Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Minimum Gain that
would result if such Member Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse
Liability.
"MEMBERS" means, at any time, the Persons who then own Membership
Interests in the Company.
"MEMBERSHIP INTEREST" means, with respect to any Member at any
time, the rights, liabilities and other interests of such Member in the Company
including all its rights, liabilities and other interests pursuant to this
Agreement.
"MINIMUM GAIN" means the amount determined by computing with
respect to each Nonrecourse Liability of the Company the amount of gain, if any,
that would be realized by the Company if it disposed of the property securing
such liability in full satisfaction thereof, and by then aggregating the amounts
so computed.
6
<PAGE> 12
"NONRECOURSE LIABILITY" means a liability (or that portion of a
liability) with respect to which no Member bears the economic risk of loss as
determined under Section 1.704-2(b)(3) of the Treasury Regulations.
"NORTH AMERICA" means the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"NOTIFICATION" means all notices permitted or required to be given
to any Person hereunder. Such Notifications must be given in Writing or by
facsimile transmission and will be deemed to be duly given on the date of
delivery if delivered in person or through facsimile or on the earlier of actual
receipt or three (3) Business Days after the date of mailing if mailed by
registered or certified mail, first class postage prepaid, return receipt
requested, to such Person. All such notices shall be sent to the address of such
Person on the Company records.
"OPTIONAL PRODUCTS" means any products specified by the Member
desiring to sell the product and consented to by the other Members (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) that are not Designated Products,
which Optional Products may include, but are not limited to, High Fructose Corn
Syrup (over 85 percent fructose), Dry Dextrose, Modified Food Starches,
Maltodextrin, Dry Bulk Sucrose, Liquid Bulk Sucrose, certain Specialty Products,
Non-Bulk Unmodified Food Starches and certain products that would have been
Designated Products if they had not been the subject of unassignable contracts.
"PERSON" means any general partnership, limited partnership,
corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, business trust,
governmental agency, cooperative, association, individual or other entity, and
the heirs, executors, administrations, legal representatives, successors and
assigns of such person, as the context may require.
"PLAN OF DISSOLUTION" means a Plan of Dissolution approved by all
Members as contemplated by Section 12.5.
"PRINCIPAL OFFICES" means the office of the Company located in
Marshall, Minnesota, unless another location is agreed to by the Members.
"PRODUCT CATEGORY" means the groups of Designated or Imported
Products identified as Product Categories in the respective Schedules III and IV
and the groups of Optional Products described in Addenda to the Commission Sales
Agreement.
"SCHEDULE I" means the schedule attached hereto and labeled
"Schedule I - Member Interests".
"SCHEDULE II" means the schedule attached hereto and labeled
"Schedule II - Ancillary Agreements".
"SCHEDULE III" means the schedule attached hereto and labeled
"Schedule III - Designated Products" describing the Designated Products by
product description and code assigned by a Member to the individual products
falling within the Designated Product categories as of the date of the
Agreement.
7
<PAGE> 13
"SCHEDULE IV" means the schedule attached hereto and labeled
"Schedule IV - Imported Products".
"SCHEDULE V" means the schedule attached hereto and labeled
"Schedule V - Form of Supply Agreement".
"SECTION 705(a)(2)(B) EXPENDITURE" means any expenditure of the
Company described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code and any expenditure
considered to be an expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code
pursuant to Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
"SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"SUBSEQUENT CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION" means a Capital Contribution of
any Member or of all the Members, as the case may be, other than an Initial
Capital Contribution.
"SUPPLY AGREEMENT" means an agreement among the Company and Corn
Products and MCP related to the sale of Designated Products in the form attached
as Schedule V, or as may be otherwise subsequently agreed to by the Company and
the Members.
"TAX" (and, with correlative meaning, "TAXES") means any federal,
state, local or foreign income, gross receipts, property, sales, use, license,
excise, franchise, employment, payroll, withholding, alternative or add-on
minimum, ad valorem, value added, transfer or excise tax, or any other tax,
custom duty, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind
whatsoever imposed by any governmental authority.
"TAX OFFSET AMOUNT" means, for any Member, the amount by which a
Tax otherwise payable by the Company is reduced as a result of income being
allocated to such Member, Taxes being paid by such Member, or similar event (for
a Member including, for example and not by way of limitation, the amount by
which the Illinois Personal Property Tax Replacement Income Tax otherwise
payable by the Company is reduced as a result of income being distributable to
such Member).
"TERMINATION" means the termination of a Member's Membership
Interest.
"TERMINATION FEE" means that amount which one Member must pay to
another Member in the amount and at the time specified in Section 12.3.
"TRANSFER" means any change in the record or beneficial ownership
of a Membership Interest, whether made voluntarily or involuntarily by operation
of law.
"TREASURY REGULATIONS" means the regulations promulgated by the
U.S. Treasury Department pursuant to the Code.
"UNITED STATES" means each of the states constituting the United
States of America and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
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"UNREALIZED GAIN" means the excess (attributable to a Company
Property), if any, of the fair market value of such property as of the date of
determination (as reasonably determined by the Managers) over the Carrying Value
of such property as of the date of determination (prior to any adjustment to be
made pursuant to Section 4.5(e) as of such date).
"UNREALIZED LOSS" means the excess (attributable to a Company
Property), if any, of the Carrying Value of such property as of the date of
determination (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 4.5(e) as
of such date) over its fair market value as of such date of determination (as
reasonably determined by the Managers).
"VOTING POWER" means ordinary voting power in the election of the
board of directors or similar governing body of a Person, other than the right
to vote by reason of the happening of a contingency.
"VOTING INTEREST" means, with respect to any Member at any time
the percentage interest of such Member as specified in Schedule I of this
Agreement.
"WRITING OR WRITTEN" means an original paper communication,
telegram, cablegram, or a photographic, photostatic, facsimile or similar
reproduction of an original paper communication.
1.2. Interpretation. Each definition in this Agreement includes the
singular and the plural, and reference to the neuter gender includes the
masculine and feminine where appropriate. References to any statute or
regulations means such statute or regulations as amended at the time and include
any successor legislation or regulations. The headings to the Articles and
Sections are for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Except as otherwise stated, reference to
Articles, Sections and Schedules mean the Articles, Sections and Schedules of
this Agreement. The Schedules are hereby incorporated by reference into and
shall be deemed a part of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
2.1. Formation. The Company has been organized as a Delaware limited
liability company under and pursuant to the Act by the filing of a Certificate
of Formation with the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware as required
by the Act. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and
the Certificate of Formation, the terms of the Certificate of Formation shall
prevail.
2.2. Name. The name of the Company is "CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC".
To the extent permitted by the Act, the Company may conduct its business under
one or more assumed names deemed advisable by the Managers.
2.3. Purposes. The purposes of the Company are to engage in any
activity and/or business for which limited liability companies may be formed
under the Act (including, without limitation, the activities set forth in the
Preliminary Statement of this Agreement). The Company
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shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to effect any purpose for
which it is formed, including all powers granted by the Act.
2.4. Duration. Subject to Article XII hereof, the Company shall have an
initial term expiring at the end of business on December 31, 2003, which term
shall be automatically renewed for successive one year terms.
2.5. Registered Office and Registered Agent; Principal and Executive
Offices.
(a) The registered office of the Company required by the Act to be
maintained in the State of Delaware shall be the initial registered office named
in the Certificate of Formation or such other office (which need not be a place
of business of the Company) as the Managers may designate from time to time in
the manner provided by the Act.
(b) The registered agent of the Company in the State of Delaware shall
be the initial registered agent named in the Certificate of Formation or such
other Person or Persons as the Managers may designate from time to time in the
manner provided by the Act.
(c) The Company shall establish and maintain a Principal Office for
the Company. The Principal Office shall serve as the headquarters office for the
Company and shall contain such personnel and provide such services as shall be
determined by the Managers. The Company shall establish and maintain an
Executive Office for the Company. The Executive Office shall serve as the
primary office for the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and
shall contain such other personnel and provide such services as shall be
determined by the Managers. The Company may have such other offices as the
Managers may designate from time to time.
2.6. Qualification in Other Jurisdictions. The Managers shall have
authority to cause the Company to do business in jurisdictions other than the
State of Delaware only if one of the following conditions is satisfied:
(a) Such jurisdiction has enacted a limited liability company statute,
and the Managers shall have approved the qualification of the Company under such
statute to do business as a foreign limited liability company in such
jurisdiction; or
(b) The Company shall have obtained an opinion of counsel qualified to
practice law in the other jurisdiction to the effect that under the laws of such
jurisdiction the Members will not be held liable for any debts or obligations of
the Company.
2.7. No State-Law Partnership. No provisions of this Agreement
(including, without limitation, the provisions of Article VIII) shall be deemed
or construed to constitute the Company as a partnership (including, without
limitation, a limited partnership) or joint venture, or any Member or Manager a
partner or joint venturer of or with any other Member or Manager, for any
purposes other than federal and state tax purposes.
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ARTICLE III
MEMBERS
3.1. Initial Members. The Initial Members of the Company are listed on
Schedule I of this Agreement and the initial addresses of such Initial Members
are as set forth on such Schedule I. As of the date hereof, there are no other
Members of the Company and no other Person has any right to take part in the
ownership of the Company.
3.2. Admission of Additional Members. Additional Members of the Company
may be added only (i) with the written consent of all of the Members, (ii) if
such proposed additional Member satisfies the requirements of Section 6.3, and
(iii) if the Members amend this Agreement as appropriate to provide for the
admission of such new Member. No action by the Managers shall be required for
the admission of a new Member. If one Member proposes the admission of a new
Member or if a Member's Interest is subject to a Change In Control that does not
result in Termination, any other Member who reasonably believes that either
event will require review and approval of state or federal regulatory
authorities may require the Member proposing the new Member or the Member
subject to such Change In Control to obtain at its own expense the review and
approval of such events by any state or federal regulatory authorities who, upon
notification of such events, assert that such review or approval are necessary.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
4.1. Initial Capital Contributions.
(a) Contribution of Cash. At such time or times after the date of this
Agreement as the Members shall agree, each Member shall contribute to the
initial capital of the Company the sum of $500,000 in cash. Such contribution
shall be made by wire transfer to the account of the Company previously
identified to the Members.
(b) Contribution of Customer Lists and Contracts. As of January 1,
2001, each Member shall contribute to the initial capital of the Company, all of
its right, title and interest in the following:
(i) Customer lists, credit information and other business records
to the extent related to the sale or marketing of Designated Products
produced in the United States and sold in North America ("Customer
Information"); and
(ii) Rights arising after December 31, 2000 under assignable
contracts, agreements or other commitments for the sale of Designated
Products produced in the United States and sold in North America, but
only to the extent such rights relate to the sale of Designated
Products subsequent to December 31, 2000 ("Contributed Contracts").
Such contribution shall be made by the delivery to the Company of an instrument
of assignment and assumption from each Member, which shall contain a schedule of
the Contributed Contracts
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being contributed by such Member, and pursuant to which the Company shall assume
all liabilities under such Contributed Contracts arising after December 31, 2000
to the extent such liabilities relate to the sale of Designated Products
subsequent to December 31, 2000.
(c) Agreed Value. The Agreed Value of the foregoing contributions shall
be set forth on Schedule I.
(d) Representations and Warranties. Each Member represents and
warrants to the other Member and the Company as follows:
(i) Each Member has (or will promptly upon the execution of this
Agreement and other Ancillary Agreements requested to be executed by
the Member) supply a true and accurate summary of (a) the Member's sale
of Designated Products necessary to calculate Base Year Volumes under
the Supply Agreement and (b) the Member's sales and commission expenses
for Optional or Imported Products to be marketed by the Company in
sufficient detail to allow the Company to complete all Commission Sales
Agreements. Except as disclosed to the other Member in writing as part
of such summary, the Member supplying this information represents and
warrants that to the knowledge of the executive officers of such Member
there has not been any actual or threatened termination, cancellation
or limitation of, or other material adverse change in, that Member's
relationship with the customers whose purchases comprise the supplied
information that should reasonably be expected to result in the
supplied information overstating forecasted sales of Designated Product
or forecasted commission income on Optional or Imported Products for
calendar year 2001 by greater than ten percent (10%) in the aggregate.
This representation and warranty does not apply to fluctuations which
may arise from the periodic expiration or termination of customer
relationships in the ordinary course of business and does not
constitute a warranty by either Member that such relationships will be
renewed upon any such expiration or termination.
(ii) Such Member has, and as of December 31, 2000 will have,
performed all of its obligations under each of the Contributed
Contracts to be contributed by it to the Company as provided above, and
no event has occurred and no condition or state of facts exists which,
with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would
constitute a default or breach thereunder by such Member.
(e) Execution of Supply Agreement and Ancillary Agreements. As of
January 1, 2001, the Members and the Company shall execute the following:
(i) The Supply Agreement;
(ii) One or more Commission Sales Agreements containing terms and
conditions substantially as set forth in the Supply Agreement, with
such additional or modified terms as may be mutually agreed by the
Members;
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(iii) One or more services agreements providing for the provision
of certain services by the Members to the Company and by the Company to
the Members containing such terms and conditions as may be mutually
agreed by the Members;
(iv) One or more employee services/leasing agreements providing
for the provision of certain employee-related services by the Members
to the Company containing such terms and conditions as may be mutually
agreed by the Members;
(v) One or more trademark licensing agreements providing for the
licensing of certain trademarks by the Members to the Company
containing such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed by the
Members; and
(vi) Such other agreements, bills of sale or other documentation
as may be mutually agreed by the Members or as may be reasonably
necessary to effect the purposes of this Section 4.1.
(f) Sale of Other Assets. From time to time after the date hereof, the
Members may sell or otherwise transfer to the Company certain additional assets
of the Members related to the business of the Company, including in particular
finished goods inventory of Designated Products existing as of January 1, 2001,
certain tangible personal property that is usable by the Company in the
operation of its business, or certain logistics related contracts or equipment.
Such assets shall be sold or otherwise transferred pursuant to one or more bills
of sale or other instruments of transfer and upon such terms as shall be
mutually agreed by the Members.
4.2. Initial Voting Interests. Each Member shall be entitled to a fifty
percent (50%) Voting Interest in the Company.
4.3. No Further Required Capital Contributions. No Initial Member shall
be obligated to make any Capital Contributions other than the Initial Capital
Contributions, except as shall be agreed by the Members.
4.4. Borrowings by the Company. Any outside borrowings from banks,
other commercial lenders or third parties shall be nonrecourse to the Members
unless otherwise approved by the Members. The Managers may establish prudent
borrowing facilities (including borrowings from Members) and use the proceeds
thereof to finance the operation of the Company's business or for any other
proper purposes. If approved by all Members and subject to any limitations in
the Company's then existing credit facilities, the Company may authorize the
pledge of each outstanding Membership Interest to secure Company indebtedness or
obligations authorized by the Managers. In such event, each Member hereby agrees
to execute and deliver such pledge agreements, consents, financing statements or
other certificates, instruments, agreements, notices or other documents as the
Managers by deem reasonably necessary or advisable in connection therewith.
4.5. Capital Accounts.
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(a) A Capital Account shall be established and maintained for each
Member. Each Member's Capital Account (i) shall be increased by (A) the amount
of money contributed or deemed to be contributed by that Member to the Company,
(B) the Agreed Value of Contributed Property by that Member to the Company (net
of liabilities secured by the Contributed Property that the Company is
considered to assume or take subject to Section 752 of the Code), and (C)
allocations to that Member of Company income and gain (or items thereof),
including income and gain exempt from tax and income and gain described in
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) of the Treasury Regulations, but excluding income
and gain described in Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(i) of the Treasury Regulations, and
(ii) shall be decreased by (A) the amount of money distributed to that Member by
the Company, (B) the fair market value of property distributed to that Member by
the Company (net of liabilities secured by the distributed property that the
Member is considered to assume or take subject to Section 752 of the Code), (C)
allocations to that Member of Section 705(a)(2)(B) Expenditures, and (D)
allocations of Company loss and deduction (or items thereof), including loss and
deduction described in Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) of the Treasury Regulations,
but excluding items described in clause (a)(i)(C) of this paragraph and loss or
deduction described in Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(i) or Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(iii) of
the Treasury Regulations.
(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, whenever it is necessary to
determine the Capital Account of any Member for purposes of this Agreement, the
Capital Account of the Member shall be determined after giving effect to (i) all
Capital Contributions made or deemed to have been made to the Company on or
after the date of this Agreement, (ii) all allocations of income, gain,
deduction and loss pursuant to Article V for operations and transactions
effected on or after the date of this Agreement and prior to the date such
determination is required to be made under this Agreement and (iii) all
distributions made on or after the date of this Agreement.
(c) Upon the Transfer of a Membership Interest in the Company after
the date of this Agreement, if such Transfer does not cause a termination of the
Company within the meaning of Section 708(b)(1)(B) of the Code, the Capital
Account of the transferor Member that is attributable to the transferred
interest will be carried over to the transferee Member but, if the Company has
an election in effect under Section 754 of the Code, the Capital Account will be
adjusted to reflect any adjustment required as a result thereof by the Treasury
Regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 704(b) of the Code.
(d) The realization, recognition and classification of any item of
income, gain, loss or deduction for Capital Account purposes shall be the same
as its realization, recognition and classification for federal income tax
purposes; provided, however, that:
(i) Any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or
amortization attributable to a Contributed Property shall be determined
as if the adjusted tax basis of such property on the date it was
acquired by the Company was equal to the Agreed Value of such property.
Upon adjustment pursuant to Section 4.5(e) of the Carrying Value of the
Company property subject to depreciation, cost recovery or
amortization, any further deductions for such depreciation, cost
recovery or amortization shall be determined as if the adjusted tax
basis of such property was equal to its Carrying Value immediately
following such adjustment. Any deductions for depreciation, cost
recovery or amortization under this Section
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4.5(d) shall be computed in accordance with Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g)(3) of the Treasury Regulations.
(ii) Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable
disposition of any property shall be determined by the Company as if
the adjusted tax basis of such property as of such date of disposition
was equal in amount to the Carrying Value of such property as of such
date.
(iii) All items incurred by the Company that can neither be
deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code shall, for
purposes of Capital Accounts, be treated as an item of deduction and
shall be allocated among the Members pursuant to Article V.
(e) (i) Upon the issuance of additional Membership Interests in the
Company for cash or Contributed Property, the Capital Accounts of all
Members and the Carrying Values of all Company Properties immediately
prior to such issuance shall be adjusted (consistent with the
provisions hereof and with the Treasury Regulations under Section 704
of the Code) upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or
Unrealized Loss attributable to each Company Property, as if such
Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized upon an actual
sale of each such Company Property immediately prior to such issuance
and had been allocated to the Members. In determining such Unrealized
Gain or Unrealized Loss, the fair market value of Company Property as
of any date of determination shall be reasonably determined by the
Managers.
(ii) Immediately prior to the actual or deemed distribution of any
Company Property (other than cash) or the distribution of cash in
redemption of a Member's interest in the Company, the Capital Accounts
of all Members and the Carrying Value of all Company Property shall be
adjusted (consistent with the provisions hereof and Treasury
Regulations under Section 704 of the Code) upward or downward to
reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to each
Company Property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had
been recognized upon an actual sale of each such Company Property
immediately prior to such distribution and had been allocated to the
Members at such time. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized
Loss, the fair market value of Company Property as of any date of
determination shall be reasonably determined by the Members.
(f) In addition to the adjustments required by the foregoing
provisions of this Section 4.5, the Capital Accounts of the Members shall be
adjusted in accordance with the capital account maintenance rules of Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations.
(g) The foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5 are intended to
comply with Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations and shall be
interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations.
If the Managers shall determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in which
the Capital Accounts are computed in order to comply with Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations, the Managers may make such
modification,
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provided that such modification is not likely to have a material effect on the
amounts distributable to any Member pursuant to Article V and the Managers
notify the Members in Writing of such modification prior to its effective date,
and provided further that the Managers shall have no liability to any Member for
any failure to exercise any such discretion to make any modifications permitted
under this Section 4.5(g).
(h) The Capital Account balance of any Member who receives a
"guaranteed payment" (as determined under Section 707(c) of the Code) from the
Company shall be adjusted only to the extent of such Member's allocable share of
any Company deduction or loss resulting from such guaranteed payment.
4.6. Return of Capital Contributions. Except as otherwise provided
herein, including Section 12.5, or in the Act or any supplemental agreement
between the Company and/or the Members, no Member shall have the right to
withdraw, or receive any return of, all or any portion of such Member's Capital
Contribution.
4.7. Interest. No interest shall be paid by the Company on Capital
Contributions or on balances in Members' Capital Accounts.
4.8. Loans from Members. Loans by a Member to the Company shall not be
considered Capital Contributions. If any Member shall advance funds to the
Company in excess of the amounts required hereunder to be contributed by such
Member to the capital of the Company, the making of such advances shall not
result in any increase in the amount of the Capital Account of such Member. The
amounts of any such advances shall be a debt of the Company to such Member and
shall be payable or collectible only out of the Company assets in accordance
with the terms and conditions upon which such advances are made. The repayment
of loans from a Member to the Company upon liquidation shall be subject to the
order of priority set forth in Section 12.5. Loan requests from the Company to
Members shall be made equally to all Members.
ARTICLE V
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
5.1. Allocations of Income, Gain, Loss, Deduction and Credit from the
Sale of Designated Products. Except as otherwise provided in this Article V,
income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Company attributable to the sale
of each Product Category of Designated Products produced within the United
States and sold in North America shall be allocated to a Member's Capital
Account in proportion to the volumes of the Designated Products in each Product
Category supplied by or on behalf of each Member to the Company pursuant to such
Member's Sales Commitment under the Supply Agreement between the Member and the
Company.
5.2. Allocations of Income, Gain, Loss, Deduction and Credit from the
Commission Sales of Optional and Imported Products. Except as otherwise provided
in this Article V, income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Company
attributable to the commission sales of each Product Category of Optional
Products and Imported Products shall be allocated to a
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Member's Capital Account in proportion to the volumes of such products in each
Product Category supplied by or on behalf of the Member for whom the sales were
made pursuant to a Commission Sales Agreement.
5.3. Allocations of Other Income, Gain, Loss, Deduction and Credit. In
the event that any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit cannot be
allocated as provided above, such items shall be allocated to an additional
category and shall be allocated to the Members' Capital Accounts in accordance
with their respective Voting Interests unless otherwise agreed.
5.4. Monthly Allocation, Allocation Methodology.
(a) The allocations pursuant to Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 shall be
calculated monthly to reflect year-to-date allocations.
(b) As of January 1, 2001, the Members shall prepare and agree to a
description of the methodology to be used for making the allocation of income,
gains, losses, deductions and credits of the Company pursuant to Sections 5.1,
5.2 and 5.3. Such methodology may be amended from time to time in connection
with the preparation of the Business Plan as deemed appropriate by the Members.
5.5. Allocations on Dissolution and Winding Up. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 12.5 and this Article V, after adjusting the Capital
Accounts for distributions under Section 5.14 and allocations under Section 5.1
through Section 5.3 for the year, gain or loss resulting from a sale of the
Company's assets under Section 12.5 or otherwise upon the dissolution and
termination of the Company shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with
their respective Capital Account balances.
5.6. Book/Tax Disparities; Section 754 Elections; Etc.
(a) In the case of Contributed Property, items of income, gain, loss,
deduction and credit, as determined for federal income tax purposes, shall be
allocated first in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 704(c)
of the Code to take into account the difference between the Agreed Value of such
property and its adjusted tax basis at the time of contribution, using the
traditional method described in Section 1.703-3(b) of the Treasury Regulations
or such other method as shall be agreed upon by the Members.
(b) In the case of Adjusted Property, such items shall be allocated in
a manner consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code to take
into account the difference between the Carrying Value of such property and its
adjusted tax basis, using the traditional method described in Section 1.703-3(b)
of the Treasury Regulations or such other method as shall be agreed upon by the
Members. In the event that the Adjusted Property was originally a Contributed
Property, the allocation required by this Section 5.6(b) also shall take into
account the requirements of Section 5.6(a).
(c) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized
by the Company for federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Members in
accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any
election under Section 754 of the Code which may be made by the Company;
provided, however, that such allocations, once made, shall be
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adjusted as necessary or appropriate to take into account those adjustments
permitted by Section 734 and 743 of the Code and to provide only Members
recognizing gain on Company distributions covered by Section 734 of the Code
with the federal income tax benefits attributable to the increased basis in
Company Property resulting from any election under Section 754 of the Code.
(d) Whenever the income, gain and loss of the Company allocable
hereunder consists of items of different character for tax purposes (e.g.,
ordinary income, long-term capital gain, interest expense, etc.), the income,
gain and loss for tax purposes allocable to each Member shall be deemed to
include its pro rata share of each such item. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if
the Company realizes depreciation recapture income pursuant to Section 1245 or
Section 1250 (or other comparable provision) of the Code as the result of the
sale or other disposition of any asset, the allocations to each Member hereunder
shall be deemed to include the same proportion of such depreciation recapture as
the total amount of deductions for tax depreciation of such asset previously
allocated to such Member bears to the total amount of deductions for tax
depreciation of such asset previously allocated to all Members. This Section
5.6(d) shall be construed to affect only the character, rather than the amount,
of any items of income, gain and loss.
5.7. Allocation of Nonrecourse Deductions. Items of loss, deduction
and Section 705(a)(2)(B) Expenditures attributable, under Section 1.704-2(c) of
the Treasury Regulations, to increases in the Company's Minimum Gain shall be
allocated, as provided in Section 1.704-2(e) of the Treasury Regulations, to the
Members in accordance with their Voting Interests.
5.8. Allocation of Member Nonrecourse Deductions. Notwithstanding the
provisions of Sections 5.1 through 5.5, items of loss, deduction and Section
705(a)(2)(B) Expenditures attributable, under Section 1.704-2(i) of the Treasury
Regulations, to Member Nonrecourse Debt shall (prior to any allocation pursuant
to Sections 5.1 through 5.5) be allocated, as provided in Section 1.704-2(i) of
the Treasury Regulations, to the Members in accordance with the ratios in which
they bear the economic risk of loss for such debt for purposes of Section
1.752-2 of the Treasury Regulations.
5.9. Minimum Gain Chargeback. In the event that there is a net decrease
in the Company's Minimum Gain during a taxable year of the Company, the minimum
gain chargeback described in Sections 1.704-2(f) and (g) of the Treasury
Regulations shall apply.
5.10. Member Minimum Gain Chargeback. If during a taxable year of the
Company there is a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, any
Member with a share of that Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain (determined
under Section 1.704-2(i)(5) of the Treasury Regulations) as of the beginning of
the year must be allocated items of income and gain for the year (and, if
necessary, for succeeding years) equal to that Member's share of such net
decrease in accordance with Section 1.704-2(i) of the Treasury Regulations.
5.11. Qualified Income Offset. Pursuant to Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)
of the Treasury Regulations, income of the Company shall be allocated, after the
allocations required by Sections 5.9 and 5.10 but before any other allocation
required by this Article V, to the Members with deficit balances in their
Adjusted Capital Accounts (as defined in Section 5.12 hereof) in an amount and
manner sufficient to eliminate such deficit balances as quickly as possible.
This
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Section 5.11 is intended to satisfy the provisions of Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Treasury Regulations and shall be interpreted
consistently therewith.
5.12. Limitations on Loss Allocation. No item of loss or deduction of
the Company shall be allocated to a Member if such allocation would result in a
negative balance in such Member's Adjusted Capital Account. Such loss or
deduction shall be allocated first among the Members with positive balances in
their Capital Accounts in proportion to (and to the extent of) such positive
balances and thereafter in accordance with their interests in the Company as
determined under Section 1.704-1(b)(3) of the Treasury Regulations. The Members
acknowledge that the losses and cost related to a Member's failure to meet Sales
Commitments as provided in Section 5.B of the Supply Agreement are not losses of
the Company to be allocated pursuant to this Article V.
5.13. Curative Allocations. If any items of income and gain (including
gross income) or loss, deduction and Section 705(a)(2)(B) Expenditures are
allocated to a Member pursuant to Sections 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11 or 5.12,
then, prior to any allocation pursuant to Sections 5.1 through 5.3 and subject
to Sections 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11 and 5.12, items of income and gain
(including gross income) and items of loss, deduction and Section 705(a)(2)(B)
Expenditures for subsequent periods shall be allocated to the Members in a
manner designed to result in each Member's Capital Account having a balance
equal to what it would have been had such allocation of items of income and gain
(including gross income) or loss, deduction and Section 705(a)(2)(B)
Expenditures not occurred under Sections 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11 or 5.12. In
exercising their discretion under this Section 5.13, the Members shall take into
account future allocations under Sections 5.9 and 5.10 that, although not yet
made, are likely to offset other allocations previously made under Sections 5.7
and 5.8.
5.14. Interest in Company Profits. For purposes of Section
1.752-3(a)(3) of the Treasury Regulations, the Members shall determine the
method to be used to determine a Member's share, if any, of excess Nonrecourse
Liability. If, and to the extent a chosen method is based on a Member's share of
Company profits, the Members' interests in Company profits for such purposes of
determining the Members' proportionate shares of the excess Nonrecourse
Liabilities (as defined in Section 1.752-3(a)(3) of the Treasury Regulations) of
the Company shall be based on the manner in which the Members are allocated
income under Section 5.3.
5.15. Distributions in Kind. Except as otherwise provided in Section
12.5, if any assets of the Company are distributed in kind pursuant to Section
12.6, such assets shall be distributed to the Members entitled thereto in the
same proportions as if the distribution were in cash. Such assets shall be
valued at their then fair market value as reasonably determined by the Managers.
The amount of Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to any asset to be
distributed in kind to the Members shall, to the extent not otherwise recognized
by the Company, be taken into account in computing gain or loss of the Company
for purposes of allocation of gain or loss under Sections 5.1 through 5.5, and
distributions of proceeds to the Members under Sections 5.17 and 12.6. If the
assets of the Company are sold in a transaction in which, by reason of the
provisions of Section 453 of the Code or any successor thereto, gain is realized
but not recognized, such gain shall be taken into account in computing gain or
loss of the Company for purposes of allocations and distributions to the Members
pursuant to this Article V,
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notwithstanding that the Members may elect to continue the Company pending
collection of deferred purchase money obligations received in connection with
such sale.
5.16. Allocations and Distributions to Transferred Interests.
(a) If any interest in the Company is transferred, increased or
decreased during the year, all items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit
recognized by the Company for such year shall be allocated among the Members to
take into account their varying interests during the year in any manner the
Managers shall approve.
(b) Distributions under Sections 5.17 and 12.7 shall be made only to
Members and assignees who, according to the books and records of the Company,
are Members or assignees on the actual date of distribution. Neither the Company
nor the Managers (or any Manager) shall incur any liability for making
distributions in accordance with this Section 5.16(b).
5.17. Distributions of Distributable Funds.
(a) Except as provided in Section 12.5 or Section 12.6 hereof
relating to distributions upon the dissolution and liquidation of the Company,
Distributable Funds shall be distributed to the Members as soon as practicable
after the end of each calendar quarter in accordance with the Excess Amounts in
their respective Capital Accounts unless a lesser distribution shall be approved
by the Managers. Subject to Section 12.5, the Company shall not make any
distribution to the Members if, immediately after giving effect to the
distribution, all liabilities of the Company, other than liabilities to Members
with respect to their Membership Interests and liabilities for which the
recourse of creditors is limited to specified property of the Company, exceed
the fair value of Company Property, except that the fair value of Company
Property that is subject to a liability for which recourse of creditors is
limited shall be included in the Company assets only to the extent that the fair
value of that Company Property exceeds that liability.
5.18. Order of Application. For purposes of this Article V, the listed
provisions shall be applied in the order in which they are listed below (from
first to last):
1. Section 5.17;
2. Section 5.16;
3. Section 5.9;
4. Section 5.11;
5. Section 5.12;
6. Section 5.6;
7. Section 5.8;
8. Section 5.7;
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9. Section 5.13;
10. Section 5.1, Section 5.2, and Section 5.3;
11. Section 5.5.
ARTICLE VI
RIGHTS, POWERS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
6.1. Authority; Liability to Third Parties. No Member has the authority
or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be
binding on the Company, or to incur any expenditures on behalf of the Company.
No Member shall be liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the
Company, including under a judgment, decree or order of a court.
6.2. Transfer of Membership Interests. This Section 6.2 governs the
direct Transfer of a Member's rights with respect to a Membership Interest in
the Company. With respect to the admission of a Transferee as a Member, the
provisions of Section 6.3 shall govern.
(a) No Membership Interest may be transferred by any Member to any
Person, except (i) with the written consent of all other Members or (ii) or as
otherwise provided by the terms of this Section 6.2. In the event a Member
desires to Transfer all or any part of such Member's Membership Interest or any
interest therein, such Member will be responsible for compliance with all
conditions of transfer imposed by this Agreement and under applicable law and
for any expenses incurred by the Company for legal and/or accounting services in
connection with reviewing any proposed Transfer or issuing opinions in
connection therewith. Until the transferee is admitted as a Member pursuant to
Section 6.3, the transferor Member shall continue to be a Member and to be
entitled to exercise any rights or powers of a Member with respect to the
Membership Interest transferred. Whether or not the transferee of a Membership
Interest becomes a Member, the transferor Member shall not be released from any
liability to the Company under this Agreement, the Certificate of Formation or
the Act.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.2(a), a Member may
effect a Transfer of its Membership Interest (i) to an Affiliate of such Member
not created by a Change In Control or (ii) to the transferee of all or
substantially all of the business and assets of such Member.
(c) Any purported Transfer of any Membership Interest in violation of
the provisions of this Agreement shall be wholly void and shall not effectuate
the Transfer contemplated thereby. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to
the contrary, (i) no Member may Transfer any Membership Interest in violation of
any provision of this Agreement or in violation of the Securities Act or any
applicable state securities laws, (ii) no Transfer of any Membership Interest
may be effected if such Transfer would cause a dissolution of the Company, under
the Act unless the Members unanimously approve such Transfer, and (iii) no
Transfer of any Membership Interest may be effected if such transfer would cause
a termination of the Company under Section 708(b)(1)(B) of the Code, unless the
Members unanimously approve of the Transfer.
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6.3. Admission of Transferee as Member. A transferee of a Membership
Interest desiring to be admitted as a Member must execute a counterpart of, or
an agreement adopting, this Agreement. The admission of such transferee (other
than transferees pursuant to Section 6.2(b)) is subject to the unanimous consent
of non-transferring Members. Any Member may freely withhold such consent in such
Member's absolute discretion. Upon admission of the transferee as a Member, the
transferee shall have, to the extent of the Membership Interest transferred, the
rights and powers and shall be subject to the restrictions and liabilities of a
Member under this Agreement, the Certificate of Formation and the Act. The
transferee shall also be liable, to the extent of the Membership Interest
transferred, for the unfulfilled obligations, if any, of the transferor Member
to make Capital Contributions, but shall not be obligated for liabilities
unknown to the transferee at the time such transferee was admitted as a Member
and that could not be ascertained from this Agreement.
6.4. Confidentiality.
(a) During the term of this Agreement unless a greater time or
conditions are established by other agreements between the parties, each Member
agrees not to divulge, communicate, use to the detriment of the Company or for
the benefit of any other Person, or misuse in any way, any confidential
information or trade secrets of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or
any other Member or its Affiliates, including personnel information, secret
processes, know-how, customer lists, formulas or other technical data, except as
may be required by law, provided, however, that this prohibition shall not apply
to any information which, (i) through no improper action of such Member, is
publicly available or generally known in the industry, (ii) at the time of
disclosure to a Member by any other party was already known by such Member as
evidenced by such Member's written records, (iii) becomes available on a
non-confidential basis from a source that is entitled to disclose it on a
non-confidential basis, or (iv) was or is independently developed by or for a
Member without reference to the confidential information, as evidenced by such
Member's written records. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the
contrary, in the event of Termination of the Company and the distribution of
Company assets pursuant to Article XII, all Members shall have access to and the
right to use in their ongoing business the information of the Company including
but not limited to all sales, customer, pricing and other information developed
or maintained by the Company in their post-Termination business activities.
(b) It is agreed between the parties that the Company would be
irreparably damaged by reason of any violation of the provisions of this Section
6.4, and that any remedy at law for a breach of such provisions would be
inadequate. Therefore, the Company shall be entitled to seek and obtain
injunctive or other equitable relief (including, but not limited to, a temporary
restraining order, a temporary injunction or a permanent injunction) against any
Member, such Member's agents, assigns or successors for a breach or threatened
breach of such provisions and without the necessity of proving actual monetary
loss. It is expressly understood among the parties that this injunctive or other
equitable relief shall not be the Company's exclusive remedy for any breach of
this Section 6.4 and the Company shall be entitled to seek any other relief or
remedy that it may have by contract, statute, law or otherwise for any breach
hereof, and it is agreed that the Company shall also be entitled to recover its
attorneys' fees and expenses in any successful action or suit against any Member
relating to any such breach.
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6.5. Non-Solicitation. So long as a Person is a Member of the Company,
neither such Member nor any of its Affiliates shall hire or employ any employee
of the other Member or any of its Affiliates who has participated in any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the consent of the other
Member. Neither Member and no Affiliate of any Member shall hire or employ any
employee of the Company without the approval of the Managers.
6.6. Restriction on Activities.
(a) From and after January 1, 2001 and prior to the Effective Date of
any dissolution of the Company pursuant to Article XII (except as otherwise
provided in Section 12.4(ii), neither Member and none of its Affiliates shall,
directly or indirectly through distributors, agents or otherwise, except as
permitted or contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements,
(1) engage in the sale, marketing and distribution of the Designated Products in
the United States, (2) engage in the sale or distribution in Canada or Mexico of
Designated Products produced in the United States, or (3) appropriate for its
own use or refer to any competitor of the Company any Designated Product sales
opportunities within the United States. Nothing contained in this Section 6.6
shall restrict the right (i) of a Member or an Affiliate of a Member from
selling in either Mexico or Canada Designated Products produced outside of the
United States, including Product Categories produced in Canada or Mexico, (ii)
of a Member or its Affiliates to conduct any business or activity whatsoever
outside of North America, (iii) of any non-United States Affiliate of a Member
from conducting business in Mexico or Canada, (iv) of a Member or any of its
Affiliates to sell, market and distribute anywhere in the world any products
other than Designated Products, or (v) of a Member or any of its Affiliates to
use Designated Products or their components in the production phases of any
product other than a Designated Product. These excepted activities may be
conducted without any accounting to the Company or its Members. Nothing
contained herein shall limit the obligations of either Member or any of its
Affiliates under any of the Commission Sales Agreements
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Members and their Affiliates
shall be permitted to acquire, directly or indirectly, securities of or any
economic interest in any Person that sells any Designated Product, provided that
such Member together with its Affiliates do not, in the aggregate, own more than
25% of any class of securities of or the economic interests in such Person.
ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
7.1. Place of Meetings. All meetings of Members shall be held at the
Principal Office of the Company as provided in Section 2.5, or at such other
place as may be designated by the Members.
7.2. Meetings.
(a) An annual meeting of Members for the transaction of such business
as may properly come before the Meeting shall be held at such place, on such
date and at such time as the Managers shall determine.
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(b) Special meetings of Members for any proper purpose or purposes may
be called at any time by at least 50% of the Managers or by the holders of at
least 50% of the Voting Interests then outstanding.
7.3. Notice. A Notification of all meetings, stating the place, day and
hour of the meeting and in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than ten
(10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the meeting to each Member entitled to
vote.
7.4. Waiver of Notice. Attendance of a Member at a meeting shall
constitute a waiver of Notification of the meeting, except where such Member
attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business
on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Notification
of a meeting may also be waived in Writing. Attendance at a meeting is not a
waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required to be
included in the Notification of the meeting but not so included, if the
objection is expressly made at the meeting.
7.5. Quorum. The presence, either in person or by proxy, of Members
holding Voting Interests of at least fifty-one percent (51%) in the aggregate is
required to constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Members.
7.6. Voting.
(a) All Members shall be entitled to vote on any matter submitted to a
vote of the Members. Members may vote either in person or by proxy at any
meeting. Each Member shall be entitled to one vote for each full percentage of
the Voting Interests held by such Member. Fractional votes shall be permitted.
(b) With respect to any matter other than a matter for which the
affirmative vote of Members owning a greater percentage of the Voting Interests
is required by the Act, the Certificate of Formation or this Agreement, the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 51% of the Voting Interests at a
meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Members.
(c) No provision of this Agreement requiring that any action be taken
only upon approval of Members holding a specified percentage of the Voting
Interests may be modified, amended or repealed unless such modification,
amendment or repeal is approved by Members holding at least such percentage of
the Voting Interests.
7.7. Conduct of Meetings. The Members shall have full power and
authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Members,
including, without limitation, the determination of Persons entitled to vote,
the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of this Article
VII, the conduct of voting, the validity and effectiveness of any proxies, and
the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in
connection with or during the meeting or voting. The Chairman, or if the
Chairman is not available a Person designated by the Members, shall serve as
chairperson of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take minutes
of any meeting. The chairperson of the meeting shall have the power to adjourn
the meeting from time to time, without notice, other than announcement of the
time and place of the adjourned meeting. Upon the resumption of such adjourned
meeting, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the
meeting as originally called.
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7.8. Action by Written Consent. Any action that may be taken at a
meeting of the Members may be taken without a meeting if a consent in Writing,
setting forth the action to be taken, shall be signed and dated by Members
holding the percentage of Voting Interests required to approve such action under
the Act, the Certificate of Formation or this Agreement. Such consent shall have
the same force and effect as an affirmative vote of the signing Members at a
meeting duly called and held pursuant to this Article VII. No prior notice from
the signing Members to the Company or other Members shall be required in
connection with the use of a written consent pursuant to this Section 7.8.
Notification of any action taken by means of a written consent of Members shall,
however, be sent within a reasonable time after the date of the consent by the
Company to all Members who did not sign the written consent.
7.9. Required Approvals of Members. The approval of the Members shall
be required for each of the following actions:
(a) the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition by the Company of
(i) the right to serve as the exclusive sales outlet for Designated Products for
any Member or (ii) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
(b) any merger or consolidation involving the Company;
(c) any voluntary liquidation, dissolution or termination of the
Company; and
(d) the filing of a petition or other document seeking relief under
the United States or foreign bankruptcy laws.
7.10. Proxies. A Member may vote either in person or by proxy executed
in Writing by the Member. No proxy shall be valid after eleven (11) months from
the date of its execution unless otherwise provided in the proxy. A proxy shall
be revocable unless the proxy form conspicuously states that the proxy is
irrevocable and the proxy is coupled with an interest. Should a proxy designate
two or more Persons to act as proxies, unless such instrument shall provide to
the contrary, a majority of such Persons present at any meeting at which their
powers thereunder are to be exercised shall have and may exercise all the powers
of voting or giving consents thereby conferred, or if only one be present, then
such powers may be exercised by that one; or, if an even number attend and a
majority do not agree on any particular issue, the Company shall not be required
to recognize such proxy with respect to such issue if such proxy does not
specify how the Voting Interests that are the subject of such proxy are to be
voted with respect to such issue.
ARTICLE VIII
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
8.1. Management of Business. Except as otherwise expressly provided in
this Agreement, the powers of the Company shall be exercised by or under the
authority of, and the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under
the direction of a Board of Managers.
8.2. Number and Election of Managers.
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(a) There shall be at all times that this Agreement remains in
effect, unless modified by Written consent of all Members, six Managers of the
Company. Corn Products shall have the right to elect three Managers and MCP
shall have the right to elect three Managers. The initial Managers shall be:
(b) Appointed by Corn Products Appointed by MCP
(i) Michael R. Pyatt (i) L. Daniel Thompson
(ii) Andy Linajs (ii) Michael Mote
(iii) Thomas J. Sullivan (iii) Bradford Schultz
(c) In any election of Managers, each Member shall vote its
respective Voting Interests in such manner as necessary to cause the election of
the Managers designated in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a)
above. There shall be no cumulative voting with respect to the election of
Managers.
8.3. General Powers of Managers. Except for powers expressly reserved
to the Members pursuant to this Agreement, the Managers shall oversee the
activities of the CEO in the management and control of the business and affairs
of the Company. The Managers shall possess all power, on behalf of the Company,
to do or authorize the Company or to direct the CEO of the Company, on behalf of
the Company, to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the business
and affairs of the Company.
8.4. Chairman of the Board of Managers.
(a) There is hereby created the position of Chairman of the Board of
Managers. The Chairman shall be a member of the Board of Managers. Corn Products
shall designate the first Chairman of the Company. The Chairman shall preside at
all meetings of the Managers and shall have the additional voting rights
described in Section 8.12. The initial Chairman shall be Michael R. Pyatt.
Except as described in (b) below, the Chairman shall serve for a period of three
years from the date of election. So long as the CEO is Associated with one
Member, the Chairman, at the election of the other Member, shall be a person
designated by that other Member (or in the case of two or more other Members by
those Members).
(b) In the event a CEO, as defined below, dies, resigns or is
otherwise terminated, his or her replacement shall be determined by majority
vote of the Managers. Upon the replacement of the CEO in the case of any death,
resignation or other termination of the CEO, the term of the then current
Chairman shall automatically expire. If the replacement CEO is Associated with
one Member, the replacement Chairman, at the election of the other Member, shall
be a person designated by that other Member (or in the case of two or more other
Members by those Members). If the replacement CEO is not Associated with either
Member, the replacement Chairman may be designated by that Member who did not
designate or have the right to designate the Chairman whose term has
automatically expired (or in the case of two or more other Members by that
Member designated to make such an appointment according to a rotation schedule
established by the Members). In the case the Chairman is absent from a meeting
of the
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Managers, the Member who had designated the then Chairman may designate a
Manager to serve as Chairman pro tem for purposes of that meeting only.
8.5. Required Approvals of Managers. Without in any way limiting the
authority of the Managers, and without limiting the items requiring approval of
the Members listed in Article VII, the approval of the Managers shall be
required for each of the following actions:
(a) the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition by the Company of
assets exceeding $50,000 in value, other than sales of products within the
Product Categories in the ordinary course of business;
(b) the approval of the Company's annual operating and capital budget
and Business Plan;
(c) the entry into any contract or agreement involving the payment or
receipt by the Company of more than $50,000, except for normal contracts for the
sale of products within the Product Categories entered into by the Company and
reasonably consistent with the approved Business Plan;
(d) incurrence by the Company of any indebtedness for borrowed money;
(e) creation, assumption or incurrence of any mortgage, pledge,
security interest or other encumbrance or charge of any kind on or with respect
to any of the assets or properties of the Company, other than materialmen's,
mechanics', carriers', workmen's, repairmen's or other like liens not then
delinquent or liens for taxes or assessments or other governmental charges or
levies so long as payment is not required and the validity thereof is being
contested in good faith;
(f) loans or advances of funds by the Company to any other party,
other than normal travel and other expense allowances to employees;
(g) any expenditure of funds or contract or commitment with respect
thereto that is not contemplated by an approved annual operating or capital
budget;
(h) any capital expenditure in excess of $50,000 or any other capital
expenditure not contained within an approved annual capital budget, or any
contract or commitment with respect thereto;
(i) donations or contributions to religious or charitable bodies in
excess of $5,000 or any political contributions;
(j) any recognition of a collective bargaining unit or other labor
organization and any agreement between the Company and such collective
bargaining unit or labor organization;
(k) any guarantee by the Company of any borrowing or other obligation
of any other Person;
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(l) any transaction with any Member or any Affiliate of any Member,
or any officer, director, employee or agent of any of the foregoing not
contemplated by this Agreement, any of the Ancillary Agreements or an approved
operating or capital budget; and
(m) doing business in areas beyond those contemplated by this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.
8.6. Authority of Individual Managers. No individual Manager has the
authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any acts that
would be binding on the Company, or to incur any expenditures on behalf of the
Company. No Manager shall be liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of
the Company, including under a judgment, decree or order of the Court.
8.7. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the Managers shall be held at the
Principal Office and at the Executive Offices of the Company on an alternating
basis, unless some other location is designated by the Managers. The Chairman
shall preside at all meetings of the Managers.
8.8. Regular Meetings. The Managers shall meet at least quarterly. No
notice need be given to Managers of regular meetings for which the Managers have
previously designated a time and place for the meeting.
8.9. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Managers may be held at
any time upon the request of the Chairman or the CEO of the Company or of at
least three of the Managers. A Notification of any special meeting, containing
the time, place and purpose of such meeting, shall be sent to each Manager at
least two (or, in the case of meetings to consider Sales Forecasts, pricing
strategy or revenue targets, ten) days before the meeting. Notification of the
time, place and purpose of such meeting may be waived in Writing before or after
such meeting, and shall be equivalent to the giving of a Notification.
Attendance of a Manager at such meeting shall also constitute a waiver of
Notification thereof, except where such Manager attends for the express purpose
of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened.
8.10. Proxies. A Manager may grant another Manager his or her proxy to
vote at any duly called meeting of the Managers. Any such proxy shall be
executed in Writing by the Manager and shall be dated no more than 30 days prior
to the date of such meeting. Any such proxy shall be revocable.
8.11. Quorum of and Action by Managers. The presence, in person or by
proxy, of four Managers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business at any meeting of the Managers. Except as otherwise expressly set forth
in this Agreement, any action taken by the Managers hereunder shall require the
approval of at least four Managers, and any action so taken and approved shall
constitute the act of the Managers.
8.12. Quorum of and Action by Managers with Respect to Special Items.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of four Managers (including at least two
Managers from each Member) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business relating to Sales Forecasts, pricing strategy or revenue targets for
any given year. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, any action
taken by the Managers with respect to Sales Forecasts, price strategy or revenue
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targets for any given year shall require the approval of at least a majority of
the Managers present at such meeting in person or by proxy, and any action so
taken and approved shall constitute the act of the Managers. In the event that a
proposal is submitted to the Managers with respect to Sales Forecasts, pricing
strategy or revenue targets for any given year and a majority of the Managers do
not vote in favor of such proposal or against such proposal, then the Chairman
shall be entitled to cast a second, tie-breaking vote in favor of or in
opposition to such proposal in order to break the deadlock.
8.13. Compensation. The Managers shall serve without compensation;
provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall preclude any Manager from
receiving compensation pursuant to any employment agreement with the Company for
services rendered to the Company. Managers shall be entitled to reimbursement
for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending any meeting of
the Managers or otherwise carrying out the business of the Company.
8.14. Resignation and Removal. Any Manager may resign at any time. Such
resignation shall be made in Writing and shall take effect at the time specified
therein, or if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Company.
Any Manager designated by a particular Member pursuant to Section 8.2(a) may be
removed, either for or without cause, at the direction of such Member.
8.15. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring with respect to a Manager shall
be filled by the Member that originally designated the Manager whose
resignation, removal, withdrawal, retirement, or death gave rise to the vacant
position pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 8.2.
8.16. Action by Written Consent. Any action that may be taken at a
meeting of the Managers may be taken without a meeting if a consent in Writing,
setting forth the action to be taken, shall be signed by at least five Managers,
and such consent shall have the same force and effect as a vote of Managers at a
meeting duly called and held. No notice shall be required in connection with the
use of a written consent pursuant to this Section 8.16.
8.17. Other Business. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.4, the
Managers may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures
(unconnected with the Company) of every kind and description, independently or
with others, including specifically an ownership interest in a Member. Neither
the Company nor the Members shall have any rights in or to such independent
ventures of the Managers or the income or profits therefrom by virtue of this
Agreement.
8.18. Standard of Care; Liability. Every Manager shall discharge his or
her duties as a Manager in good faith, with the care an ordinarily prudent
person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances, and in a
manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the Company.
A Manager shall not be liable for any monetary damages to the Company for any
breach of such duties except for receipt of a financial benefit to which the
Manager is not entitled; voting for or assenting to a distribution to Members in
violation of this Agreement or the Act; or, an act or omission not in good faith
or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.
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8.19. Appointment of Employees; Responsibilities.
(a) Except as limited below, the CEO shall have the right to employ
and terminate all employees of the Company, subject to oversight by the
Managers; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall limit any
rights of such employees under any employment agreement which such employees may
have entered into with the Company.
(b) There is hereby created the position of President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company ("CEO"). The Managers, by majority vote of all
Managers, shall have the right to employ and terminate the CEO. Subject to the
oversight and direction of the Managers, the CEO shall have full responsibility
for the day-to-day operations of the Company, its officers and other employees.
MCP shall designate the first CEO of the Company. The initial CEO shall be
Stanley L. Sitton.
(c) The Company shall also initially have the following executive
officers: Executive Vice President Sales/Marketing and Finance Director. The
Executive Vice President Sales/Marketing shall oversee such sales and marketing
activities of the Company as shall be assigned by the CEO. The Finance Director
shall oversee such activities related to the maintenance of accurate books and
financial records covering the operations of the Company as shall be assigned by
the CEO. Corn Products shall designate the first Executive Vice President
Sales/Marketing and Finance Director of the Company. The initial Executive Vice
President Sales/Marketing shall be Joseph M. Techet, and the initial Finance
Director shall be Paul Bratley.
(d) Subsequent Executive Vice Presidents Sales/Marketing and Finance
Directors shall be designated by the CEO; provided, however, if a replacement
Executive Vice President Sales/Marketing or the Finance Director is needed at a
time when the CEO is Associated with one of the Members, the Member with which
the CEO is not Associated shall be entitled to recommend a replacement to fill
that vacancy. The final selection of a recommended replacement Executive Vice
President Sales/Marketing or Finance Director, as the case may be, shall be made
by the CEO.
(e) The Company shall have such additional officers, including a
Secretary, as shall be designated by the Managers.
(f) The Company may have such employees as the CEO shall determine.
8.20. Company Accountants. The Managers will annually appoint an
independent certified public accounting firm as the Company Accountants to audit
the books and records of the Company and to perform such other tasks as that
firm shall be assigned. The CEO shall recommend to the Managers an accounting
firm with sufficient experience and other capability to provide to both Members
such reports and certifications as they shall reasonably need in the conduct of
their independent businesses.
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ARTICLE IX
OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY PROPERTY
Company Property shall be deemed to be owned by the Company as an
entity, and no Member or Manager, individually or collectively, shall have any
ownership interest in such Company Property or any portion thereof. Title to any
or all Company Property may be held in the name of the Company or one or more
nominees, as the Managers on recommendation from the CEO may determine. All
Company Property shall be recorded as the property of the Company on its books
and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such Company
Property is held.
ARTICLE X
FISCAL MATTERS; BOOKS AND RECORDS
10.1. Bank Accounts; Investments. Subject to the supervision of the
Managers, Capital Contributions, revenues and any other Company funds shall be
deposited by the Company in a bank account established in the name of the
Company, or shall be invested by the Company, in furtherance of the purposes of
the Company. No other funds shall be deposited into Company bank accounts or
commingled with Company investments. Funds deposited in the Company's bank
accounts may be withdrawn only to be invested in furtherance of the Company's
purposes, to pay Company debts or obligations or to be distributed to the
Members pursuant to this Agreement.
10.2. Records Required by Act; Right of Inspection.
(a) During the term of the Company's existence and for a period of
seven years thereafter unless otherwise provided in the Company's Written
document retention program, there shall be maintained all records required to be
kept pursuant to the Act, including, without limitation, a current list of the
names, addresses and Voting Interests held by each of the Members (including the
dates on which each of the Members became a Member), copies of federal, state
and local information or income tax returns for each of the Company's tax years,
copies of this Agreement and the Certificate of Formation, including all
amendments or restatements, and correct and complete books and records of
account of the Company. Prior to the destruction of any of these records the
custodian of the records shall notify the Members and afford them the option to
take custody, or in the event that more than one person seeks custody, to obtain
or pay the cost of continued maintenance of such records or copying the same.
(b) On written request stating the purpose, a Member may examine and
copy in person, at any reasonable time, all records related to the Company, and
at the Member's expense, records required to be maintained under the Act and
such other information regarding the business, affairs and financial condition
of the Company. Upon written request by any Member made to the Company at the
address of the Company's Principal Office, the Company shall provide to the
Member without charge true copies of (i) this Agreement and the Certificate of
Formation and all amendments or restatements, and (ii) any of the tax returns of
the Company described above.
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10.3. Books and Records of Account. The Company shall maintain adequate
books and records of account that shall be maintained on the accrual method of
accounting consistent with generally accepted accounting principles and on a
basis consistent with appropriate provisions of the Code, containing, among
other entries, a Capital Account for each Member.
10.4. Tax Returns and Information. The Members intend for the Company
to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes. The Company shall prepare or
cause there to be prepared all federal, state and local income and other tax
returns that the Company is required to file. Within 45 days after the end of
each calendar year, the Company shall send or deliver to each Person who was a
Member at any time during such year such tax information as shall be reasonably
necessary for the preparation by such Person of such Person's federal income tax
return and state income and other tax returns.
10.5. Delivery of Financial Statements to Members. As to each month,
quarter and fiscal year of the Company, the Company shall send to each Member a
copy of (a) the balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such fiscal
period, (b) an income statement of the Company for such fiscal period, and (c) a
statement showing the revenues distributed by the Company to Members in respect
of such fiscal period. Quarterly financial statements shall be delivered no
later than four days following the end of the fiscal quarter to which the
statements apply, except that the unaudited financial statements relating to the
end of the fiscal year shall be delivered no later than eleven days following
the end of such fiscal year. Monthly financial statements shall be delivered no
later than four days following the end of the month to which the statements
apply. Until the Company's computer system is operational, the dates in this
Section 10.5 shall be as soon as practicable.
10.6. Business Plan and Budgets. Each Member shall also have the right
to receive upon request copies of the annual operating and capital expenditure
budget of the Company for any fiscal year as well as a copy of the currently
approved Business Plans of the Company.
10.7. Audits. The fiscal year-end financial statements to be delivered
pursuant to Section 10.5 shall be audited. The audit shall be performed by the
Company Accountant and shall commence within 30 days of the fiscal year-end.
10.8. Fiscal Year. The Company's fiscal year shall end on December 31
of each calendar year. Each fiscal year shall consist of four quarters ending on
March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each fiscal year. Each such
quarter shall be referred to as a "fiscal quarter".
10.9. Tax Elections. The Company shall make the following elections on
the appropriate tax returns:
(a) to adopt the calendar year as the Company's fiscal year, if
permitted by the Code;
(b) to adopt the accrual method of accounting, if permitted by the
Code, and to keep the Company's books and records;
(c) if a distribution of Company property as described in Section 734
of the Code occurs or if a Transfer of any Membership Interest as described in
Section 743 of the Code
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occurs, on written request of any Member, to elect, pursuant to Section 754 of
the Code, to adjust the basis of Company properties;
(d) to elect to amortize the organizational expenses of the Company
ratably over a period of sixty (60) months as permitted by Section 709(b) of the
Code; and
(e) any other election the Managers may deem appropriate and in the
best interests of the Members.
Neither the Company, the Managers nor any Member or Manager may make an election
for the Company to be excluded from the application of the provisions of
subchapter K of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Code or any similar provisions of
applicable state law.
10.10. Tax Matters Member. The Managers shall designate one Member to
be the "tax matters partner" (the "Tax Matters Member") of the Company pursuant
to Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code. Such Member shall take such action as may be
necessary to cause each other Member to become a "notice partner" within the
meaning of Section 6223 of the Code. Such Member shall inform each other Member
of all significant matters that may come to its attention in its capacity as
"Tax Matters Member" by giving notice thereof on or before the fifth Business
Day after becoming aware thereof and, within that time, shall forward to each
other Member copies of all significant written communications it may receive in
that capacity. Such Member may not take any action contemplated by Sections 6222
through 6232 of the Code without the consent of all Members but this sentence
does not authorize such Member to take any action left to the determination of
an individual Member under Sections 6222 through 6232 of the Code. The initial
Tax Matters Member shall be Corn Products.
ARTICLE XI
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
11.1. Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.
(a) The Company shall indemnify any Person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the Company), by reason of the fact
that he, she or it is or was a Manager, Member or officer of the Company, or is
or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, manager,
employee, representative or agent of another corporation, limited liability
company, general partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, trust,
business trust or other enterprise or entity, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by him, her or it in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if he, she or it acted in good faith and in a manner he, she or it
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his, her or its conduct was unlawful. The
termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or
conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of
itself, create a presumption that such Person did not act in good faith and in a
manner which he, she or it reasonably believed to
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be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his, her
or its conduct was unlawful.
(b) The Company shall indemnify any Person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action
or suit by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that he, she or it is or was a Manager, Member, or officer of
the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director,
officer, manager, employee, representative or agent of another corporation,
limited liability company, general partnership, limited partnership, joint
venture, trust, business trust or other enterprise or entity, against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him, her or it
in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he, she
or it acted in good faith and in a manner he, she or it reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless
and only to the extent that a Delaware state court or the court in which such
action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such
person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which
such court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a Manager, Member, or officer of the Company
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 11.1, or in
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he, she or it shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him, her or it in connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section
11.1 (unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction) shall be made by the
Company only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of such Persons is proper in the circumstances because he, she
or it has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (a) and
(b) of this Section 11.1. Such determination shall be made (i) by the Managers
by a majority vote of all Managers who were not parties to such action, suit or
proceeding (even if such Managers constitute less than a quorum of Managers),
(ii) if a quorum of disinterested Managers so directs, by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion or (iii) by the Members.
(e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by a Manager or
Member in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action,
suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by
or on behalf of such Manager or Member to repay such amount if it shall
ultimately be determined that he, she or it is not entitled to be indemnified by
the Company pursuant to this Section 11.1. Such expenses (including attorneys'
fees) incurred by other officers, employee, representative or agent shall be so
paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Managers deem appropriate.
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, this Section 11.1 shall not be deemed exclusive of any
other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses
may be entitled under any by-law,
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agreement, vote of Members or disinterested Managers or otherwise, both as to
action in an official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office.
(g) For purposes of this Section 11.1, any reference to the "Company"
shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any constituent
entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation
or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power
and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, managers or members, so that
any Person who is or was a director, officer, manager or member of such
constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent
entity as a director, officer, manager or member of another corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall
stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 11.1 with
respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he or she would have with
respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued.
(h) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, this Section 11.1 shall continue as to a Person who has
ceased to be a Manager, Member or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of such Person.
(i) Notwithstanding anything in this Article to the contrary, the
Company will not have the obligation of indemnifying any Person with respect to
proceedings, claims or actions initiated or brought voluntarily by such Person
and not by way of defense. In addition, nothing in this Article XI shall relieve
a Member of its obligations under Section 3.F of the Supply Agreement related to
the failure by a Member to meet its Sales Commitments or otherwise limit or
offset such obligations.
11.2. Insurance. The Company shall purchase and maintain insurance or
another arrangement on behalf of any Person who is or was a Manager, Member,
officer, employee, agent or other Person identified in Section 11.1 against any
liability asserted against such Person or incurred by such Person in such a
capacity or arising out of the status of such a Person, whether or not the
Company would have the power to indemnify such Person against that liability
under Section 11.1 or otherwise.
11.3. Limit on Liability of Members. The indemnification set forth in
this Article XI shall in no event cause the Members to incur any personal
liability beyond their total Capital Contributions, nor shall it result in any
liability of the Members to any third party.
11.4. Tax-Related Indemnification Obligations.
(a) A Member (the "Indemnifying Member") shall indemnify and hold
harmless the other Member (the "Indemnified Member"), on an after-tax basis,
from and against:
(i) With respect to any Tax imposed on the Company, the amount
of resulting loss or deduction allocated to the Indemnified Member's
Capital Account in excess of the resulting loss or deduction that would
have been allocated to the Indemnified Member's Capital Account if the
allocation between Capital Accounts had taken into account the Tax
Offset Amount provided by each Member with respect to such Tax; and
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(ii) Taxes imposed on the Company, or income or gain (or a
reduction of a loss or deduction) allocated to the Indemnified Member's
Capital Account in excess of (or less than) the amount of Taxes that
would have been imposed on the Company, or the amount of income or gain
(or loss or deduction) that would have been allocated to the
Indemnified Member's Capital Account, as the case may be, in each case
that is the result of an action taken by an Indemnifying Member
unrelated to the performance of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement or any Ancillary Agreements.
(b) Any indemnity obligation arising under Section 11.4(a) shall be
satisfied, if practical under the circumstances, by adjusting the manner in
which income, gain, loss, deduction and credit are allocated under Article V, or
otherwise in any reasonable manner selected by the Indemnified Member.
(c) Unless clearly indicated otherwise by the circumstances
surrounding the event giving rise to the indemnity obligation under Section
11.4(a), indemnity obligations shall be made on a year-by-year (or shorter
periodic) basis with any necessary offsetting adjustments made in subsequent
years or periods.
(d) In the event that either Member shall make a claim for
indemnification under Section 11.4(a), the Members agree to meet and confer to
determine whether such compensation is due and the amount and method of
providing such indemnification. If no agreement is reached by the Members, the
Members agree to submit the matter to binding arbitration before a knowledgeable
expert in the field. If the Members fail to agree on such an expert within 15
days, the arbitrator shall be selected by the Minneapolis office of the AAA from
a list of candidates consisting of three individuals submitted by each Member.
The arbitrator shall select the location of the arbitration. Costs of the
arbitration shall be borne equally by the Members involved in the matter, except
that each Member shall be responsible for its own expenses.
ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP
12.1. Events Causing Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved if any
of the following events shall occur:
(a) The Written consent of all Members at any time to dissolve and
wind up the affairs of the Company, which consent may include a Plan of
Dissolution;
(b) The Bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member;
(c) The occurrence of a Change in Control with respect to a Member
involving a Designated Person (the Member which is the subject of the Change in
Control being the "Affected Member" and the Member which is not the subject of
the Change in Control being the "Non-Affected Member"), if no later than 90 days
after the receipt by the Non-Affected Member of a Written Notice of such Change
in Control from the Affected Member (which notice must be given not more than 10
days after the effective date of such Change in Control) the Non-Affected
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Member provides a Written notice to the Affected Member of the Non-Affected
Member's intention to cause the dissolution of the Company pursuant to this
clause (c);
(d) A Dissolution Notice shall have been given by any Member to the
Company and to all other Members; or
(e) The occurrence of any other event that causes the dissolution of
a limited liability company under the Act.
12.2. Effective Date of Dissolution.
(a) In the event of a dissolution of the Company pursuant to Section
12.1(a), such dissolution shall be effective as of the time agreed to by the
Members.
(b) In the event of a dissolution of the Company pursuant to Section
12.1(b), such dissolution shall be effective as of the end of the calendar year
in which the applicable Bankruptcy or dissolution becomes effective or such
earlier date as may be designated by the Member not subject to such Bankruptcy
or dissolution.
(c) In the event of a dissolution of the Company pursuant to Section
12.1(c), such dissolution shall be effective as of the end of the calendar year
in which the Written notice of the Non-Affected Member's intention to cause such
dissolution is given.
(d) In the event of a dissolution of the Company pursuant to Section
12.1(d), such dissolution shall be effective as of the end of the calendar year
in which the Dissolution Notice is given if such Dissolution Notice is given on
or prior to August 31 of such calendar year. If such Dissolution Notice is given
after August 31 in any calendar year, such dissolution shall be effective as of
the end of the next succeeding calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
dissolution pursuant to Section 12.1(d) shall be effective prior to December 31,
2002.
(e) In the event of a dissolution of the Company pursuant to Section
12.1(e), such dissolution shall be effective as of the earlier of the date of
dissolution required by the Act or the end of the calendar year in which the
event causing such dissolution occurs.
12.3. Certain Termination Fees. In the event of any dissolution of the
Company pursuant to Section 12.1(d) above, the following shall apply:
(a) Except as provided in (b) and (c) below, the Member giving the
Dissolution Notice pursuant to Section 12.1(d) shall pay to the other Member a
Termination Fee upon the effective date of the dissolution computed as follows:
(i) $1,000,000; plus
(ii) $10,000,000, if such dissolution is effective on
December 31, 2002;
(iii) $5,000,000, if such dissolution is effective on
December 31, 2003; or
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(iv) $2,500,000, if such dissolution is effective after
December 31, 2003.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, in the event of a Change in
Control (not involving a Designated Person), the amount of the Termination Fee
payable under Section 12.2(a) above by the Non-Affected Member as a result of a
dissolution pursuant to Section 12.1(d) shall thereafter be automatically
reduced to the amount calculated under clauses (i) and (iv) of Section 12.2(a)
above.
(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, in the event that a Member
receiving the Dissolution Notice is in Default, the Non-Defaulting Member giving
a Dissolution Notice shall not be required to make any of the payments described
in Section 12.2(a) above. In such event, the Defaulting Member receiving such
Dissolution Notice shall be required to pay the sum of $1,000,000 to the
Non-Defaulting Member giving such Dissolution Notice as liquidated damages for
the Non-Defaulting Member's start-up costs for the Company. Such payment shall
be in addition to any other damages such Non-Defaulting Member may have suffered
as a result of such Default.
12.4. Operation Prior to Effective Date of Dissolution. If the Company
is subject to dissolution pursuant to Section 12.1, the Company shall continue
to operate its business up to the time of the effective date of such
dissolution, giving due regard to the fact that the business of the Company will
be wound up thereafter. In furtherance of the foregoing, (i) the Company shall
complete the performance of any uncompleted customer commitments through the
effective date of dissolution, (ii) the Members shall be relieved of their
obligations under Section 6.6 to the extent necessary to permit the Members to
conduct independent operations after the effective date of dissolution, (iii)
the Members shall identify the employees of the Company not required to operate
the Company during the period prior to the effective date of dissolution and the
Company shall terminate such employees as appropriate, and (iv) the Company
shall take such other reasonable actions as are necessary to prepare for the
operation of the Company's business by the Members independently after the
effective date of dissolution.
12.5. Winding Up. After the effective date of any such dissolution
pursuant to Section 12.1, any unresolved Company business or affairs shall be
wound up pursuant to a Plan of Dissolution adopted by the Members. If the
Members are unable to agree upon a Plan of Dissolution, the following provisions
shall automatically apply:
(a) The winding up of the Company's affairs shall be supervised by a
liquidator (the "Liquidator"). The Liquidator shall be the Managers or, if the
Members prefer, a liquidator or liquidating committee selected by Members
holding Voting Interests of at least 51% in the aggregate.
(b) The Liquidator shall undertake to allocate, assign and complete
any remaining executory but uncompleted customer commitments and contracts of
the Company in a manner, which will give due consideration to the best interests
of each Member, which shall include but not be limited to allocating among the
Members any remaining sales commitments to customers in proportion to the
Members' respective Base Year Volumes or Modified Base Year Volumes, as the case
may be, to the extent practicable. Each Member shall be entitled to all
payments,
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revenues and profits from the contracts assigned to the Member, provided that
the Member shall bear all costs associated with completing those contracts.
(c) The Liquidator shall provide both Members with access to and the
right to use in their ongoing business operations all sales, customer, pricing
and other information developed or maintained by the Company other than such
information relating to Optional Products of the other Member or arising in
connection with services provided by the Company exclusively to the other
Member. Both Members shall have the right but not the obligation to make offers
of employment and to hire any personnel employed by the Company. For a period of
18 months either Member shall have full access to personnel hired by another
Member and such employee shall be directed to make available all information in
his or her possession related to the Company other than such information
relating to Optional Products of the other Member or arising in connection with
services provided by the Company exclusively to the other Member.
(d) Each Member shall have the right to utilize all rail, transfer,
distribution facility contracts owned and held in the name of the Company
(except such contracts and facilities owned or held in the name of a Member) in
proportion to the agreed upon allocation of customer contracts and shall,
subject to any restriction in such agreements or contracts, have the further
right to the direct assignment of such portion of those contracts or facility
rights from the Company to the Member. Neither Member shall have any obligation
to pay the cost of any such contracts or facility charges utilized by the other
Member, except only to the extent that the assets of the Company must be used to
pay or resolve the obligations of the Company to third parties supplying such
contracts or facilities.
(e) The Members shall have equal rights to the use of the name of the
Company for a period of one year following the termination of the Company for
purposes of utilizing that name in the transition of their sales, marketing and
distribution activities from the Company to the individual Member. Thereafter
both Members shall cease and desist from the use of such name in their sales,
marketing and distribution efforts; provided that the foregoing shall not
restrict the right of any Member to use any trademark, trade name or other mark
or symbol owned by such Member and licensed for use by the Company. Nothing
herein shall grant to one Member any rights to use trade names, trade marks or
other protected marks and symbols of the other Member, except as specifically
allowed by an agreement between the Members.
(f) Both Members shall refrain from the disparagement of the other
Member, its business, personnel, products or performance following termination.
Absent the finding by a court of competent jurisdiction that a Member engaged in
illegal acts, fraud or breaches of contract, which finding may be utilized in
whole and not in part and only to the extent they are the part of a publicly
available court judgment or decree, the Members shall limit their statements to
the effect that the Company and its business was terminated under "terms
previously agreed to by the Members" unless some further or different statement
is agreed to by all Members.
(g) Customer lists and files shall be equally available and may be
copied and used by all Members. Each Member shall bear the cost of any such
copying. Any request for such information in the hands of the other Member or
the Company shall be supplied in not less than two business days.
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(h) In the event that more than one Member wishes to assume any
specific facility or equipment or other asset of the Company, the Members shall
each submit a one-time sealed bid therefor and the applicable asset shall be
sold to the highest bidder.
(i) No later than the effective date of dissolution, each Member
shall receive back from the Company (i) any rights of the Company to the
exclusive right to market the Designated Products produced by the Member or its
Affiliates within the United States, and sold in North America, and (ii) any
rights of the Company to use railcars and related bulk storage facilities owned
or held by such Member and its Affiliates.
(j) All inventories, accounts receivable and other assets and any
proceeds thereof of the Company shall be used during the period prior to the
effective date of the dissolution and thereafter to satisfy the obligations of
the Company. Any remaining assets shall be distributed to the Members. Inventory
may be sold either to the customers of the Company or to the Members provided
that the sale shall maximize the revenues to the Company.
(k) Subject to the provisions of (a) through (j) above, the
Liquidator shall have full right, in the name of and for and on behalf of the
Company to:
(i) Prosecute and defend civil, criminal or administrative
suits;
(ii) Collect Company assets, including obligations owed to the
Company;
(iii) Settle and close the Company's business;
(iv) Dispose of and convey all other Company Property for cash,
and in connection therewith to determine the time, manner and terms of
any sale or sales of Company Property, having due regard for the
activity and condition of the relevant market and general financial and
economic conditions;
(v) Pay all reasonable selling costs and other expenses
incurred in connection with the winding up out of the proceeds of the
disposition of Company Property;
(vi) Discharge the Company's known liabilities and, if
necessary, to set up, for a period not to exceed five years after the
date of dissolution, such cash reserves as the Liquidator may deem
reasonably necessary for any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or
obligations of the Company;
(vii) Distribute any remaining proceeds from the sale of Company
Property to the Members;
(viii) Prepare, execute, acknowledge and file articles of
dissolution under the Act and any other certificates, tax returns or
instruments necessary or advisable under any applicable law to effect
the winding up and termination of the Company; and
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(ix) Exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of
the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the Managers under
the terms of this Agreement to the extent necessary or desirable in the
good faith judgment of the Liquidator to perform its duties and
functions. The Liquidator (if not a Manager) shall not be liable as a
Manager to the Members and shall, while acting in such capacity on
behalf of the Company, be entitled to the indemnification rights set
forth in the Certificate of Formation and in Article XI.
12.6. Compensation of Liquidator. The Liquidator appointed as provided
herein shall be entitled to receive such reasonable compensation for its
services as shall be agreed upon by the Liquidator and Members holding Voting
Interests of at least 51%.
12.7. Distribution of Company Property and Proceeds of Sale Thereof.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 12.6, upon completion of all
desired sales of Company Property, and after payment of all selling costs and
expenses, the Liquidator shall distribute the proceeds of such sales, and any
Company Property that is to be distributed in kind, to the following groups in
the following order of priority:
(i) to satisfy Company liabilities to creditors, including
Members and Managers who are creditors, to the extent otherwise
permitted by law (other than for past due Company distributions),
whether by payment or establishment of reserves;
(ii) to satisfy Company obligations to Members and former Members
to pay past due Company distributions;
(iii) to the Members, in accordance with and to the extent of
their respective Excess Amounts; and
(iv) to the Members, in accordance with the positive balances in
their respective Capital Accounts determined after allocating all items
for all periods prior to and including the date of distribution,
including items relating to sales and distributions pursuant to this
Article XII.
All distributions required under this Section 12.7 shall be made to the Members
as soon as practicable but no later than the end of the taxable year in which
the termination occurs or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such
termination.
(b) The claims of each priority group specified above shall be
satisfied in full before satisfying any claims of a lower priority group. If the
assets available for disposition are insufficient to dispose of all of the
claims of a priority group, the available assets shall be distributed in
proportion to the amounts owed to each creditor or the respective Capital
Account balances of each Member in such group.
12.8. Final Audit. Within a reasonable time following the completion of
the liquidation, the Liquidator shall supply to each of the Members a statement
that shall set forth the
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assets and the liabilities of the Company as of the date of complete liquidation
and each Member's pro rata portion of distributions pursuant to Section 12.5.
12.9. Deficit Capital Accounts. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement, and notwithstanding any custom or rule of
law to the contrary, to the extent that the deficit, if any, in the Capital
Account of any Member results from or is attributable to deductions and losses
of the Company (including non-cash items such as depreciation), or distributions
of money pursuant to this Agreement, upon dissolution of the Company such
deficit shall not be an asset of the Company and such Members shall not be
obligated to contribute such amount to the Company to bring the balance of such
Member's Capital Account to zero. The Members acknowledge that the losses and
costs related to a Member's failure to meet Sales Commitments as provided in
Section 5.B of the Supply Agreement are not losses of the Company for purposes
of this Section 12.9.
ARTICLE XIII
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
13.1. Negotiation of Disputes. Except as otherwise specifically
provided in any Ancillary Agreement, the procedures for discussion, negotiation
and mediation set forth in this Article XIII shall apply to all disputes,
controversies or claims of whatever nature and description that may arise out of
or relate to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the conduct of the
business of the Company (a "Dispute"). The Members agree to use commercially
reasonable efforts to resolve expeditiously any Dispute that may arise from time
to time on a mutually acceptable negotiated basis. In furtherance of the
foregoing, either Member may request in Writing an in-person meeting involving
representatives of the Members at a senior level of management of the Members. A
copy of this Written request shall be given to the General Counsel, or like
officer or official, of each Member involved in the Dispute. Any agenda,
location or procedures for such discussions or negotiations between the Members
may be established by the Members from time to time; provided, however, that the
Members shall use commercially reasonable efforts to meet within 30 days of the
Written request.
13.2. Agreement to Mediate. If either Member declares an impasse in
attempts to negotiate a settlement of the Dispute, a Member may give or send a
Written request for mediation to the other Member(s). Any opinion expressed by
the mediator shall be strictly advisory and shall not be binding on the Members,
nor shall any statements or submissions by a Member or opinion expressed by the
mediator be admissible in any later proceeding. The mediator shall be a single
knowledgeable individual with not less than five years experience in the
agri-processing or chemical manufacturing business that is not Associated with
either Member. The Members shall both propose names of qualified mediators. If
the Members are unable to agree upon a mediator, the Minneapolis office of the
AAA shall select a mediator from a list of candidates consisting of three
individuals submitted by each Member. The mediator shall select the location of
the mediation. Costs of the mediation shall be borne equally by the Members
involved in the matter, except that each Member shall be responsible for its own
expenses.
42
<PAGE> 48
13.3. Commencement of Litigation. If after 45 days following the
commencement of mediation no final resolution of the Dispute is achieved, either
Member may cease mediation and commence litigation to resolve the Dispute. All
Members on their own behalf and on behalf of their Affiliates agree and consent
that any claim arising from or related to any Dispute shall be brought
exclusively in the state or federal court located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and
the Members hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
such courts in any such action or proceeding and irrevocably waive the defenses
of a lack of personal or subject matter jurisdiction or of an inconvenient forum
to the maintenance of any such action.
13.4. Continuity of Service and Performance. Unless otherwise agreed
in writing, the parties will continue to provide service and honor all other
commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement during the course
of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article XIII with
respect to all matters not subject to such dispute, controversy or claim.
ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
14.1. Conference Telephone Meetings. Meetings of the Members or the
Managers may be held by means of conference telephone or communications
equipment so long as all persons participating in the meeting can hear each
other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 14.1 shall constitute
presence in person at such meeting, except where a person participates in the
meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business
thereat on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
14.2. Electronic Meetings. Meetings of the Members or the Managers may
be held by Internet discussions or electronic transmissions so long as all
Members or Managers participate. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this
Section 14.2 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a
person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the
transaction of any business thereat on the ground that the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened.
14.3. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which will
constitute one and the same.
14.4. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements
constitute the entire agreement between the Members and contain all of the
agreements between such Members with respect to the subject matter hereof. This
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements supersede any and all other agreements,
either oral or written, between such Members with respect to the subject matter
hereof.
14.5. Partial Invalidity. Wherever possible, each provision hereof
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but in case any one or more of the provisions contained herein
shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent, but only to the
extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without invalidating
the remainder of
43
<PAGE> 49
such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions or any other
provisions hereof, unless such a construction would be unreasonable.
14.6. Amendment. Except as expressly provided herein, this Agreement
may be amended only by a Written agreement executed by all Members. No such
amendment shall require any action or approval by the Managers.
14.7. Binding Effect. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement
relating to transferability, this Agreement will be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of the Members, and their respective distributees, heirs,
successors and assigns.
14.8. Offset. Whenever the Company is to pay any sum to any Member,
any amounts that Member owes the Company may be deducted from that sum before
payment.
14.9. Effect of Waiver or Consent. A waiver or consent, express or
implied, to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by that
Person of its obligations with respect to the Company is not a consent or waiver
to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that Person of the
same or any other obligations of that Person with respect to the Company.
Failure on the part of a Person to complain of any act of any Person or to
declare any Person in default with respect to the Company, irrespective of how
long that failure continues, does not constitute a waiver by that Person of its
rights with respect to that default until the applicable statute-of-limitations
period has run.
14.10. Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, each Member shall execute and deliver any
additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be
necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this
Agreement and such transactions.
14.11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the local, internal laws of the State of Delaware. In
particular, this Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of the
Act and the Certificate of Formation. In the event of a direct conflict between
the provisions of this Agreement and the mandatory provisions of the Act or any
provision of the Certificate of Formation, the Act and the Certificate of
Formation, in that order of priority, will control.
44
<PAGE> 50
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement on the dates set below their names, to be effective on the date first
above written.
CORNPRODUCTSMCP SWEETENERS LLC
By: /s/ Stanley L. Sitton
----------------------------------
Its: President & CEO
---------------------------------
Dated: 1/4/01
-------------------------------
MEMBERS:
CORN PRODUCTS
INTERNATIONAL, INC. MINNESOTA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
By: /s/ Michael Pyatt By: /s/ L. Dan Thompson
------------------------- -------------------------
Its: Vice President Its: President/CEO
------------------------- -------------------------
Dated: 1/4/01 Dated: 1/4/01
------------------------- -------------------------
45
<PAGE> 51
SCHEDULE I
MEMBER INTERESTS
MEMBERS AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
CAPITAL VOTING
MEMBER CONTRIBUTION INTEREST
NAME: CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. $500,000 50%
ADDRESS: 6500 SOUTH ARCHER AVENUE
BEDFORD PARK, IL 60501-1933
NAME: MINNESOTA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC $500,000 50%
ADDRESS: 901 NORTH HIGHWAY 59
MARSHALL, MN 56528-2744
<PAGE> 52
SCHEDULE II
ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS
1. Supply Agreement by and among CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC, Corn Products
International, Inc. and Minnesota Corn Processors, LLC.
2. Trademark License Agreement by and between Corn Products International,
Inc. and CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC.
3. Trademark License Agreement by and between Minnesota Corn Processors, LLC
and CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC.
4. Employee/Services Leasing Agreement by and between Corn Products
International, Inc. and CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC.
5. Employee/Services Leasing Agreement by and between Minnesota Corn
Processors, LLC and CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC.
6. Shared Services Agreement by and among CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC, Corn
Products International, Inc. and Minnesota Corn Processors, LLC.
7. Commission Sales Agreement by and among CornProductsMCP Sweeteners LLC,
Corn Products International, Inc. and Minnesota Corn Processors, LLC.
<PAGE> 53
SCHEDULE III
DESIGNATED PRODUCTS
I CORN PRODUCTS' DESIGNATED PRODUCTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=======================================================================================================
PROPOSED PRODUCT CURRENT PRODUCT CURRENT
NAME NAME PIN PLANT
=======================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DESIGNATED BULK LIQUID BLENDS
PRODUCT
PRODUCT BULK LIQUID BLENDS
CATEGORY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Casco Corn Syrup 028800 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028160 London
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028700 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028100 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 029110 London
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028110 Cardinal,
London
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028120 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028400 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028460 Argo,
Stockton
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028470 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028410 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028130 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028140 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028420 Argo,
Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028450 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028480 Argo,
Stockton
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 029100 London
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028600 Argo,
Stockton
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028440 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028490 Argo,
Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028150 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028620 Stockton
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028430 Argo,
Cardinal,
London
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 54
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028610 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028190 London
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028630 Stockton
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 40 291100 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 45 291200 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 48 291000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 57 292100 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 59 292200 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 60 293000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 61 293100 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 62 293200 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 63 293300 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 64 293400 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 65 293500 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 66 293600 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 77 294000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 87 295100 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 90 296000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 93 296100 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 94 296200 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 95 296300 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESIGNATED BULK LIQUID CORN SYRUPS
PRODUCT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT LOW DE CORN SYRUPS
CATEGORY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 28/79 IX glucose Enzose LDE Glucose 014200 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 36/80 IX glucose Enzose LDE Glucose 014300 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 36/80 IX glucose Globe Corn Syrup 010420 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2240 224000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2520 252000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2530 253000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2531 253100 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT REGULAR DE CORN SYRUPS
CATEGORY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 43/80 glucose Casco 42DE Glucose 011410 London
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 43/80 HS glucose Casco 42DE Glucose 011430 London
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 43/80 IX glucose Casco 42DE Glucose 011440 London
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 43/80 IX glucose Enzose 42DE Glucose 014400 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 55
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 42/82 IX glucose Enzose Glucose 014600 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 42/84 IX glucose Enzose Glucose 014700 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 43/80 IX glucose Globe Corn Syrup 011420 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 45/80 HM glucose Enzose HM Glucose 014420 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 45/80 HM glucose Enzose HM Glucose 014530 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2110 211000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2120 212000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2122 212200 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2123 P/M 212300 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2130 213000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2511 251100 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2512 251200 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2230 223000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2231 223100 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2521 252100 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2522 252200 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2523 252300 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2524 252400 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2525 252500 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2330 233000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2533 253300 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2250 225000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2510 251000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 63 Globe 2540 254000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa Alta Maltosa 2410 241000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa Alta Maltosa 2420 242000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT HIGH DE CORN SYRUP
CATEGORY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 62/82 glucose Casco 62DE Glucose 016510 London
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 62/82 IX glucose Casco 62DE Glucose 016540 London
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 62/82 glucose Enzose 62DE Glucose 016500 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 63/84 IX glucose Enzose 62DE Glucose 016700 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 63/82 IX glucose Globe Corn Syrup 016520 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 63/84 IX glucose Globe Corn Syrup 016720 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 63/84 IX glucose Globe Corn Syrup 016730 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2610 261000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 70 Globe 2615 261500 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2620 262000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT HIGH MALTOSE CORN SYRUP
CATEGORY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 53/82 IX glucose Enzose 55DE Glucose 015500 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 50/81 HM glucose Enzose Brewer's Glucose 015510 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 56
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 47/81 HM glucose Enzose Brewer's Glucose 015520 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 53/81 HM glucose Enzose HM Glucose 015530 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT ULTRA HIGH MALTOSE CORN
CATEGORY SYRUP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 53/81 UHM glucose Enzose HM Glucose 015540 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 53/81 UHM glucose Enzose HM Glucose 015550 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESIGNATED BULK LIQUID HIGH FRUCTOSE
PRODUCT CORN SYRUP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT HFCS 42
CATEGORY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS 42 Invertose HFCS 026430 All CPO
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS 42 - high solids Invertose HFCS 026480 London, Pt
Colburne
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS 42 Alta Fructosa 42 311000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT HFCS 55
CATEGORY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS 55 Invertose HFCS 026550 All CPO
except
Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS 55 Alta Fructosa 55 321000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESIGNATED BULK LIQUID DEXTROSE
PRODUCT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT BULK LIQUID DEXTROSE
CATEGORY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HD Glucose Casco High Dextrose Glucose 026250 Cardinal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP Liquid Dextrose Cerelose Liquid Dextrose 026170 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 98/71 Liquid Glucose Royal Liquid Glucose 026260 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 97/71 Liquid Glucose Royal Liquid Glucose 026270 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 98/71 Liquid Glucose Royal Liquid Glucose 026260 Winston-
Salem
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP Liquid Glucose Versatose Liquid Glucose 013500 Argo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Polidex 70 411000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Polidex 70M 411100 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Polidex 70SD 412000 Arancia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 57
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESIGNATED BULK UNMODIFIED FOOD STARCH
PRODUCT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT BULK UNMODIFIED FOOD STARCH
CATEGORY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP Unmodified Corn Starch, Casco Corn Starch, Food Grade, 034030 Cardinal
Food Grade Unmodified
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP Unmodified Corn Starch, Buffalo Corn Starch, Food Grade 034010 Argo
Food Grade
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Almidon Globe AA 122000 Arancia
=======================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 58
II MCP DESIGNATED PRODUCTS
DESIGNATED PRODUCT: BULK LIQUID HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
PRODUCT CATEGORY: 55 HFCS
MinTose(TM) 3500 - 55 HFCS Liquidose 77 (L-77)
PRODUCT CATEGORY: 42 HFCS
MinTose(TM) 3400 - 42 HFCS Liquidose 71 (L-71)
MinTose(TM) 3460 - 42 HFCS 66.5% Liquidose 66.5 (L-66.5)
MinTose(TM) 3480 - 42 HFCS Liquidose 80 (L-80)
MinTose(TM) 3490 - 42 HFCS Liquidose 90 (L-90)
DESIGNATED PRODUCT: BULK LIQUID CORN SYRUP
PRODUCT CATEGORY: LOW DE CORN SYRUP
MinDex(TM) 1220 - 25/42 Corn Syrup Standard SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1221 - 25/42 Corn Syrup Low SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1330 - 36/43 Corn Syrup Standard SO(2)
PRODUCT CATEGORY: MEDIUM DE CORN SYRUP
MinDex(TM) 1430 - 43/43 Corn Syrup Standard SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1431 - 43/43 Corn Syrup Low SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1432 - 40 DE/80 DS Corn Syrup High SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1440 - 40 DE/82.5 DS Corn Syrup Standard SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1442 - 40 DE/81.5 DS Corn Syrup High SO(2)
PRODUCT CATEGORY: HIGH DE CORN SYRUP
MinDex(TM) 1530 - 54/43 Corn Syrup Standard SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1531 - 54/43 Corn Syrup Low SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1630 - 63/43 Corn Syrup Standard SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1631 - 63/43 Corn Syrup Low SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1640 - 63/43 Corn Syrup Standard SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1641 - 63/43 Corn Syrup Low SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1640 - 64/44 Corn Syrup Ion Exchange
PRODUCT CATEGORY: HIGH MALTOSE CORN SYRUP
MinDex(TM) 1433 - 45/43 High Maltose Corn Syrup High SO(2)
MinDex(TM) 1434 - 45/43 High Maltose Corn Syrup Low SO(2)
DESIGNATED PRODUCT: BULK UNMODIFIED FOOD STARCH
PRODUCT CATEGORY: BULK UNMODIFIED FOOD STARCH
MinStar(TM) 2010
MinStar(TM) 2030
MinStar(TM) 2310
<PAGE> 59
DESIGNATED PRODUCT: BULK LIQUID BLENDS
PRODUCT CATEGORY: BULK LIQUID BLENDS
BL2715 Friesen Honey 77 Blend
BL5210 10 Invert
BL6002 1 Suc 59 L71 40 CSU 44-62
BL6003 10 Suc 90 L71
BL6004 10 Suc 50 L71 40 CSU 44-62
BL6005 15 Suc 50 L77 35 CSU 43-42
BL6006 15 Suc 55 L71 30 CSU 44-62
BL6007 20 Suc 40 L71 40 CSU 44-62
BL6008 20 Suc 80 L71
BL6009 Drumstick 12, Bulk
BL6010 26.89 Suc 73.11 CSU 42-26
BL6011 25 Suc 75 L71
BL6012 25 T0-E 75 43/36 CSU
BL6013 30 SUC 35 L71 35 CSU 44-62
BL6014 20 T-0E 80 CSU 44/62
BL6015 25 T-0 75 L-77
BL6016 25 T-0E 75 L-77
BL6017 35 Suc 35 L71 30 CSU 43-36
BL6018 50 Suc 50 L71
BL6019 50 Suc 50 L71
BL6020 50 Suc 25 L71 25 CSU 44-62
BL6021 60 Suc 40 CSU 43-36
BL6023 Drumstick 12 Bulk-KC
BL6024 45.9% L71 54.1% CSU 44-62 IX
BL6025 28 L71 72 CSU 44-62
BL6026 50 L71 42 L80 8 CSU 43-36
BL6027 67 L71 33 CSU44/62
BL6028 31.4 L71 60.6 L77 CSU 43-36
BL6029 35 L71 20 L77 45 CSU 43-42
BL6030 44 L77 56 CSU 43-42
BL6031 40 L71 50 CSU 43-62
BL6032 40 L71 60 CSU 44-62
BL6033 30 L71 70 CSU 43-62
BL6034 45 L71 55 CSU 43-62
BL6035 50 L71 50 L77
BL6036 50 L71 50 CSU 44-62
BL6037 50 L71 50 CSU 44-62
BL6038 60 L71 40 CSU 44-62
BL6039 50 L71 50 CSU 44-64 IX
BL6040 60 L71 40 CSU 43-42
<PAGE> 60
BL6041 60 L71 40 CSU 44-64 IX
BL6042 50.9 l71 40.2 CSU 44-62
BL6043 22.04 L71 77.96 CSU 44-62
BL6044 70 L71 30 CSU 43-36
BL6045 85 L71 15 CSU 43-62
BL6046 1 Suc 49.5 L71 49.5 CSU 44-62
BL6047 2 Suc E 49 L71 49 CSU 44-62
BL6048 2 Suc E 98 -77
BL6049 12.5 Suc E 12.5 L71 75 CSU 43-62
BL6050 15 Suc E 55 L71 30 CSU 44-62
BL6051 20 Suc E 80 L71
BL6052 25 Suc E 75 L71
BL6053 60 Suc E 40 CSU 43-36
BL6054 40 Suc E 60 L77
BL6055 50 Suc E 15 L71 35 CSU 44-62
BL6056 73 Suc E 27 CSU 43-42
BL6057 73 Suc E 27 CSU 43-36
BL6058 75 Suc E 25 CSU 43-36
BL6059 76 Suc E 24 CSU 42-26
BL6060 43 Suc E 57 CSU 44-62
BL6061 60 Sucrose 40 CSU 43-42
BL6062 75 T-0E 27 L71
BL6063 Drumstick 12, Bulk -KCR
BL6064 36 Sucsp 28 50 Invert 30 CSU 43-36 6 CSU 44-62
BL6065 60 Gran Sugar 10 CSU 43-62 30 CSU 43-36
BL6066 65 Suc # 10 L71 25 CSU 43-36
BL6067 75 T-0-E 35 CSU 43-42
BL6068 Type 25 Invert
BL6069 80 Suc 40 CSU 43-36
BL6070 65 Suc 35 CSU 43-36
BL6071 50 Suc 50 CSU 44-62
BL6072 Spice Peach Blend
BL6073 60 Suc 40 CSU 43-42
BL6074 75 Suc 25 CSU 43-36
BL6075 70 Suc 30 CSU 43-36
BL6076 75 Suc 25 CSU 43-36
BL6077 52 L77 48 CSU 44-62
BL6078 50 L77 40 CSU-43-36
BL6079 63.82 l77 36.18 CSU 43-62
BL6080 20 Inv 40 L71 40 CSU 44-62
BL6081 32.5 Suc 32.5 Inv 35 CSU 44-62
BL6082 50 Inv 50 L71
BL6083 50 Invert 50 L-71 KC
BL6084 7 Inv 45 L7 48 CSU 44-64 IX
BL6085 5 Inv 50 l71 45 CSU 44-62 IX
BL6086 33.34 Inv 33.33 L71 33.33 CSU 44-62
<PAGE> 61
BL6087 3.5 Inv 46.5 L71 50 CSU 44-62 IX
BL6088 50 Inv 50 L77
BL6089 TCS 002 Blend Bulk
BL6090 80 Inv 20 CSU 44-62
BL6091 TCS 003 Blend
BL6092 70 Suc 30 L71
BL6093 38 L50 30 L71 32 CSU 44-62
BL6094 60 L50 4 L71
BL6095 50 L50 50 L71
BL6096 50 Invert
BL6097 50 Invert
BL6127 70 L71 30 CSU 63-44
BL6130 86 L71 14 CSU 44-64
<PAGE> 62
SCHEDULE IV
IMPORTED PRODUCTS
CORN PRODUCTS' IMPORTED PRODUCTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================
PROPOSED PRODUCT CURRENT PRODUCT CURRENT
NAME NAME PIN PLANT
=========================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DESIGNATED BULK LIQUID BLENDS
PRODUCT
PRODUCT BULK LIQUID BLENDS
CATEGORY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Casco Corn Syrup 028800 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028160 London
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028700 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 029110 London
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028110 Cardinal,
London
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028130 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028420 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 029100 London
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028490 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028430 Cardinal,
London
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS Blend Invertose/Corn Syrup Blend 028190 London
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 40 291100 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 45 291200 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 48 291000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 57 292100 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 59 292200 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 60 293000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 61 293100 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 62 293200 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 63 293300 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 64 293400 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 65 293500 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 66 293600 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 77 294000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 87 295100 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 90 296000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 93 296100 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 63
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 94 296200 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Frudex 95 296300 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESIGNATED BULK LIQUID CORN SYRUPS
PRODUCT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT LOW DE CORN SYRUPS
CATEGORY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 28/79 IX glucose Enzose LDE Glucose 014200 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 36/80 IX glucose Enzose LDE Glucose 014300 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2240 224000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2520 252000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2530 253000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2531 253100 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT REGULAR DE CORN SYRUPS
CATEGORY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 43/80 glucose Casco 42DE Glucose 011410 London
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 43/80 HS glucose Casco 42DE Glucose 011430 London
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 43/80 IX glucose Casco 42DE Glucose 011440 London
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 43/80 IX glucose Enzose 42DE Glucose 014400 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 42/82 IX glucose Enzose Glucose 014600 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 42/84 IX glucose Enzose Glucose 014700 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 45/80 HM glucose Enzose HM Glucose 014420 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 45/80 HM glucose Enzose HM Glucose 014530 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2110 211000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2120 212000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2122 212200 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2123 P/M 212300 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2130 213000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2511 251100 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 43 Globe 2512 251200 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2230 223000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2231 223100 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2521 252100 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2522 252200 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2523 252300 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2524 252400 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2525 252500 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2330 233000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2533 253300 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 64
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2250 225000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 45 Globe 2510 251000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 63 Globe 2540 254000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa Alta Maltosa 2410 241000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa Alta Maltosa 2420 242000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT HIGH DE CORN SYRUP
CATEGORY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 62/82 glucose Casco 62DE Glucose 016510 London
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 62/82 IX glucose Casco 62DE Glucose 016540 London
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 62/82 glucose Enzose 62DE Glucose 016500 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 63/84 IX glucose Enzose 62DE Glucose 016700 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2610 261000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 70 Globe 2615 261500 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Glucosa 44 Globe 2620 262000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT HIGH MALTOSE CORN SYRUP
CATEGORY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 53/82 IX glucose Enzose 55DE Glucose 015500 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 50/81 HM glucose Enzose Brewer's Glucose 015510 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 47/81 HM glucose Enzose Brewer's Glucose 015520 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 53/81 HM glucose Enzose HM Glucose 015530 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT ULTRA HIGH MALTOSE CORN SYRUP
CATEGORY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 53/81 UHM glucose Enzose HM Glucose 015540 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP 53/81 UHM glucose Enzose HM Glucose 015550 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESIGNATED BULK LIQUID HIGH
PRODUCT FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT HFCS 42
CATEGORY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS 42 Invertose HFCS 026430 All Casco
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS 42 - high solids Invertose HFCS 026480 London, Pt
Colburne
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS 42 Alta Fructosa 42 311000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 65
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT HFCS 55
CATEGORY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS 55 Invertose HFCS 026550 London, Pt.
Colburne
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HFCS 55 Alta Fructosa 55 321000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESIGNATED BULK LIQUID DEXTROSE
PRODUCT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT BULK LIQUID DEXTROSE
CATEGORY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP HD Glucose Casco High Dextrose Glucose 026250 Cardinal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Polidex 70 411000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Polidex 70M 411100 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Polidex 70SD 412000 Arancia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESIGNATED BULK UNMODIFIED FOOD STARCH
PRODUCT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT BULK UNMODIFIED FOOD STARCH
CATEGORY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPMCP Unmodified Corn Starch, Casco Corn Starch, Food Grade, 034030 Cardinal
Food Grade Unmodified
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBD Almidon Globe AA 122000 Arancia
=========================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 66
SCHEDULE V
FORM OF SUPPLY AGREEMENT
This Supply Agreement (this "Supply Agreement") is made as of January 1,
2001, by and among CORNPRODUCTSMCP SWEETENERS LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company, with its principal office in Marshall, Minnesota (the "Company"), CORN
PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation, with its principal office
at 6500 South Archer Avenue, Bedford Park, Illinois 60501-1933 ("Corn
Products"), and MINNESOTA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC, a Colorado limited liability
company, with its principal office at 901 North Highway 59, Marshall, Minnesota
56528-2744 ("MCP"). Corn Products and MCP shall each be referred to herein as a
"Member" and collectively referred to herein as the "Members."
WHEREAS, the Members entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement
dated as of December 1, 2000 (the "Operating Agreement") under which the Members
agreed to form the Company primarily to serve as their exclusive sales outlet
for the sale in the United States of America (including Puerto Rico, the "United
States"), and into Canada, and Mexico (collectively, "North America") of certain
Designated Products (as defined herein); and
WHEREAS, each Member is willing to supply to the Company the Designated
Products produced in the United States by each of them for sale in North
America, subject to the terms and conditions of the Operating Agreement and this
Supply Agreement.
WHEREAS, as part of its contribution obligation under the Operating
Agreement, each Member has agreed to enter into this Supply Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and
agreements herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree
as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
In addition to such definitions as shall be set forth in Article I of the
Operating Agreement (some of which are repeated here for reference) or defined
in the text below, when used in this Supply Agreement the following terms shall
have the meaning specified:
A. "Affiliate" means, when used with reference to a specific Person (or
when not referring to a specific Person shall mean an Affiliate of a Member),
any Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries,
controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specific Person.
B. "Base Year Volume" shall mean the quantity representing the aggregate
actual sales of the applicable Designated Product by each Member (and its
respective Affiliates) during
<PAGE> 67
calendar year 2000 unless modified in the manner set forth below, to the extent
such Designated Product was (i) produced and sold within the United States, (ii)
produced within the United States and sold in Mexico or Canada, or (iii)
produced in Mexico or Canada and exported into and sold in the United States.
The Base Year Volume shall be confirmed in writing by the parties.
C. "Bulk" means finished products sold by pipeline or single container,
rail car or other transportation vehicle where the finished product pipeline
shipment, container, rail car or vehicle load has a capacity in excess of five
tons. Bulk does not include a single container, rail car or other transportation
vehicle containing subcontainers or packages of less than five tons. Excluded
from this definition of Bulk shall be any such products sold or otherwise
transferred to a third party and normally delivered by pipeline for processing
into finished products other than Designated Products.
D. "Designated Products" has the meaning given in the Operating Agreement.
E. "Modified Base Year Volume" shall mean the volume resulting from all
changes to the Base Year Volume under Section 3 below.
F. "Sales Commitments" shall mean the volume of Designated Products which a
Member has agreed to sell to the Company as determined in Section 2.A for the
first year of the Supply Agreement and in Section 4 for all subsequent years
during the Term.
G. "Specifications" shall mean the specifications to the applicable
products supplied hereunder as agreed to in writing by the parties.
2. PURCHASE AND SALE OF DESIGNATED PRODUCTS.
A. Obligation to Sell and Buy Designated Products. During each calendar
year during the Term of the Supply Agreement each Member and its Affiliates
shall sell to the Company their respective Sales Commitments of Designated
Products for such calendar year. The Company shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to market and sell such Designated Products to its customers in the
United States and, through Affiliates of Corn Products under one or more
commission sales agreements, in Mexico and Canada. Designated Products produced
by Affiliates of the Members in Mexico or Canada and sold in the United States
to or through the Company under one or more commission sales agreements shall be
credited against the applicable Member's Sales Commitment.
B. Sales Commitments for Calendar Year 2001. For calendar year 2001, each
Member's respective Sales Commitment for each Designated Product shall be equal
to the Member's respective Base Year Volume for such Designated Product.
C. Rate of Delivery. Each Member shall use reasonable efforts to supply its
respective Sales Commitments to the Company in accordance with the quarterly
volume forecasts included as part of the Sales Commitments as provided in
Section 4 below or as otherwise required to enable the Company to satisfy the
needs of, and its obligations to, its customers.
<PAGE> 68
3. METHODS FOR DETERMINING MODIFIED BASE YEAR VOLUMES.
A. Modification By Acquisition of Production Facility Capacity. A Member or
its Affiliate may acquire from a third party not an Affiliate of such Member any
production-facility capacity within North America that at the time of the
closing of such acquisition is producing any Designated Product being (a) sold
in North America if the production facility is located in the United States or
(b) sold in the United States if the production facility is located outside the
United States (the "Acquired Facility"). For purposes of this Section an
acquisition shall include both the purchase of the assets and the purchase of a
controlling interest in the facility's output of Designated Products (a) sold in
North America if the production facility is located in the United States or (b)
sold in the United States if the production facility is located outside the
United States. In the event of any such acquisition of an Acquired Facility:
(i) The Company's actual calendar year sales of the applicable Designated
Products for the full calendar year in which the acquisition of the
Acquired Facility occurs (excluding any sales of Designated Product from
the Acquired Facility) shall first be allocated between the Members in
proportion to each Member's then current Base Year Volume or Modified Base
Year Volume, as the case may be. This allocation of the current year's
sales of applicable Designated Product shall yield an "Adjusted Year
Volume" for each Member.
(ii) The Member acquiring the Acquired Facility shall provide to the
Company true and accurate sales figures for the full calendar year in which
such acquisition occurs showing all applicable Designated Product that was
produced at the Acquired Facility and (a) sold in North America if the
production facility is located in the United States, or (b) sold in the
United States if the production facility is located outside of the United
States. These actual sales figures shall be added to the acquiring Member's
Adjusted Year Volume to yield a Modified Base Year Volume for that Member.
(iii) The non-acquiring Member's Adjusted Year Volume for each applicable
Designated Product shall become that Member's Modified Base Year Volume.
(iv) The Company shall prepare and amend to the Supply Agreement schedules
showing the results of this calculations which shall be labeled "Modified
Base Year Volumes For Members as of January 1, [year]". Thereafter these
schedules (unless later modified) shall used to determine each Member's
annual contractual rights under this Supply Agreement to supply Designated
Products to the Company in the manner calculated under Section 4 below.
<PAGE> 69
(v) In the calendar year in which the purchase of the Acquired Facility is
completed, the acquiring Member shall provide to the Company true and
accurate sales estimates showing the volume of each Designated Product
forecasted to be sold during the remainder of the calendar year from the
Acquired Facility in North America if the Acquired Facility is located in
the United States, or sold in the United States if the Acquired Facility is
located outside of the United States. The Company shall add that volume of
forecasted sales to the acquiring Member's applicable Sales Commitments, as
defined below, for the balance of that calendar year.
(vi) Unless the Company and the Members agree to another method for
integrating the Modified Base Year Volume amounts calculated under this
Section 3.A into the calculation of Sales Commitment under Section 4 below,
the Company and the Members agree to meet on or before January 5 of the
year following the year in which the Acquired Facility is purchased to make
all necessary recalculations of Sales Commitments for that year using the
Member's Modified Base Year Volumes, as determined under this Section.
B. Modification Because of a Failure to Commit to 90% of Current Base Year
Volume. As more fully described in Section 4 below, each Member shall be
entitled on an annual basis to specify its Sales Target for each Designated
Product for the following calendar year. If a Member specifies a Sales Target
that is less than 90% of such Member's then current Base Year Volume or Modified
Base Year Volume for any applicable Designated Product, the difference between
such Sales Target and such current Base Year Volume or Modified Base Year Volume
shall be considered a "Deficiency". The other Member (the "Assuming Member") may
elect to supply all or any portion of the Deficiency. If such an election is
made, the amount of such Deficiency so assumed and actually supplied by the
Member to the Company during that subsequent year shall be subtracted from the
non-Assuming Member's then current Base Year Volume or Modified Base Year Volume
and added to the Assuming Member's then current Base Year Volume or Modified
Base Year Volume to create new Modified Base Year Volume's for both Members. The
Company shall prepare and append to this Supply Agreement schedules showing the
results of these calculations which shall be labeled "Modified Base Year Volumes
For [Member's name] as of [date]". Thereafter these schedules (unless later
modified) shall be used to determine each Member's annual contractual rights
under this Supply Agreement or later executed Supply Agreements to supply
Designated Products to the Company in the manner calculated under Section 4
below.
C. Modification Because of Failure to Supply 90% of Current Base Year
Volume As Result of Force Majeure or Failure to Agree to Increased Warranty.
(i) If as a result of a condition of force majeure a Member fails to
satisfy its Sales Commitment with respect to any Designated Product and if the
amount of such Designated Product actually supplied by such Member is less than
90% of such Member's current Base Year
<PAGE> 70
Volume or Modified Base Year Volume for the applicable year, the difference
between the amount of such Designated Product actually supplied by such Member
and such Member's current Base Year Volume or Modified Base Year Volume shall be
considered a "Force Majeure Deficiency". The amount of such Force Majeure
Deficiency shall be subtracted from the then current Base Year Volume or
Modified Base Year Volume of the Member affected by the condition of force
majeure to create a new Modified Base Year Volume for such Member.
In years subsequent to the year in which the condition of force majeure
occurs, increases in aggregate Volume Allocations over the Sales Commitments in
the year in which the condition of force majeure occurs, shall be allocated on a
priority basis to the Member affected by the condition of force majeure and the
Modified Base Year Volume of such Member shall be increased up to the level that
existed prior to such reduction to the extent that such Member commits to such
incremental Volume Allocations and satisfies such commitment.
(ii) If (a) the Company shall propose a customer warranty that exceeds the
Member Warranty (the "Increased Warranty") with respect to any Designated
Product, and (b) any Member shall agree to supply Designated Product subject to
the Increased Warranty, then any other Member that is requested by the Company
to agree to the Increased Warranty with respect to any Designated Product within
the same Product Category may either agree to supply such Designated Product
subject to the Increased Warranty or choose not to agree.
If (a) such Member fails to accept all rights and obligations to supply
such Designated Product subject to the Increased Warranty and (b) another Member
agrees to assume all rights and obligations to supply such Designated Product,
the Member that agrees to assume such rights and obligations to supply such
Designated Product subject to the Increased Warranty shall be responsible for
and shall pay all incremental freight and other costs incurred by the Company as
a result of supplying such Designated Product.
If (a) another Member does not supply such Designated Product subject to
the Increased Warranty, (b) the customer that had requested the Increased
Warranty chooses not to purchase the Designated Product because of its failure
to obtain the Increased Warranty, and (c) the amount of such Designated Product
that such customer chooses not to purchase is more than 10% of such Member's
current Base Year Volume or Modified Base Year Volume for the applicable year,
then the amount of Designated Product that such customer refused to purchase
shall be considered a "Warranty Deficiency". The amount of such Warranty
Deficiency shall be subtracted from the then current Base Year Volume or
Modified Base Year Volume of the Member that failed to agree to the Increased
Warranty to create a new Modified Base Year Volume for such Member.
(iii) The Company shall prepare and append to this Supply Agreement
schedules showing the results of any calculations of Modified Base Volumes
required by paragraph (i) or (ii) above, which shall be labeled "Modified Base
Year Volumes For [Member's name] as of [date]". Thereafter these schedules
(unless later modified) shall be used to determine each Member's annual
contractual rights under this Supply Agreement or later executed Supply
Agreements to supply Designated Products to the Company in the manner calculated
under Section 4 below.
<PAGE> 71
D. Other Modifications. A Member's Modified Base Year Volume shall be
increased by the volume of Designated Products sold in the most recently
completed year under any unassignable contract upon the earlier of the
assignment to the Company or the expiration of such contract.
4. DETERMINATION OF MEMBER'S SALES COMMITMENTS AFTER CALENDAR YEAR 2001.
The determination of each Member's Sales Commitments to the Company for all
years after calendar year 2001, shall be made as follows:
A. Preparation of Subsequent Years Sales Forecasts Sales Targets. The
Company shall annually prepare Sales Forecasts and Sales Targets in the
following manner and on the following dates unless different dates are agreed to
in any given year by the Company and each Member:
(i) on or before September 1, 2001, and each September 1 thereafter, the
Company shall forecast its annual sales and delivery requirements for each
of the Designated Products for the next calendar year (on a quarterly
basis) (the "Sales Forecast");
(ii) the Company shall also calculate a "Volume Allocation" of its Sales
Forecast between the Members for each Designated Product in proportion to
each Member's then current Base Year Volume or Modified Base Year Volume,
as the case may be, for each Designated Product contained in the Sales
Forecast so that 100% of the Sales Forecast for each such Designated
Product shall be so allocated between the Members. It is the intent of this
Volume Allocation to provide to each Member the right to elect to supply to
or sell through the Company in the succeeding calendar year a quantity of
each Designated Product equal to the Volume Allocation of that Designated
Product to that Member;
(iii) on or before September 2 of the calendar year in which this Volume
Allocation is made, the Company shall give each Member Written notice of
these Volume Allocations;
(iv) on or before October 1 of the calendar year in which these Volume
Allocations are so supplied to and received by the Members, each Member
shall independently determine and notify the Company in Writing of the
quantity of each Designated Product (not to exceed Member's applicable
Volume Allocation) that such Member is willing to commit to supply to or
sell through the Company for the succeeding calendar year (on a quarterly
basis) (each commitment being a "Sales Target") for that Designated
Product; and
(v) on or before October 5 of each such calendar year, the Company shall
provide to each Member the other Member's Sales Targets.
B. Failure of a Member to Accept Volume Allocations. If a Member's Sales
Target for a Designated Product for a given calendar year is less than such
Member's applicable Volume Allocation, then the other Member (the "Assuming
Member ") may assume the right and obligation solely during such calendar year
to supply an additional amount of
<PAGE> 72
such Designated Product not to exceed the difference between the other Member's
Volume Allocation and Sales Target for that Designated Product (the "Assumed
Allocation"). Written notice of this election shall be given by the Assuming
Member to the Company on or before October 10 of such calendar year.
C. Final Sales Commitments. On or before October 15 of each calendar year,
the Company shall determine the final quantity of each Designated Product that
each Member has committed to supply, which shall be the sum of such Member's (i)
applicable Sales Target; and (ii) Assumed Allocation (collectively each such
final quantity being a "Sales Commitment"). The Company shall prepare and append
to this Supply Agreement schedules showing the Sales Commitments so determined
which shall be labeled "Sales Commitments for [Member's name] For January 1
through December 31, [year]".
D. Midyear Increases In Sales Commitments. In the event that during the
course of any calendar year for which Sales Commitments have been established
the Company determines that there is increased demand for Designated Products
which the Members agree to supply in excess of the combined Sales Commitments of
the Members, that increased demand shall in the first instance be allocated
between the Members in proportion to the Sales Commitments determined for that
year, or if one Member does not elect to take that full allocation the other
Member may elect to fill that unmet allocation. In such event all necessary
modifications to the "Sales Commitments for [Member's name] For January 1
through December 31, [year]" schedule shall be promptly made. The failure of a
Member to accept this unmet allocation shall not subject to Member to the
provisions of Section 3.B.
5. CERTAIN RIGHTS AND REMEDIES RELATED TO SALES COMMITMENTS.
A. Failure of the Company To Take Sales Commitments. The Company will
purchase from the Members or otherwise sell on behalf of the Members all Sales
Commitments. In the event the Company is unable to purchase from the Members or
otherwise sell on behalf of the Members all Sales Commitments the Members shall
absorb such shortfalls in proportion to the Member's respective Sales
Commitments.
B. Failure of Member to Supply Sales Commitments. The following rights and
remedies apply if a Member (the "Non-Electing Member") fails to supply its
entire Sales Commitment for any Designated Product either directly or through
its Affiliates:
(i) The other Member (the "Electing Member") may, but is not obligated to,
provide some or all of any such unmet Sales Commitment. Upon making that
election, the Electing Member shall be solely responsible for and shall pay
any incremental costs related to supplying the unmet Sales Commitment that
is covered by this election.
<PAGE> 73
(ii) With respect to that portion of the unmet Sales Commitment not covered
by the Electing Member's election under paragraph (i) above, the Company
shall determine (in its discretion) whether (1) to decline to sell product
to its actual or prospective customers due to unavailability of such
product, or (2) to purchase replacement product on the open market to
fulfill all or some portion of such unmet Sales Commitment. Subject to the
limitations of paragraphs (iii) and (iv) below, the Non-Electing Member
shall be solely responsible for and shall pay all costs related to the
Company's acquisition of this replacement product and any other direct
damages (but not including consequential damages) in connection with its
failure to satisfy its Sales Commitment.
(iii) If the Company intends to purchase replacement product on the open
market under clause (2) of paragraph (ii) above, the Company shall give
Written notice to the Non-Electing Member not less than twenty (20) days
prior to making any such purchase, and the Non-Electing Member may instruct
the Company in Writing within that twenty days not to make any such
purchases; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, the Non-Electing Member shall indemnify and hold the
Company and Electing Member harmless against all direct and consequential
damages (including, but not limited to, loss of future business) resulting
from the Company's compliance with the Non-Electing Member's instruction.
(iv) Absent such instruction, if the Company fulfills any or all of the
Non-Electing Member's unmet Sales Commitment through open market purchases,
the Non-Electing Member shall be responsible for and shall reimburse the
Company only for the amount of such open market purchases in excess of
$50,000 in any one calendar year.
6. PRICING.
The Company agrees to pay each Member for all Designated Product sold by
that Member to the Company and acquired by the Company from the Member under
this Supply Agreement the purchase prices established by this Section 6.
A. Initial Year Pricing. As soon as practicable, the Company and the
Members shall agree to and confirm in writing the purchase prices for Designated
Products to be sold by each Member and acquired by the Company from January 1
through December 31, 2001.
B. Price Changes. No later than December 31, 2001 and each December 31 of
each calendar year thereafter during the Term, the purchase prices for
Designated Products shall be reviewed by the Board of Managers of the Company
and adjustment, if any, for the following calendar year made, provided that any
pricing factors leading to adjustments shall be equally applied to both Members.
7. TERM.
A. General. The term of this Supply Agreement (the "Term") shall commence
as of the Effective Date and shall continue until expiration as provided below,
unless earlier
<PAGE> 74
terminated pursuant to this Section 7. The initial term shall expire at the end
of the day on December 31, 2003. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the initial
term, and any subsequent renewal term, shall be automatically extended for
successive one year renewal terms, unless terminated pursuant to Section 7.B.
B. Termination. This Supply Agreement shall immediately terminate upon the
effective date of a dissolution of the Company under Section 12.2 of the
Operating Agreement, subject only to the additional obligations related to the
winding up of the Company under Article XII of the Operating Agreement or at
such later date as the Members shall agree in writing.
8. OTHER MATTERS.
A. Product Warranty. The Company shall undertake to negotiate with
customers for the Designated Products supplied by the Members under this Supply
Agreement. In so doing the Company shall limit the product warranties given by
the Company to such customers (the "Customer Warranties") to the warranties
contained in this Section 8.A, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the
supplying Member in which case the supplying Member shall warrant the applicable
Designated Products to the full extent so agreed. With respect to all Designated
Product produced by a Member or its Affiliates and sold to the Company to meet
Sales Commitments, that Member warrants that at the time that title to such
Designated Product passes to the Company, such Designated Product will (i)
conform to the Specifications applicable thereto, (ii) not be adulterated or
misbranded within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as
amended (the "Act"), (iii) not be an article which may not under the provisions
of Section 404 and 505 of the Act, be introduced into interstate commerce, and
(iv) in the case of Products delivered to satisfy commitments of the Company
under any of the Contributed Contracts (as defined in the Operating Agreement)
contributed by such Member to the Company pursuant to Section 4.1 of the
Operating Agreement, comply with any warranties contained in such Contributed
Contracts. The warranties described in clauses (i) through (iv) are referred to
as the "Member Warranties". The Company shall not make or extend any warranty to
any customer or other third party on behalf of either Member. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, for calendar year 2001, the Company may grant such Customer
Warranties as either of the Members had granted to those same customers in
calendar year 2000 (the "2000 Warranties").
B. DISCLAIMER. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 8.A., NEITHER MEMBER MAKES
ANY OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY OTHER MATTER WITH
RESPECT TO THE PRODUCTS SUPPLIED HEREUNDER.
C. Cooperation. The Company shall notify the applicable Member in writing
within 24 hours after becoming aware of any quality issues or customer
complaints or claims regarding any products supplied hereunder by such Member.
Such Member shall reasonably cooperate with the Company in connection with the
Company's resolution of any such complaint or claim.
D. Claims. All claims regarding products supplied hereunder including, but
not limited to, claims for any alleged shortage or claims that such products did
not conform to the
<PAGE> 75
Member Warranty, shall be deemed waived by the Company unless made in writing
and received by the Member supplying the applicable product within ten business
days after the Company learns of the alleged claim but in no event later than
six months after the date of shipment of such products from such Member's
production facility. Upon a Member's receipt of any such claim notice alleging a
breach of the Member Warranty, such Member shall determine whether such products
conformed to such warranty. If such Member agrees that such products did not
conform to such warranty, such Member shall (i) notify the Company thereof in
writing and instruct the Company to either dispose of such products or deliver
such products to a facility designated by such Member, and the Company shall do
so at its own cost and expense; and (ii) either (a) replace such products, or
(b) refund to the Company or the Company's customer the amount of the actual
purchase price paid to such Member for such products net of any commission paid
to the Company therefor. The remedies provided in clause (ii) above shall be the
Company's sole and exclusive remedy for any claim by the Company that the
applicable Member breached the Member Warranty.
E. Technical Information. Each Member shall provide such technical
information and assistance as reasonably requested by the Company in connection
with the products supplied hereunder including, but not limited to, information
regarding such Member's quality systems and procedures in connection with such
products. As among the Company and the Members, the Company shall be solely
responsible for providing to its customers any technical information and
assistance that the Company deems necessary or appropriate. If the Company
obtains any field reports or other technical information that may be useful to a
Member in connection with such products, the Company shall provide such field
reports or other technical information to such Member.
F. Transfer of Title and Risk of Loss. Title and risk of loss for all
products sold by the Members to the Company hereunder shall transfer to the
Company upon the shipment of such products by freight carriers from the premises
of the applicable production facility or as otherwise agreed by the Company and
the applicable Member.
9. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
A. By the Company. The Company shall defend, indemnify and hold each Member
and its Affiliates harmless from and against any and all claims, losses,
damages, suits, costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and liabilities
based upon or arising out of or in connection with (i) any violation by the
Company of any law, regulation or order; (ii) any warranty, including the 2000
Warranties, extended by the Company other than that the products supplied
hereunder will conform to the Member Warranties; (iii) the handling, possession,
use or disposal by the Company (or any third party that obtains such products in
any form through or from the Company) of the products supplied hereunder,
whether used in manufacturing, combined with other substances, or consumed in
any manner; or (iv) the Company's negligence or willful misconduct.
B. By Corn Products. Corn Products shall defend, indemnify and hold the
Company, MCP and MCP's Affiliates harmless from and against any and all claims,
losses, damages, suits,
<PAGE> 76
costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and liabilities based upon or
arising out of or in connection with (i) any failure of products supplied by
Corn Products hereunder to conform to the Member Warranties; (ii) any violation
by Corn Products of any of law, regulation or order; or (iii) Corn Products's
negligence or willful misconduct.
C. By MCP. MCP shall defend, indemnify and hold the Company, Corn Products
and Corn Products's Affiliates harmless from and against any and all claims,
losses, damages, suits, costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and
liabilities based upon or arising out of or in connection with (i) any failure
of products supplied by MCP hereunder to conform to the Member Warranties; (ii)
any violation by MCP of any of law, regulation or order; or (iii) MCP's
negligence or willful misconduct.
D. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SECTION 5.B (iii) OR SECTION 10.B, NO
PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE TO EITHER OF THE OTHER PARTIES FOR CONSEQUENTIAL,
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES.
10. CONFIDENTIALITY.
A. Members' Obligations. Each of the Members acknowledges that the
confidential information and trade secrets of the other two parties shall be
subject to Section 6.4 of the Operating Agreement as if each Member was the
Company for the purposes of such section.
B. The Company's Obligation. During the Term, the Company shall not
divulge, communicate, use to the detriment of a Member or for the benefit of any
other Person, or misuse in any way, any confidential information or trade
secrets of the Members or their Affiliates including, but not limited to,
personnel information, secret processes, know-how, customer lists, formulas or
other technical data, except as may be required by law, provided, however, that
such prohibition shall not apply to any information which, (i) through no
improper action of the Company, is publicly available or generally known in the
industry; (ii) at the time of disclosure to the Company by any other party was
already known to the Company as evidenced by the Company's written records;
(iii) becomes available on a non-confidential basis from a source that is
entitled to disclose it on a non-confidential basis, or (iv) was or is
independently developed by or for the Company without reference to the
confidential information, as evidenced by the Company's written records.
C. Equitable Relief. The parties acknowledge that a Member would be
irreparably damaged by reason of any violation by the Company of the provisions
of Section 6.B. in connection with such Member's confidential information and
that any remedy at law for a breach by the Company of such provisions would be
inadequate. Accordingly, such Member shall be entitled to seek and obtain
injunctive or other equitable relief (including, but not limited to, a temporary
restraining order, a temporary injunction or a permanent injunction) against any
other party for a breach or threatened breach of such provisions and without the
necessity of proving actual monetary loss. The parties acknowledge that this
injunctive or other equitable relief shall not be such Member's exclusive remedy
for any breach of Section 6.B., and such Member may seek any other relief or
remedy that it may have by contract, statute, law or otherwise for any
<PAGE> 77
breach hereof. Such Member shall also be entitled to recover its attorneys' fees
and expenses in any successful action or suit against the Company relating to
any such breach.
11. FORCE MAJEURE.
If any party's performance of any of its duties or obligations under this
Supply Agreement is prevented, hindered, delayed or otherwise made impracticable
by reason of any strike, labor disturbance, flood, riot, fire, failure of
transportation, unavailability of raw materials, civil unrest, act of the
government, Act of God, natural disaster, explosion, equipment failure that is
beyond such party's control, war or any other casualty which cannot be overcome
by reasonable diligence and without unusual expense, such party shall, except as
provided in Section 3.C, be excused from such performance to the extent that it
is so prevented, hindered or delayed thereby during the continuance of any such
happening or event and for so long as such event shall continue to prevent,
hinder or delay such performance; provided, however, that such party diligently
works to cure such non-performance in the shortest reasonable time period. The
party asserting force majeure shall, in each instance, give the other party
written notice within a reasonable time after becoming aware thereof. Such
notice shall include a brief description of the events or circumstances of force
majeure and an estimate of the anticipated duration. Within a reasonable time
after knowledge of the cessation of any such continuing events or circumstances
constituting force majeure, the party that asserted the same shall give the
other parties written notice of the date of such cessation.
12. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.
A. General. Each Party shall comply with all laws, regulations, executive
orders, and codes, applicable to it in connection with its performance
hereunder.
B. The Company's Additional Obligations. The Company shall be responsible
for proper transportation, storage, security, handling, accounting for, and
protection from the elements, contamination, damage or destruction of products
supplied hereunder while they are in its or its agent's control. The Company
acknowledges that the such products are foodstuffs for human consumption and
accordingly, special precautions as outlined in Part 110 of the Code of Federal
Regulations must be undertaken to safeguard the same. The Company will store,
handle, maintain, and transport such products in such a way as to prevent
degradation of quality, contamination, or adulteration before sale to its
customers.
C. Regulatory Inquiries. If the Company receives an inquiry from any
governmental or regulatory agency regarding products supplied hereunder that
could reasonably be expected to impact a Member or require a response from or
action by a Member, the Company shall immediately notify such Member in writing.
13. FOOD LAW WARRANTY.
The Company warrants that the products supplied hereunder, as of the date
of shipping to its customer or any other third party, (a) will not be
adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of the Act, or an article which may
not, under the provisions of Section 404 and 505 of
<PAGE> 78
the Act, be introduced into interstate commerce, or adulterated or misbranded
within the meaning of the food laws of any state to which it is shipped; and (b)
will be exempt or recognized as safe, for the conditions and quantities of
intended use, within the meaning of the Food Additives Amendment of the Act.
14. DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection with this
Supply Agreement shall be resolved in accordance with Article XIII of the
Operating Agreement, and the Company shall be deemed to be a Member (as defined
in the Operating Agreement) for purposes of this Section.
15. GOVERNING LAW.
This Supply Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of
conflicts of laws.
16. ASSIGNMENT.
This Supply Agreement may not be assigned by any party except to (a) an
Affiliate of such party; or (b) a transferee of all or substantially all of the
business and assets of such party.
17. THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY.
Nothing contained herein shall create third party beneficiary rights in any
third party including any customer of the Company.
18. NOTICES.
Notices hereunder shall be given to the respective party at the address set
forth in the introduction to this Supply Agreement or such other address as
shall be specified by the applicable party in a notice hereunder.
19. TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES.
Nothing herein shall grant to the Company or a Member a right to register
or use any trademark or trade name of the Company or the other Member without
such other Member's prior written consent. The Company and each Member
acknowledge that they have no right, title, or interest in or to the Company's
or the other Member's trade name or in or to any such trademarks of the Company
or the other Member.
<PAGE> 79
20. MISCELLANEOUS.
A. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings set
forth in the Operating Agreement.
B. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this
Supply Agreement shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and this Supply
Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable
provision were omitted.
C. The headings of this Supply Agreement are for the convenience of the
parties and shall not be construed as having any legal or binding meaning or
effect.
D. The failure by any party to insist upon strict performance of any
covenant or condition of this Supply Agreement, in any one or more instances,
shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any such covenant or
condition in the future, but the same shall be and remain in full force and
effect.
E. This Supply Agreement and the Operating Agreement (i) constitute the
entire understanding and agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof; (ii) cancel and supersede any prior negotiations; and
(iii) merge all understandings and agreements, whether verbal or written, with
respect thereto. Each Member specifically rejects any additional, different, or
inconsistent terms or conditions proposed by the Company. This Supply Agreement
can be amended only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto. In
the event of a conflict between this Supply Agreement and any Exhibit hereto,
the terms of this Supply Agreement shall govern.
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.6
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>c61002ex10-6.txt
<DESCRIPTION>SUPPLY AGREEMENT DATED 1/1/01
<TEXT>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.6
SUPPLY AGREEMENT
This Supply Agreement (this "Supply Agreement") is made as of January
1, 2001, by and among CORNPRODUCTSMCP SWEETENERS LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company, with its principal office in Marshall, Minnesota (the
"Company"), CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation, with its
principal office at 6500 South Archer Avenue, Bedford Park, Illinois 60501-1933
("Corn Products"), and MINNESOTA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC, a Colorado limited
liability company, with its principal office at 901 North Highway 59, Marshall,
Minnesota 56528-2744 ("MCP"). Corn Products and MCP shall each be referred to
herein as a "Member" and collectively referred to herein as the "Members."
WHEREAS, the Members entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement
dated as of December 1, 2000 (the "Operating Agreement") under which the Members
agreed to form the Company primarily to serve as their exclusive sales outlet
for the sale in the United States of America (including Puerto Rico, the "United
States"), and into Canada, and Mexico (collectively, "North America") of certain
Designated Products (as defined herein); and
WHEREAS, each Member is willing to supply to the Company the Designated
Products produced in the United States by each of them for sale in North
America, subject to the terms and conditions of the Operating Agreement and this
Supply Agreement.
WHEREAS, as part of its contribution obligation under the Operating
Agreement, each Member has agreed to enter into this Supply Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and
agreements herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree
as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
In addition to such definitions as shall be set forth in Article I of
the Operating Agreement (some of which are repeated here for reference) or
defined in the text below, when used in this Supply Agreement the following
terms shall have the meaning specified:
A. "Affiliate" means, when used with reference to a specific Person (or
when not referring to a specific Person shall mean an Affiliate of a Member),
any Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries,
controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specific Person.
B. "Base Year Volume" shall mean the quantity representing the
aggregate actual sales of the applicable Designated Product by each Member (and
its respective Affiliates) during calendar year 2000 unless modified in the
manner set forth below, to the extent such Designated
<PAGE> 2
Product was (i) produced and sold within the United States, (ii) produced within
the United States and sold in Mexico or Canada, or (iii) produced in Mexico or
Canada and exported into and sold in the United States. The Base Year Volume
shall be confirmed in writing by the parties.
C. "Bulk" means finished products sold by pipeline or single container,
rail car or other transportation vehicle where the finished product pipeline
shipment, container, rail car or vehicle load has a capacity in excess of five
tons. Bulk does not include a single container, rail car or other transportation
vehicle containing subcontainers or packages of less than five tons. Excluded
from this definition of Bulk shall be any such products sold or otherwise
transferred to a third party and normally delivered by pipeline for processing
into finished products other than Designated Products.
D. "Designated Products" has the meaning given in the Operating
Agreement.
E. "Modified Base Year Volume" shall mean the volume resulting from all
changes to the Base Year Volume under Section 3 below.
F. "Sales Commitments" shall mean the volume of Designated Products
which a Member has agreed to sell to the Company as determined in Section 2.A
for the first year of the Supply Agreement and in Section 4 for all subsequent
years during the Term.
G. "Specifications" shall mean the specifications to the applicable
products supplied hereunder as agreed to in writing by the parties.
2. PURCHASE AND SALE OF DESIGNATED PRODUCTS.
A. Obligation to Sell and Buy Designated Products. During each calendar
year during the Term of the Supply Agreement each Member and its Affiliates
shall sell to the Company their respective Sales Commitments of Designated
Products for such calendar year. The Company shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to market and sell such Designated Products to its customers in the
United States and, through Affiliates of Corn Products under one or more
commission sales agreements, in Mexico and Canada. Designated Products produced
by Affiliates of the Members in Mexico or Canada and sold in the United States
to or through the Company under one or more commission sales agreements shall be
credited against the applicable Member's Sales Commitment.
B. Sales Commitments for Calendar Year 2001. For calendar year 2001,
each Member's respective Sales Commitment for each Designated Product shall be
equal to the Member's respective Base Year Volume for such Designated Product.
C. Rate of Delivery. Each Member shall use reasonable efforts to supply
its respective Sales Commitments to the Company in accordance with the quarterly
volume forecasts included as part of the Sales Commitments as provided in
Section 4 below or as
<PAGE> 3
otherwise required to enable the Company to satisfy the needs of, and its
obligations to, its customers.
3. METHODS FOR DETERMINING MODIFIED BASE YEAR VOLUMES.
A. Modification By Acquisition of Production Facility Capacity. A Member or
its Affiliate may acquire from a third party not an Affiliate of such
Member any production-facility capacity within North America that at the
time of the closing of such acquisition is producing any Designated
Product being (a) sold in North America if the production facility is
located in the United States or (b) sold in the United States if the
production facility is located outside the United States (the "Acquired
Facility"). For purposes of this Section an acquisition shall include both
the purchase of the assets and the purchase of a controlling interest in
the facility's output of Designated Products (a) sold in North America if
the production facility is located in the United States or (b) sold in the
United States if the production facility is located outside the United
States. In the event of any such acquisition of an Acquired Facility:
(i) The Company's actual calendar year sales of the applicable Designated
Products for the full calendar year in which the acquisition of the
Acquired Facility occurs (excluding any sales of Designated Product from
the Acquired Facility) shall first be allocated between the Members in
proportion to each Member's then current Base Year Volume or Modified Base
Year Volume, as the case may be. This allocation of the current year's
sales of applicable Designated Product shall yield an "Adjusted Year
Volume" for each Member.
(ii) The Member acquiring the Acquired Facility shall provide to the Company
true and accurate sales figures for the full calendar year in which such
acquisition occurs showing all applicable Designated Product that was
produced at the Acquired Facility and (a) sold in North America if the
production facility is located in the United States, or (b) sold in the
United States if the production facility is located outside of the United
States. These actual sales figures shall be added to the acquiring
Member's Adjusted Year Volume to yield a Modified Base Year Volume for
that Member.
(iii) The non-acquiring Member's Adjusted Year Volume for each applicable
Designated Product shall become that Member's Modified Base Year Volume.
(iv) The Company shall prepare and amend to the Supply Agreement schedules
showing the results of this calculations which shall be labeled "Modified
Base Year Volumes For Members as of January 1, [year]". Thereafter these
schedules (unless later modified) shall used to determine each Member's
annual contractual rights under this Supply Agreement to supply Designated
Products to the Company in the manner calculated under Section 4 below.
(v) In the calendar year in which the purchase of the Acquired Facility is
completed, the acquiring Member shall provide to the Company true and
accurate sales estimates showing the volume of each Designated Product
forecasted to be sold during the remainder of the calendar year from the
Acquired Facility in North America if the Acquired Facility is located in
the United States, or sold in the United States if the Acquired Facility
is located outside of the United States. The Company shall add that volume
of forecasted sales to the acquiring Member's applicable Sales
Commitments, as defined below, for the balance of that calendar year.
<PAGE> 4
(vi) Unless the Company and the Members agree to another method for integrating
the Modified Base Year Volume amounts calculated under this Section 3.A
into the calculation of Sales Commitment under Section 4 below, the
Company and the Members agree to meet on or before January 5 of the year
following the year in which the Acquired Facility is purchased to make all
necessary recalculations of Sales Commitments for that year using the
Member's Modified Base Year Volumes, as determined under this Section.
B. Modification Because of a Failure to Commit to 90% of Current Base
Year Volume. As more fully described in Section 4 below, each Member shall be
entitled on an annual basis to specify its Sales Target for each Designated
Product for the following calendar year. If a Member specifies a Sales Target
that is less than 90% of such Member's then current Base Year Volume or Modified
Base Year Volume for any applicable Designated Product, the difference between
such Sales Target and such current Base Year Volume or Modified Base Year Volume
shall be considered a "Deficiency". The other Member (the "Assuming Member") may
elect to supply all or any portion of the Deficiency. If such an election is
made, the amount of such Deficiency so assumed and actually supplied by the
Member to the Company during that subsequent year shall be subtracted from the
non-Assuming Member's then current Base Year Volume or Modified Base Year Volume
and added to the Assuming Member's then current Base Year Volume or Modified
Base Year Volume to create new Modified Base Year Volume's for both Members. The
Company shall prepare and append to this Supply Agreement schedules showing the
results of these calculations which shall be labeled "Modified Base Year Volumes
For [Member's name] as of [date]". Thereafter these schedules (unless later
modified) shall be used to determine each Member's annual contractual rights
under this Supply Agreement or later executed Supply Agreements to supply
Designated Products to the Company in the manner calculated under Section 4
below.
C. Modification Because of Failure to Supply 90% of Current Base Year
Volume As Result of Force Majeure or Failure to Agree to Increased Warrant
(i) If as a result of a condition of force majeure a Member fails to
satisfy its Sales Commitment with respect to any Designated Product and if the
amount of such Designated Product actually supplied by such Member is less than
90% of such Member's current Base Year Volume or Modified Base Year Volume for
the applicable year, the difference between the amount of such Designated
Product actually supplied by such Member and such Member's current Base Year
Volume or Modified Base Year Volume shall be considered a "Force Majeure
Deficiency". The amount of such Force Majeure Deficiency shall be subtracted
from the then current Base Year Volume or Modified Base Year Volume of the
Member affected by the condition of force majeure to create a new Modified Base
Year Volume for such Member.
In years subsequent to the year in which the condition of force majeure
occurs, increases in aggregate Volume Allocations over the Sales Commitments in
the year in which the condition of force majeure occurs, shall be allocated on a
priority basis to the Member affected by the condition of force majeure and the
Modified Base Year Volume of such Member shall be
<PAGE> 5
increased up to the level that existed prior to such reduction to the extent
that such Member commits to such incremental Volume Allocations and satisfies
such commitment.
(ii) If (a) the Company shall propose a customer warranty that exceeds
the Member Warranty (the "Increased Warranty") with respect to any Designated
Product, and (b) any Member shall agree to supply Designated Product subject to
the Increased Warranty, then any other Member that is requested by the Company
to agree to the Increased Warranty with respect to any Designated Product within
the same Product Category may either agree to supply such Designated Product
subject to the Increased Warranty or choose not to agree.
If (a) such Member fails to accept all rights and obligations to supply
such Designated Product subject to the Increased Warranty and (b) another Member
agrees to assume all rights and obligations to supply such Designated Product,
the Member that agrees to assume such rights and obligations to supply such
Designated Product subject to the Increased Warranty shall be responsible for
and shall pay all incremental freight and other costs incurred by the Company as
a result of supplying such Designated Product.
If (a) another Member does not supply such Designated Product subject
to the Increased Warranty, (b) the customer that had requested the Increased
Warranty chooses not to purchase the Designated Product because of its failure
to obtain the Increased Warranty, and (c) the amount of such Designated Product
that such customer chooses not to purchase is more than 10% of such Member's
current Base Year Volume or Modified Base Year Volume for the applicable year,
then the amount of Designated Product that such customer refused to purchase
shall be considered a "Warranty Deficiency". The amount of such Warranty
Deficiency shall be subtracted from the then current Base Year Volume or
Modified Base Year Volume of the Member that failed to agree to the Increased
Warranty to create a new Modified Base Year Volume for such Member.
(iii) The Company shall prepare and append to this Supply Agreement
schedules showing the results of any calculations of Modified Base Volumes
required by paragraph (i) or (ii) above, which shall be labeled "Modified Base
Year Volumes For [Member's name] as of [date]". Thereafter these schedules
(unless later modified) shall be used to determine each Member's annual
contractual rights under this Supply Agreement or later executed Supply
Agreements to supply Designated Products to the Company in the manner calculated
under Section 4 below.
D. Other Modifications. A Member's Modified Base Year Volume shall be
increased by the volume of Designated Products sold in the most recently
completed year under any unassignable contract upon the earlier of the
assignment to the Company or the expiration of such contract.
4. DETERMINATION OF MEMBER'S SALES COMMITMENTS AFTER CALENDAR YEAR 2001.
<PAGE> 6
The determination of each Member's Sales Commitments to the Company for
all years after calendar year 2001, shall be made as follows:
A. Preparation of Subsequent Years Sales Forecasts Sales Targets. The
Company shall annually prepare Sales Forecasts and Sales Targets in the
following manner and on the following dates unless different dates are agreed to
in any given year by the Company and each Member:
(i) on or before September 1, 2001, and each September 1 thereafter, the
Company shall forecast its annual sales and delivery requirements for each
of the Designated Products for the next calendar year (on a quarterly
basis) (the "Sales Forecast");
(ii) the Company shall also calculate a "Volume Allocation" of its Sales
Forecast between the Members for each Designated Product in proportion to
each Member's then current Base Year Volume or Modified Base Year Volume,
as the case may be, for each Designated Product contained in the Sales
Forecast so that 100% of the Sales Forecast for each such Designated
Product shall be so allocated between the Members. It is the intent of this
Volume Allocation to provide to each Member the right to elect to supply to
or sell through the Company in the succeeding calendar year a quantity of
each Designated Product equal to the Volume Allocation of that Designated
Product to that Member;
(iii) on or before September 2 of the calendar year in which this Volume
Allocation is made, the Company shall give each Member Written notice of
these Volume Allocations;
(iv) on or before October 1 of the calendar year in which these Volume
Allocations are so supplied to and received by the Members, each Member
shall independently determine and notify the Company in Writing of the
quantity of each Designated Product (not to exceed Member's applicable
Volume Allocation) that such Member is willing to commit to supply to or
sell through the Company for the succeeding calendar year (on a quarterly
basis) (each commitment being a "Sales Target") for that Designated
Product; and
(v) on or before October 5 of each such calendar year, the Company shall
provide to each Member the other Member's Sales Targets.
B. Failure of a Member to Accept Volume Allocations. If a Member's Sales
Target for a Designated Product for a given calendar year is less than such
Member's applicable Volume Allocation, then the other Member (the "Assuming
Member") may assume the right and obligation solely during such calendar year
to supply an additional amount of such Designated Product not to exceed the
difference between the other Member's Volume Allocation and Sales Target for
that Designated Product (the "Assumed Allocation"). Written notice of this
election shall be given by the Assuming Member to the Company on or before
October 10 of such calendar year.
C. Final Sales Commitments. On or before October 15 of each calendar year,
the Company shall determine the final quantity of each Designated Product that
each Member has committed to supply, which shall be the sum of such Member's (i)
applicable Sales Target; and (ii) Assumed
<PAGE> 7
Allocation (collectively each such final quantity being a "Sales Commitment").
The Company shall prepare and append to this Supply Agreement schedules showing
the Sales Commitments so determined which shall be labeled "Sales Commitments
for [Member's name] For January 1 through December 31, [year]".
D. Midyear Increases In Sales Commitments. In the event that during the
course of any calendar year for which Sales Commitments have been established
the Company determines that there is increased demand for Designated Products
which the Members agree to supply in excess of the combined Sales Commitments
of the Members, that increased demand shall in the first instance be allocated
between the Members in proportion to the Sales Commitments determined for that
year, or if one Member does not elect to take that full allocation the other
Member may elect to fill that unmet allocation. In such event all necessary
modifications to the "Sales Commitments for [Member's name] For January 1
through December 31, [year]" schedule shall be promptly made. The failure of a
Member to accept this unmet allocation shall not subject to Member to the
provisions of Section 3.B.
5. CERTAIN RIGHTS AND REMEDIES RELATED TO SALES COMMITMENTS.
A. Failure of the Company To Take Sales Commitments. The Company will
purchase from the Members or otherwise sell on behalf of the Members all Sales
Commitments. In the event the Company is unable to purchase from the Members or
otherwise sell on behalf of the Members all Sales Commitments the Members shall
absorb such shortfalls in proportion to the Member's respective Sales
Commitments.
B. Failure of Member to Supply Sales Commitments. The following rights
and remedies apply if a Member (the "Non-Electing Member") fails to supply its
entire Sales Commitment for any Designated Product either directly or through
its Affiliates:
(i) The other Member (the "Electing Member") may, but is not obligated
to, provide some or all of any such unmet Sales Commitment. Upon making
that election, the Electing Member shall be solely responsible for and
shall pay any incremental costs related to supplying the unmet Sales
Commitment that is covered by this election.
(ii) With respect to that portion of the unmet Sales Commitment not
covered by the Electing Member's election under paragraph (i) above,
the Company shall determine (in its discretion) whether (1) to decline
to sell product to its actual or prospective customers due to
unavailability of such product, or (2) to purchase replacement product
on the open market to fulfill all or some portion of such unmet Sales
Commitment. Subject to the limitations of paragraphs (iii) and (iv)
below, the Non-Electing Member shall be solely responsible for and
shall pay all costs related to the Company's acquisition of this
replacement product and any other direct damages (but not including
consequential damages) in connection with its failure to satisfy its
Sales Commitment
(iii) If the Company intends to purchase replacement product on the
open market under clause (2) of paragraph (ii) above, the Company shall
give Written notice to the Non-Electing Member not less than twenty
(20) days prior to making any such purchase, and
<PAGE> 8
the Non-Electing Member may instruct the Company in Writing within that
twenty days not to make any such purchases; provided that,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
Non-Electing Member shall indemnify and hold the Company and Electing
Member harmless against all direct and consequential damages
(including, but not limited to, loss of future business) resulting from
the Company's compliance with the Non-Electing Member's instruction.
(iv) Absent such instruction, if the Company fulfills any or all of the
Non-Electing Member's unmet Sales Commitment through open market
purchases, the Non-Electing Member shall be responsible for and shall
reimburse the Company only for the amount of such open market purchases
in excess of $50,000 in any one calendar year.
6. PRICING.
The Company agrees to pay each Member for all Designated Product sold
by that Member to the Company and acquired by the Company from the Member under
this Supply Agreement the purchase prices established by this Section 6.
A. Initial Year Pricing. As soon as practicable, the Company and the
Members shall agree to and confirm in writing the purchase prices for Designated
Products to be sold by each Member and acquired by the Company from January 1
through December 31, 2001.
B. Price Changes. No later than December 31, 2001 and each December 31 of
each calendar year thereafter during the Term, the purchase prices for
Designated Products shall be reviewed by the Board of Managers of the Company
and adjustment, if any, for the following calendar year made, provided that any
pricing factors leading to adjustments shall be equally applied to both Members.
7. TERM.
A. General. The term of this Supply Agreement (the "Term") shall
commence as of the Effective Date and shall continue until expiration as
provided below, unless earlier terminated pursuant to this Section 7. The
initial term shall expire at the end of the day on December 31, 2003.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the initial term, and any subsequent renewal
term, shall be automatically extended for successive one year renewal terms,
unless terminated pursuant to Section 7.B.
B. Termination. This Supply Agreement shall immediately terminate upon
the effective date of a dissolution of the Company under Section 12.2 of the
Operating Agreement, subject only to the additional obligations related to the
winding up of the Company under Article XII of the Operating Agreement or at
such later date as the Members shall agree in writing.
8. OTHER MATTERS.
<PAGE> 9
A. Product Warranty. The Company shall undertake to negotiate with
customers for the Designated Products supplied by the Members under this Supply
Agreement. In so doing the Company shall limit the product warranties given by
the Company to such customers (the "Customer Warranties") to the warranties
contained in this Section 8.A, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the
supplying Member in which case the supplying Member shall warrant the applicable
Designated Products to the full extent so agreed. With respect to all Designated
Product produced by a Member or its Affiliates and sold to the Company to meet
Sales Commitments, that Member warrants that at the time that title to such
Designated Product passes to the Company, such Designated Product will (i)
conform to the Specifications applicable thereto, (ii) not be adulterated or
misbranded within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as
amended (the "Act"), (iii) not be an article which may not under the provisions
of Section 404 and 505 of the Act, be introduced into interstate commerce, and
(iv) in the case of Products delivered to satisfy commitments of the Company
under any of the Contributed Contracts (as defined in the Operating Agreement)
contributed by such Member to the Company pursuant to Section 4.1 of the
Operating Agreement, comply with any warranties contained in such Contributed
Contracts. The warranties described in clauses (i) through (iv) are referred to
as the "Member Warranties". The Company shall not make or extend any warranty to
any customer or other third party on behalf of either Member. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, for calendar year 2001, the Company may grant such Customer
Warranties as either of the Members had granted to those same customers in
calendar year 2000 (the "2000 Warranties").
B. DISCLAIMER. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 8.A., NEITHER MEMBER
MAKES ANY OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS
TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY OTHER MATTER WITH
RESPECT TO THE PRODUCTS SUPPLIED HEREUNDER.
C. Cooperation. The Company shall notify the applicable Member in
writing within 24 hours after becoming aware of any quality issues or customer
complaints or claims regarding any products supplied hereunder by such Member.
Such Member shall reasonably cooperate with the Company in connection with the
Company's resolution of any such complaint or claim.
D. Claims. All claims regarding products supplied hereunder including,
but not limited to, claims for any alleged shortage or claims that such products
did not conform to the Member Warranty, shall be deemed waived by the Company
unless made in writing and received by the Member supplying the applicable
product within ten business days after the Company learns of the alleged claim
but in no event later than six months after the date of shipment of such
products from such Member's production facility. Upon a Member's receipt of any
such claim notice alleging a breach of the Member Warranty, such Member shall
determine whether such products conformed to such warranty. If such Member
agrees that such products did not conform to such warranty, such Member shall
(i) notify the Company thereof in writing and instruct the Company to either
dispose of such products or deliver such products to a facility designated by
such Member, and the Company shall do so at its own cost and expense; and (ii)
either (a) replace such products, or (b) refund to the Company or the Company's
customer the
<PAGE> 10
amount of the actual purchase price paid to such Member for such products net of
any commission paid to the Company therefor. The remedies provided in clause
(ii) above shall be the Company's sole and exclusive remedy for any claim by the
Company that the applicable Member breached the Member Warranty.
E. Technical Information. Each Member shall provide such technical
information and assistance as reasonably requested by the Company in connection
with the products supplied hereunder including, but not limited to, information
regarding such Member's quality systems and procedures in connection with such
products. As among the Company and the Members, the Company shall be solely
responsible for providing to its customers any technical information and
assistance that the Company deems necessary or appropriate. If the Company
obtains any field reports or other technical information that may be useful to a
Member in connection with such products, the Company shall provide such field
reports or other technical information to such Member.
F. Transfer of Title and Risk of Loss. Title and risk of loss for all
products sold by the Members to the Company hereunder shall transfer to the
Company upon the shipment of such products by freight carriers from the premises
of the applicable production facility or as otherwise agreed by the Company and
the applicable Member.
9. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
A. By the Company. The Company shall defend, indemnify and hold each Member
and its Affiliates harmless from and against any and all claims, losses,
damages, suits, costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and liabilities
based upon or arising out of or in connection with (i) any violation by the
Company of any law, regulation or order; (ii) any warranty, including the 2000
Warranties, extended by the Company other than that the products supplied
hereunder will conform to the Member Warranties; (iii) the handling, possession,
use or disposal by the Company (or any third party that obtains such products in
any form through or from the Company) of the products supplied hereunder,
whether used in manufacturing, combined with other substances, or consumed in
any manner; or (iv) the Company's negligence or willful misconduct.
B. By Corn Products. Corn Products shall defend, indemnify and hold the
Company, MCP and MCP's Affiliates harmless from and against any and all claims,
losses, damages, suits, costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and
liabilities based upon or arising out of or in connection with (i) any failure
of products supplied by Corn Products hereunder to conform to the Member
Warranties; (ii) any violation by Corn Products of any of law, regulation or
order; or (iii) Corn Products's negligence or willful misconduct.
C. By MCP. MCP shall defend, indemnify and hold the Company, Corn Products
and Corn Products's Affiliates harmless from and against any and all claims,
losses, damages, suits, costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and
liabilities based upon or arising out of or in connection with (i) any failure
of products supplied by MCP hereunder to conform to the Member Warranties; (ii)
any violation by MCP of any of law, regulation or order; or (iii) MCP's
negligence or willful misconduct.
<PAGE> 11
D. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SECTION 5.B (iii) OR SECTION 10.B, NO
PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE TO EITHER OF THE OTHER PARTIES FOR CONSEQUENTIAL,
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES.
10. CONFIDENTIALITY.
A. Members' Obligations. Each of the Members acknowledges that the
confidential information and trade secrets of the other two parties shall be
subject to Section 6.4 of the Operating Agreement as if each Member was the
Company for the purposes of such section.
B. The Company's Obligation. During the Term, the Company shall not
divulge, communicate, use to the detriment of a Member or for the benefit of any
other Person, or misuse in any way, any confidential information or trade
secrets of the Members or their Affiliates including, but not limited to,
personnel information, secret processes, know-how, customer lists, formulas or
other technical data, except as may be required by law, provided, however, that
such prohibition shall not apply to any information which, (i) through no
improper action of the Company, is publicly available or generally known in the
industry; (ii) at the time of disclosure to the Company by any other party was
already known to the Company as evidenced by the Company's written records;
(iii) becomes available on a non-confidential basis from a source that is
entitled to disclose it on a non-confidential basis, or (iv) was or is
independently developed by or for the Company without reference to the
confidential information, as evidenced by the Company's written records.
C. Equitable Relief. The parties acknowledge that a Member would be
irreparably damaged by reason of any violation by the Company of the provisions
of Section 6.B. in connection with such Member's confidential information and
that any remedy at law for a breach by the Company of such provisions would be
inadequate. Accordingly, such Member shall be entitled to seek and obtain
injunctive or other equitable relief (including, but not limited to, a temporary
restraining order, a temporary injunction or a permanent injunction) against any
other party for a breach or threatened breach of such provisions and without the
necessity of proving actual monetary loss. The parties acknowledge that this
injunctive or other equitable relief shall not be such Member's exclusive remedy
for any breach of Section 6.B., and such Member may seek any other relief or
remedy that it may have by contract, statute, law or otherwise for any breach
hereof. Such Member shall also be entitled to recover its attorneys' fees and
expenses in any successful action or suit against the Company relating to any
such breach.
11. FORCE MAJEURE.
If any party's performance of any of its duties or obligations under
this Supply Agreement is prevented, hindered, delayed or otherwise made
impracticable by reason of any strike, labor disturbance, flood, riot, fire,
failure of transportation, unavailability of raw materials, civil unrest, act of
the government, Act of God, natural disaster, explosion, equipment failure that
is beyond such party's control, war or any other casualty which cannot be
overcome by reasonable diligence and without unusual expense, such party shall,
except as provided in
<PAGE> 12
Section 3.C, be excused from such performance to the extent that it is so
prevented, hindered or delayed thereby during the continuance of any such
happening or event and for so long as such event shall continue to prevent,
hinder or delay such performance; provided, however, that such party diligently
works to cure such non-performance in the shortest reasonable time period. The
party asserting force majeure shall, in each instance, give the other party
written notice within a reasonable time after becoming aware thereof. Such
notice shall include a brief description of the events or circumstances of force
majeure and an estimate of the anticipated duration. Within a reasonable time
after knowledge of the cessation of any such continuing events or circumstances
constituting force majeure, the party that asserted the same shall give the
other parties written notice of the date of such cessation.
12. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.
A. General. Each Party shall comply with all laws, regulations, executive
orders, and codes, applicable to it in connection with its performance
hereunder.
B. The Company's Additional Obligations. The Company shall be responsible
for proper transportation, storage, security, handling, accounting for, and
protection from the elements, contamination, damage or destruction of products
supplied hereunder while they are in its or its agent's control. The Company
acknowledges that the such products are foodstuffs for human consumption and
accordingly, special precautions as outlined in Part 110 of the Code of Federal
Regulations must be undertaken to safeguard the same. The Company will store,
handle, maintain, and transport such products in such a way as to prevent
degradation of quality, contamination, or adulteration before sale to its
customers.
C. Regulatory Inquiries. If the Company receives an inquiry from any
governmental or regulatory agency regarding products supplied hereunder that
could reasonably be expected to impact a Member or require a response from or
action by a Member, the Company shall immediately notify such Member in writing.
13. FOOD LAW WARRANTY.
The Company warrants that the products supplied hereunder, as of the
date of shipping to its customer or any other third party, (a) will not be
adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of the Act, or an article which may
not, under the provisions of Section 404 and 505 of the Act, be introduced into
interstate commerce, or adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of the food
laws of any state to which it is shipped; and (b) will be exempt or recognized
as safe, for the conditions and quantities of intended use, within the meaning
of the Food Additives Amendment of the Act.
14. DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
<PAGE> 13
Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection with this
Supply Agreement shall be resolved in accordance with Article XIII of the
Operating Agreement, and the Company shall be deemed to be a Member (as defined
in the Operating Agreement) for purposes of this Section.
15. GOVERNING LAW.
This Supply Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of
conflicts of laws.
16. ASSIGNMENT.
This Supply Agreement may not be assigned by any party except to (a) an
Affiliate of such party; or (b) a transferee of all or substantially all of the
business and assets of such party.
17. THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY.
Nothing contained herein shall create third party beneficiary rights in any
third party including any customer of the Company.
18. NOTICES.
Notices hereunder shall be given to the respective party at the address set
forth in the introduction to this Supply Agreement or such other address as
shall be specified by the applicable party in a notice hereunder.
19. TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES.
Nothing herein shall grant to the Company or a Member a right to register
or use any trademark or trade name of the Company or the other Member without
such other Member's prior written consent. The Company and each Member
acknowledge that they have no right, title, or interest in or to the Company's
or the other Member's trade name or in or to any such trademarks of the Company
or the other Member.
20. MISCELLANEOUS.
A. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings set
forth in the Operating Agreement.
B. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this
Supply Agreement shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and this Supply
Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable
provision were omitted.
C. The headings of this Supply Agreement are for the convenience of the
parties and shall not be construed as having any legal or binding meaning or
effect.
<PAGE> 14
D. The failure by any party to insist upon strict performance of any
covenant or condition of this Supply Agreement, in any one or more instances,
shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any such covenant or
condition in the future, but the same shall be and remain in full force and
effect.
E. This Supply Agreement and the Operating Agreement (i) constitute the
entire understanding and agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof; (ii) cancel and supersede any prior negotiations; and
(iii) merge all understandings and agreements, whether verbal or written, with
respect thereto. Each Member specifically rejects any additional, different, or
inconsistent terms or conditions proposed by the Company. This Supply Agreement
can be amended only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto. In
the event of a conflict between this Supply Agreement and any Exhibit hereto,
the terms of this Supply Agreement shall govern.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Supply Agreement as
of the date first above written.
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. MINNESOTA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
By: /s/ Michael Pyatt By: /s/ L. Dan Thompson
------------------ ------------------
Title: Vice President Title: President/CEO
----------------- ----------------
CORNPRODUCTSMCP SWEETENERS LLC
By: /s/ Stanley L. Sitton
---------------------
Title: President & CEO
----------------
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.10
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>c61002ex10-10.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM OF AMENDMENT TO EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
<TEXT>
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 10.10
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
Amendment No. 1, dated as of March 1, 2001 (this "Amendment"), to
Agreement made as of _________, ____ (the "Severance Agreement") by and between
Corn Products International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
_______________ (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have heretofore entered into the
Severance Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has determined that
modifying the definition of "Change in Control" in the Severance Agreement is in
the best interests of the Company and its stockholders; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to amend the Severance
Agreement as set forth below;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties agree as
follows:
Section 1(i) of the Severance Agreement shall be deleted in its
entirety and the following shall be substituted in lieu thereof:
(i) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall mean:
(1) the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (a "Person"), including
any "person" within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), of beneficial
ownership within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act,
of 15% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company (the "Outstanding Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of
the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (the "Outstanding Voting Securities"); excluding, however,
the following: (A) any acquisition directly from the Company (excluding any
acquisition resulting from the exercise of an exercise, conversion or exchange
privilege unless the security being so exercised, converted or exchanged was
acquired directly from the Company), (B) any acquisition by the Company, (C) any
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (D)
any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (3) of this definition; provided
further, that for purposes of clause (B), if any Person (other than the Company
or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the
Company or any corporation controlled by the Company) shall become the
beneficial owner of 15% or more
<PAGE> 2
of the Outstanding Common Stock or 15% or more of the Outstanding Voting
Securities by reason of an acquisition by the Company, and such Person shall,
after such acquisition by the Company, become the beneficial owner of any
additional shares of the Outstanding Common Stock or any additional Outstanding
Voting Securities and such beneficial ownership is publicly announced, such
additional beneficial ownership shall constitute a Change in Control;
(2) individuals who, as of the beginning of any consecutive two-year period
constitute the Board of Directors (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason
to constitute at least a majority of such Board; provided that any individual
who subsequently becomes a director of the Company and whose election, or
nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, was approved by the vote
of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board
shall be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board; and provided further, that any
individual who was initially elected as a director of the Company as a result of
an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11
of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, or any other actual or
threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any Person
other than the Board shall not be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board;
(3) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company
or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company (a "Corporate Transaction"): excluding, however, a Corporate Transaction
pursuant to which (i) all or substantially all of the individuals or entities
who are the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Common Stock and
the Outstanding Voting Securities immediately prior to such Corporate
Transaction will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of,
respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock, and the combined voting
power of the outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
resulting from such Corporate Transaction (including, without limitation, a
corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or
substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or indirectly) in
substantially the same proportions relative to each other as their ownership,
immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, of the Outstanding Common Stock
and the Outstanding Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (other
than: the Company; any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company; the
corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction; and any Person which
beneficially owned, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, directly or
indirectly, 15% or more of the Outstanding Common Stock or the Outstanding
Voting Securities, as the case may be) will beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, 25% or more of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock
of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction or the combined
voting power of the outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors and (iii) individuals who were members of
the Incumbent Board will constitute at least a majority of the members of the
board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction;
or (4) the consummation of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the
Company.
* * * * *
<PAGE> 3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment on the day and
year first above written.
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:
---------------------------------------
James J. Hirchak, Vice President,
Human Resources
EXECUTIVE
---------------------------------
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.19
<SEQUENCE>5
<FILENAME>c61002ex10-19.txt
<DESCRIPTION>AMENDMENT #1 TO 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
<TEXT>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.19
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
AMENDMENT NO. 1
WHEREAS, Corn Products International, Inc. (the "Company") established the
Corn Products International, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan");
WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan in certain other respects;
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company is authorized under section
5.2 of the Plan to amend the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the power of amendment contained in Section
5.2 of the Plan, the Plan is hereby amended, effective January 1, 1998 as
follows:
1. The first paragraph of section 2.2(a) is hereby amended in its entirety
to read as follows:
"Unless otherwise specified in the Agreement evidencing an option, but
subject to Section 2.1(b) if the employment with the Company of a holder
of an option (other than an Incentive Stock Option) terminates by reason
of (i) death, or (ii) retirement on or after age 55 with a minimum of 10
years of employment with or service to the company, or (iii) the
occurrence of such individual's Disability Date, such option shall be
exercisable for the remainder of the option period as stated under the
terms of the option, but only to the extent that such option was
exercisable at the date of such termination of employment."
2. The first sentence of section 5.2 is hereby amended in its entirety to
read as follows:
The Board may amend this Plan as it shall deem advisable, subject to
any requirement of stockholder approval required by applicable law,
rule or regulation, including Section 162(m) and Section 422 of the
Code; provided, however, that no amendment shall be made without
stockholder approval if such amendment would (a) increase the maximum
number of shares of Common Stock available under this Plan (subject to
Section 5.7), (b) effect any change inconsistent with Section 422 of
the Code, (c) extend the term of this Plan or (d) reduce the minimum
purchase price of a share of Common Stock subject to an option.
<PAGE> 2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Corn Products International, Inc. has caused this
Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer on this 20th day of
January, 1999.
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:/s/ James J. Hirchak
-----------------------------------
James J. Hirchak, Vice President,
Human Resources
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.20
<SEQUENCE>6
<FILENAME>c61002ex10-20.txt
<DESCRIPTION>AMENDMENT #2 TO 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
<TEXT>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.20
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Amendment No. 2, dated as of November 21, 2000 (this "Amendment"), to the
1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan").
WHEREAS, the Company established the Plan for the benefit of certain of its
employees;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to modify the definition of "Change in
Control" in the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company is authorized under section
5.2 of the Plan to amend the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the power of amendment contained in Section 5.2
of the Plan, the Plan is hereby amended, effective January 1, 2001, as follows:
Clause (ii) of paragraph 3 of Section 5.8(b) shall be deleted in its
entirety and the following shall be substituted in lieu thereof:
no Person (other than: the Company; any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled
by the Company; the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction;
and any Person which beneficially owned, immediately prior to such
Corporate Transaction, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of the
Outstanding Common Stock or the Outstanding Voting Securities, as the case
may be) will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of,
respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation
resulting from such Corporate Transaction or the combined voting power of
the outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company executed this Amendment on the day
and year first above written.
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: /s/ James J. Hirchak
----------------------------------------
James J. Hirchak, Vice President,
Human Resources
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-12.1
<SEQUENCE>7
<FILENAME>c61002ex12-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EARNINGS PER SHARE COMPUTATION
<TEXT>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 12.1
Earnings Per Share
Corn Products International, Inc.
Computation of Net Income
Per Share of Capital Stock
(in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended
December 31, 2000
-----------------
<S> <C>
Basic
- -----
Shares outstanding at the start of the period 36,956
Weighted average of new shares issued during the period -
Weighted average of treasury shares issued during the period for exercise of
stock options, other compensatory plans, and acquisitions 104
Weighted average of treasury shares purchased during the period -1,789
------
Average shares outstanding - basic 35,271
Effect of Dilutive Securities
- -----------------------------
Dilutive shares outstanding - Assuming dilution 41
Shares assumed to have been purchased for treasury with assumed proceeds from
the exercise of stock options
------
Average shares outstanding - assuming dilution 35,312
Income from continuing operations 47,739
Net income 47,739
Income Per Share - Basic
Continuing operations 1.35
Net Income 1.35
Income Per Share - Dilutive
Continuing operations 1.35
Net Income 1.35
</TABLE>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-12.2
<SEQUENCE>8
<FILENAME>c61002ex12-2.txt
<DESCRIPTION>COMPUTATION OF RATION OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<TEXT>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 12.2
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions, except ratios)
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- -------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
*Income before extraordinary charges,
income taxes and minority equity: $ 121.9* $ 122.0 $ 71.0 $ 18.0* $ 40.0
Fixed charges 69.6 47.3 24.0 34.4 38.0
Capitalized interest (9.4) (6.3) (3.7) (3.3) (8.1)
--------- --------- -------- --------- --------
$ 182.1 $ 163.0 $ 91.3 $ 49.1 $ 69.9
========= ========= ======== ========= ========
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 2.62 3.45 3.80 1.43 1.84
========= ========= ======== ========= ========
FIXED CHARGES:
Interest expense on debt $ 68.1 $ 45.8 $ 22.5 $ 32.9 $ 37.0
Amortization of discount on debt 0.2 -- -- -- --
Interest portion of rental expense on
operating leases 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.0
--------- --------- -------- --------- --------
Total $ 69.6 $ 47.3 $ 24.0 $ 34.4 $ 38.0
========= ========= ======== ========= ========
Income before income taxes and
minority equity $ 101.9 $ 122.0 $ 71.0 $ (91.0) $ 40.0
Restructuring charges 20.0 0.0 0.0 109.0 0.0
--------- --------- -------- --------- --------
Adj. Income $ 121.9 $ 122.0 $ 71.0 $ 18.0 $ 40.0
========= ========= ======== ========= ========
</TABLE>
* - Income before extraordinary charges, income taxes and minority equity does
not include special charges, restructuring and spin-off costs.
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-13.1
<SEQUENCE>9
<FILENAME>c61002ex13-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PORTIONS OF THE 2000 ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
<TEXT>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 13.1
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OVERVIEW AND OUTLOOK
The primary objective of Corn Products International, Inc. is to improve returns
to its shareholders by increasing profitability, investing selectively for
growth and leveraging the businesses' strength through acquisitions and
alliances. We constantly strive to be the lowest delivered cost producer, while
ensuring quality products that meet our customers needs.
In North America, our highest priority is to improve the US business
profitability as we seek opportunities that broaden our market presence and
better utilize our infrastructure and existing facilities. We plan on taking
full advantage of our unique position in NAFTA as the only corn refiner with
facilities in all three NAFTA markets: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
In our Rest of World segment we intend to further improve our solid South
American business by achieving significant profit growth in this region with
emphasis on our Southern Cone of South American operations. In Asia and Africa,
we plan to expand within our current business geography and enter new markets
through acquisitions and alliances. In addition, we plan to evaluate major
growth investment opportunities within and outside our current reach and act on
those we judge to be clearly beneficial to long-term earnings growth. We believe
that this strategy will produce ongoing business expansion, attractive profit
growth and improving shareholder value.
The Year 2000 was a difficult year for Corn Products International. In the
United States, the pricing environment weakened during the annual contracting of
our sweetener business. A 30-year record low for corn oil prices and record high
energy costs also affected our entire business. These higher energy costs and
low by-product returns could not be passed onto customers in the United States
and Canada due to the predominance of annually priced contracts. This situation
created lower-than-expected earnings.
The impact of these factors overshadowed the significant progress toward the
fulfilling of our Vision of being "Your local resource - Worldwide". However, in
line with our strategy, we maintained our focus on cost efficiency, quality
products and growth opportunities during 2000.
In North America, the weak pricing environment and the impact of the high energy
costs and low corn oil pricing during the year were reflected in the lower
results, with operating income down 20 percent before special charges. To deal
with this, we achieved important cost reduction goals through a workforce
reduction primarily in the United States. In addition, we strengthened our
business through the establishment of a joint marketing company, CornProductsMCP
Sweeteners LLC, with Minnesota Corn Processors, LLC to market and distribute
sweeteners supplied from both companies commencing in 2001.
In the Rest of World, we delivered excellent operating results based on
acquisitions and base business volume and profit growth. In March, we completed
the acquisition of IMASA, the largest corn refiner in Argentina, and
consolidated it into our businesses in Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. Major
phases of the integration were completed and the benefits of this integrated
business are being realized. In Korea, we formed a joint venture with the
corn-refining business of Doosan late in December 1999. It produced excellent
results and its integration with our existing Korean business was very
successful. Brazil, Colombia and Pakistan also contributed to the overall
improvement in profitability with Rest of World operating income up 47 percent
from the prior year.
For 2001, we expect that our worldwide business will improve over last year,
despite continuing high energy costs and low by-product returns.
<PAGE> 2
In North America, in anticipation of another difficult year, we plan on focusing
on our new business model, realizing the logistic synergies, changing our cost
structure and optimizing volume and product mix. We will continue to seek
investment and alliance opportunities to strengthen this business.
In the Rest of World, we currently expect a significant increase in profits
within the Southern Cone countries, resulting from both volume growth and
improved market conditions. We plan to improve our solid South American business
further by taking advantage of recently completed capital projects and making
timely growth investments. In Asia and Africa, we plan to enhance our positions
with selective investments within our existing geography and enter into new
markets through acquisitions and alliances. In January 2001, we increased our
investment to 75 percent in our Korean business, increasing our ownership in
this important Asian business.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
2000 COMPARED TO 1999
NET INCOME. The Company reported net income of $48 million, or $1.35 per diluted
common share, for the year 2000, as compared to $74 million, or $1.98 per
diluted common share, for 1999. The results for 2000 include nonrecurring
special charges of $20 million ($13 million after-tax) pertaining to a workforce
reduction program ($17.5 million) and the write-off of certain capital projects
($2.5 million). Excluding the special charges of $0.37 per diluted common share,
2000 net earnings were $1.72 per diluted common share.
In 2000, the Company changed its inventory costing method in the United States
from last in-first out (LIFO) to first in-first out (FIFO) to establish a
uniform inventory costing method for its worldwide operations. Prior year
financial statements have been retroactively restated to reflect the change in
accounting principle. The decrease in net income for 2000 primarily reflects
lower selling prices for sweeteners in North America, lower selling prices for
by-products and higher energy costs worldwide, the special charges, and
increases in interest expense and minority interest, which more than offset
significantly improved operating results for the Rest of World business.
NET SALES. A summary of net sales is shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCREASE
(in millions) 2000 1999 (DECREASE) % CHANGE
- ------------------- ------ ------ ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
North America $1,157 $1,240 $ (83) -7%
Rest of World 708 495 213 43%
------ ------ ------ -----
Total $1,865 $1,735 $ 130 7.5%
====== ====== ====== =====
</TABLE>
Net sales for 2000 increased 7.5 percent to $1,865 million from $1,735 million
in 1999, as a 43 percent increase in Rest of World sales more than offset a 7
percent sales decline in North America.
Worldwide volume improvement resulted in 11 percent sales growth, which more
than offset a 4 percent sales reduction due to price/mix. The sales increase for
the Rest of World includes sales contributed from acquired operations in Korea
and Argentina. Excluding the effects of the acquisitions, Rest of World sales
increased approximately 10 percent as improved price/mix and higher volume added
approximately 11 percent and 2 percent, respectively, while currency translation
resulted in a 3 percent reduction. The sales decrease in North America reflects
a 9 percent reduction due to price/mix, with a 2 percent improvement from
increased volume.
<PAGE> 3
COST OF SALES AND OPERATING EXPENSES. Cost of sales for 2000 increased 8 percent
from 1999 on sales volume growth of approximately 11 percent. Gross profits for
2000 increased 7 percent from 1999 to $306 million. Gross profits in the Rest of
World increased 49 percent, driven mainly by growth from acquisitions in Korea
and Argentina. In North America, gross profits declined 19 percent due to
reduced margins resulting from lower product selling prices and higher energy
costs. Gross profit margin as a percentage of sales was 16 percent for 2000,
unchanged from 1999, as an improvement in Rest of World was offset by a decrease
in North America.
Operating expenses for 2000, which include the previously mentioned $20 million
of nonrecurring special charges, totaled $155 million. Excluding the special
charges, operating expenses increased 1 percent from 1999 primarily reflecting
operating expenses of the acquired Korean and Argentine businesses, largely
offset by reduced North American costs and lower corporate expenses.
OPERATING INCOME. A summary of operating income is shown below:
INCREASE
(in millions) 2000 1999 (DECREASE) % CHANGE
- ------------------------ ----- ----- ---------- --------
North America $ 74 $ 93 $ (19) -20.4%
Rest of World 115 78 37 47.4%
Corporate expenses (13) (14) 1 -7.1%
----- ----- ----- -------
TOTAL $ 176 $ 157 $ 19 12.1%
Special charges (20) - (20) nm*
----- ----- ----- -------
OPERATING INCOME $ 156 $ 157 $ (1) -0.6%
===== ===== ===== =======
* nm-not meaningful
Operating income for 2000, including the special charges of $20 million, was
$156 million, compared to $157 million in 1999. Excluding the nonrecurring
special charges, operating income increased 12 percent from 1999, as a 47
percent improvement in Rest of World operations, driven principally by growth in
Korea and Argentina, more than offset a 20 percent decline in North America. The
decrease in North America was mainly due to lower average selling prices for
sweeteners and by-products, combined with higher energy costs.
FINANCING COSTS. Financing costs increased to $54 million for 2000 from $35
million in 1999. This increase was attributable to increased debt levels mainly
associated with acquisitions and common stock repurchases and higher weighted
average interest rates.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. The Company's effective tax rate was 35 percent for
both 2000 and 1999. The tax rates reflect the favorable effect of foreign source
income in countries where tax rates are generally lower than in the United
States. The decrease in the provision for income taxes reflects the lower pretax
earnings in 2000 as compared to 1999.
MINORITY INTEREST IN EARNINGS. The increase in minority interest in earnings
from $5 million in 1999 to $18 million in 2000 reflects an increase in the
minority shareholders' interest and increased earnings from the Korea and
Argentine operations.
1999 COMPARED WITH 1998
NET SALES. 1999 net sales totaled $1,735 million, up 20 percent from 1998 sales
of $1,448 million. Volumes increased 29 percent with the addition of sales from
the acquired companies in Mexico and Korea. Sales from these acquisitions
contributed 26 percent. Lower currency exchange rates throughout the world
resulted in an 11 percent reduction in revenues, while improved price/mix added
2 percent. In North America, net sales grew 33 percent from 1998, reflecting the
addition of the Mexican operation.
<PAGE> 4
Excluding the Mexican business, net sales were 2 percent lower than in 1998.
Volume increased 3 percent, while prices declined 4 percent. In the US and
Canadian market, dextrose sales and volumes increased by double digits. HFCS
prices continued to improve. In the Rest of World, net sales were 4 percent
lower than in 1998, due primarily to lower foreign currency values, principally
in Brazil, Colombia and Pakistan. This reduced sales by 28 percent. Excluding
the Korean acquisition, higher volumes added 3 percent, while price increases
added 11 percent.
COST OF SALES AND OPERATING EXPENSES. 1999 cost of sales was up 14 percent from
last year, but well below the 29 percent increase in volumes, as gross and net
corn costs declined and we achieved improved operating efficiencies. Gross
profits for the year increased 67 percent from 1998 to $285 million. Gross
profit margins improved for the third year, climbing to 16 percent of net sales
from 12 percent in 1998 and 10 percent in 1997. The 1999 improvement in the
gross profit margin is largely attributable to North America, where gross profit
margins almost doubled from 1998, and reflects lower corn costs and
manufacturing expenses.
Operating expenses for 1999 totaled $134 million, a 33 percent increase from
1998, reflecting the inclusion of the Mexican and Korean businesses and higher
corporate expenses. The increase in corporate expenses is attributable to costs
associated with strategic development initiatives and performance-based
compensation expenses.
1999 fee, royalty and other income decreased to $6 million from $14 million in
1998. The decline is attributable to the former Mexican joint venture now being
consolidated. Other fees and income remained fairly constant compared to the
prior year.
OPERATING INCOME. 1999 operating income was up 87 percent to $157 million from
$84 million in 1998. North America operating income increased nearly fourfold to
$93 million, up from $21 million in 1998. The improvement came from higher
profit margins in the United States and Canada and the inclusion of full
earnings from the Mexican operation. Rest of World 1999 operating income
advanced 7 percent from 1998, to $78 million from $73 million, reflecting the
strong performance of the Korean acquisition. This increase more than offset
declines in South America, which resulted from the economic crisis created by
the January 1999 Brazilian currency devaluation.
FINANCING COSTS. 1999 financing costs totaled $35 million, up from $13 million
in 1998. The increased financing costs reflect the debt taken on with the
Mexican and Korean transactions and higher interest rates on the conversion of
$200 million in short-term debt to long-term fixed rate senior notes issued in
August 1999.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. The Company's effective tax rate for 1999 and 1998
was 35 percent. This tax rate represents the favorable effect of foreign source
income in countries where tax rates are generally lower than in the United
States.
MINORITY INTEREST IN EARNINGS. Minority interest in earnings increased to $5
million in 1999 from $3 million in 1998. The increase is attributable to the
minority interest in our Mexican affiliate acquired in December 1998.
NET INCOME. 1999 net income grew 72 percent to $74 million from $43 million in
1998. The improvement is attributable to the North America operations and the
accretive business additions in Mexico and Korea. 1999 earnings per diluted
share increased 68 percent to $1.98 from $1.18 per diluted share in 1998.
<PAGE> 5
LIQUIDITY & CAPITAL RESOURCES
At December 31, 2000, the Company's total assets were $2,339 million, up from
$2,217 million at December 31, 1999. The increase in total assets primarily
reflects the acquisition of the Argentine business, partially offset by
translation effects resulting from the stronger US dollar in relation to foreign
currencies.
The Company has a $340 million 5-year revolving credit facility in the United
States due December 2002 (the US revolving credit facility). In addition, the
Company has a number of short-term credit facilities consisting of operating
lines of credit. At December 31, 2000, the Company had total debt outstanding of
$720 million, compared to $544 million at December 31, 1999. The debt
outstanding includes $209 million of borrowings outstanding under the US
revolving credit facility, $200 million of 8.45 percent senior notes due 2009,
as well as affiliate long-term debt of $115 million. The current portion of
long-term debt is $71 million. In addition, the Company has $196 million in
affiliate short-term borrowings against local country operating lines in various
currencies. The weighted average interest rate on total Company indebtedness was
approximately 8.4 percent and 7.7 percent for 2000 and 1999, respectively.
NET CASH FLOWS
A summary of operating cash flows is shown below:
(in millions) 2000 1999
- ---------------------------------- ----- -----
Net income $ 48 $ 74
Depreciation and amortization 135 122
Deferred taxes 15 5
Minority interest in earnings 18 5
Changes in working capital (4) (3)
----- -----
Cash flows from operations $ 212 $ 203
===== =====
The Company generated $212 million of operating cash flows in 2000, which it
used to fund a large portion of its investing and financing activities. The
remaining portion of its investing and financing activities was funded with
proceeds from net borrowings of $131 million. Listed below are the Company's
primary investing and financing activities for 2000 (in millions):
- Capital expenditures $143
- Payments to acquire additional business in Argentina and Mexico 120
- Cost of common stock repurchased 44
- Dividends paid to common stockholders 14
- Payments on short-term borrowings, net of proceeds 105
- Proceeds from long-term debt 236
The Company expects that its operating cash flows and borrowing availability
under its credit facilities will be more than sufficient to fund its anticipated
capital expenditures, dividends and other investing and/or financing strategies.
<PAGE> 6
RISK AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Company operates domestically and internationally in one business segment.
In each country where we conduct business, the business and assets are subject
to varying degrees of risk and uncertainty. The Company insures its business and
assets in each country against insurable risk in a manner that it deems
appropriate. Because of this geographic dispersion, the Company believes that
the risk of loss from non-insurable events in any one country would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's operations as a whole. The Company
believes there is no concentration of risk with any single customer or supplier,
or small group of customers or suppliers, whose failure or nonperformance would
materially affect the Company's results. The Company also has policies to handle
other financial risks discussed below.
COMMODITY COSTS. The Company's finished products are made primarily from corn.
Purchased corn accounts for 40 percent to 65 percent of finished product costs.
In North America, the Company sells a large portion of its finished product at
firm prices established in supply contracts for up to one year. In order to
minimize the effect of volatility in the cost of corn related to these
firm-priced supply contracts, the Company enters into corn futures contracts or
takes hedging positions in the corn futures market. From time to time, the
Company may also enter into anticipatory hedges. These contracts typically
mature within one year. At expiration, the Company settles the derivative
contracts at a net amount equal to the difference between the then-current price
of corn and the fixed contract price. While these hedging instruments are
subject to fluctuations in value, changes in the value of the underlying
exposures the Company is hedging generally offset such fluctuations. While the
corn futures contracts or hedging positions are intended to minimize the
volatility of corn costs on operating profits, occasionally the hedging activity
can result in losses, some of which may be material. In the Rest of World, sales
of finished product under long-term, firm-priced supply contracts are not
material.
The Company's hedging instruments generally relate to contracted firm-priced
business. Based on the Company's overall commodity hedge exposure at December
31, 2000, a hypothetical 10 percent change in market rates applied to the fair
value of the instruments would have no material impact on the Company's
earnings, cash flows, financial position or fair value of commodity price and
risk-sensitive instruments over a one-year period.
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE. For more than 70 years, the
Company has operated a multinational business subject to the risks inherent in
operating in foreign countries, with foreign currencies. The Company's US
dollar-denominated results are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations, and its
non-US operations are subject to political, economic and other risks.
Because the Company primarily sells world commodities, it believes that local
prices will adjust relatively quickly to offset the effect of a local
devaluation. The Company generally does not enter into foreign currency hedging
transactions. The Company's policy is to hedge commercial transactions and
certain liabilities that are denominated in a currency other than the currency
of the operating unit entering into the underlying transaction.
INTEREST RATE EXPOSURE. Approximately 30 percent of the Company's borrowings are
long-term fixed rate bonds. Of the remaining 70 percent of the Company's
borrowings, approximately 30 percent are short-term credit facilities with
floating interest rates, and 40 percent are long-term loans with variable
interest rates primarily tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR).
Should short-term rates change, this could affect our interest cost.
<PAGE> 7
ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD
The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard (SFAS) 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," which is required to be adopted by the Company in the first
quarter of 2001. SFAS 133 will require the Company to recognize all derivatives
on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges must be
adjusted to fair value through income. If the derivative is a hedge, depending
on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of derivatives will either
be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or
firm commitments through earnings or be recognized in other comprehensive income
until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The derivative's change in fair
value, which is not directly offset by hedging, will be immediately recognized
in earnings.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report contains or may contain certain forward-looking statements
concerning the Company's financial position, business and future prospects, in
addition to other statements using words such as "anticipate," "believe,"
"plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend" and other similar expressions. These
statements contain certain inherent risks and uncertainties. Although we believe
our expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, stockholders are cautioned that no assurance can be
given that our expectations will prove correct. Actual results and developments
may differ materially from the expectations conveyed in these statements, based
on factors such as the following: fluctuations in worldwide commodities markets
and the associated risks of hedging against such fluctuations; fluctuations in
aggregate industry supply and market demand; general economic, business, market
and weather conditions in the various geographic regions and countries in which
we manufacture and sell our products, including fluctuations in the value of
local currencies and changes in regulatory controls regarding quotas, tariffs
and biotechnology issues; and increased competitive and/or customer pressure in
the corn-refining industry. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the
date on which they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of
the statement. If we do update or correct one or more of these statements,
investors and others should not conclude that we will make additional updates or
corrections. For a further description of risk factors, see the Company's most
recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q
or 8-K.
<PAGE> 8
REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
THE MANAGEMENT OF CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC., is responsible for the
financial and operating information contained in this Annual Report, including
the financial statements covered by the independent auditors' report. The
statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and include, where necessary, informed
estimates and judgments.
The Company maintains systems of accounting and internal control designed to
provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded against loss, and that
transactions are executed and recorded properly so as to ensure that the
financial records are reliable for preparing financial statements.
Elements of these control systems are the establishment and communication of
accounting and administrative policies and procedures, the selection and
training of qualified personnel and continuous programs of internal audits.
The Company's financial statements are reviewed by its Audit Committee, which is
composed entirely of independent outside directors. This Committee meets
periodically with the independent auditors and management to review the scope
and results of the annual audit, interim reviews, internal controls, internal
auditing and financial reporting matters. The independent auditors have direct
access to the Audit Committee.
James W. Ripley
Chief Financial Officer
January 19, 2001
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Corn Products
International, Inc., and its subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31,
2000 and 1999, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 2000. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Corn Products
International, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in
the three-year period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company
changed its inventory costing method in the United States of America in 2000.
KPMG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
January 19, 2001
<PAGE> 9
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------- -------------- ---------------
2000 1999* 1998*
------------- -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $1,865 $1,735 $1,448
Cost of sales 1,559 1,450 1,277
------------- -------------- ---------------
GROSS PROFIT 306 285 171
------------- -------------- ---------------
Selling, general and administrative costs 135 134 101
Special charges 20 -- --
Fee, royalty and other income (5) (6) (14)
------------- -------------- ---------------
150 128 87
------------- -------------- ---------------
OPERATING INCOME 156 157 84
Financing costs, net 54 35 13
------------- -------------- ---------------
Income before income taxes and minority interest 102 122 71
Income taxes provision 36 43 25
Minority interest in earnings 18 5 3
------------- -------------- ---------------
============= ============== ===============
NET INCOME $48 $74 $43
============= ============== ===============
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 35.3 37.3 36.0
Diluted 35.3 37.4 36.1
Basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Net income per common share $1.35 $1.98 $1.18
</TABLE>
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
* - As restated (see Note 3).
<PAGE> 10
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS) 2000 1999*
-------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $41 $41
Accounts receivable - net 274 261
Inventories 232 217
Prepaid expenses 8 6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 555 525
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
Land 91 91
Buildings 372 314
Machinery and equipment 2,452 2,369
-------------------- ------------------
2,915 2,774
Less accumulated depreciation (1,508) (1,425)
-------------------- ------------------
1,407 1,349
Goodwill and other intangible assets
(less accumulated amortization of $16 and $5) 313 270
Deferred tax asset 2 17
Investments 28 27
Other assets 34 29
================================================================================================================================
TOTAL ASSETS $2,339 $2,217
================================================================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt $267 $222
Accounts payable 136 109
Accrued liabilities 83 90
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 486 421
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noncurrent liabilities 47 63
Long-term debt 453 322
Deferred taxes on income 185 182
Minority interest in subsidiaries 208 199
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock - authorized 25,000,000 shares-
$0.01 par value, none issued -- --
Common stock - authorized 200,000,000 shares-
$0.01 par value - 37,659,887 issued
on December 31, 2000 and 1999 1 1
Additional paid in capital 1,073 1,073
Less: Treasury stock (common stock; 2,391,913 and 703,399 shares in
2000 and 1999, respectively) at cost (60) (20)
Deferred compensation - restricted stock (3) (2)
Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) (183) (120)
Retained earnings 132 98
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 960 1,030
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================================================================
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $2,339 $2,217
================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
* - As restated (see Note 3).
<PAGE> 11
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
(IN MILLIONS)
-------------- ------------- --------------
2000 1999* 1998*
-------------- ------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NET INCOME $48 $74 $43
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Currency translation adjustment (63) (72) (25)
-------------- ------------- --------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ($15) $2 $18
============== ============= ==============
</TABLE>
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
* - As restated (see Note 3).
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN MILLIONS) COMMON ADDITIONAL TREASURY DEFERRED ACCUMULATED RETAINED
STOCK PAID-IN STOCK COMPENSATION COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS
CAPITAL INCOME (LOSS)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997* $1 $1,014 $ 0 $ 0 $ (23) $ 0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 43
Dividends declared (6)
Issuance of common stock in
connection with acquisition 51
Issuance of restricted common
stock as compensation 6
Deferred compensation -
restricted stock (2)
Stock options exercised 1
Purchase of treasury stock (1)
Currency translation adjustment (25)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1998* $1 $1,072 $ (1) $(2) $ (48) $ 37
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 74
Dividends declared (13)
Issuance of restricted common
stock as compensation 1
Purchase of treasury stock (19)
Currency translation adjustment (72)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1999* $1 $1,073 $(20) $(2) $(120) $ 98
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 48
Dividends declared (14)
Issuance of restricted common
stock as compensation 1 (1)
Issuance of common stock in
connection with acquisition 3
Purchase of treasury stock (44)
Currency translation adjustment (63)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2000 $1 $1,073 $(60) $(3) $(183) $132
- --------------------------------------=====================================================================================
</TABLE>
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
* - As restated (see Note 3).
<PAGE> 12
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
(in millions)
2000 1999* 1998*
-------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 48 $ 74 $ 43
Non-cash charges to net income:
Depreciation and amortization 135 122 95
Deferred taxes 15 5 10
Minority interest in earnings 18 5 3
Changes in trade working capital:
Accounts receivable and prepaid items 3 (21) (5)
Inventories (12) (23) (32)
Income taxes 1 8 3
Other assets (6) 1 (5)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 10 32 (19)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash flows from operating activities 212 203 93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures (143) (162) (91)
Proceeds from disposal of plants and properties 1 9 2
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (120) (118) (31)
Repayment of loan by unconsolidated affiliate -- -- 60
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash flows used for investing activities (262) (271) (60)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments on short-term borrowings, net of proceeds (105) (98) (86)
Proceeds from (payments on) long-term debt 236 198 (10)
Dividends paid (14) (13) (3)
Cost of common stock repurchased (44) (19) (1)
Other (23) 2 18
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash flows from (used for) financing activities 50 70 (82)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents -- 2 (49)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 41 36 85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effects of foreign exchange rate changes on cash -- 3 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
====================================================================================================================
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 41 $ 41 $ 36
====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
* - As restated (see Note 3).
<PAGE> 13
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
Corn Products International, Inc., (the "Company"), was founded in 1906 and
became an independent and public company as of December 31, 1997, after
being spun off from CPC International Inc. ("CPC"). The Company operates
domestically and internationally in one business segment, corn refining,
and produces a wide variety of products.
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION - The consolidated financial statements include all
significant subsidiaries. The preparation of financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from these estimates.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
current year's presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on
previously recorded net income or stockholders' equity.
Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, other than those whose
functional currency is the US dollar, are translated at current exchange
rates with the related translation adjustments reported as a separate
component of stockholders' equity. Income statement accounts are translated
at the average exchange rate during the period. Where the US dollar is
considered the functional currency, monetary assets and liabilities are
translated at current exchange rates with the related adjustment included
in net income. Nonmonetary assets and liabilities are translated at
historical exchange rates.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - Cash equivalents consist of all investments
purchased with an original maturity of three months or less, and which have
virtually no risk of loss in value.
INVENTORIES - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Costs
are determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
INVESTMENTS - Most of the Company's investments are accounted for under the
cost method and are carried at cost or less. Certain other investments are
accounted for under the equity method; such investments are carried at cost
or less, adjusted to reflect the Company's proportionate share of income or
loss, less dividends received.
DEPRECIATION, AMORTIZATION AND GOODWILL VALUATION -- Depreciation is
generally computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful
life of depreciable assets over lives ranging from 10 to 50 years for
buildings and 3 to 20 years for all other assets. Where permitted by law,
accelerated depreciation methods are used for tax purposes. Goodwill
represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired and is
amortized over a period not exceeding 40 years, using the straight-line
method. The carrying values of goodwill and long-lived assets are reviewed
if the facts and circumstances suggest that they may be impaired. Negative
operating results and negative cash flows from operations, among other
factors, could be indicative of the impairment of assets. If this review
indicates that carrying values will not be recoverable, the Company's
carrying values would be reduced.
<PAGE> 14
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
REVENUE RECOGNITION - The Company recognizes operating revenues upon
shipment of goods to customers, except for consigned inventories where the
revenue is recognized at the time the shipment is used by the customer.
HEDGING INSTRUMENTS - The Company follows a policy of hedging its exposure
to commodity price fluctuations with commodity futures contracts for its
North American corn purchases. All firm-priced business is hedged; other
business may or may not be hedged at any given time, based on management's
decisions as to the need to fix the cost of such raw materials to protect
the Company's profitability. Realized gains and losses arising from such
hedging transactions are considered an integral part of the cost of these
commodities and are included in the cost when purchased.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard (SFAS) 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," which is required to be adopted by the Company in the
first quarter of 2001. SFAS 133 will require the Company to recognize all
derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not
hedges must be adjusted to fair value through income. If the derivative is
a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of
derivatives will either be offset against the change in fair value of the
hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings or be
recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is
recognized in earnings. The derivative's change in fair value, which is not
directly offset by hedging, will be immediately recognized in earnings.
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Basic earnings per common share is computed by
dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding, 35.3
million for 2000, 37.3 million for 1999 and 36.0 million for 1998. Diluted
earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted
average shares outstanding, including the dilutive effects of stock options
outstanding. The weighted average shares outstanding for diluted EPS were
35.3 million, 37.4 million and 36.1 million for 2000, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. In 2000 and 1999, options on 1,829,366 and 1,054,800 shares
of common stock, respectively, were not included in the calculation of the
weighted average shares for the diluted EPS because their effects would be
antidilutive.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES - The Company operates domestically and
internationally in one business segment. In each country, the business and
assets are subject to varying degrees of risk and uncertainty. The Company
insures its business and assets in each country against insurable risk in a
manner that it deems appropriate. Because of this geographic dispersion,
the Company believes that the risk of loss from noninsurable events in any
one country would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operations as a whole. Additionally, the Company believes there is no
concentration of risk with any single customer or supplier, or small group
of customers or suppliers, whose failure or nonperformance would materially
affect the Company's results.
NOTE 3 - CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE
Effective January 1, 2000, the Company changed its inventory costing method
in the United States from the last in-first out (LIFO) method to the first
in-first out (FIFO) method. The change in accounting principle, which has
been applied retroactively, was made to conform the inventory valuation
method in the US operations to the method used for all the Company's other
operations.
<PAGE> 15
The effect of this change resulted in an increase in income of $0.7
million, or $0.02 per share in 2000, a decrease in income of $3.1 million,
or $0.08 per share in 1999, and a decrease in income of $0.3 million, or
$0.01 per share in 1998. As the Company was spun-off, effective December
31, 1997, no retained earnings were carried forward. The effect of
restatement on periods prior to January 1, 1998, has been reflected in the
Company's additional paid-in capital. The effect of this restatement
resulted in an increase in additional paid-in capital as of December 31,
1997, of $6 million.
NOTE 4 - ACQUISITIONS
During 2000, the Company completed a multi-step transaction through the
acquisition of a controlling interest in Industrias de Maiz S.A. ("IMASA")
of Argentina. Upon completion of the transaction, the Company controls
approximately 73 percent of its Southern Cone businesses, which include
IMASA, Productos de Maiz of Argentina, as well as its businesses in Chile
and Uruguay. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method.
During the first quarter of 1995, the Company entered into a joint venture
with Arancia, S.A. de C.V. (the "Joint Venture"), a corn-refining business
located in Mexico. Prior to December 2, 1998, this investment had been
accounted for under the equity method. In October 1998, the Company entered
into certain agreements to purchase the remaining interest in its Joint
Venture in three transactions over the next several years. The closing of
the initial transaction occurred on December 2, 1998, whereby the Company
obtained effective control of the Joint Venture through the issuance of
1,764,706 shares of common stock and the payment of cash. On January 18,
2000, the Company increased its ownership in Arancia to 90 percent by
completing the second transaction through the transfer of common stock from
treasury and payment of cash. The series of transactions have been
accounted for under the purchase method. The Company has the option to
acquire, and the minority interest shareholders have the option to require
the Company to acquire, the remaining minority interest in Arancia prior to
December 31, 2003, for approximately $35 million plus interest from
December 2, 1998. The future installment payments are reflected as minority
interest in subsidiaries and accrue interest at the same rate as the
Company's US credit facility, which was 7.02 percent and 6.52 percent at
December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
During 2000, cash consideration for the Mexican and Argentine acquisitions
totaled $120 million.
During 1999, the Company acquired the corn wet-milling business of Bang-IL
Industrial Co., Ltd., a Korean corporation, through an asset purchase for
$65 million and included the results of the business from the first quarter
of 1999. In December 1999, the Company completed the second phase of its
entry into Korea by combining its business with the corn-refining business
of Doosan Corporation, also a Korean corporation, for $47 million. The
Company accounts for its Korean operations as a consolidated subsidiary as
it has a controlling interest in the combined company. On January 5, 2001,
the Company increased its ownership in the combined company from 50 percent
to 75 percent for $65 million in cash.
Also, in the second quarter of 1999, the Company increased its ownership of
its Pakistan affiliate to approximately 70 percent by purchasing an
additional 19 percent interest. All of the acquisitions in 1999 were
accounted for under the purchase method.
Had the acquisitions described above occurred at the beginning of the
respective years, the effect on the Company's financial statements would
not have been significant.
<PAGE> 16
NOTE 5 - SPECIAL CHARGES
In 2000, the Company recorded a $20 million charge pertaining to a
workforce reduction program and the write-off of nonproductive assets. The
charges consisted of $17.5 million for severance, pension and other
post-employment benefit costs associated with the workforce reduction and
$2.5 million related to the write-off of certain capital projects. The
workforce reduction program affected approximately 266 employees, 109 of
whom were located in the United States. The workforce reduction principally
affected employees in U.S. sales and business development, as well as
employees in North America and South America manufacturing operations and
includes the integration of the Southern Cone sales and administrative
functions following the IMASA acquisition. As of December 31, 2000, all 266
of the employees affected by the workforce reduction program had terminated
employment with the Company.
As of December 31, 2000, the Company had utilized the entire $20 million
accrual, $17.5 million for employee separation costs and $2.5 million
related to the write-off of certain capital projects.
NOTE 6 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts
payable and short-term borrowings approximate fair values. Based on market
quotes or interest rates currently available to the Company for issuance of
debt with similar terms and remaining maturities, the fair value of
long-term debt, including the current portion of long term debt at December
31, 2000 and 1999, was $508 million and $377 million, respectively.
COMMODITIES
At December 31, 2000 and 1999, the Company had open corn commodity futures
contracts of $199 million and $196 million, respectively. Contracts open
for delivery beyond March 31, 2001, amounted to $156 million, of which $52
million is due in May 2001, $56 million is due in July 2001, $17 million is
due in September 2001, $30 million is due in December 2001, and $1 million
is due in March 2002. At December 31, 2000, the price of corn under these
contracts was $17 million below market quotations of the same dates. At
December 31, 1999, the price of corn under these contracts was $5 million
above market quotations of the same dates.
<PAGE> 17
NOTE 7 - FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
The Company had total debt outstanding of $720 million and $544 million at
December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Short-term borrowings consist
primarily of various unsecured local country operating lines of credit. As
of December 31, short-term borrowings consist of the following:
(in millions) 2000 1999
------ ------
Canadian revolving credit facilities (6.45%) $ 48 $ 20
Other borrowings in various currencies (4.24% - 23.65%) 148 143
Current portion of long-term debt 71 59
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $267 $222
The Company has a $340 million 5 year unsecured revolving credit facility
in the United States due December 2002. In 1999, the Company filed a shelf
registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission for borrowings up
to $600 million. In 1999, the Company issued $200 million of 8.45% senior
notes under the shelf registration.
Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions) 2000 1999
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
U.S. revolving credit facility, due 2002 (6.93%) $ 209 $--
8.45% senior notes, due 2009 200 200
Mexican import credit facility, due 2001 at LIBOR + 1.75% 40 40
Canadian term loans, due 2005 (7.11% - 7.20%) 27 --
Others, due in varying amounts through 2008, fixed and
floating interest rates ranging from 1.00% - 17.27% 48 141
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 524 $ 381
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less current maturities 71 59
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt $453 $ 322
=============================================================================
</TABLE>
Maturities of long-term debt are $215 million in 2002, $5 million in 2003,
$12 million in 2004, $21 million in 2005 and $200 million in 2006 and
thereafter. The LIBOR rate at December 31, 2000 was 6.20 percent.
<PAGE> 18
NOTE 8 - LEASES
The Company leases rail cars and certain machinery and equipment under
various operating leases. Rental expense under operating leases was $20.4
million, $17.8 million and $18.7 million in 2000, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. Minimum lease payments existing at December 31, 2000 are
shown below:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(IN MILLIONS)
YEAR MINIMUM LEASE PAYMENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
2001 $15.8
2002 13.6
2003 11.5
2004 8.5
2005 6.5
Balance thereafter 22.7
NOTE 9 - INCOME TAXES
Income before income taxes and the components of the provision for income
taxes are shown below:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions) 2000 1999 1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES:
United States $(10) $ 11 $ 8
Outside the United States 112 111 63
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $102 $122 $71
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES:
Current tax expense
US federal $ 1 $ 6 $ 1
State and local 1 1 1
Foreign 19 31 13
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current $ 21 $ 38 $15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax expense (benefit)
US federal $ (4) $ (6) $ 5
State and local (1) (1) --
Foreign 20 12 5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred 15 5 10
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total provision $ 36 $ 43 $25
============================================================================
<PAGE> 19
Deferred income taxes are provided for tax effects of temporary differences
between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of assets and
liabilities. Significant temporary differences at December 31, 2000 and
1999, respectively, are attributable to:
-------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions) 2000 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------
Plants and properties $201 $195
Inventory -- 2
-------------------------------------------------------------
Gross deferred tax liabilities 201 197
-------------------------------------------------------------
Employee benefit reserves 10 10
Pensions 3 5
Other 13 21
-------------------------------------------------------------
Gross deferred tax assets 26 36
-------------------------------------------------------------
Valuation allowance (8) (4)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities $183 $165
=============================================================
The valuation allowance at December 31, 2000, increased to $8 million from
$4 million at December 31, 1999, as it is more likely than not that certain
foreign net operating loss carry forwards will not be fully utilized to
offset taxable income.
A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the Company's
effective tax rate follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for tax at U.S. statutory rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
Taxes related to foreign income (2.2) (3.0) (2.3)
State and local taxes - net 1.8 (0.1) 0.5
Nondeductible goodwill 1.1 1.0 --
Other items - net (0.7) 2.1 1.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision at effective tax rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
===================================================================
Provisions are made for estimated U.S. and foreign income taxes, less
credits which may be available, on distributions from foreign subsidiaries
to the extent dividends are anticipated. No provision has been made for
income taxes on approximately $356 million of undistributed earnings of
foreign subsidiaries at December 31, 2000, as such amounts are considered
permanently reinvested.
<PAGE> 20
NOTE 10 - BENEFIT PLANS
The Company and its subsidiaries sponsor noncontributory defined benefit
pension plans covering substantially all employees in the United States and
Canada, including certain employees in other foreign countries. Plans for
most salaried employees provide pay-related benefits based on years of
service. Plans for hourly employees generally provide benefits based on
flat dollar amounts and years of service. The Company's general funding
policy is to provide contributions within the limits of deductibility under
current tax regulations. Certain foreign countries allow income tax
deductions without regard to contribution levels, and the Company's policy
in those countries is to make the contribution required by the terms of the
applicable plan. Domestic plan assets consist primarily of common stock,
corporate debt securities and short-term investment funds.
Effective January 1, 1998, the plan for domestic salaried employees was
amended to a defined benefit "cash balance" pension plan, which provides
benefits based on service and company credits to the participating
employees' accounts of between 3 percent and 10 percent of base salary,
bonus and overtime.
The Company also provides healthcare and life insurance benefits for
retired employees in the United States and Canada. Effective January 1,
1998, the Company amended its U.S. postretirement medical plans for
salaried employees to provide Retirement Health Care Spending Accounts. The
Company provides access to retiree medical insurance postretirement. U.S.
salaried employees accrue an account during employment, which can be used
after employment to purchase postretirement medical insurance from the
Company and Medigap or Medicare HMO policies after age 65. The accounts are
credited with a flat dollar amount and indexed for inflation annually
during employment. The accounts accrue interest credits using a rate equal
to a specified amount above the yield on 5 year Treasury notes. These
employees become eligible for benefits when they meet minimum age and
service requirements. The Company accrues a flat dollar amount on an annual
basis for each domestic salaried employee. These amounts, plus credited
interest, can be used to purchase postretirement medical insurance. The
Company has the right to modify or terminate these benefits. Healthcare
benefits for retirees outside the United States and Canada are generally
covered through local government plans.
PENSION PLANS - Net pension cost (income) consisted of the following for
the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN MILLIONS) U.S. PLANS NON-U.S. PLANS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 2000 1999 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Service cost $2 $ 2 $ 2 $ 1 $ 1 $ 1
Interest cost 4 4 4 3 3 3
Expected return on plan assets (6) (5) (4) (4) (4) (3)
Charges due to salaried voluntary
severance program (2) -- -- -- -- --
Net amortization and deferral -- -- (1) -- -- (1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net pension cost ($2) $ 1 $ 1 $-- $-- $ --
========================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 21
The changes in benefit obligations and plan assets, as well as the funded
status of the Company's pension plans at December 31, 2000 and 1999,
respectively, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN MILLIONS) U.S. PLANS NON-U.S. PLANS
----------------- -----------------
2000 1999 2000 1999
----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BENEFIT OBLIGATION
At January 1 $57 $57 $52 $47
Service cost 2 2 1 1
Interest cost 4 4 3 3
Benefits paid (1) (2) (2) (2)
Actuarial (gain) loss 1 (4) 2 --
Curtailments 3 -- -- --
Settlements (14) -- -- --
Foreign currency exchange -- -- (1) 3
=============================================================================================
Benefit obligation at December 31 $52 $57 $55 $52
=============================================================================================
FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS
At January 1 $64 $63 $53 $46
Actual return on plan assets 5 3 5 6
Employer contributions -- -- 1 1
Benefits paid (14) (2) (2) (2)
Foreign currency exchange -- -- (1) 2
=============================================================================================
Fair value of plan assets at December 31 $55 $64 $56 $53
=============================================================================================
Funded status $3 $7 $1 $1
Unrecognized net actuarial loss (gain) (16) (23) 2 1
Unrecognized prior service cost 3 4 1 1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net prepaid pension asset (liability) ($10) ($12) $4 $3
=============================================================================================
</TABLE>
Included in the pension benefits above are nonqualified pension plans. The
Company is not required to set aside assets in order to fund these plans.
As a result, for these nonqualified plans, both the projected benefit
obligation and accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of
plan assets by $5 million as of December 31, 2000 and 1999.
The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the
Company's obligations under the plans:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
U.S. PLANS NON-U.S. PLANS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 2000 1999 1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Discount rates 8.0% 8.0 % 6.75 % 6.5 % 6.5 % 6.5 %
Rate of compensation increase 5.0 % 5.0 % 3.75 % 4.5 % 4.5 % 4.5 %
Expected return on plan assets 9.5 % 9.5 % 8.25 % 8.5 % 8.5 % 8.5 %
====================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 22
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries maintain defined contribution
plans. Contributions are determined by matching a percentage of employee
contributions. Amounts charged to expense for defined contribution plans
totaled $5.6 million, $4.4 million and $4.2 million, in 2000, 1999 and
1998, respectively.
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS - Net postretirement benefit costs consisted
of the following for the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN MILLIONS)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Service cost $1 $1 $1
Interest cost 1 1 1
Net amortization and deferral -- (1) (1)
Voluntary separation program 2 -- --
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Net post-retirement costs $4 $1 $1
===================================================================
</TABLE>
The Company's postretirement benefit plans currently are not funded. The
changes in the benefit obligations of the plans at December 31, 2000 and
1999, respectively, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN MILLIONS) 2000 1999
<S> <C> <C>
ACCUMULATED POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATION
At January 1 $21 $17
Service cost 1 1
Interest cost 1 1
Actuarial (gain) loss 1 2
Curtailments 2 --
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATED POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATION
At December 31 $26 $21
Unrecognized net actuarial (loss) gain (3) (2)
Unrecognized prior service cost 4 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCRUED POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT COSTS $27 $23
=====================================================================
</TABLE>
Annual increases in per capita cost of healthcare benefits of 8 percent
pre-age 65 and 6.75 percent post-age 65 were assumed for 2000 to 2001 for
healthcare related postretirement employment benefits, declining to 5.5
percent by the year 2002 and remaining at that level thereafter. An
increase or decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate by 1
percentage point increases or decreases the accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation at December 31, 2000 by $2 million, with a corresponding
effect on the service and interest cost components of the net periodic
postretirement benefit cost for the year then ended of $0.2 million.
The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for U.S. plans at
December 31, 2000 and 1999, was determined using an assumed discount rate
of 8 percent. The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at December
31, 2000 and 1999, for Canadian plans was determined using an assumed
discount rate of 6.5 percent.
<PAGE> 23
NOTE 11 - SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
BALANCE SHEET - Supplementary information is set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions) 2000 1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - NET
Accounts receivable - trade $ 260 $ 222
Accounts receivable - other 21 44
Allowance for doubtful accounts (7) (5)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total accounts receivable - net $ 274 $ 261
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVENTORIES
Finished and in process $ 100 $ 88
Raw materials 95 98
Manufacturing supplies 37 31
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total inventories $ 232 $ 217
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Compensation expenses $ 10 $ 15
Dividends payable 4 4
Accrued interest 11 10
Taxes payable on income 10 9
Taxes payable other than taxes on income 15 13
Other 33 39
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total accrued liabilities $ 83 $ 90
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Employees' pension, indemnity, retirement,
and related provisions $ 45 $ 43
Other noncurrent liabilities 2 20
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noncurrent liabilities $ 47 $ 63
==============================================================================
</TABLE>
INCOME STATEMENT - Supplementary information is set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions) 2000 1999 1998
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
FINANCING COSTS
Interest expense $ 59 $ 38 $ 16
Interest income (4) (5) (3)
Foreign exchange loss (gain) (1) 2 --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing costs, net $ 54 $ 35 $ 13
==============================================================================
</TABLE>
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW - Supplementary information is set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions) 2000 1999 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest paid $ 70 $ 27 $ 11
Income taxes paid 34 29 12
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 24
NOTE 12 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' RIGHTS PLAN
The Company has authorized 25 million shares of $0.01 par value preferred
stock, of which 1 million shares were designated as Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock for the stockholders' rights plan. Under this
plan, each share of the Corn Products International common stock carries
with it the right to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of preferred
stock. The rights will at no time have voting power or pay dividends. The
rights will become exercisable if a person or group acquires or announces a
tender offer that would result in the acquisition of 15 percent or more of
the Corn Products International common stock. When exercisable, each full
right entitles a holder to buy one one-hundredth of a share of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock at a price of $120. If the Company is
involved in a merger or other business combination with a stockholder
holding at least 15 percent, each full right will entitle a holder to buy a
number of the acquiring company's shares having a value of twice the
exercise price of the right. Alternatively, if a 15 percent stockholder
engages in certain self-dealing transactions or acquires the Company in
such a manner that Corn Products International and its common stock
survive, or if any person acquires 15 percent or more of the Corn Products
International common stock, except pursuant to an offer for all shares at a
fair price, each full right not owned by a stockholder with at least 15
percent may be exercised for Corn Products International common stock (or,
in certain circumstances, other consideration) having a market value of
twice the exercise price of the right. The Company may redeem the rights
for one cent each at any time before an acquisition of 15 percent or more
of its voting securities. Unless redeemed earlier, the rights will expire
on December 31, 2007.
TREASURY STOCK
The Company purchased on the open market 1,865,400, 419,900 and 33,000
shares of its common stock at an average purchase price of $23.91, $27.23
and $28.70 per share, during the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and
1998, respectively. Additionally, in 1999 the Company acquired 231,350
shares in a single block trade for $32.77 per share, or the average market
price on the date of purchase. Also, the Company acquired 18,335, 6,382 and
18,454 shares of its common stock through conversion from cancelled
restricted shares and repurchase from employees under the stock incentive
plan at an average purchase price of $23.10, $30.15 and $30.76 per share,
or fair value at the date of purchase, during the years ended December 31,
2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. All of the acquired shares are held as
common stock in treasury, less shares issued to employees under the stock
incentive plan.
During 2000, the Company issued, from treasury, 99,842 restricted common
shares and 16,585 common shares upon the exercise of stock options under
the stock incentive plan. Also, the Company issued 78,794 common shares
from treasury in connection with the second step of the Arancia
acquisition.
On January 21, 2000, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an
increase in the stock repurchase program from the previously authorized 2
million shares to 6 million shares of common stock over a five-year period.
At December 31, 2000, 2,549,650 shares had been repurchased under this
program at a total cost of approximately $64 million.
<PAGE> 25
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
The Company has established a stock incentive plan for certain key
employees. In addition, following the spin-off from CPC, all existing CPC
stock options of Company employees were converted to stock options to
acquire Corn Products International common stock. These stock options
retain their vesting schedules and existing expiration dates. The Company
granted additional nonqualified options to purchase 805,500, 413,000 and
1,097,200 shares of the Company's common stock during 2000, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. These options are exercisable upon vesting and vest in 50
percent increments at one and two-year anniversary dates from the date of
grant. As of December 31, 2000, certain of these nonqualified options have
been forfeited due to the termination of employees.
In addition to stock options, the Company awards shares of restricted stock
to certain key employees. The cost of these awards is being amortized over
the applicable restriction periods.
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value
method. On a pro forma basis, net income would have been $44 million or
$1.25 per share in 2000, $69 million or $1.85 per share in 1999 and $38
million or $1.04 per share in 1998. For purposes of this pro forma
disclosure under SFAS 123, the estimated fair market value of the awards is
amortized to expense over the awards' applicable vesting period.
The fair value of the awards was estimated at the grant dates using a
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions for 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively: risk-free interest rates
of 5.98, 5.67 and 5.67 percent; volatility factor of 8.28 percent in 2000
and 35 percent in 1999 and 1998; and a weighted average expected life of
the awards of 7.84 years in 2000 and 5 years in 1999 and 1998. A
dividend yield of 1.38 percent was assumed for 2000. No dividends were
assumed for 1999 and 1998.
The Black-Scholes model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions
and does not necessarily provide a reliable measure of fair value.
A summary of stock option and restricted stock transactions for the last
three years follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WEIGHTED
STOCK AVERAGE
OPTIONS STOCK OPTION EXERCISE SHARES OF
(shares in thousands) SHARES PRICE RANGE PRICE RESTRICTED STOCK
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at January 1, 1998 477 $12.59 to 24.03 $20.16 143
Granted 1,097 28.06 to 32.31 32.23 37
Exercised / vested (72) 12.59 to 22.53 16.47 (45)
Cancelled (23) 13.06 to 32.31 23.95 (13)
----- ----
Outstanding at December 31, 1998 1,479 13.06 to 32.31 29.24 122
Granted 413 26.87 26.87 51
Exercised / vested (3) 20.76 to 22.55 21.47 (18)
Cancelled (11) 26.87 to 32.31 31.59 (1)
----- ----
Outstanding at December 31, 1999 1,878 13.06 to 32.31 28.72 154
Granted 806 22.75 to 27.41 25.39 93
Exercised / vested (17) 20.76 to 22.55 21.47 (46)
Cancelled (114) 26.87 to 32.31 28.89 (7)
----- ----
OUTSTANDING AT DECEMBER 31, 2000 2,553 $13.06 to 32.31 $27.71 194
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 26
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at
December 31, 2000:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(shares in thousands)
AVERAGE
WEIGHTED REMAINING
OPTIONS AVERAGE CONTRACTUAL LIFE OPTIONS WEIGHTED AVERAGE
RANGE OF EXERCISE PRICES OUTSTANDING EXERCISE PRICE (YEARS) EXERCISABLE EXERCISE PRICE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$13.0583 to 16.1563 64 $15.30 3.8 64 $15.30
16.1564 to 19.3875 3 16.39 4.2 3 16.39
19.3876 to 22.6188 185 21.01 4.9 185 21.01
22.6189 to 25.8500 471 23.08 8.8 123 24.03
25.8501 to 29.0813 813 27.18 8.6 216 26.99
29.0814 to 32.3125 1,017 32.31 7.1 786 32.31
----- -----
2,553 $27.71 1,377 $28.39
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The amount of options exercisable at December 31, 1999 and 1998, was 692
thousand and 394 thousand, respectively. The weighted average fair values
of options granted during 2000, 1999 and 1998, were $7.05, $26.87 and
$11.38, respectively.
NOTE 13 - GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
The Company operates in one business segment - corn refining - and is
managed on a geographic regional basis. Its North American operations
include its wholly owned corn-refining businesses in the United States and
Canada and majority ownership in Mexico. Also included in this group is its
North American enzyme business. Its Rest of World businesses include
corn-refining operations in South America and joint ventures and alliances
in Asia, Africa and other areas.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions) 2000 1999 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALES TO UNAFFILIATED CUSTOMERS:
North America $1,157 $1,240 $934
Rest of World 708 495 514
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $1,865 $1,735 $1,448
===============================================================================
OPERATING INCOME:
North America $74 $93 $21
Rest of World 115 78 73
Corporate (13) (14) (10)
Special charges (20) -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $156 $157 $84
===============================================================================
TOTAL ASSETS:
North America $1,396 $1,439 $1,378
Rest of World 943 778 576
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $2,339 $2,217 $1,954
===============================================================================
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:
North America $93 $92 $67
Rest of World 42 30 28
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $135 $122 $95
===============================================================================
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
North America $104 $120 $41
Rest of World 39 42 50
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $143 $162 $91
===============================================================================
<PAGE> 27
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
Summarized quarterly financial data is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions, except per share amounts) 1st QTR 2nd QTR 3rd QTR 4th QTR
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
2000
Net sales $444 $474 $479 $468
Gross profit 78 85 73 70
Net income 4 19 13 12
Basic earnings per common share $0.10 $0.55 $0.36 $0.34
Diluted earnings per common share $0.10 $0.55 $0.36 $0.34
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999
Net sales $397 $441 $445 $452
Gross profit 64 77 77 67*
Net income 16 22 22 14*
Basic earnings per common share $0.42 $0.58 $0.61 $0.37*
Diluted earnings per common share $0.42 $0.58 $0.61 $0.37*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Restated to reflect change in accounting for inventories.
COMMON STOCK MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDENDS
The Company's common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high, low and
closing market prices of the common stock and common stock cash dividends.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st QTR 2nd QTR 3rd QTR 4th QTR
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
2000
Market price range of common stock
High $33.00 $27.25 $27.25 $29.50
Low 22.44 22.63 19.00 22.00
Close 24.06 26.50 22.75 29.06
Dividends declared per common share $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 $0.10
1999
Market price range of common stock
High $30.37 $32.13 $35.25 $33.81
Low 21.56 22.50 29.75 29.00
Close 23.94 30.44 30.44 32.75
Dividends declared per common share $0.08 $0.08 $0.10 $0.10
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The number of shareholders of the Company's stock at December 31, 2000 was
approximately 13,500.
<PAGE> 28
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EIGHT-YEAR FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS *
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions, except per share amounts) 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
Net sales $1,865 $1,735 $1,448 $1,418 $1,524 $1,387 $1,385 $1,243
Restructuring and spin-off charges - net 13 -- -- 83 -- (23) 12 --
Net income (loss) 48 74 43 (76) 25 136 98 101
Basic earnings per common share $1.35 $1.98 $1.18 $(2.13) $0.70 $3.82 $2.75 $2.84
Cash dividend declared per common share $0.40 $0.36 $0.16 -- -- -- -- --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------