Form 10-Q
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
[ X ] Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 1999 or
[ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
For the transition period from ____________ to _____________
Commission file number 1-8680
High Plains Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Kansas #48-0901658
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
200 W Douglas 67202
Suite #820 (Zip Code)
Wichita, Kansas
(Address of principal executive offices)
(316) 269-4310
(Registrant's telephone number)
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
APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING
DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and
reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under plan
confirmed by a court.
Yes No
Common Stock, Par Value $.10 per share,
Outstanding at December 31, 1999 - 16,149,251
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Balance Sheet 3 - 4
Statements of Operations 5
Statement of Stockholders' Equity 6
Statement of Cash Flows 7
Selected Notes to Financial Statements 8 - 9
Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS 9 - 12
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 12
Item 4. Other Information 13
Item 5. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 12 - 14
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION
Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
December 31, 1999 and June 30, 1999
<CAPTION>
Assets December 31, 1999 June 30, 1999
(Unaudited) **
<S> <C> <C>
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,508,169 $ 330,672
Accounts receivable
Trade (less allowance of $75,000) 8,304,635 5,081,396
Production credits and incentives
(less allowance of $124,222) 336,065 917,717
Inventories 4,730,288 5,038,199
Notes receivable 0 1,000,000
Prepaid expenses 670,156 391,590
Total current assets 17,549,313 12,759,574
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
Land and land improvements 450,403 450,403
Ethanol plants 92,952,667 92,994,900
Other equipment 573,911 573,911
Office equipment 326,115 308,699
Leasehold improvements 48,002 48,002
Construction in progress 1,577,614 892,664
Sub-total 95,928,712 95,268,579
Less accumulated depreciation (29,431,714) (27,563,913)
Net property, plant and equipment 66,496,998 67,704,666
Other assets:
Deferred loan costs (less accumulated 952,587 122,116
amortization of $17,840 and $75,181,
respectively)
Other 18,936 26,578
Total other assets 971,523 148,694
$ 85,017,834 $ 80,612,934
</TABLE>
[FN]
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
** From audited financial statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION
Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
December 31, 1999 and June 30, 1999
<CAPTION>
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity December 31, 1999 June 30, 1999
(Unaudited) **
<S> <C> <C>
Current Liabilities:
Revolving lines-of-credit $ 0 $ 9,200,000
Current portion of long-term debt 2,000,004 0
Current maturities of capital leases 541,433 520,168
Accounts payable 7,622,452 6,693,746
Accrued interest 128,543 55,342
Accrued payroll and property taxes 713,862 721,463
Accrued income taxes payable 0 10,000
Total current liabilities 11,006,294 17,200,719
Revolving lines-of-credit 0 7,700,000
Long-term debt 17,999,996 0
Capital lease obligations, less current
maturities 1,215,312 1,477,534
Deferred income tax payable 1,053,314 945,845
Other 323,268 426,107
Total non-current liabilities 20,591,890 10,549,486
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $.10 par value,
authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued
16,428,098 and 16,410,622 shares at
December 31, 1999 and June 30, 1999,
respectively, of which 278,847
and 411,178 were held as treasury
stock at December 31, 1999 and
June 30, 1999, respectively 1,642,810 1,641,062
Additional paid-in capital 37,640,561 37,486,655
Retained earnings 14,884,693 14,705,578
54,168,064 53,833,295
Less:
Treasury stock-at cost (713,095) (863,911)
Deferred compensation (35,319) (106,655)
Total stockholders' equity 53,419,650 52,862,729
$ 85,017,834 $ 80,612,934
</TABLE>
[FN]
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
** From audited financial statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION
Statement of Operations
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31, 1999 and 1998
and Six Months Ended December 31, 1999 and 1998
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
1999 1998 1999 1998
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales and revenues $25,314,167 $22,776,074 $48,017,818 $49,165,933
Cost of goods sold 23,280,182 21,080,787 45,331,650 46,760,588
Gross profit 2,033,985 1,695,287 2,686,168 2,405,345
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 750,750 515,505 1,653,538 972,966
Operating income 1,283,235 1,179,782 1,032,630 1,432,379
Other income/(expense):
Interest expense (410,453) (455,809) (800,098) (898,408)
Interest and other income 19,034 16,502 33,664 268,117
Gain on sale of assets (1,612) 90,143 20,388 233,143
(393,031) (349,164) (746,046) (397,148)
Net income before
income taxes 890,204 830,618 286,584 1,035,231
Income tax (expense)/
Benefit (97,469) (307,328) (107,469) (382,328)
Net earnings $ 792,735 $ 523,290 $ 179,115 $ 652,903
Diluted earnings per
share $ .05 $ .03 $ .01 $ .04
</TABLE>
[FN]
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION
Statement of Stockholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended December 31, 1999
<CAPTION>
Common Stock
(Issued)
Additional
Number of Paid-In Retained Treasury Deferred
Shares Amount Capital Earnings Stock Compensation Total
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance,
June 30, 1999 16,410,622 $1,641,062 $37,486,654 $14,705,579 $(863,911) $(106,655) $52,862,729
Re-issuance of
Treasury stock 121,027 108,008 229,035
Exercise of
options under
espp 17,476 1,748 70,742 72,490
Amortization of
deferred
compensation 22,746 22,746
Employee stock
purchase 36,249 36,249
Net earnings
for quarter (613,621) (613,621)
Balance,
September 30,
1999 16,428,098 1,642,810 37,678,423 14,091,958 (755,903) (47,660) 52,609,628
Amortization of
deferred
compensation 3,989 3,989
Employee stock
purchase 8,352 8,352
Re-issuance of
Treasury stock
correction (37,862) 42,808 4,946
Net earnings for
quarter 792,735 792,735
Balance,
December 31,
1999 16,428,098 $1,642,810 $37,640,561 $14,884,693 $(713,095) $(35,319) $53,419,650
</TABLE>
[FN]
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION
Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended December 31, 1999 and 1998
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 179,115 $ 652,903
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,009,511 1,897,711
Amortization of deferred compensation 26,735 20,909
Compensation expense on treasury stock grants 225,029 0
Provision for bad debt 0 124,222
Gain on sale of equipment (20,388) (233,143)
Debt forgiveness 0 (231,359)
Deferred income taxes 107,469 382,328
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (2,641,588) (2,222,278)
Notes receivable 1,000,000 31,307
Inventories 307,911 2,183,713
Income tax payable/receivable (10,000) 30,000
Prepaid expenses (280,861) (851,181)
Accounts payable 953,287 588,258
Accrued liabilities 57,611 (32,036)
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,913,832 2,341,354
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of equipment 22,000 436,545
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (716,037) (1,394,280)
Decrease (increase) in other non-current assets (900,430) 28,976
Net cash used in investing activities (1,594,467) (928,759)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt 20,000,000 0
Proceeds from revolving lines-of-credit 0 900,000
Payments on revolving lines-of-credit (16,900,000) (1,700,000)
Payments on capital lease obligations (256,119) (245,757)
Increase (decrease) in other
non-current liabilities 14,251 30,238
Net cash provided (used) by
financing activities 2,858,132 (1,015,519)
Increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents 3,177,497 397,076
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 330,672 674,894
End of period $ 3,508,169 $ 1,071,970
</TABLE>
[FN]
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION
Selected Notes to Financial Statements
1) Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared by High Plains
Corporation ("Company") without audit, unless otherwise noted. In the
opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normally
occurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position,
results of operations and changes in financial position for the periods
presented, have been made.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principals have been condensed or omitted. The results of operations for
the period ended December 31, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of the
operating results for the entire year.
2) Financial Arrangements
On December 3, 1999, the Company was able to obtain a $28 million credit
facility through Bank of America. The credit facility consisted of a $20
million term loan and a $8 million revolving line-of-credit. The credit
facility is for a five-year period, which may be extended for a series of
one-year renewals.
3) Stock Options
On November 16, 1999, 5,000 options were granted at $1.0625 per share to
key management personnel in lieu of compensation. On December 16, 1999,
15,000 options were granted to the president pursuant to an employment
agreement and 60,000 options were granted to directors at $1.1250 per
share. These options were issued at the fair market value of the stock on
the grant date.
4) Stock-Based Compensation
The Company continues to account for stock-based compensation for
employees using the intrinsic value method prescribed in APB No. 25.
Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options is measured as the
excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the Company's stock at the
date of grant over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock.
Had compensation cost for the stock-based compensation been determined
based on the fair value grant date, consistent with the provisions of FAS
123, the Company's net earnings and diluted earnings per share above would
have been reduced to pro forma amounts below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the three months ending
December 31, 1999 1998
<S> <C> <C>
Net earnings
As reported $ 792,735 $ 523,290
Pro forma 738,598 409,364
Diluted earnings per share
As reported $ .05 $ .03
Pro forma .05 .03
For the six months ending
December 31,
Net earnings
As reported $ 179,115 $ 652,903
Pro forma (3,641) 522,606
Diluted earnings per share
As reported $ .01 $ .04
Pro forma (.00) .03
</TABLE>
The Company's basic earnings per share for the pro forma information noted
above is the same as the Company's diluted earnings per share for all the
periods disclosed.
<PAGE>
5) Earnings Per Share
The Company, as required under FASB Statement No. 128 Earnings Per Share
(FAS 128) has replaced the presentation of primary earnings per share
(EPS) with Basic EPS and Diluted EPS. Under FAS 128 both the basic and
diluted must be presented in the financial statements. Also, under the
FAS 128 all prior period EPS data presented in the financial statements
must be restated for comparative purposes.
The diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31,
1999 and 1998 have been calculated based on 16,149,681 and 16,004,582
diluted shares outstanding, respectively. The diluted earnings per share
for the six months ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 have been calculated
based on 16,125,326 and 16,009,202, respectively. The Company's diluted
earnings per share in the financial statements above are the same as the
basic earnings per share for each of the periods disclosed.
Part I
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Item 2.
Forward-looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q, future filings including but
not limited to, the Company's annual 10K, Proxy Statement, and 8K filings
by the Company with the Securities and Exchange commission, the Company's
press releases and oral statements by authorized officers of the Company
are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that
all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty, including
without limitation, the risk of a significant natural disaster, the
inability of the Company to ensure against certain risks, the adequacy of
its loss reserves, fluctuations in commodity prices, change in market
prices or demand for motor fuels and ethanol, legislative changes
regarding air quality, fuel specifications or incentive programs, as well
as general market conditions, competition and pricing. The Company
believes that forward-looking statements made by it are based upon
reasonable expectations. However, no assurances can be given that actual
results will not differ materially from those contained in such forward-
looking statements. The words "estimate," "anticipate," "expect,"
"predict," "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements.
Six Months Ended December 31, 1999 and 1998
Net Sales and Operating Expenses.
Net sales and revenues for the six months ended December 31, 1999, were
lower than net sales for the same period December 31, 1998. During the
six months ended December 31, 1999, approximately 34.1 million gallons of
fuel grade ethanol were sold at an average price of $0.99 per gallon
compared to 32.7 million gallons sold at an average price of $1.06 per
gallon, for the same period ending December 31, 1998. In addition,
approximately 2.71 million gallons of industrial/beverage grade ethanol
were sold at an average price of $1.40 per gallon during the six months
ended December 31, 1999 compared to approximately 1.0 million gallons sold
at $1.36 per gallon for the same period ending December 31, 1998. Fuel
grade gallons sold during the six months ended December 31, 1999 increased
by approximately 4% compared to the same period in 1998, while
industrial/beverage grade gallons sold during the similar period increased
270% compared to the same period in 1998. The increase in
industrial/beverage grade gallons was primarily due to increased marketing
efforts in that segment of the Company's business. The lower net sales
revenue was primarily the result of the 7% decrease in average sales price
of fuel grade ethanol, which stemmed from low oil prices in the early
stages of the fiscal year and softer demand thereafter due to political
uncertainty (see Seasonality below for more details).
Cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales and revenues was 94.4%
and 95.1% for the six months ended December 31, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. The decrease in the cost of products sold as a percentage
of net sales and revenues was primarily due to a decrease in the average
grain prices which was partially offset by the decrease in average sales
price for fuel grade ethanol. The average cost of grain declined to $1.94
per bushel for the six months ended December 31, 1999, down from $2.14 per
bushel for the same period in 1998.
<PAGE>
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 69.9% for the six
months ended December 31, 1999, compared to the same period ended December
31, 1998. This increase is the result of an increase in administrative
salary and benefit expenses resulting from an increase in staff, stock
grants to key management personnel, increased professional fees resulting
from side-stream research, increased investor relations, timing difference
on bonus accruals, and increased Board of Director fees and expenses.
Net Earnings.
Net earnings decreased 72.6% for the six months ended December 31, 1999,
compared to net earnings for the same period in 1998. Net earnings as a
percentage of net sales and revenues decreased from 1.3% to .4%. The
decrease is due to a decrease in the average sales price of fuel grade
ethanol, increased selling, general and administrative expenses, decreased
other income, and decrease in deferred tax expense for the period ended
December 31, 1999 compared to the same period ended December 31, 1998.
Diluted earnings per share at December 31, 1999, were 75% lower than
diluted earnings per share for the same period in 1998 due to the decrease
in earnings.
Three Months Ended December 31, 1999 and 1998
Net Sales and Operating Expenses.
Net sales and revenues for the three months ended December 31, 1999,
increased 11% compared to the same period ended December 31, 1998. During
the quarter ended December 31, 1999, approximately 17.8 million gallons of
fuel grade ethanol were sold at an average price of $1.00 per gallon
compared to approximately 15.6 million gallons sold at an average price of
$1.11 per gallon, for the same period ending December 31, 1998. In
addition, approximately 2.1 million gallons of industrial/beverage grade
ethanol were sold at an average price of $1.38 per gallon during the
quarter ended December 31, 1999 compared to approximately .4 million
gallons sold at $1.17 per gallon for the same period ending December 31,
1998. Fuel grade gallons sold during the quarter ended December 31, 1999
increased approximately 14% compared to the same period in 1998.
Industrial/beverage grade gallons sold during the quarter ended December 31,
1999 increased approximately 525% compared to the same period in 1998.
The increase in fuel grade gallons was driven by higher demand across the
industry, which allowed the York, Nebraska and Portales, New Mexico
facilities to draw down their respective inventory levels, and brokering
of approximately .9 million gallons of additional fuel grade ethanol
compared to the same period in 1998. Industrial/beverage grade gallons
increased primarily in response to increased marketing efforts in that
segment of the Company's business. The higher net sales were primarily
the result of increased fuel and industrial/beverage grade volumes.
Cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales and revenues was 92%
and 92.6% for the three months ended December 31, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. The cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales and
revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 1999 decreased slightly
compared to the same period in 1998. The decrease was primarily due to a
decrease in the average grain prices, which was mostly offset by the
decrease in average sales price for fuel grade ethanol for comparable
periods. The average cost of grain declined to $1.86 per bushel for the
quarter ended December 31, 1999, down from $2.06 per bushel for the same
quarter in 1998.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 45.6% for the three
months ended December 31, 1999, compared to the same period ended December
31, 1998. This increase is the result of an increase in administrative
salary and benefit expenses resulting from an increase in staff, increased
professional fees resulting from side-stream research, increased investor
relations, timing difference on bonus accruals, and increased Board of
Director fees and expenses.
Net Earnings.
Net earnings increased 51.5% for the three months ended December 31, 1999,
compared to net earnings for the same period in 1998. Net earnings as a
percentage of net sales and revenues increased from 2.3% to 3.1% for the
comparable periods. The increase is the net result of increased fuel
grade and industrial/beverage grade sales volume, decreased average grain
prices, increased selling, general and administrative expenses, decreased
deferred tax expense, and decreased other income for the period ended
December 31, 1999 compared to the same period ended December 31, 1998.
Diluted earnings per share at December 31, 1999, were 66.7% higher than
diluted earnings per share for the same period in 1998 due to the
increased earnings.
<PAGE>
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's primary source of funds during the second quarter of fiscal
2000 was cash flow from financing activities and cash flow from
operations. At December 31, 1999, the Company had working capital of
approximately $6.5 million compared to negative working capital of
approximately ($4.4) million for the period ended June 30, 1999. The
increase in working capital was primarily due to increases in cash and
cash equivalents, trade receivables, current portion of long term debt,
and trade accounts payable netted against decreases in notes receivable
and revolving lines-of-credit.
Capital expenditures for the first six months of fiscal 2000 amounted to
approximately $.7 million for modifications to the Company's three plants
compared to approximately $1.4 million for the same period in fiscal 1999.
The Company was able to refinance its revolving-lines-of credit into term
debt in the second quarter of fiscal 2000. The Company obtained a $28
million credit facility, which consisted of $20 million term loan and $ 8
million revolving line-of-credit. The revolving line-of-credit was
undrawn as of December 31, 1999. The Company used the term debt proceeds
to pay off its existing $16.9 million dollar revolving-line-of credit and
strengthen its working capital position. The Company believes it has
adequate short-term working capital and borrowing availability under its
new financing arrangement to meet its operating cash needs. However, in
the event the Company encounters unforeseen changes in market conditions
that adversely affect its ability to generate cash flow from operations,
the Company could seek to raise additional funds through the sale of
stock, or issuance of debt and/or equity securities.
The Company received its last production incentive payment under its
original agreement with the state of Nebraska in the second quarter of
fiscal 2000. The impact of the second quarter loss of the Nebraska
incentive on the Company's liquidity was mitigated by increased
profitability and the refinancing. However, in the future the lack of the
incentive could substantially and negatively impact the Company's
liquidity position. The Company continues to improve efficiencies, to
implement cost controls, and focus efforts on expanding its presence in
the higher margin industrial/beverage grade markets to assist in improving
the Company's liquidity and earnings.
Seasonality
Fuel ethanol prices are historically stronger during the winter months due
to the mandated markets of the Federal Oxygen Program. Prices typically
increase in the weeks before September, and decrease by March due to
shipping schedules. Additionally, fuel ethanol prices historically have
been influenced by the price of unleaded gasoline, which increased
significantly during calendar 1999. Atypically, ethanol prices remained
relatively flat from last summer lows through the first fiscal quarter of
2000, and into December of 1999. However, significant price increases
occurred in December of 1999 and January of 2000, returning fuel ethanol
pricing to more normal seasonal levels. The Company believes this
increase was primarily due to increases in the price of gasoline,
tightening of ethanol supplies, and increased purchases by customers who
may have been waiting for a resolution of the political issues affecting
ethanol demand (such as the possible waiver of oxygen requirements due to
MTBE contamination of water supplies, and modification of RFGII vapor
pressure requirements discussed in the Company's most recent 10K filing).
Although the Company had previously contracted most of its wintertime
production, some benefit from these higher prices was realized due to
additional sales, as well as a variable price provision included in
certain contracts. If gasoline prices stay strong into the upcoming
summer months (as many sources predict), ethanol prices for the 2000
summer season are expected to be significantly higher than those seen in
the summer of 1999.
Grain prices also continue to be favorable for the ethanol industry.
Although corn and milo feedstock prices have increased somewhat from
harvest lows, market fundamentals (projected crop size, carryouts, export
and demand numbers) appear to favor continued low grain prices through the
next crop year. As always, grain prices are subject to significant
changes due to weather patterns, or in the event of changes in the
fundamental market factors described above. Although the Company has not
currently contracted significant grain purchases past the third quarter of
2000, it is evaluating various hedging options which would reduce the risk
of significant increases in grain costs into fiscal 2001.
Prices for the Company's distillers grain by-products (DDGS) historically
fluctuate with the price of corn, and provide the Company with some hedge
against the possibility of higher grain prices. Although grain prices
remained low, DDGS prices (also at historically low levels overall)
strengthened in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2000. The Company
has emphasized production of a wet distillers grain product at its
Nebraska and New Mexico facilities in an effort to strengthen and
stabilize its feed markets. However, anticipated declines in grain prices
should also result in some decline in prices for the Company's DDGS
products.
<PAGE>
Year 2000
The Company had no significant issues arise relative to Year 2000 (Y2K)
compliance issues.
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
No new legal proceedings were instigated during the quarter ended December 31,
1999 which would be considered other than in the ordinary course of the
Company's business.
Item 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES
Not Applicable
Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITES
Not Applicable
<PAGE>
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
The Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on November 16, 1999.
The meeting involved the election of one director, David C. Nesbitt.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Voting results:
BROKER
FOR AGAINST ABSTENTIONS NONVOTERS
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
David C. Nesbitt 11,107,988 269,394 -0- -0-
The following details the issues which were presented to stockholders for
vote and the results of that vote:
(1) Ratify the appointment of Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, LC as the Company's
independent public accountants.
BROKER
RESULTS FOR AGAINST ABSTENTIONS NONVOTERS
(1) 11,206,772 111,472 59,138 -0-
</TABLE>
Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
a). Exhibit 27-1 Financial Data Schedule
b). Reports on Form 8-K. During the quarter for which this report
is filed, the company filed the following Form 8-K's:
October 18, 1999 Company announced first quarter earnings and
earnings per share for the period ending September 30, 1999.
November 16, 1999 Company announced addition of David Dykstra to
marketing and management team.
November 17, 1999 Company announced it had entered into a pilot
project to test production of glycerol side-stream chemical at
existing facility.
December 9, 1999 Company announced it had obtained $20 million term
loan and $8 million revolving line-of-credit from Bank of America.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999
<CASH> 3,508,169
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 8,640,700
<ALLOWANCES> 199,222
<INVENTORY> 4,730,288
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 17,549,313
<PP&E> 95,928,712
<DEPRECIATION> 29,431,714
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 85,017,834
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 11,006,294
<BONDS> 21,756,745
0
0
<COMMON> 1,642,810
<OTHER-SE> 51,776,840
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 85,017,834
<SALES> 25,314,167
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 25,314,167
<CGS> 23,280,182
<TOTAL-COSTS> 23,280,182
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 750,750
<LOSS-PROVISION> 199,222
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 410,453
<INCOME-PRETAX> 890,204
<INCOME-TAX> 97,469
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 792,735
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 792,735
<EPS-BASIC> .05
<EPS-DILUTED> .05
</TABLE>
