FORM 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended February 29, 2012

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 001-08495

 

 

 

LOGO

CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   16-0716709

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

207 High Point Drive, Building 100

Victor, New York

  14564
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (585) 678-7100

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock (par value $.01 per share)   New York Stock Exchange
Class B Common Stock (par value $.01 per share)   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing sales prices of the registrant’s Class A and Class B Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $3,418,432,535.

The number of shares outstanding with respect to each of the classes of common stock of Constellation Brands, Inc., as of April 20, 2012, is set forth below:

 

Class

   Number of Shares Outstanding

Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

   165,313,768

Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

   23,552,635

Class 1 Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

   11,652

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The proxy statement of Constellation Brands, Inc. to be issued for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders which is expected to be held July 27, 2012 is incorporated by reference in Part III to the extent described therein.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
PART I   
ITEM 1.  

Business

     2   
ITEM 1A.  

Risk Factors

     9   
ITEM 1B.  

Unresolved Staff Comments

     19   
ITEM 2.  

Properties

     19   
ITEM 3.  

Legal Proceedings

     21   
ITEM 4.  

Mine Safety Disclosures

     21   
PART II   
ITEM 5.  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     24   
ITEM 6.  

Selected Financial Data

     26   
ITEM 7.  

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

     27   
ITEM 7A.  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     52   
ITEM 8.  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     54   
ITEM 9.  

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     121   
ITEM 9A.  

Controls and Procedures

     121   
ITEM 9B.  

Other Information

     121   
PART III   
ITEM 10.  

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     122   
ITEM 11.  

Executive Compensation

     122   
ITEM 12.  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     122   
ITEM 13.  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     123   
ITEM 14.  

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

     123   
PART IV   
ITEM 15.  

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

     124   


Table of Contents

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including without limitation the statements under Item 1 “Business” and Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding (i) the Company’s business strategy, future financial position, prospects, plans and objectives of management, (ii) the Company’s expected restructuring charges, accelerated depreciation and other costs, (iii) information concerning expected or potential actions of third parties, (iv) information concerning the future expected balance of supply and demand for wine, (v) the expected impact upon results of operations resulting from the Company’s decision to consolidate its U.S. distributor network, (vi) the duration of the share repurchase implementation, and (vii) the possible refinancing and replacing of the Company’s current senior credit facility and the terms of any such facility are forward-looking statements. When used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the words “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to the risks and uncertainties of ordinary business operations and conditions in the general economy and markets in which the Company competes, the forward-looking statements of the Company contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are also subject to the risk and uncertainty that (i) the impact upon results of operations resulting from the decision to consolidate the Company’s U.S. distributor network will vary from current expectations due to actual U.S. distributor experience, (ii) the actual balance of supply and demand for wine products will vary from current expectations due to, among other reasons, actual grape harvest and actual consumer demand, (iii) the Company’s restructuring charges, accelerated depreciation and other costs may vary materially from current expectations due to, among other reasons, variations in anticipated headcount reductions, contract terminations or modifications, and/or other costs of implementation, (iv) the amount and timing of any share repurchases may vary due to market conditions, the Company’s cash and debt position, and other factors as determined by management from time to time, and (v) any replacing or refinancing of the Company’s current senior credit facility and the terms of any such facility may vary from management’s current expectations due to conditions in the credit markets. Additional important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied, by the Company’s forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are those described in Item 1A “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report and in other Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Table of Contents

PART I

 

Item 1. Business.

Introduction

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer to Constellation Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and all references to “net sales” refer to gross sales less promotions, returns and allowances, and excise taxes to conform with the Company’s method of classification. All references to “Fiscal 2012,” “Fiscal 2011” and “Fiscal 2010” refer to the Company’s fiscal year ended the last day of February of the indicated year. All references to “Fiscal 2013” refer to the Company’s fiscal year ending February 28, 2013.

Market positions and industry data discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are as of calendar 2011 and have been obtained or derived from industry and government publications and Company estimates. The industry and government publications include: Beverage Information Group; Impact Databank Review and Forecast; SymphonyIRI Group; Nielsen; Beer Marketer’s Insights; Euromonitor International; International Wine and Spirit Record; Association for Canadian Distillers; Distilled Spirits Council of the United States; and Canadian Home Wine Trade Association. The Company has not independently verified the data from the industry and government publications. Unless otherwise noted, all references to market positions are based on equivalent unit volume.

The Company is a Delaware corporation incorporated on December 4, 1972, as the successor to a business founded in 1945. The Company has approximately 4,400 employees located primarily in the United States (“U.S.”) and Canada with the corporate headquarters located in Victor, New York. The Company conducts its business through entities it wholly owns as well as through a variety of joint ventures and other entities.

The Company is the world’s leading premium wine company with a leading market position in the U.S., Canada and New Zealand. Prior to January 31, 2011, the Company had a leading market position in both Australia and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) through its Australian and U.K. business. On January 31, 2011, the Company sold 80.1% of its Australian and U.K. business as part of its efforts to premiumize its portfolio and improve margins and return on invested capital (see additional discussion regarding this divestiture below). The Company’s wine portfolio is complemented by select premium spirits brands and other select beverage alcohol products.

The Company is the leading marketer of imported beer in the U.S. through its investment in Crown Imports, LLC (“Crown Imports”), a joint venture with Grupo Modelo, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Modelo”) pursuant to which Modelo’s Mexican beer portfolio (the “Modelo Brands”) are imported, marketed and sold by the joint venture in the U.S.

Many of the Company’s products are recognized leaders in their respective categories and geographic markets. The Company’s strong market positions make the Company a supplier of choice to many of its customers, who include wholesale distributors, retailers, on-premise locations and government alcohol beverage control agencies.

 

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The Company currently reports net sales in one reportable segment, Constellation Wines North America. Prior to the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture (as defined below), the Company reported its net sales in two reportable segments, Constellation Wines North America and Constellation Wines Australia and Europe (see additional discussion regarding business segments below). Net sales reported by these segments (based on the location of the selling company) are summarized as follows:

 

     For the Year
Ended
February 29,
2012
     % of
Total
    For the Year
Ended
February 28,
2011
     % of
Total
 
(in millions)                           

Constellation Wines North America

   $ 2,654.3         100   $ 2,557.3         77

Constellation Wines Australia and Europe

     —           —          774.7         23
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated Net Sales

   $ 2,654.3         100   $ 3,332.0         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the past 10 years, there have been certain key trends within the beverage alcohol industry, which include:

 

   

Consolidation of suppliers, wholesalers and retailers;

 

   

An increase in global wine consumption, with premium wines growing faster than value-priced wines;

 

   

Premium spirits growing faster than value-priced spirits; and

 

   

High-end beer (imports and crafts) growing faster than domestic beer in the U.S.

To capitalize on these trends and become more competitive, the Company has generally employed a strategy focused on a combination of organic growth, acquisitions and investments in joint ventures and other entities, with an increasing focus on the higher-margin premium categories of the beverage alcohol industry. Key elements of the Company’s strategy include:

 

   

Leveraging its existing portfolio of leading brands;

 

   

Developing new products, new packaging and line extensions;

 

   

Strengthening relationships with wholesalers and retailers;

 

   

Expanding distribution of its product portfolio;

 

   

Enhancing production capabilities;

 

   

Realizing operating efficiencies and synergies; and

 

   

Maximizing asset utilization.

Over the prior four fiscal years ended February 28, 2011, the Company has complemented this strategy by divesting certain businesses, brands, and assets as part of its efforts to increase its mix of premium brands, improve margins, create operating efficiencies and reduce debt.

Recent Acquisitions and Divestitures

In October 2011, the Company acquired the remaining 50.1% equity interest in Ruffino S.r.l. (“Ruffino”) for €50.3 million ($68.6 million). The Company also assumed indebtedness of Ruffino, net of cash acquired, of €54.2 million ($73.1 million). Prior to this transaction, the Company had owned 49.9% of Ruffino and was the U.S. importer for the Ruffino wine brands.

In January 2011, the Company sold 80.1% of its Australian and U.K. business (the “CWAE Divestiture”) at a transaction value of $267.7 million. The Company has received cash proceeds of $193.7 million, net of cash divested of $15.8 million, direct costs paid of $11.4 million and post-closing adjustments paid of $18.5 million.

 

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The Company has retained a less than 20% interest in the business. This transaction is consistent with the Company’s strategic focus on premiumizing the Company’s portfolio and improving margins and return on invested capital.

In January 2010, the Company sold its U.K. cider business for cash proceeds of £43.9 million ($71.6 million), net of direct costs to sell. This transaction is consistent with the Company’s strategic focus on premium higher-growth, higher-margin wine, beer and spirits brands.

In March 2009, as part of its strategic focus on higher-margin premium brands in its portfolio, the Company sold its value spirits business for $336.4 million, net of direct costs to sell. The Company received $276.4 million, net of direct costs to sell, in cash proceeds and a note receivable for $60.0 million. In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company received full payment of the note receivable. The Company retained the SVEDKA Vodka and Black Velvet Canadian Whisky premium spirits brands, which have marketplace scale and higher margins than the value spirits brands that were sold. To achieve synergies and operating efficiencies, these brands were consolidated into the Company’s North American wine operations during Fiscal 2010.

For more information about these transactions, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Business Segments

Prior to January 31, 2011, the Company’s internal management financial reporting consisted of four business divisions: Constellation Wines North America, Constellation Wines Australia and Europe, Constellation Wines New Zealand, and Crown Imports. Due to a number of factors, including the size of the Constellation Wines New Zealand segment’s operations, the similarity of its economic characteristics and long-term financial performance with that of the Constellation Wines North America business, and the fact that the vast majority of the wine produced by the Constellation Wines New Zealand operating segment is sold in the U.S. and Canada, the Company had aggregated the results of this operating segment with its Constellation Wines North America operating segment to form one reportable segment. Accordingly, prior to January 31, 2011, the Company reported its operating results in four segments: Constellation Wines North America (wine and spirits) (“CWNA”), Constellation Wines Australia and Europe (wine) (“CWAE”), Corporate Operations and Other, and Crown Imports (imported beer). As a result of the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture, as of February 1, 2011, the Company no longer reports operating results for the CWAE segment.

From February 1, 2011, through May 31, 2011, the Company’s internal management financial reporting consisted of three business divisions: Constellation Wines North America, Constellation Wines New Zealand and Crown Imports. As discussed above, the Company had aggregated the results of its Constellation Wines New Zealand operating segment with its Constellation Wines North America operating segment to form one reportable segment. Accordingly, from February 1, 2011, through May 31, 2011, the Company reported its operating results in three segments: CWNA, Corporate Operations and Other, and Crown Imports.

In connection with the Company’s changes on June 1, 2011, within its internal management structure for its wine and spirits business, the Company changed its internal management financial reporting to consist of two business divisions: Constellation Wines North America and Crown Imports. These organizational changes had no impact on the Company’s previously reported segment financial information as the Company continues to report its operating results in three segments: CWNA, Corporate Operations and Other, and Crown Imports. The business segments, described more fully below, reflect how the Company’s operations are managed, how operating performance within the Company is evaluated by senior management and the structure of its internal financial reporting.

Information regarding net sales, operating income and total assets of each of the Company’s business segments and information regarding geographic areas is set forth in Note 23 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements located in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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Constellation Wines North America

CWNA is the leading producer and marketer of premium wine in the world. It has a leading market position in the U.S., Canada and New Zealand and sells a large number of wine brands across all categories – table wine, sparkling wine and dessert wine – and across all price points – popular, premium, super-premium and fine wine. The portfolio of super-premium and fine wines is supported by vineyard holdings in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Italy. Wine produced by the Company in the U.S. is primarily marketed domestically and in Canada and the U.K. Wine produced in Canada is primarily marketed domestically. Wine produced in New Zealand is primarily marketed in the U.S., Canada, Australia and the U.K. and domestically. Wine produced in Italy is primarily marketed in the U.S., Canada and domestically. In addition, CWNA exports its wine products to other major wine consuming markets of the world.

In the U.S., CWNA sells 14 of the top-selling 100 table wine brands and is a leading premium wine company. In Canada, it sells wine across all price points, and has six of the top-selling 25 table wine brands and the leading icewine brand with Inniskillin.

CWNA’s well-known wine brands include Robert Mondavi Brands, Clos du Bois, Blackstone, Estancia, Arbor Mist, Toasted Head, Simi, Black Box, Ravenswood, Rex Goliath, Kim Crawford, Franciscan Estate, Wild Horse, Ruffino, Nobilo, Mount Veeder, Inniskillin and Jackson-Triggs.

Premium spirit brands in CWNA’s portfolio include SVEDKA Vodka, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky and Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy, all of which have a leading position in their respective categories.

CWNA is also a leading producer and marketer of wine kits and beverage alcohol refreshment drinks in Canada.

In conjunction with its wine production, CWNA produces and sells bulk wine and other related products and services.

Constellation Wines Australia and Europe

Prior to the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture, the Company’s CWAE segment was a leading producer and marketer of wine in Australia and a leading marketer of wine in the U.K. Wine produced by the Company in Australia was primarily marketed domestically and in the U.K. CWAE sold wine brands across all price points and varieties, and was the leading producer of value-priced cask (box) wines in Australia.

Crown Imports

In January 2007, the Company completed the formation of Crown Imports. The Company and Modelo indirectly each have an equal interest in Crown Imports, which has the exclusive right to import, market and sell primarily the Modelo Brands, which include Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Pacifico, Negra Modelo and Victoria, in all 50 states of the U.S. In the U.S., Crown Imports has six of the top-selling 25 imported beer brands. Corona Extra is the best-selling imported beer and the sixth best-selling beer overall and Corona Light is the leading imported light beer. The Company accounts for its investment in Crown Imports under the equity method.

Corporate Operations and Other

The Corporate Operations and Other segment includes traditional corporate-related items including executive management, corporate development, corporate finance, human resources, internal audit, investor relations, legal, public relations and global information technology.

Marketing and Distribution

The Company’s segments employ full-time, in-house marketing, sales and customer service organizations to maintain a high degree of focus on their respective product categories. The organizations use a range of marketing strategies and tactics designed to build brand equity and increase sales, including market research,

 

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consumer and trade advertising, price promotions, point-of-sale materials, event sponsorship, on-premise promotions and public relations. Where opportunities exist, particularly with national accounts in the U.S., the Company leverages its sales and marketing skills across the organization.

In North America, the Company’s products are primarily distributed by wholesale distributors as well as state and provincial alcoholic beverage control agencies. As is the case with all other beverage alcohol companies, products sold through state or provincial alcoholic beverage control agencies are subject to obtaining and maintaining listings to sell the Company’s products in that agency’s state or province. State and provincial governments can affect prices paid by consumers of the Company’s products. This is possible either through the imposition of taxes or, in states and provinces in which the government acts as the distributor of the Company’s products through an alcohol beverage control agency, by directly setting retail prices for the Company’s products.

Trademarks and Distribution Agreements

Trademarks are an important aspect of the Company’s business. The Company sells its products under a number of trademarks, which the Company owns or uses under license. Throughout its segments, the Company also has various licenses and distribution agreements for the sale, or the production and sale, of its products and products of third parties. These licenses and distribution agreements have varying terms and durations. At the end of the Company’s year ended February 29, 2012, these agreements included, among others, a long-term license agreement with the B. Manischewitz Company, which expires in 2042, for the Manischewitz brand, and a distribution and importation agreement with Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A., which expires in December 2016, for the Mouton Cadet brand. Additionally, in connection with the CWAE Divestiture, the Company entered into distribution, importation and license agreements that expire in 2014 regarding the production, distribution, importation and licensing of products owned by the divested business which include various brands, such as, but not limited to, the Hardy’s brands.

All of the Company’s imported beer products are imported, marketed and sold through Crown Imports. Crown Imports has entered into exclusive importation agreements with the suppliers of the imported beer products. These agreements have terms that vary and prohibit Crown Imports from importing beer products from other producers from the same country. Crown Imports’ Mexican beer portfolio, the Modelo Brands, currently consists of the Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, Pacifico and Victoria brands. Crown Imports has the right to market and sell the Modelo Brands in all 50 states of the U.S., the District of Columbia and Guam. Crown Imports has an exclusive sub-license to use certain trademarks related to Modelo Brands beer products in the U.S. (including the District of Columbia and Guam) pursuant to a sub-license agreement between Crown Imports and Marcas Modelo, S.A. de C.V. This sub-license agreement continues for the duration of the Crown Imports joint venture.

Crown Imports and Extrade II S.A. de C.V. (“Extrade II”), an affiliate of Modelo, have entered into an Importer Agreement, pursuant to which Extrade II granted to Crown Imports the exclusive right to sell the Modelo Brands in the territories mentioned above. The joint venture and the related importation arrangements provide that, subject to the terms and conditions of those agreements, the joint venture and the related importation arrangements will continue through 2016 for an initial term of 10 years, and renew in 10-year periods unless GModelo Corporation, a Delaware corporation and subsidiary of Diblo, S.A. de C.V. (“Diblo”), gives notice prior to the end of year seven of any term.

Competition

The beverage alcohol industry is highly competitive. The Company competes on the basis of quality, price, brand recognition and distribution strength. The Company’s beverage alcohol products compete with other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for consumer purchases, as well as shelf space in retail stores, restaurant presence and wholesaler attention. The Company competes with numerous multinational producers and distributors of beverage alcohol products, some of which have greater resources than the Company.

 

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CWNA’s principal wine competitors include: E&J Gallo Winery, The Wine Group, Treasury Wine Estates, W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Kendall-Jackson and Diageo in the U.S.; Andrew Peller, Treasury Wine Estates, Kruger and E&J Gallo Winery in Canada; and Pernod Ricard, Lion Nathan and Treasury Wine Estates in New Zealand. CWNA’s principal distilled spirits competitors include: Diageo, Beam, Pernod Ricard, Bacardi and Brown-Forman.

Crown Imports’ principal competitors include: Anheuser-Busch InBev, MillerCoors and Heineken.

Production

In the U.S., the Company operates 18 wineries where wine is produced from many varieties of grapes grown principally in the Napa, Sonoma, Monterey and San Joaquin regions of California. The Company also operates nine wineries in Canada, four wineries in New Zealand and six wineries in Italy. Grapes are crushed at most of the Company’s wineries and stored as wine until packaged for sale under the Company’s brand names or sold in bulk. In the U.S., Canada and Italy, the Company’s inventories of wine are usually at their highest levels in September through November during and after the crush of each year’s grape harvest, and are reduced prior to the subsequent year’s crush. Similarly, in New Zealand, the Company’s inventories of wine are usually at their highest levels in March through May during and after the crush of each year’s grape harvest, and are reduced prior to the subsequent year’s crush.

The Company’s Canadian whisky requirements are produced and aged at its Canadian distillery in Lethbridge, Alberta. The Company’s requirements of grains and bulk spirits it uses in the production of Canadian whisky are purchased from various suppliers.

Sources and Availability of Production Materials

The principal components in the production of the Company’s branded beverage alcohol products are agricultural products, such as grapes and grain, and packaging materials (primarily glass).

Most of the Company’s annual grape requirements are satisfied by purchases from each year’s harvest which normally begins in August and runs through October in the U.S., Canada and Italy, and begins in February and runs through May in New Zealand. The Company believes that it has adequate sources of grape supplies to meet its sales expectations. However, when demand for certain wine products exceeds expectations, the Company sources the extra requirements from the bulk wine markets. Depending upon overall demand, the Company could experience shortages.

The Company receives grapes from approximately 1,020 independent growers in the U.S., approximately 100 independent growers in Canada, approximately 80 independent growers in New Zealand and approximately 60 independent growers in Italy. The Company enters into written purchase agreements with a majority of these growers and pricing generally varies year-to-year and is generally based on then-current market prices.

At February 29, 2012, the Company owned or leased approximately 19,100 acres of land and vineyards, either fully bearing or under development, in California (U.S.), New York (U.S.), Canada, New Zealand and Italy. This acreage supplies only a small percentage of the Company’s overall total grape needs for wine production. However, most of this acreage is used to supply a large portion of the grapes used for the production of the Company’s super-premium and fine wines. The Company continues to consider the purchase or lease of additional vineyards, and additional land for vineyard plantings, to supplement its grape supply.

The distilled spirits manufactured and imported by the Company require various agricultural products, neutral grain spirits and bulk spirits. The Company fulfills its requirements through purchases from various sources by contractual arrangement and through purchases on the open market. The Company believes that adequate supplies of the aforementioned products are available at the present time.

 

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The Company utilizes glass and polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) bottles and other materials such as caps, corks, capsules, labels, wine bags and cardboard cartons in the bottling and packaging of its products. After grape purchases, glass bottle costs are the largest component of the Company’s cost of product sold. In the U.S. and Canada, the glass bottle industry is highly concentrated with only a small number of producers. The Company has traditionally obtained, and continues to obtain, its glass requirements from a limited number of producers under long-term supply arrangements. Currently, one producer supplies most of the Company’s glass container requirements for its U.S. operations and another producer supplies a majority of the Company’s glass container requirements for its Canadian operations. The Company has been able to satisfy its requirements with respect to the foregoing and considers its sources of supply to be adequate at this time. However, the inability of any of the Company’s glass bottle suppliers to satisfy the Company’s requirements could adversely affect the Company’s operations.

Government Regulation

The Company is subject to a range of regulations in the countries in which it operates. Where it produces products, the Company is subject to environmental laws and regulations, and may be required to obtain environmental and alcohol beverage permits and licenses to operate its facilities. Where it markets and sells products, it may be subject to laws and regulations on brand registration, packaging and labeling, distribution methods and relationships, pricing and price changes, sales promotions, advertising and public relations. The Company is also subject to rules and regulations relating to changes in officers or directors, ownership or control.

The Company believes it is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable governmental laws and regulations in the countries in which it operates. The Company also believes that the cost of administration and compliance with, and liability under, such laws and regulations does not have, and is not expected to have, a material adverse impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Seasonality

The beverage alcohol industry is subject to seasonality in each major category. As a result, in response to wholesaler and retailer demand which precedes consumer purchases, the Company’s wine and spirits sales are typically highest during the third quarter of its fiscal year, primarily due to seasonal holiday buying. Crown Imports’ imported beer sales are typically highest during the first and second quarters of the Company’s fiscal year, which correspond to the Spring and Summer periods in the U.S.

Employees

As of the end of March 2012, the Company had approximately 4,400 full-time employees. Approximately 2,600 full-time employees were in the U.S. and approximately 1,800 full-time employees were outside of the U.S., primarily in Canada. Additional workers may be employed by the Company during the grape crushing seasons. The Company considers its employee relations generally to be good.

Company Information

The Company’s internet address is http://www.cbrands.com. The Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, are accessible free of charge at http://www.cbrands.com as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, such as the Company, that file electronically with the SEC. The internet address of the SEC’s site is http://www.sec.gov. Also, the public may read and copy any materials that the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

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The Company has adopted a Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Executive Code of Ethics that specifically applies to its chief executive officer, its principal financial officer, and controller. This Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Executive Code of Ethics meets the requirements as set forth in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Item 406 of Regulation S-K. The Company has posted on its internet website a copy of the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Executive Code of Ethics. It is located at http://www.cbrands.com/investors/corporate-governance.

The Company also has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all employees, directors and officers, including each person who is subject to the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Executive Code of Ethics. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Company’s internet website, together with the Company’s Global Code of Responsible Practices for Beverage Alcohol Advertising and Marketing, its Board of Directors Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Charters of the Board’s Audit Committee, Human Resources Committee (which serves as the Board’s compensation committee) and Corporate Governance Committee (which serves as the Board’s nominating committee). All of these materials are accessible on the Company’s internet website at http://www.cbrands.com/investors/corporate-governance. Amendments to, and waivers granted to the Company’s directors and executive officers under the Company’s codes of ethics, if any, will be posted in this area of the Company’s website. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Global Code of Responsible Practices for Beverage Alcohol Advertising and Marketing, Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Executive Code of Ethics, and/or the Board of Directors Corporate Governance Guidelines and committee charters are available in print to any shareholder who requests it. Shareholders should direct such requests in writing to Investor Relations Department, Constellation Brands, Inc., 207 High Point Drive, Building 100, Victor, New York 14564, or by telephoning the Company’s Investor Center at 1-888-922-2150.

The foregoing information regarding the Company’s website and its content is for your convenience only. The content of the Company’s website is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in this report or filed with the SEC.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the following factors which could materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. The risks described below are not the only risks we face. Additional factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, cash flows, financial condition or results of operations in future periods.

Worldwide and domestic economic trends and financial market conditions could adversely impact our financial performance.

Although we believe the adverse worldwide and domestic economic conditions experienced over recent years are improving, the degree and pace of recovery is uncertain and is expected to vary around the globe. Worldwide and domestic economies remain subject to prolongation, exacerbation and expansion of adverse conditions. In addition, instability in global credit markets, including the uncertainty related to sovereign debt issues in certain countries in the European Union, the instability in the geopolitical environment in many parts of the world, and other disruptions, may continue to put pressure on global economic conditions. We are subject to risks associated with adverse economic conditions, including economic slowdown, inflation, and the disruption, volatility and tightening of credit and capital markets.

In addition, unfavorable global or domestic economic situations could adversely impact our major suppliers, distributors and retailers. The inability of suppliers, distributors or retailers to conduct business or to access liquidity could impact our ability to produce and distribute our products. We have a committed credit facility and

 

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additional liquidity facilities available to us. While to date we have not experienced problems with accessing these facilities, to the extent that the financial institutions that participate in these facilities were to default on their obligation to fund, those funds would not be available to us.

The timing and nature of any recovery in the financial markets remains uncertain, and there can be no assurance that market conditions will improve in the near future. A prolonged downturn, further worsening or broadening of adverse conditions in the worldwide and domestic economies, or return of high levels of inflation could affect consumer spending patterns and purchases of our products, and create or exacerbate credit issues, cash flow issues and other financial hardships for us and for our suppliers, distributors, retailers and consumers. Depending upon their severity and duration, these conditions could have a material adverse impact on our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. We are not able to predict the pace of recovery of the economies in the United States (“U.S.”) and our other major markets outside the U.S.

Our indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our financial health.

We have incurred substantial indebtedness to finance our acquisitions. In the future, we may incur substantial additional indebtedness to finance further acquisitions, additional repurchases of shares of our stock, and other general corporate purposes. Our ability to satisfy our debt obligations outstanding from time to time will depend upon our future operating performance. We do not have complete control over our future operating performance because it is subject to prevailing economic conditions, levels of interest rates and financial, business and other factors. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet all of our debt service requirements and to fund our general corporate capital requirements.

Our current and future debt service obligations and covenants could have important consequences to you. These consequences include, or may include, the following:

 

   

Our ability to obtain financing for future working capital needs or acquisitions or other purposes may be limited;

 

   

Our funds available for operations, expansion or distributions will be reduced because we will dedicate a significant portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness;

 

   

Our ability to conduct our business could be limited by restrictive covenants; and

 

   

Our vulnerability to adverse economic conditions may be greater than less leveraged competitors and, thus, our ability to withstand competitive pressures may be limited.

Restrictive covenants in our senior credit facility and in our indentures place limits on our ability to conduct our business. Covenants in our senior credit facility include those that restrict our ability to make acquisitions, incur debt, create liens, sell assets, pay dividends, engage in mergers and consolidations, enter into transactions with affiliates, make investments and permit our subsidiaries to enter into certain restrictive agreements. It additionally contains certain financial covenants, including a debt ratio test and an interest coverage ratio test. Covenants in our indentures are generally less restrictive than our senior credit facility but nevertheless, among other things, limit our ability under certain circumstances to create liens or enter into sale-leaseback transactions and impose conditions on our ability to engage in mergers, consolidations and sales of all or substantially all of our assets.

These agreements also contain certain change of control provisions which, if triggered, may result in an acceleration of our obligation to repay the debt. If we fail to comply with the obligations contained in the senior credit facility, our existing or future indentures or other loan agreements, we could be in default under such agreements, which could require us to immediately repay the related debt and also debt under other agreements that may contain cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions.

Our senior credit facility has a specific term of years and we will have to enter into a new facility or a renewal facility on or before the June 2013 maturation of the revolving portion of the senior credit facility. While we have been exploring a variety of alternatives in the credit and debt markets, there can be no assurance that the

 

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rate of interest, terms and covenants or other obligations that would be contained within any replacement facility will be equal to or better than those under our current senior credit facility. A refinancing on less advantageous terms may adversely affect our business and reduce our profitability.

Our acquisition, divestiture and joint venture strategies may not be successful.

We have made a number of acquisitions and divestitures. We anticipate that we may, from time to time, acquire additional businesses, assets or securities of companies that we believe would provide a strategic fit with our business and that we may divest ourselves of businesses, assets or securities of companies that we believe no longer provide a strategic fit with our business. We will need to integrate acquired businesses with our existing operations; our overall internal control over financial reporting processes; and our financial, operations and information systems. We cannot assure you that we will effectively assimilate the business or product offerings of acquired companies into our business or realize anticipated operational synergies. Integrating the operations and personnel of acquired companies into our existing operations or separating from our existing operations the operations and personnel of businesses of which we divest may result in difficulties, significant expense and accounting charges, disrupt our business or divert management’s time and attention.

We recently acquired the remaining 50.1% interest in Ruffino S.r.l. and sold our value spirits business, our U.K. cider business, and 80.1% of our Australian and U.K. business. In connection with the integration of acquired operations, the separation of divested businesses, or the conduct of our overall business strategies, we may periodically restructure our businesses, integrate or separate our financial, operations and/or information systems, reorganize the management and reporting relationships within our business and/or sell assets or portions of our business. We may not achieve expected cost savings or efficiencies from restructuring activities or realize the expected proceeds from sales of assets or portions of our business. Actual charges, costs and adjustments due to restructuring activities may vary materially from our estimates. We may provide various indemnifications in connection with the sale of assets or portions of our business. Additionally, our final determinations and appraisals of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in our acquisitions may vary materially from earlier estimates. We cannot assure you that the fair value of acquired businesses will remain constant.

Acquisitions involve numerous other risks, including potential exposure to unknown liabilities of acquired companies and the possible loss of key employees and customers of the acquired business. In connection with acquisitions or joint venture investments outside the U.S., we may enter into derivative contracts to purchase foreign currency in order to hedge against the risk of foreign currency fluctuations in connection with such acquisitions or joint venture investments. This would subject us to the risk of foreign currency fluctuations associated with such derivative contracts.

We have also acquired or retained equity or membership interests in companies which we do not control, such as our retained less than 20% interest in certain companies that comprised our Australian and U.K. business. The other parties that hold the remaining equity or membership interests in these types of companies may at any time have economic, business or legal interests or goals that are inconsistent with our goals or the goals of those companies. The arrangements through which we acquired or hold our equity or membership interests may require us, among other matters, to pay certain costs or to purchase other parties’ interests. Our failure to adequately manage the risks associated with any acquisition, or the failure of an entity in which we have an equity or membership interest, could adversely affect our financial condition or our valuation of these types of investments.

We have entered into joint ventures, including our joint venture with Grupo Modelo S.A.B. de C.V. (“Modelo”) and our holdings in Opus One Winery LLC, and we may enter into additional joint ventures. We share control of our joint ventures. Our joint venture partners may at any time have economic, business or legal interests or goals that are inconsistent with our goals or the goals of the joint venture. Our joint venture arrangements may require us, among other matters, to pay certain costs or to make certain capital investments. In addition, our joint venture partners may be unable to meet their economic or other obligations and we may be required to fulfill those obligations alone. Our failure or the failure of an entity in which we have a joint venture interest to adequately manage the risks associated with any acquisitions or joint ventures could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

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We cannot assure you that any of our acquisitions, investments or joint ventures will be profitable or that forecasts regarding joint venture activities will be accurate. In particular, risks and uncertainties associated with our joint ventures include, among others, the joint venture’s ability to operate its business successfully, the joint venture’s ability to develop appropriate standards, controls, procedures and policies for the growth and management of the joint venture, and the strength of the joint venture’s relationships with its employees, suppliers and customers.

Competition could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are in a highly competitive industry and the dollar amount and unit volume of our sales could be negatively affected by our inability to maintain or increase prices, changes in geographic or product mix, a general decline in beverage alcohol consumption or the decision of wholesalers, retailers or consumers to purchase competitor’s products instead of our products. Wholesaler, retailer and consumer purchasing decisions are influenced by, among other things, the perceived absolute or relative overall value of our products, including their quality or pricing, compared to competitor’s products. Unit volume and dollar sales could also be affected by pricing, purchasing, financing, operational, advertising or promotional decisions made by wholesalers, state and provincial agencies, and retailers which could affect their supply of, or consumer demand for, our products. We could also experience higher than expected selling, general and administrative expenses if we find it necessary to increase the number of our personnel or our advertising or marketing expenditures to maintain our competitive position or for other reasons.

An increase in import and excise duties or other taxes or government regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The U.S., Canada and other countries in which we operate impose import and excise duties and other taxes on beverage alcohol products in varying amounts which have been subject to change. Significant increases in import and excise duties or other taxes on beverage alcohol products could materially and adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations. The U.S. federal budget and individual state, provincial or local municipal budget deficits could result in increased taxes on our products, business, customers or consumers. Various proposals to increase taxes on beverage alcohol products have been made at the federal and state or provincial level in recent years. Many U.S. states have considered proposals to increase, and some of these states have increased, state alcohol excise taxes. There may be further consideration by federal, state, provincial, local and foreign governmental entities to increase taxes upon beverage alcohol products as governmental entities explore available alternatives for raising funds during the current macroeconomic climate. In addition, federal, state, provincial, local and foreign governmental agencies extensively regulate the beverage alcohol products industry concerning such matters as licensing, warehousing, trade and pricing practices, permitted and required labeling, advertising and relations with wholesalers and retailers. Certain federal, state or provincial regulations also require warning labels and signage. New or revised regulations or increased licensing fees, requirements or taxes could also have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Benefit cost increases could reduce our profitability.

Our profitability is affected by employee medical costs and other employee benefits. In recent years, employee medical costs have increased due to factors such as the increase in health care costs in the U.S. These factors, plus the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in March 2010, will continue to put pressure on our business and financial performance due to higher employee benefit costs. Although we actively seek to control increases in employee benefit costs and encourage employees to maintain healthy lifestyles to reduce future potential medical costs, there can be no assurance that we will succeed in limiting future cost increases. Continued employee benefit cost increases could have an adverse affect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We also sponsor a very limited number of defined benefit plans that cover a limited number of our non-U.S. employees. Our costs of providing defined benefit plans are dependent upon a number of factors, such as

 

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discount rates, the rates of return on the plans’ assets, exchange rate fluctuations, future governmental regulation, global equity prices, and our required and/or voluntary contributions to the plans. Without sustained growth in pension investments over time to increase the value of the plans’ assets, and depending upon the other factors relating to worldwide and domestic economic trends and financial market conditions, we could be required to increase funding for some or all of our defined benefit plans.

We rely on the performance of wholesale distributors, major retailers and government agencies for the success of our business.

Local market structures and distribution channels vary worldwide. In the U.S., we sell our products principally to wholesalers for resale to retail outlets including grocery stores, club and discount stores, package liquor stores and restaurants and also directly to government agencies, while in Canada, we sell our products principally to government agencies. In the U.S., we have entered into exclusive arrangements with certain wholesalers that generate a large portion of our U.S. net sales and we are looking to enter into a limited additional number of exclusive wholesaler arrangements in additional areas of the U.S. The replacement or poor performance of our major wholesalers, retailers or government agencies could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Our inability to collect accounts receivable from our major wholesalers, retailers or government agencies could also materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

The industry is being affected by the trend toward consolidation in the wholesale and retail distribution channels, particularly in the U.S. If we are unable to successfully adapt to this changing environment, our net income, market share and volume growth could be negatively affected. In addition, wholesalers and retailers of our products offer products which compete directly with our products for retail shelf space and consumer purchases. Accordingly, wholesalers or retailers may give higher priority to products of our competitors. In the future, our wholesalers and retailers may not continue to purchase our products or provide our products with adequate levels of promotional support.

Our business could be adversely affected by a decline in the consumption of products we sell.

While over the past several years there have been modest increases in consumption of beverage alcohol in most of our product categories and geographic markets, there have been periods in the past in which there were substantial declines in the overall per capita consumption of beverage alcohol products in the U.S. and other markets in which we participate. A limited or general decline in consumption in one or more of our product categories could occur in the future due to a variety of factors, including:

 

   

A general decline in economic or geopolitical conditions;

 

   

Concern about the health consequences of consuming beverage alcohol products and about drinking and driving;

 

   

A general decline in the consumption of beverage alcohol products in on-premise establishments, such as may result from smoking bans and stricter laws related to driving while under the influence of alcohol;

 

   

Consumer dietary preferences favoring lighter, lower calorie beverages such as diet soft drinks, sports drinks and water products;

 

   

The increased activity of anti-alcohol groups;

 

   

Increased federal, state, provincial or foreign excise or other taxes on beverage alcohol products and possible restrictions on beverage alcohol advertising and marketing; and

 

   

Increased regulation placing restrictions on the purchase or consumption of beverage alcohol products.

 

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We are primarily a branded consumer products company and we rely on consumers’ demand for our products. Consumer preferences may shift due to a variety of factors, including changes in demographic or social trends, public health policies, and changes in leisure, dining and beverage consumption patterns. Our continued success will require us to anticipate and respond effectively to shifts in consumer behavior and drinking tastes. If consumer preferences were to move away from our premium brands in any of our major markets, our financial results might be adversely affected. Other factors may also reduce consumer spending on our products, including economic declines, inflation, a trend towards frugality even as the economy improves, wars, pandemics, weather, and natural or man-made disasters. As the cost of gasoline and other petroleum-based products increases, consumers may not have as much discretionary funds available to buy our products.

In addition, our continued success depends, in part, on our ability to develop new products. The launch and ongoing success of new products are inherently uncertain especially with regard to their appeal to consumers. The launch of a new product can give rise to a variety of costs and an unsuccessful launch, among other things, can affect consumer perception of existing brands and our reputation. Unsuccessful implementation or short-lived popularity of our product innovations may result in inventory write-offs and other costs.

Various diseases, pests and certain weather conditions could affect quality and quantity of grapes or other agricultural raw materials.

Various diseases, pests, fungi, viruses, drought, frosts and certain other weather conditions could affect the quality and quantity of grapes and other agricultural raw materials available, decreasing the supply of our products and negatively impacting profitability. We cannot guarantee that our grape suppliers or suppliers of other agricultural raw materials will succeed in preventing contamination in existing vineyards or fields or that we will succeed in preventing contamination in our existing vineyards or future vineyards we may acquire. Future government restrictions regarding the use of certain materials used in grape growing may increase vineyard costs and/or reduce production. Growing agricultural raw materials also requires adequate water supplies. A substantial reduction in water supplies could result in material losses of grape crops and vines or other crops, which could lead to a shortage of our product supply.

We generally purchase raw materials under short-term supply contracts, we are subject to substantial price fluctuations for grapes and grape-related materials, and we have a limited group of suppliers of glass bottles.

Our business is heavily dependent upon raw materials, such as grapes, grape juice concentrate, grains, alcohol and packaging materials from third-party suppliers. We could experience raw material supply, production or shipment difficulties that could adversely affect our ability to supply goods to our customers. Increases in the costs of raw materials also directly affect us. In the past, we have experienced dramatic increases in the cost of grapes. Although we believe we have adequate sources of grape supplies, we could experience shortages if the demand for particular wine products exceeds expectations.

The wine industry swings between cycles of grape oversupply and undersupply. In a severe oversupply environment, the ability of wine producers, including ourselves, to raise prices is limited, and, in certain situations, the competitive environment may put pressure on producers to lower prices. Further, although an oversupply may enhance opportunities to purchase grapes at lower costs, a producer’s selling and promotional expenses associated with the sale of its wine products can rise in such an environment.

Glass bottle costs are one of our largest components of cost of product sold. In the U.S. and Canada, glass bottles have only a small number of producers. Currently, one producer supplies most of our glass container requirements for our U.S. operations and another producer supplies substantially all of our glass container requirements for our Canadian operations. The inability of any of our glass bottle suppliers to satisfy our requirements could adversely affect our business.

 

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Climate change, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change, may negatively affect our business, operations or financial performance, and water scarcity or poor quality could negatively impact our production costs and capacity.

Our business depends upon agricultural activity and natural resources. There has been much public discussion related to concerns that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may have an adverse impact on global temperatures, weather patterns and the frequency and severity of extreme weather and natural disasters. Severe weather events and climate change may negatively affect agricultural productivity in the regions from which we presently source our agricultural raw materials such as grapes. Decreased availability of our raw materials may increase the cost of goods for our products. Severe weather events or changes in the frequency or intensity of weather events can also disrupt our supply chain, which may affect production operations, insurance cost and coverage, as well as delivery of our products to wholesalers, retailers and consumers.

Water is essential in the production of our products. The quality and quantity of water available for use is important to the supply of grapes and our ability to operate our business. Water is a limited resource in many parts of the world and if climate patterns change and droughts become more severe, there may be a scarcity of water or poor water quality which may affect our production costs or impose capacity constraints. Such events could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations subject us to risks relating to doing business globally, currency rate fluctuations, interest rate fluctuations, and geopolitical uncertainty, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

In addition to our operations in the U.S., we have operations in Canada, New Zealand and Italy, our products are produced in various countries around the world and we sell our products in numerous countries throughout the world. Therefore, we are subject to risks associated with potential disruptions caused by changes in political, economic and social environments, including civil and political unrest, terrorism, local labor conditions and changes in laws, governmental regulations and policies in many countries outside the U.S. We are also subject to U.S. laws affecting the activities of U.S. companies abroad, including tax laws, anti-corruption laws and laws regarding the enforcement of contract and intellectual property rights. Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to overcome the challenges we encounter with respect to these factors and other matters generally affecting U.S. companies with global operations. We are also exposed to risks associated with currency fluctuations and risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. Currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies in the markets in which we do business have fluctuated in recent years and are likely to continue to do so in the future. We manage our exposure to foreign currency and interest rate risks utilizing derivative instruments and other means to reduce those risks. We could experience changes in our ability to hedge against or manage fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates and, accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in reducing those risks. We could also be affected by nationalizations or unstable governments or legal systems or intergovernmental disputes. These currency, economic and political uncertainties may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, especially to the extent these matters, or the decisions, policies or economic strength of our suppliers, affect our global operations.

We have a significant amount of intangible assets, such as goodwill and trademarks, and if we are required to write-down any of these intangible assets, it would reduce our net income, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

During the years ended February 29, 2012, February 28, 2011, and February 28, 2010, we recorded impairment losses of $38.1 million, $23.6 million and $103.2 million, respectively, on certain of our intangible assets. We continue to have a significant amount of intangible assets such as goodwill and trademarks and may acquire more intangible assets in the future. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance for intangibles – goodwill and other, goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are subject to a periodic impairment evaluation. Reductions in our net income caused by the write-down of any of these intangible assets could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

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The termination of our joint venture with Modelo relating to importing, marketing and selling imported beer could have a material adverse effect on our business.

On January 2, 2007, we participated in establishing and commencing operations of a joint venture with Modelo, pursuant to which Corona Extra and the other Modelo Brands are imported, marketed and sold by the joint venture in the U.S. (including the District of Columbia) and Guam. Pursuant to the joint venture and related importation arrangements, the joint venture will continue for an initial term of 10 years, and renew in 10-year periods unless GModelo Corporation, a Delaware corporation and subsidiary of Diblo, gives notice prior to the end of year seven of any term of its intention to purchase our interest we hold through our subsidiary, Constellation Beers Ltd. (“Constellation Beers”). The joint venture may also terminate under other circumstances involving action by governmental authorities, certain changes in control of us or Constellation Beers as well as in connection with certain breaches of the importation and related sub-license agreements, after notice and cure periods.

The termination of the joint venture by acquisition of Constellation Beers’ interest or for other reasons noted above could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Class action or other litigation relating to alcohol abuse, the misuse of alcohol, product liability, or marketing or sales practices could adversely affect our business.

There has been public attention directed at the beverage alcohol industry, which we believe is due to concern over problems related to alcohol abuse, including drinking and driving, underage drinking and health consequences from the misuse of alcohol. We also could be exposed to lawsuits relating to product liability or marketing or sales practices. Adverse developments in lawsuits concerning these types of matters or a significant decline in the social acceptability of beverage alcohol products that results from lawsuits could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Any damage to our reputation could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

Maintaining a good reputation globally is critical to selling our branded products. Product contamination or tampering or the failure to maintain high standards for product quality, safety and integrity, including with respect to raw materials obtained from suppliers, may reduce demand for our products or cause production and delivery disruptions. Although we maintain standards for the materials and product components we receive from our suppliers, and we also audit our suppliers’ compliance with our standards, it is possible that a supplier may not provide materials or product components which meet our required standards or may falsify documentation associated with the fulfillment of those requirements. If any of our products becomes unfit for consumption, is misbranded or causes injury, we may have to engage in a product recall and/or be subject to liability and incur additional costs. A widespread product recall or a significant product liability judgment could cause our products to be unavailable for a period of time, which could further reduce consumer demand and brand equity. Our reputation could be impacted negatively by public perception, adverse publicity (whether or not valid), or our responses relating to:

 

   

A perceived failure to maintain high ethical, social and environmental standards for all of our operations and activities;

 

   

A perceived failure to address concerns related to the quality, safety or integrity of our products;

 

   

Our environmental impact, including use of agricultural materials, packaging, water and energy use and waste management; or

 

   

Efforts that are perceived as insufficient to promote the responsible use of alcohol.

Failure to comply with local laws and regulations, to maintain an effective system of internal controls, to provide accurate and timely financial statement information, or to protect our information systems against service

 

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interruptions, misappropriation of data or breaches of security, could also hurt our reputation. Damage to our reputation or loss of consumer confidence in our products for any of these or other reasons could result in decreased demand for our products and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as require additional resources to rebuild our reputation, competitive position and brand equity.

We depend upon our trademarks and proprietary rights, and any failure to protect our intellectual property rights or any claims that we are infringing upon the rights of others may adversely affect our competitive position and brand equity.

Our future success depends significantly on our ability to protect our current and future brands and products and to defend our intellectual property rights. We have been granted numerous trademark registrations covering our brands and products and have filed, and expect to continue to file, trademark applications seeking to protect newly-developed brands and products. We cannot be sure that trademark registrations will be issued with respect to any of our trademark applications. There is also a risk that we could, by omission, fail to timely renew or protect a trademark or that our competitors will challenge, invalidate or circumvent any existing or future trademarks issued to, or licensed by, us.

Contamination could harm the integrity of or consumer support for our brands and adversely affect the sales of our products.

The success of our brands depends upon the positive image that consumers have of those brands. Contamination, whether arising accidentally or through deliberate third-party action, or other events that harm the integrity or consumer support for those brands, could adversely affect their sales. Contaminants in raw materials purchased from third parties and used in the production of our wine and spirits products or defects in the distillation or fermentation process could lead to low beverage quality as well as illness among, or injury to, consumers of our products and may result in reduced sales of the affected brand or all of our brands.

An increase in the cost of energy or the cost of environmental regulatory compliance could affect our profitability.

We have experienced increases in energy costs, and energy costs could continue to rise, which would result in higher transportation, freight and other operating costs. We may experience significant future increases in the costs associated with environmental regulatory compliance, including fees, licenses, and the cost of capital improvements to our operating facilities in order to meet environmental regulatory requirements. Our future operating expenses and margins will be dependent on our ability to manage the impact of cost increases. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to pass along increased energy costs or increased costs associated with environmental regulatory compliance to our customers through increased prices.

In addition, we may be party to various environmental remediation obligations arising in the normal course of our business or in connection with historical activities of businesses we acquire. Due to regulatory complexities, uncertainties inherent in litigation and the risk of unidentified contaminants in our current and former properties, the potential exists for remediation, liability and indemnification costs to differ materially from the costs that we have estimated. We cannot assure you that our costs in relation to these matters will not exceed our projections or otherwise have an adverse effect upon our business reputation, financial condition or results of operations.

Our reliance upon complex information systems distributed worldwide and our reliance upon third party global networks means we could experience breaches of security or interruptions to our business services.

We depend on information technology to enable us to operate efficiently and interface with customers, as well as maintain financial accuracy and efficiency. If we do not allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build and sustain the proper technology infrastructure, we could be subject to transaction errors,

 

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processing inefficiencies, the loss of customers, business disruptions, or the loss of or damage to intellectual property through security breach. As with all large information technology systems, our systems could be penetrated by outside parties intent on extracting confidential or proprietary information, corrupting our information, disrupting our business processes, or engaging in the unauthorized use of strategic information about us or our employees, customers or consumers. Such unauthorized access could disrupt our business operations and could result in the loss of assets or revenues, litigation, remediation costs, damage to our reputation, or the failure by us to retain or attract customers following such an event. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We have outsourced various functions to third-party service providers and may outsource other functions in the future. We rely on those third-party service providers to provide services on a timely and effective basis. Although we closely monitor the performance of these third parties and maintain contingency plans in case they are unable to perform as agreed, we do not ultimately control their performance. Their failure to perform as expected or as required by contract could result in significant disruptions and costs to our operations, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow, and could impair our ability to make required filings with various reporting agencies on a timely or accurate basis.

Changes in accounting standards and guidance and taxation requirements could affect our financial results.

New accounting guidance that may become applicable to us from time to time, or changes in the interpretations of existing guidance, could have a significant effect on our reported results for the affected periods. The Financial Accounting Standards Board and the International Accounting Standards Board continue to work towards a convergence of accounting standards. Certain standards may become applicable to us and change the interpretation of existing guidance. Such events could have a significant effect on our reported results for the affected periods. In addition, our products are subject to import and excise duties and/or sales or value-added taxes in many jurisdictions in which we operate. Increases in indirect taxes could affect our products’ affordability and therefore reduce our sales. We are also subject to income tax in numerous jurisdictions in which we generate revenues. Changes in tax laws, tax rates or tax rulings may have a significant adverse impact on our effective tax rate. Our tax liabilities are affected by the mix of pretax income or loss among the tax jurisdictions in which we operate. We must exercise judgment in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes, interest and penalties; accordingly, future events could change management’s assessment of these amounts.

Risks generally associated with building and sustaining our information technology infrastructure or implementation of our integrated technology platform may adversely affect our business and results of operations or the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

We have undertaken a comprehensive, multi-year business transformation initiative that we call Project Fusion. Project Fusion is our effort to create, design, implement and migrate certain of our financial processing systems to an enterprise-wide systems solution intended to improve our reporting capabilities and cost efficiencies. It is a planned initiative that includes an integrated technology platform intended to improve the accessibility of information, the visibility of global data, further enhance operating efficiencies and provide more effective management of our business operations. Enterprise resource planning system projects, such as Project Fusion, are complex and time-consuming projects that can involve substantial expenditures for system hardware, software, management focus and implementation activities that can continue for several years. There can be no certainty that Project Fusion will deliver the expected benefits. The failure to deliver our goals may impact our ability to (1) process transactions accurately and efficiently and (2) remain in step with the changing needs of the trade, which could result in the loss of customers. In addition, the failure to either deliver system and process upgrades on time, or anticipate the necessary readiness and training needs, could lead to increased costs, business disruption and loss of customers and revenue.

Project Fusion includes an upgrade to our existing business accounting and journal entry system. This upgrade is being deployed for use throughout our company in various “go-live” phases which began in the third

 

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quarter of Fiscal 2012 and are planned to continue throughout Fiscal 2013. Upgrading an accounting system and conversion to a new information technology platform is costly and involves risks inherent in the conversion to the upgraded system, including potential loss of information, disruption to our normal operations, changes in accounting procedures and internal control over financial reporting, as well as problems achieving accuracy in the conversion of electronic data. Implementation risks also include a potential increase in costs, the diversion of management’s and employees’ attention and resources, and a potentially adverse effect on our operating results, internal controls over financial reporting and ability to manage our business effectively. Throughout Project Fusion we have expended resources which are intended to properly and adequately address these issues and have instituted additional management controls relating to internal control over financial reporting and implementation risks. While Project Fusion is intended to further improve and enhance our information systems, it exposes us to the risks of integrating the system upgrades with our existing systems and processes. Disruption of our financial reporting could impair our ability to make required filings with various reporting agencies on a timely or accurate basis.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

Not Applicable.

 

Item 2. Properties.

The Company operates wineries, a distilling plant and bottling plants, many of which include warehousing and distribution facilities on the premises. In addition to the Company’s properties described below, certain of the Company’s businesses maintain office space for sales and similar activities and offsite warehouse and distribution facilities in a variety of geographic locations.

The Company believes that its facilities, taken as a whole, are in good condition and working order and have adequate capacity to meet its needs for the foreseeable future, although it does possess certain underutilized assets.

As a result of the January 2011 sale of 80.1% of the Company’s Australian and U.K. business, as of February 1, 2011, the Company is no longer reporting results for its CWAE segment. The following discussion details the properties associated with the Company’s remaining three business segments.

Constellation Wines North America

Through the Constellation Wines North America segment (“CWNA”), the Company maintains facilities in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Italy. These facilities include wineries, a distilling plant, bottling plants, warehousing and distribution facilities, distribution centers and office facilities. The segment maintains owned and/or leased division offices in a variety of locations, including Canandaigua, New York; St. Helena, California; San Francisco, California; Chicago, Illinois; Mississauga, Ontario; Huapai, New Zealand; and Brescia, Italy.

United States

In the U.S., the Company, through its CWNA segment, operates one winery in New York, located in Canandaigua; 16 wineries in California, located in Acampo, Geyserville, Gonzales, Healdsburg, Madera, Oakville, Soledad, Rutherford, Templeton, Ukiah, two in Lodi, two in Napa, two in Sonoma; and one winery in Washington, located in Prosser. Sixteen of these wineries are owned and one winery in Napa, California and one winery in Sonoma, California are leased. The Company considers the segment’s principal facilities in the U.S. to be the Mission Bell winery in Madera (California), the Canandaigua winery in Canandaigua (New York), the Franciscan Vineyards winery in Rutherford (California), the Woodbridge Winery in Acampo (California), the Turner Road Vintners Wineries in Lodi (California), the Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville (California), the Clos du Bois Winery in Geyserville (California) and the Gonzales Winery in Gonzales (California). The Mission

 

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Bell winery crushes grapes, produces, bottles and distributes wine and produces specialty concentrates and Mega Colors for sale. The Canandaigua winery crushes grapes and produces, bottles and distributes wine. The other principal wineries crush grapes, vinify, cellar and bottle wine. In California, the CWNA segment also operates a distribution center and two warehouses and, in New York, operates a warehouse, all of which are leased.

Through the CWNA segment, as of February 29, 2012, the Company owned or leased approximately 12,100 acres of vineyards, either fully bearing or under development, in California and New York to supply a portion of the grapes used in the production of wine.

Canada

Through the CWNA segment, the Company operates nine Canadian wineries, four of which are in British Columbia, four in Ontario, and one in Quebec. Seven of these wineries are owned, one winery in British Columbia is leased and one winery in Ontario is leased. The British Columbia and Ontario operations all harvest a domestic crop and all locations vinify and cellar wines. Four wineries include bottling and/or packaging operations. The Company also operates a warehousing and distribution facility and sales office in Scoudouc, New Brunswick and, in a leased facility, a sales and marketing office and distribution center in Mississauga, Ontario. In addition, through the segment, the Company operates facilities in Vancouver, British Columbia and Kitchener, Ontario in connection with its beer and wine making kit business. The Company also operates various retail stores in rented facilities throughout Ontario. The Company considers the segment’s principal facilities in Canada to be Niagara Cellars located in Niagara Falls (Ontario), the Vincor Quebec Division located in Rougemont (Quebec), the Vincor Production Facility located in Oliver (British Columbia) and the warehousing and distribution facility located in Scoudouc (New Brunswick).

Through the CWNA segment, as of February 29, 2012, the Company owned or leased approximately 1,800 acres of vineyards, either fully bearing or under development, in Ontario and British Columbia to supply a portion of the grapes used in the production of wine.

Through this segment, the Company currently owns and operates a distilling plant located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. This facility distills, bottles and stores Canadian whisky for the segment, and distills and/or bottles and stores Canadian whisky, vodka, rum, gin and liqueurs for third parties. The Company considers this facility to be a principal facility.

New Zealand

Through the CWNA segment, the Company owns and operates four wineries in New Zealand. Three of these New Zealand wineries vinify and cellar wine and crush grapes. The other winery provides bulk storage, bottling and packaging operations. The Company considers the segment’s principal facilities in New Zealand to be the Nobilo Winery located in Huapai, West Auckland (North Island) and the Drylands Winery located in Marlborough (South Island).

Through the CWNA segment, as of February 29, 2012, the Company owned or had interests in approximately 4,000 acres of vineyards, either fully bearing or under development, in New Zealand.

Italy

Through the CWNA segment, the Company leases and operates six wineries in Italy, leases seven warehouses and owns a storage and bottling facility. All of these Italian wineries vinify and cellar wine and crush grapes. The Company considers the segment’s principal facilities in Italy to be the Poggio Casciano Winery located in Bagno a Ripoli, San Polo, Florence, the Gretole Winery located in Castellina, Chianti, Siena, and the Pontassieve storage/bottling facility located in Pontassieve, Florence.

Through the CWNA segment, as of February 29, 2012, the Company owned or had interests in approximately 1,200 acres of vineyards, either fully bearing or under development, in Italy.

 

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Crown Imports

Crown Imports has entered into various arrangements to satisfy its warehouse requirements. It currently has contracted with six providers of warehouse space and services in a total of 12 locations throughout the U.S. Crown Imports maintains leased offices in Chicago, Illinois as well as in five other locations throughout the U.S.

Corporate Operations and Other

The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in leased offices in Victor, New York.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

In the ordinary course of their business, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to lawsuits, arbitrations, claims and other legal proceedings in connection with their business. Some of the legal actions include claims for substantial or unspecified compensatory and/or punitive damages. A substantial adverse judgment or other unfavorable resolution of these matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Management believes that the Company has adequate legal defenses with respect to the legal proceedings to which it is a defendant or respondent and that the outcome of these pending proceedings is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. However, the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these matters.

Regulatory Matters – The Company and its subsidiaries are in discussions with various governmental agencies concerning matters raised during regulatory examinations or otherwise subject to such agencies’ inquiry. These matters could result in censures, fines or other sanctions. Management believes the outcome of any pending regulatory matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these matters.

On February 14, 2011, a subsidiary of the Company received from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) a Notification of Potential Enforcement Action for Violations of Section 112(r)(7) of the Clean Air Act. The Notification was based on the findings of an October 2009 inspection of the Company’s Woodbridge Winery facility by the EPA relating to ammonia system relief valves in the facility. The Company and the EPA resolved this matter through a Consent Agreement and Final Order which was signed and filed with the EPA Region 9 Clerk on September 30, 2011. In accordance with the provisions of the Consent Agreement and Final Order, the Company paid a civil penalty of $95,000 in full settlement of the allegations set forth in the Consent Agreement and Final Order and the Notification, but without admitting or denying the factual allegations set forth in that Consent Agreement and Final Order or the Notification.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not Applicable.

 

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Executive Officers of the Company

Information with respect to the current executive officers of the Company is as follows:

 

NAME

   AGE     

OFFICE OR POSITION HELD

Richard Sands

     61       Chairman of the Board

Robert Sands

     53       President and Chief Executive Officer

F. Paul Hetterich

     49       Executive Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Strategy

Thomas J. Mullin

     60       Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Robert Ryder

     52       Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

W. Keith Wilson

     61       Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer

John A. (Jay) Wright

     53       Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Richard Sands, Ph.D., is the Chairman of the Board of the Company. He has been employed by the Company in various capacities since 1979. He has served as a director since 1982. In September 1999, Mr. Sands was elected Chairman of the Board. He served as Chief Executive Officer from October 1993 to July 2007, as Executive Vice President from 1982 to May 1986, as President from May 1986 to December 2002 and as Chief Operating Officer from May 1986 to October 1993. He is the brother of Robert Sands.

Robert Sands is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer in July 2007 and appointed as President in December 2002. He has served as a director since January 1990. Mr. Sands also served as Chief Operating Officer from December 2002 to July 2007, as Group President from April 2000 through December 2002, as Chief Executive Officer, International from December 1998 through April 2000, as Executive Vice President from October 1993 through April 2000, as General Counsel from June 1986 through May 2000, and as Vice President from June 1990 through October 1993. He is the brother of Richard Sands.

F. Paul Hetterich has been the Company’s Executive Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Strategy since June 2011. From July 2009 until June 2011, he served as Executive Vice President, Business Development, Corporate Strategy and International. From June 2003 until July 2009, he served as Executive Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Strategy. From April 2001 to June 2003, Mr. Hetterich served as the Company’s Senior Vice President, Corporate Development. Prior to that, Mr. Hetterich held several increasingly senior positions in the Company’s marketing and business development groups. Mr. Hetterich has been with the Company since 1986.

Thomas J. Mullin joined the Company as Executive Vice President and General Counsel in May 2000. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Mullin served as President and Chief Executive Officer of TD Waterhouse Bank, NA, a national banking association, since February 2000, of CT USA, F.S.B. since September 1998, and of CT USA, Inc. since March 1997. He also served as Executive Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Strategy of C.T. Financial Services, Inc. from March 1997 through February 2000. From 1985 through 1997, Mr. Mullin served as Vice Chairman and Senior Executive Vice President of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Rochester, New York and from 1982 through 1985, he was a partner in the law firm of Phillips Lytle LLP.

Robert Ryder joined the Company in May 2007 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Ryder previously served from 2005 to 2006 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of IMG, a sports marketing and media company. From 2002 to 2005, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of American Greetings Corporation, a publicly traded, multi-national consumer products company. From 1989 to 2002, he held several management positions of increasing responsibility with PepsiCo, Inc. These included control, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions and CFO and Controller positions serving at PepsiCo’s corporate headquarters and at its Frito-Lay International and Frito-Lay North America divisions. Mr. Ryder is a certified public accountant.

 

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W. Keith Wilson joined the Company in January 2002 as Senior Vice President, Human Resources. In September 2002, he was elected Chief Human Resources Officer and in April 2003 he was elected Executive Vice President. In July 2007, he was appointed Chief Administrative Officer while retaining the position of Executive Vice President. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Wilson served as Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources of Xerox Engineering Systems, a subsidiary of Xerox Corporation, which engineers, manufactures and sells hi-tech reprographics equipment and software worldwide. From 1990 to 1999, he served in various senior human resource positions with the banking, marketing and real estate and relocation businesses of Prudential Life Insurance of America, an insurance company that also provides other financial products.

John A. (Jay) Wright is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. He was appointed to this position effective June 2011 and has served as President of Constellation Wines U.S., Inc. since December 2009. Additionally, from December 2009 until June 2011, he served as President, Constellation Wines North America. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Constellation Wines U.S., Inc. from March 2009 until December 2009. Mr. Wright joined the Company in June 2006 with the Company’s acquisition of Vincor International Inc. Mr. Wright served as President of Vincor International Inc. from June 2006 until March 2009 and, prior to that, as President and Chief Operating Officer of Vincor International Inc.’s Canadian Wine Division from October 2001 until June 2006. Before that, he held various positions of increasing responsibility with various other consumer products companies.

Executive officers of the Company are generally chosen or elected to their positions annually and hold office until the earlier of their removal or resignation or until their successors are chosen and qualified.

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

The Company’s Class A Common Stock (the “Class A Stock”) and Class B Common Stock (the “Class B Stock”) trade on the New York Stock Exchange® (“NYSE”) under the symbols STZ and STZ.B, respectively. There is no public trading market for the Company’s Class 1 Common Stock. The following tables set forth for the periods indicated the high and low sales prices of the Class A Stock and the Class B Stock as reported on the NYSE.

CLASS A STOCK

 

     1st Quarter      2nd Quarter      3rd Quarter      4th Quarter  

Fiscal 2011

           

High

   $ 18.87       $ 17.56       $ 21.01       $ 22.52   

Low

   $ 15.06       $ 14.97       $ 16.64       $ 18.84   

Fiscal 2012

           

High

   $ 23.19       $ 22.00       $ 21.03       $ 22.34   

Low

   $ 18.12       $ 16.42       $ 17.05       $ 18.95   

CLASS B STOCK

 

     1st Quarter      2nd Quarter      3rd Quarter      4th Quarter  

Fiscal 2011

           

High

   $ 18.74       $ 17.44       $ 20.94       $ 22.29   

Low

   $ 15.00       $ 15.03       $ 16.82       $ 18.50   

Fiscal 2012

           

High

   $ 22.99       $ 21.90       $ 20.97       $ 22.25   

Low

   $ 18.22       $ 16.89       $ 17.03       $ 19.17   

At April 20, 2012, the number of holders of record of Class A Stock, Class B Stock and Class 1 Common Stock of the Company were 855, 167 and 5, respectively.

The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common stock since its initial public offering in 1973. The Company currently intends to retain all of its earnings to finance the development and expansion of its business, but may in the future consider paying cash dividends on its common stock. In addition, the terms of the Company’s 2006 Credit Agreement (as defined under Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources – Debt – Senior Credit Facility”) may restrict the payment of cash dividends on its common stock under certain circumstances. Any indentures for debt securities issued in the future, the terms of any preferred stock issued in the future and any credit agreements entered into in the future may also restrict or prohibit the payment of cash dividends on the Company’s common stock.

 

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ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
     Average Price
Paid
Per Share
     Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as Part
of a Publicly
Announced
Program
     Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
That May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Program (1) (3)
 

December 1 – 31, 2011

     242,700       $ 18.46         242,700       $ 214,195,935   

January 1 – 31, 2012

     2,334,682         20.71         2,334,682       $ 165,845,883   

February 1 – 29, 2012

     3,688,396         21.56         3,688,396       $ 86,332,863   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     6,265,778       $ 21.12         6,265,778       $ 86,332,863 (2) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

On April 7, 2011, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase from time to time of up to an aggregate amount of $500.0 million of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Convertible Common Stock (the “2012 Authorization”). The Board of Directors did not specify a date upon which the 2012 Authorization would expire.

(2) 

Subsequent to February 29, 2012, the Company utilized the remaining $86.3 million outstanding under the 2012 Authorization to repurchase 3,970,481 shares of Class A Common Stock at an average cost of $21.74 per share, through open market transactions, thereby completing the 2012 Authorization.

(3) 

On April 5, 2012, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase from time to time of up to an aggregate amount of $1.0 billion of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Convertible Common Stock (the “2013 Authorization”). The Board of Directors did not specify a date upon which the 2013 Authorization would expire. Through April 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 6,386,051 shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the 2013 Authorization at an aggregate cost of $137.1 million, or an average cost of $21.47 per share, through open market transactions, thereby reducing the approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the 2013 Authorization subsequent to April 30, 2012 to $862.9 million.

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

 

     For the Years Ended  
     February 29,
2012
    February 28,
2011
    February 28,
2010
    February 28,
2009
    February 29,
2008
 
(in millions, except per share data)                               

Sales

   $ 2,979.1      $ 4,096.7      $ 4,213.0      $ 4,723.0      $ 4,885.1   

Less – excise taxes

     (324.8     (764.7     (848.2     (1,068.4     (1,112.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net sales

     2,654.3        3,332.0        3,364.8        3,654.6        3,773.0   

Cost of product sold

     (1,592.2     (2,141.9     (2,220.0     (2,424.6     (2,491.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     1,062.1        1,190.1        1,144.8        1,230.0        1,281.5   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (521.5     (640.9     (682.5     (832.0     (812.6

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (1)

     (38.1     (23.6     (103.2     (300.4     (812.2

Restructuring charges (2)

     (16.0     (23.1     (47.6     (68.0     (6.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     486.5        502.5        311.5        29.6        (350.2

Equity in earnings of equity method investees

     228.5        243.8        213.6        186.6        257.9   

Interest expense, net

     (181.0     (195.3     (265.1     (323.0     (348.3

Loss on write-off of financing costs

     —          —          (0.7     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     534.0        551.0        259.3        (106.8     (440.6

(Provision for) benefit from income taxes

     (89.0     8.5        (160.0     (194.6     (172.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 445.0      $ 559.5      $ 99.3      $ (301.4   $ (613.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share:

          

Basic – Class A Common Stock

   $ 2.20      $ 2.68      $ 0.46      $ (1.40   $ (2.83
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic – Class B Convertible Common Stock

   $ 2.00      $ 2.44      $ 0.41      $ (1.27   $ (2.57
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted – Class A Common Stock

   $ 2.13      $ 2.62      $ 0.45      $ (1.40   $ (2.83
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted – Class B Convertible Common Stock

   $ 1.96      $ 2.40      $ 0.41      $ (1.27   $ (2.57
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 7,109.9      $ 7,167.6      $ 8,094.3      $ 8,036.5      $ 10,052.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt, including current maturities

   $ 2,751.6      $ 3,152.6      $ 3,464.3      $ 4,206.3      $ 4,878.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

For a detailed discussion of impairment of intangible assets for the years ended February 29, 2012, February 28, 2011, and February 28, 2010, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Fiscal 2012 Compared to Fiscal 2011 – Impairment of Intangible Assets” and “Fiscal 2011 Compared to Fiscal 2010 – Impairment of Intangible Assets,” respectively.

(2) 

For a detailed discussion of restructuring charges for the years ended February 29, 2012, February 28, 2011, and February 28, 2010, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the captions “Fiscal 2012 Compared to Fiscal 2011 – Restructuring Charges” and “Fiscal 2011 Compared to Fiscal 2010 – Restructuring Charges,” respectively.

For the years ended February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview

The Company is the world’s leading premium wine company with a broad portfolio of consumer-preferred premium wine brands complemented by premium spirits, imported beer and other select beverage alcohol products. The Company continues to supply imported beer in the United States (“U.S.”) through its investment in a joint venture with Grupo Modelo, S.A.B. de C.V. This imported beers joint venture operates as Crown Imports LLC and is referred to hereinafter as “Crown Imports.” The Company is a leading premium wine company in the U.S.; the leading producer and marketer of wine in Canada; and a leading producer and exporter of wine from New Zealand and Italy. Prior to January 31, 2011, the Company had leading market positions in both Australia and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) through its Australian and U.K. business. On January 31, 2011, the Company completed the sale of 80.1% of its Australian and U.K. business (the “CWAE Divestiture”) as further discussed below under “Divestitures in Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010.”

Prior to January 31, 2011, the Company’s internal management financial reporting consisted of four business divisions: Constellation Wines North America, Constellation Wines Australia and Europe, Constellation Wines New Zealand, and Crown Imports. Due to a number of factors, including the size of the Constellation Wines New Zealand segment’s operations, the similarity of its economic characteristics and long-term financial performance with that of the Constellation Wines North America business, and the fact that the vast majority of the wine produced by the Constellation Wines New Zealand operating segment is sold in the U.S. and Canada, the Company had aggregated the results of this operating segment with its Constellation Wines North America operating segment to form one reportable segment. Accordingly, prior to January 31, 2011, the Company reported its operating results in four segments: Constellation Wines North America (wine and spirits) (“CWNA”), Constellation Wines Australia and Europe (wine) (“CWAE”), Corporate Operations and Other, and Crown Imports (imported beer). As a result of the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture, as of February 1, 2011, the Company no longer reports operating results for the CWAE segment.

From February 1, 2011, through May 31, 2011, the Company’s internal management financial reporting consisted of three business divisions: Constellation Wines North America, Constellation Wines New Zealand and Crown Imports. As discussed above, the Company had aggregated the results of its Constellation Wines New Zealand operating segment with its Constellation Wines North America operating segment to form one reportable segment. Accordingly, from February 1, 2011, through May 31, 2011, the Company reported its operating results in three segments: CWNA, Corporate Operations and Other, and Crown Imports.

In connection with the Company’s changes on June 1, 2011, within its internal management structure for its wine and spirits business, the Company changed its internal management financial reporting to consist of two business divisions: Constellation Wines North America and Crown Imports. These organizational changes had no impact on the Company’s previously reported segment financial information as the Company continues to report its operating results in three segments: CWNA, Corporate Operations and Other, and Crown Imports. The business segments reflect how the Company’s operations are managed, how operating performance within the Company is evaluated by senior management and the structure of its internal financial reporting. Amounts included in the Corporate Operations and Other segment consist of costs of executive management, corporate development, corporate finance, human resources, internal audit, investor relations, legal, public relations and global information technology. Any costs incurred at the corporate office that are applicable to the segments are allocated to the appropriate segment. The amounts included in the Corporate Operations and Other segment are general costs that are applicable to the consolidated group and are therefore not allocated to the other reportable segments. All costs reported within the Corporate Operations and Other segment are not included in the chief operating decision maker’s evaluation of the operating income performance of the other reportable segments.

In addition, the Company excludes restructuring charges and unusual items that affect comparability from its definition of operating income for segment purposes as these items are not reflective of normal continuing operations of the segments. The Company excludes these items as segment operating performance and segment

 

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management compensation is evaluated based upon a normalized segment operating income. As such, the performance measures for incentive compensation purposes for segment management do not include the impact of these items.

The Company’s business strategy in the CWNA segment is to remain focused on consumer-preferred premium wine brands, complemented by premium spirits. In this segment, the Company continues to focus on growing premium product categories and expects to capitalize on its size and scale in the marketplace to profitably grow the business. During Fiscal 2010 (as defined below), the Company began implementation of a strategic project to consolidate its U.S. distributor network in key markets and create a new go-to-market strategy designed to focus the full power of its U.S. wine and spirits portfolio in order to improve alignment of dedicated, selling resources which is expected to drive organic growth. In connection with this strategy, the Company negotiated long-term contracts with certain of its U.S. distributors who currently represent about 60% of the Company’s branded wine and spirits volume in the U.S. During the second half of fiscal 2010 and throughout Fiscal 2011 (as defined below), the Company’s net sales and operating income for its U.S. branded wine and spirits business benefited from these contracts as the Company’s shipments to distributors exceeded distributor shipments to retailers. For Fiscal 2012 (as defined below), shipments to these distributors were essentially equal with the distributors’ shipments to retailers. The Company expects this stability on an annual basis for the remainder of the terms of these contracts, which extend through the end of fiscal 2015. The Company recently launched the next phase of its go-to-market strategy which entails the negotiation of long-term contracts with additional U.S. distributors in certain markets who currently represent about 10% of the Company’s branded wine and spirits volume in the U.S. The continuation of this go-to-market strategy is expected to further drive profitable, organic growth through the alignment of dedicated, selling resources.

The Company believes the current overall supply of wine is generally in balance with demand within the U.S. However, this may be impacted by the calendar 2011 grape harvest which came in lower than the calendar 2010 grape harvest and could result in a tightening of supply within certain varietals over the longer term.

The Company remains committed to its long-term financial model of growing sales, including international expansion of its CWNA segment’s branded portfolio, expanding margins and increasing cash flow in order to achieve earnings per share growth and improve return on invested capital.

Marketing, sales and distribution of the Company’s products are managed on a geographic basis in order to fully leverage leading market positions. In addition, market dynamics and consumer trends vary across each of the Company’s markets. Within its primary markets (U.S. and Canada), the Company offers a range of beverage alcohol products across the branded wine and spirits and, through Crown Imports, imported beer categories in the U.S. The environment for the Company’s products is competitive in each of the Company’s markets.

For the year ended February 29, 2012 (“Fiscal 2012”), the Company’s net sales decreased 20% over the year ended February 28, 2011 (“Fiscal 2011”), primarily due to the CWAE Divestiture. Operating income for Fiscal 2012 decreased 3% over Fiscal 2011 primarily due to lower volumes in the Company’s U.S. base branded wine (as defined below) portfolio combined with an increase in restructuring charges and unusual items, partially offset by a decrease in Corporate Operations and Other general and administrative expenses. Net income for Fiscal 2012 decreased 20% over Fiscal 2011 primarily due to the items discussed above combined with an increase in the Company’s provision for income taxes.

The following discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting (i) consolidated results of operations of the Company for Fiscal 2012 compared to Fiscal 2011, and Fiscal 2011 compared to the year ended February 28, 2010 (“Fiscal 2010”), and (ii) financial liquidity and capital resources for Fiscal 2012. References to U.S. base branded wine exclude the impact of (i) branded wine acquired in the acquisition of Ruffino (as defined below), (ii) branded wine for the CWNA segment previously sold through the Company’s CWAE segment, and/or (iii) branded spirits divested of in the value spirits divestiture (as discussed below), as appropriate. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein.

 

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Acquisition in Fiscal 2012 and Equity Method Investment in Fiscal 2011

In connection with the Company’s December 2004 investment in Ruffino S.r.l. (“Ruffino”), the Company granted separate irrevocable and unconditional options to the two other shareholders of Ruffino to put to the Company all of the ownership interests held by these shareholders for a price as calculated in the joint venture agreement. Each option was exercisable during the period starting from January 1, 2010, and ending on December 31, 2010. For Fiscal 2010, in connection with the notification by the 9.9% shareholder of Ruffino to exercise its option to put its entire equity interest in Ruffino to the Company for the specified minimum value of €23.5 million, the Company recognized a loss of $34.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 on the contractual obligation created by this notification. In May 2010, the Company settled this put option through a cash payment of €23.5 million ($29.6 million) to the 9.9% shareholder of Ruffino, thereby increasing the Company’s equity interest in Ruffino from 40.0% to 49.9%. In December 2010, the Company received notification from the 50.1% shareholder of Ruffino that it was exercising its option to put its entire equity interest in Ruffino to the Company for €55.9 million. Prior to this notification, the Company had initiated arbitration proceedings against the 50.1% shareholder alleging various matters which should have affected the validity of the put option. However, subsequent to the initiation of the arbitration proceedings, the Company began discussions with the 50.1% shareholder on a framework for settlement of all legal actions. The framework of the settlement would include the Company’s purchase of the 50.1% shareholder’s entire equity interest in Ruffino on revised terms to be agreed upon by both parties. As a result, the Company recognized a loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 of €43.4 million ($60.0 million) on the contingent obligation. This loss is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

On October 5, 2011, the Company acquired the 50.1% shareholder’s entire equity interest in Ruffino for €50.3 million ($68.6 million). In conjunction with this acquisition, all of the aforementioned legal actions were settled. As a result of this acquisition, the Company assumed indebtedness of Ruffino, net of cash acquired, of €54.2 million ($73.1 million). The purchase price was financed with revolver borrowings under the 2006 Credit Agreement (as defined below). Prior to the acquisition of Ruffino, the Company recognized a net foreign currency loss of $2.1 million on the contingent obligation originally recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. This net loss is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. In connection with the acquisition of Ruffino, the Company recognized net gains of $8.4 million related primarily to the gain on the revaluation of the Company’s previously held 49.9% equity interest in Ruffino to the acquisition-date fair value (consisting largely of the reclassification of the related foreign currency translation adjustments previously recognized in other comprehensive income), and the revaluation of the Company’s contingent obligation originally recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. These net gains are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The results of operations of the Ruffino business are reported in the Company’s CWNA segment and are included in the consolidated results of operations of the Company from the date of acquisition.

 

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Divestitures in Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010

Australian and U.K. Business

In January 2011, the Company sold 80.1% of its Australian and U.K. business (the “CWAE Divestiture”) at a transaction value of $267.7 million. As of February 29, 2012, the Company has received cash proceeds of $193.7 million, net of cash divested of $15.8 million, direct costs paid of $11.4 million and post-closing adjustments paid of $18.5 million. The Company has retained a less than 20% interest in its previously owned Australian and U.K. business, Accolade Wines (“Accolade”). This transaction is consistent with the Company’s strategic focus on premiumizing the Company’s portfolio and improving margins and return on invested capital. The following table summarizes the net gain recognized and the net cash proceeds received in connection with this divestiture.

 

(in millions)       

Net assets sold

   $ (734.1

Cash received from buyer, net of cash divested and post-closing adjustments paid

     205.1   

Retained interest in Accolade

     48.2   

Foreign currency reclassification

     678.8   

Indemnification liabilities

     (25.5

Direct costs to sell, paid and accrued

     (13.2

Other

     7.9   
  

 

 

 

Net gain on sale

     167.2   

Loss on settlement of pension obligations

     (109.9
  

 

 

 

Net gain

   $ 57.3   
  

 

 

 

Of the $57.3 million net gain, the Company recognized net gains of $2.1 million and $55.2 million for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011, respectively. In addition, the Company recognized additional net (losses) gains related to this divestiture of ($1.6) million and $28.5 million for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011, respectively, primarily associated with net gains on derivative instruments of $20.8 million. Total net gains associated with this divestiture of $84.2 million ($0.5 million and $83.7 million for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011, respectively) are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

U.K. Cider Business

In January 2010, the Company sold its U.K. cider business for cash proceeds of £43.9 million ($71.6 million), net of direct costs to sell. This transaction is consistent with the Company’s strategic focus on premium higher-growth, higher-margin wine, beer and spirits brands. In connection with this divestiture, the Company’s CWAE segment recorded a gain of $11.2 million for Fiscal 2010, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Value Spirits Business

In March 2009, the Company sold its value spirits business for $336.4 million, net of direct costs to sell. The Company received $276.4 million, net of direct costs to sell, in cash proceeds and a note receivable for $60.0 million in connection with this divestiture. In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company received full payment of the note receivable. The Company retained certain premium spirits brands, including SVEDKA Vodka, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky and Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy. This transaction is consistent with the Company’s strategic focus on premium, higher-growth and higher-margin brands in its portfolio.

 

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Results of Operations

Fiscal 2012 Compared to Fiscal 2011

Net Sales

The following table sets forth the net sales by reportable segment of the Company for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011.

 

     Fiscal
2012
    Fiscal
2011
    % Increase
(Decrease)
 
(in millions)                   

CWNA net sales

   $ 2,654.3      $ 2,557.3        4

CWAE net sales

     —          774.7        (100 )% 

Crown Imports net sales

     2,469.5        2,392.9        3

Consolidations and eliminations

     (2,469.5     (2,392.9     (3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Consolidated Net Sales

   $ 2,654.3      $ 3,332.0        (20 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net sales for Fiscal 2012 decreased to $2,654.3 million from $3,332.0 million for Fiscal 2011, a decrease of $677.7 million, or (20%). This decrease resulted primarily from the CWAE Divestiture of $680.3 million.

Constellation Wines North America

Net sales for CWNA increased to $2,654.3 million for Fiscal 2012 from $2,557.3 million for Fiscal 2011, an increase of $97.0 million, or 4%. This increase is primarily due to a benefit of $94.4 million from wine net sales to Europe, Australia and Japan which were previously sold through the Company’s CWAE segment combined with favorable product mix shift in the U.S. base branded wine portfolio, partially offset by lower U.S. base branded wine volume.

Constellation Wines Australia and Europe

Net sales for CWAE decreased $774.7 million, or (100%), from Fiscal 2011 due to the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture.

Crown Imports

As this segment is eliminated in consolidation, see “Equity in Earnings of Equity Method Investees” below for a discussion of Crown Imports’ net sales, gross profit, selling, general and administrative expenses, and operating income.

Gross Profit

The Company’s gross profit decreased to $1,062.1 million for Fiscal 2012 from $1,190.1 million for Fiscal 2011, a decrease of $128.0 million, or (11%). This decrease is primarily due to decreases in CWAE’s gross profit of $122.6 million and CWNA’s gross profit of $8.2 million. The decrease in CWAE’s gross profit is due to the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture. The decrease in CWNA’s gross profit is primarily due to (i) lower U.S. base branded wine volume, (ii) higher average cost of product sold in the U.S. (due largely to higher costs for transportation in the Company’s wine and spirits portfolio) and (iii) higher average U.S. promotional spend; partially offset by favorable product mix shift in the U.S. base branded wine portfolio and a benefit of $16.3 million from lower-margin wine net sales to Europe, Australia and Japan which were previously sold through the Company’s CWAE segment. In addition, unusual items, which consist of certain amounts that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment, were lower by $2.8 million in Fiscal 2012 versus Fiscal 2011. Gross profit as a percent of net sales increased to 40.0% for Fiscal 2012 from 35.7% for Fiscal 2011 primarily due to the factors discussed above.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $521.5 million for Fiscal 2012 from $640.9 million for Fiscal 2011, a decrease of $119.4 million, or (19%). This decrease is due to decreases in the CWAE segment of $113.3 million and the Corporate Operations and Other segment of $24.7 million, partially offset by increases in unusual items, which consist of certain amounts that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment, of $17.7 million, and the CWNA segment of $0.9 million. The decrease in CWAE’s selling, general and administrative expenses is due to the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture. The decrease in Corporate Operations and Other’s selling, general and administrative expenses is due to a decrease in general and administrative expenses primarily relating to (i) lower expenses incurred in connection with the Company’s initiative to implement a comprehensive, multi-year program to strengthen and enhance the Company’s global business capabilities and processes through the creation of an integrated technology platform (“Project Fusion”), (ii) lower annual management incentive compensation expense, (iii) lower stock-based compensation expense and (iv) the recognition of net gains in connection with the early redemption of certain available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities from Accolade; partially offset by an increase in depreciation expense primarily related to Project Fusion. The increase in unusual items consists of the following:

 

     Fiscal
2012
    Fiscal
2011
    (Decrease)
Increase
 
(in millions)                   

Net gains on acquisition of Ruffino (excluding gain on obligation from put option of Ruffino shareholder) and related activities

   $ (3.8   $ —        $ (3.8

(Gain) loss on obligation from put option of Ruffino shareholder

     (2.5     60.0        (62.5

Net gains on the CWAE Divestiture and related activities

     (0.5     (83.7     83.2   

Other costs

     4.3        3.5        0.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ (2.5   $ (20.2   $ 17.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The increase in CWNA’s selling, general and administrative expenses is due to increases in advertising expenses (on a constant currency basis) of $11.6 million, selling expenses (on a constant currency basis) of $5.7 million and an unfavorable year-over-year foreign currency translation impact of $4.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in general and administrative expenses (on a constant currency basis) of $21.1 million. The increases in advertising and selling expenses are due largely to the launch of several new products in the segment’s U.S. branded wine portfolio. The decrease in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to (i) a favorable legal settlement in the U.S. related to the use of a certain intangible asset, (ii) lower annual profit sharing and management incentive compensation expense and (iii) higher gains on foreign currency transactions. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales increased to 19.6% for Fiscal 2012 as compared to 19.2% for Fiscal 2011 primarily due to the factors discussed above, combined with lower U.S. base branded wine net sales.

Impairment of Intangible Assets

The Company recorded impairment losses of $38.1 million and $23.6 million for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011, respectively. The Fiscal 2012 impairment loss resulted from the Company’s fourth quarter annual review, pursuant to the Company’s accounting policy, of indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment. The Company determined that trademarks associated with the CWNA segment’s Canadian business were impaired largely due to lower revenue and profitability associated with products incorporating these assets included in long-term financial forecasts developed as part of the strategic planning cycle conducted during the Company’s fourth quarter. As a result of this review, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $38.1 million, which is included in impairment of intangible assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Fiscal 2011 impairment losses resulted primarily from the Company’s fourth quarter annual review, pursuant to the Company’s accounting policy, of indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment. The Company determined that trademarks associated with the CWNA segment’s Canadian business were impaired largely due to lower revenue

 

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and profitability associated with products incorporating these assets included in long-term financial forecasts developed as part of the strategic planning cycle conducted during the Company’s fourth quarter. As a result of this review, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $16.7 million, which is included in impairment of intangible assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, in the third quarter of fiscal 2011, in connection with the Company’s decision to discontinue certain wine brands within its CWNA segment’s U.S. wine portfolio, the Company determined that certain indefinite lived trademarks associated with the CWNA segment’s U.S. business were impaired. As a result of this decision, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $6.9 million, which is included in impairment of intangible assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Restructuring Charges

The Company recorded $16.0 million of restructuring charges for Fiscal 2012 associated primarily with the Company’s plan (committed to in May 2011, announced in June 2011) to streamline operations, gain efficiencies and reduce its cost structure following the CWAE Divestiture (the “Fiscal 2012 Initiative”). Restructuring charges consisted of $12.1 million of employee termination benefit costs, $3.7 million of contract termination costs and $0.2 million of facility consolidation/relocation costs. The Company recorded $23.1 million of restructuring charges for Fiscal 2011 associated primarily with the Company’s plan (announced in April 2009) to simplify its business, increase efficiencies and reduce its cost structure on a global basis (the “Global Initiative”), and the Company’s plan (announced in August 2008) to sell certain assets and implement operational changes designed to improve the efficiencies and returns associated with the Australian business, primarily by consolidating certain winemaking and packaging operations and reducing the Company’s overall grape supply due to reduced capacity needs resulting from a streamlining of the Company’s product portfolio (the “Australian Initiative”).

In addition, the Company incurred additional costs for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011 in connection with the Company’s restructuring and acquisition-related integration plans. Total costs incurred in connection with these plans for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011 are as follows:

 

     Fiscal
2012
     Fiscal
2011
 
(in millions)              

Cost of Product Sold

     

Accelerated depreciation

   $ 0.3       $ 2.2   

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

     

Net gain on sale of nonstrategic assets

   $ —         $ (1.0

Acquisition-related integration costs

   $ —         $ 0.5   

Other costs

   $ 8.4       $ 6.3   

Restructuring Charges

   $ 16.0       $ 23.1   

The Company expects to incur the following costs in connection with its restructuring plans for the year ending February 28, 2013 (“Fiscal 2013”):

 

     Expected
Fiscal
2013
 
(in millions)       

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

  

Other costs

   $ 6.8   

Restructuring Charges

   $ 1.1   

 

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Table of Contents

Operating Income

The following table sets forth the operating income (loss) by reportable segment of the Company for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011.

 

     Fiscal
2012
    Fiscal
2011
    % (Decrease)
Increase
 
(in millions)                   

CWNA

   $ 621.9      $ 631.0        (1 )% 

CWAE

     —          9.3        (100 )% 

Corporate Operations and Other

     (81.9     (106.6     24

Crown Imports

     431.0        453.0        (5 )% 

Consolidations and eliminations

     (431.0     (453.0     5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Reportable Segments

     540.0        533.7        1

Restructuring Charges and Unusual Items

     (53.5     (31.2     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Consolidated Operating Income

   $ 486.5      $ 502.5        (3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

NM = Not Meaningful

As a result of the factors discussed above, consolidated operating income decreased to $486.5 million for Fiscal 2012 from $502.5 million for Fiscal 2011, a decrease of $16.0 million, or (3%). Restructuring charges and unusual items of $53.5 million and $31.2 million for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011, respectively, consist of certain amounts that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment. These amounts include:

 

     Fiscal
2012
    Fiscal
2011
 
(in millions)             

Cost of Product Sold

    

Flow through of inventory step-up

   $ 1.6      $ 2.4   

Accelerated depreciation

     0.3        2.2   

Other

     —          0.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of Product Sold

     1.9        4.7   

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

    

Net gains on acquisition of Ruffino (excluding gain on obligation from put option of Ruffino shareholder) and related activities

     (3.8     —     

(Gain) loss on obligation from put option of Ruffino shareholder

     (2.5     60.0   

Net gains on CWAE Divestiture and related activities

     (0.5     (83.7

Other costs

     4.3        3.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

     (2.5     (20.2

Impairment of Intangible Assets

     38.1        23.6   

Restructuring Charges

     16.0        23.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restructuring Charges and Unusual Items

   $ 53.5      $ 31.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity in Earnings of Equity Method Investees

The Company’s equity in earnings of equity method investees decreased to $228.5 million for Fiscal 2012 from $243.8 million for Fiscal 2011, a decrease of $15.3 million, or (6%). This decrease is primarily due to lower equity in earnings from the Company’s Crown Imports joint venture of $11.0 million and lower equity in earnings from the Company’s U.K. equity method investment in connection with the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture of $5.0 million.

 

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Net sales for Crown Imports increased to $2,469.5 million for Fiscal 2012 from $2,392.9 million for Fiscal 2011, an increase of $76.6 million, or 3%. This increase resulted primarily from volume growth within the Crown Imports’ Mexican beer portfolio driven largely by increased advertising spend and product line extensions for certain brands within the Crown Imports’ Mexican beer portfolio, combined with the continuing launch of the Victoria brand which began during the Company’s fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Crown Imports’ gross profit increased $30.5 million, or 4%, primarily due to these factors. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $52.5 million, or 22%, primarily due to a planned increase in advertising spend. Operating income decreased $22.0 million, or (5%), primarily due to these factors.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net of interest income of $6.6 million and $3.5 million, for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011, respectively, decreased to $181.0 million for Fiscal 2012 from $195.3 million for Fiscal 2011, a decrease of $14.3 million, or (7%). The decrease resulted from lower average borrowings in total, partially offset by a higher weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings resulting primarily from the prepayment of a portion of the lower interest rate tranche B term loan facility.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011 was 16.7% and (1.5%), respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate for Fiscal 2012 reflects decreases in uncertain tax positions of $85.2 million and other tax adjustments of $42.5 million in connection with the completion of various income tax examinations during Fiscal 2012 and a change in the method of filing certain state income tax returns. The Company’s effective tax rate for Fiscal 2011 was driven largely by a benefit of $207.0 million associated with the deduction for investments and loans related to the CWAE Divestiture and a decrease in uncertain tax positions of $36.0 million in connection with the completion of various income tax examinations and the expiration of statutes of limitation during Fiscal 2011, partially offset by the recognition of valuation allowances against net operating losses in the U.K. and Australia.

Net Income

As a result of the above factors, net income decreased to $445.0 million for Fiscal 2012 from $559.5 million for Fiscal 2011, a decrease of $114.5 million, or (20%).

Fiscal 2011 Compared to Fiscal 2010

Net Sales

The following table sets forth the net sales by reportable segment of the Company for Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010.

 

     Fiscal
2011
    Fiscal
2010
    % Increase
(Decrease)
 
(in millions)                   

CWNA net sales

   $ 2,557.3      $ 2,434.7        5

CWAE net sales

     774.7        930.1        (17 )% 

Crown Imports net sales

     2,392.9        2,256.2        6

Consolidations and eliminations

     (2,392.9     (2,256.2     (6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Consolidated Net Sales

   $ 3,332.0      $ 3,364.8        (1 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net sales for Fiscal 2011 decreased to $3,332.0 million from $3,364.8 million for Fiscal 2010, a decrease of $32.8 million, or (1%). This decrease resulted primarily from the divestiture of the U.K. cider business, the CWAE Divestiture and the divestiture of the value spirits business of $178.2 million, partially offset by an increase in U.S. base branded wine net sales of $85.9 million and a favorable year-over-year foreign currency translation impact of $52.6 million.

 

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Table of Contents

Constellation Wines North America

Net sales for CWNA increased to $2,557.3 million for Fiscal 2011 from $2,434.7 million for Fiscal 2010, an increase of $122.6 million, or 5%. This increase is primarily due to volume growth and favorable product mix shift in the U.S. base branded wine portfolio due largely to certain U.S. distributor contractual commitments, and a favorable year-over-year foreign currency translation impact of $36.4 million, partially offset by increased promotional spend, primarily in the U.S. The Fiscal 2011 U.S. volume growth is even more pronounced as a result of the Company’s strategic decision in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 to work with certain of its U.S. distributors to reduce their U.S. branded wine inventory levels and not require these distributors to purchase the originally contracted branded wine amounts during that quarter.

Constellation Wines Australia and Europe

Net sales for CWAE decreased to $774.7 million for Fiscal 2011 from $930.1 million for Fiscal 2010, a decrease of $155.4 million, or (17%). This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in net sales of $171.7 million in connection with the divestiture of the U.K. cider business and the CWAE Divestiture, partially offset by a favorable year-over-year foreign currency translation impact of $16.2 million.

Crown Imports

As this segment is eliminated in consolidation, see “Equity in Earnings of Equity Method Investees” below for a discussion of Crown Imports’ net sales, gross profit, selling, general and administrative expenses, and operating income.

Gross Profit

The Company’s gross profit increased to $1,190.1 million for Fiscal 2011 from $1,144.8 million for Fiscal 2010, an increase of $45.3 million, or 4%. This increase is due to an increase in CWNA’s gross profit of $48.3 million and a decrease in unusual items, which consist of certain amounts that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment, of $27.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in CWAE’s gross profit of $30.7 million. The increase in CWNA’s gross profit is primarily due to favorable product mix shift and volume growth (primarily in the U.S. base branded wine portfolio) combined with a favorable year-over-year foreign currency translation impact of $15.9 million, partially offset by increased U.S. promotional spend and the flow through of higher calendar 2008 U.S. grape costs. The decrease in unusual items is primarily due to decreases in accelerated depreciation of $15.5 million associated with certain restructuring programs and the flow through of inventory step-up of $6.0 million associated primarily with the December 2007 acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Beam Wine Estates, Inc. The decrease in CWAE’s gross profit is primarily due to the divestiture of the U.K. cider business and the CWAE Divestiture.

Gross profit as a percent of net sales increased to 35.7% for Fiscal 2011 from 34.0% for Fiscal 2010 primarily due to the lower unusual items and growth of higher-margin CWNA branded wine and spirits net sales (driven primarily by favorable U.S. base branded wine product mix shift and the divestitures of the lower-margin Australian and U.K. business and the U.K. cider business), partially offset by the negative impact of the flow through of the higher calendar 2008 U.S. grape costs and the increased U.S. promotional spend.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $640.9 million for Fiscal 2011 from $682.5 million for Fiscal 2010, a decrease of $41.6 million, or (6%). This decrease is due to decreases in unusual items, which consist of certain amounts that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment, of $85.7 million, and the CWAE segment of $23.1 million, partially offset by increases in the CWNA segment of $55.3 million and the Corporate Operations and Other segment of $11.9 million. The decrease in unusual items consists of the following:

 

     Fiscal
2011
    Fiscal
2010
     (Decrease)
Increase
 
(in millions)                    

Net gains on the CWAE Divestiture and related activities

   $ (83.7   $ —         $ (83.7

Loss on obligation from put option of Ruffino shareholder

     60.0        34.3         25.7   

Other costs

     3.5        31.2         (27.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (20.2   $ 65.5       $ (85.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The decrease in other costs above is driven primarily by the Company’s Global Initiative. The decrease in CWAE’s selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily due to the divestiture of the U.K. cider business and the CWAE Divestiture. The increase in CWNA’s selling, general and administrative expenses is due to increases (on a constant currency basis) in general and administrative expenses of $21.4 million, selling expenses of $15.2 million and advertising expenses of $9.6 million, combined with an unfavorable year-over-year foreign currency translation impact of $9.1 million. The increases in general and administrative expenses and selling expenses are primarily due to (i) costs associated with Project Fusion, (ii) higher compensation and benefits driven largely by higher annual management incentive compensation expense, and (iii) higher consulting service fees associated with the segment’s review of certain business and process improvement opportunities. The increase in advertising expenses is primarily due to a planned increase in marketing and advertising spend behind the segment’s branded wine and spirits portfolio. The increase in Corporate Operations and Other’s selling, general and administrative expenses is due to an increase in general and administrative expenses resulting largely from higher annual management incentive compensation expense and higher stock-based compensation expense.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales decreased to 19.2% for Fiscal 2011 as compared to 20.3% for Fiscal 2010 primarily due to the factors discussed above, partially offset by the increased U.S. promotional spend.

Impairment of Intangible Assets

The Company recorded impairment losses of $23.6 million and $103.2 million for Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010, respectively. The Fiscal 2011 impairment losses resulted primarily from the Company’s fourth quarter annual review, pursuant to the Company’s accounting policy, of indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment. The Company determined that trademarks associated with the CWNA segment’s Canadian business were impaired largely due to lower revenue and profitability associated with products incorporating these assets included in long-term financial forecasts developed as part of the strategic planning cycle conducted during the Company’s fourth quarter. As a result of this review, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $16.7 million, which is included in impairment of intangible assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, in the third quarter of fiscal 2011, in connection with the Company’s decision to discontinue certain wine brands within its CWNA segment’s U.S. wine portfolio, the Company determined that certain indefinite lived trademarks associated with the CWNA segment’s U.S. business were impaired. As a result of this decision, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $6.9 million, which is included in impairment of intangible assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Fiscal 2010 impairment losses resulted from the Company’s fourth quarter annual review, pursuant to the Company’s accounting policy, of indefinite lived

 

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intangible assets for impairment. The Company determined that trademarks associated primarily with the CWAE segment’s Australian business were impaired largely due to lower revenue and profitability associated with products incorporating these assets included in long-term financial forecasts developed as part of the strategic planning cycle conducted during the Company’s fourth quarter. As a result of this review, the Company recorded impairment losses of $103.2 million, which are included in impairment of intangible assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Restructuring Charges

The Company recorded $23.1 million of restructuring charges for Fiscal 2011 associated primarily with the Company’s Global Initiative and Australian Initiative. Restructuring charges include $12.1 million of employee termination benefit costs, $5.2 million of contract termination costs, $4.2 million of net noncash charges on assets sold in Australia, and $1.6 million of facility consolidation/relocation costs. The Company recorded $47.6 million of restructuring charges for Fiscal 2010 associated primarily with the Company’s Global Initiative and Australian Initiative.

In addition, the Company incurred additional costs for Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010 in connection with the Company’s restructuring and acquisition-related integration plans. Total costs incurred in connection with these plans for Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010 are as follows:

 

     Fiscal
2011
    Fiscal
2010
 
(in millions)             

Cost of Product Sold

    

Accelerated depreciation

   $ 2.2      $ 17.7   

Inventory write-downs

   $ —        $ 1.6   

Other

   $ —        $ 4.7   

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

    

Gain on sale of nonstrategic assets

   $ (1.0   $ —     

Acquisition-related integration costs

   $ 0.5      $ 0.2   

Other costs

   $ 6.3      $ 42.4   

Restructuring Charges

   $ 23.1      $ 47.6   

Operating Income

The following table sets forth the operating income (loss) by reportable segment of the Company for Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010.

 

     Fiscal
2011
    Fiscal
2010
    % (Decrease)
Increase
 
(in millions)                   

CWNA

   $ 631.0      $ 638.0        (1 )% 

CWAE

     9.3        16.9        (45 )% 

Corporate Operations and Other

     (106.6     (94.7     (13 )% 

Crown Imports

     453.0        444.1        2

Consolidations and eliminations

     (453.0     (444.1     (2 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Reportable Segments

     533.7        560.2        (5 )% 

Restructuring Charges and Unusual Items

     (31.2     (248.7     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Consolidated Operating Income

   $ 502.5      $ 311.5        61
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

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As a result of the factors discussed above, consolidated operating income increased to $502.5 million for Fiscal 2011 from $311.5 million for Fiscal 2010, an increase of $191.0 million, or 61%. Restructuring charges and unusual items of $31.2 million and $248.7 million for Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010, respectively, consist of certain amounts that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment. These amounts include:

 

     Fiscal
2011
    Fiscal
2010
 
(in millions)             

Cost of Product Sold

    

Flow through of inventory step-up

   $ 2.4      $ 8.4   

Accelerated depreciation

     2.2        17.7   

Inventory write-downs

     —          1.6   

Other

     0.1        4.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of Product Sold

     4.7        32.4   

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

    

Net gains on the CWAE Divestiture and related activities

     (83.7     —     

Loss on obligation from put option of Ruffino shareholder

     60.0        34.3   

Other costs

     3.5        31.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

     (20.2     65.5   

Impairment of Intangible Assets

     23.6        103.2   

Restructuring Charges

     23.1        47.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restructuring Charges and Unusual Items

   $ 31.2      $ 248.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity in Earnings of Equity Method Investees

The Company’s equity in earnings of equity method investees increased to $243.8 million for Fiscal 2011 from $213.6 million for Fiscal 2010, an increase of $30.2 million, or 14%. This increase is primarily due to the Company’s Fiscal 2010 recognition of an impairment of $25.4 million related to its CWNA segment’s investment in Ruffino and higher Fiscal 2011 equity in earnings of $4.2 million from the Company’s Crown Imports joint venture. The Fiscal 2010 impairment resulted from the Company’s third quarter review of its equity method investments for other-than-temporary impairment. As a result of this review, the Company determined that the CWNA segment’s investment in Ruffino was impaired primarily due to a decline in revenue and profit forecasts for this international equity method investee combined with an unfavorable foreign exchange movement between the euro and the U.S. Dollar. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $25.4 million in equity in earnings of equity method investees on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Net sales for Crown Imports increased to $2,392.9 million for Fiscal 2011 from $2,256.2 million for Fiscal 2010, an increase of $136.7 million, or 6%. This increase resulted primarily from volume growth within the Crown Imports’ Mexican beer portfolio. Crown Imports’ gross profit increased $32.1 million, or 5%, primarily due to the volume growth, partially offset by a contractual price increase in Mexican beer costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $23.2 million, or 11%, primarily due to an increase in general and administrative expenses driven largely by an unfavorable arbitration panel decision in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 related to a matter with one of Crown Imports’ former distributors, and a planned increase in advertising spend. Operating income increased $8.9 million, or 2%, primarily due to these factors.

 

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Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net of interest income of $3.5 million and $10.4 million, for Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010, respectively, decreased to $195.3 million for Fiscal 2011 from $265.1 million for Fiscal 2010, a decrease of $69.8 million, or (26%). The decrease resulted from lower average interest rates for the Company combined with reduced average borrowings for Fiscal 2011.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010 is (1.5%) and 61.7%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate for Fiscal 2011 of (1.5%) was driven largely by a benefit of $207.0 million associated with the deduction for investments and loans related to the CWAE Divestiture and a decrease in uncertain tax positions of $36.0 million in connection with the completion of various income tax examinations and the expiration of statutes of limitation during Fiscal 2011, partially offset by the recognition of valuation allowances against net operating losses in the U.K. and Australia. The Company’s effective tax rate for Fiscal 2010 of 61.7% was driven largely by (i) a nondeductible portion of the impairment loss related to certain trademarks of $93.7 million, (ii) the recognition of nondeductible charges of $59.7 million related to the Company’s Ruffino investment and (iii) $37.5 million of taxes associated with the sale of the value spirits business, primarily related to the write-off of nondeductible goodwill; partially offset by a decrease in uncertain tax positions of $33.0 million in connection with the completion of various income tax examinations during Fiscal 2010.

Net Income

As a result of the above factors, net income increased to $559.5 million for Fiscal 2011 from $99.3 million for Fiscal 2010, an increase of $460.2 million.

Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

The Company’s principal use of cash in its operating activities is for purchasing and carrying inventories and carrying seasonal accounts receivable. The Company’s primary source of liquidity has historically been cash flow from operations, except during annual grape harvests when the Company has relied on short-term borrowings. In the U.S., Canada and Italy, the annual grape crush normally begins in August and runs through October. In New Zealand, the annual grape crush normally begins in February and runs through May. The Company generally begins taking delivery of grapes at the beginning of the crush season with the majority of payments for such grapes coming due within 90 days. The Company’s short-term borrowings to support such purchases generally reach their highest levels one to two months after the crush season has ended. Historically, the Company has used cash flow from operating activities to repay its short-term borrowings and fund capital expenditures. The Company will continue to use its short-term borrowings to support its working capital requirements.

The Company has maintained adequate liquidity to meet current working capital requirements, fund capital expenditures and repay scheduled principal and interest payments on debt. Absent deterioration of market conditions, the Company believes that cash flows from operating activities and its financing activities, primarily short-term borrowings, will provide adequate resources to satisfy its working capital, scheduled principal and interest payments on debt, and anticipated capital expenditure requirements for both its short-term and long-term capital needs.

As of April 20, 2012, the Company had $636.6 million in revolving loans available to be drawn under its 2006 Credit Agreement. The member financial institutions participating in the Company’s 2006 Credit Agreement have complied with prior funding requests and the Company believes the member financial institutions will comply with ongoing funding requests. However, there can be no assurances that any particular financial institution will continue to do so in the future.

 

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Fiscal 2012 Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for Fiscal 2012 was $784.1 million, which resulted primarily from net income of $445.0 million, plus net noncash items charged to the Consolidated Statements of Operations of $242.3 million and net cash provided by the net change in the Company’s operating assets and liabilities of $101.6 million.

The net noncash items consisted primarily of depreciation expense, deferred tax provision, stock-based compensation expense and an impairment of intangible assets. The net cash provided by the net change in the Company’s operating assets and liabilities resulted primarily from a decrease in inventories of $51.5 million and an increase in other accrued expenses and liabilities of $44.6 million. The decrease in inventories is due primarily to a decrease in U.S. inventory levels driven largely by net sales volume growth during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 in the U.S. branded wine portfolio, combined with the lower U.S. calendar 2011 grape harvest. The increase in other accrued expenses and liabilities is due largely to an increase in current income taxes payable due primarily to a refund of $85.5 million received in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 associated with the recognition of income tax benefits in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 in connection with the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for Fiscal 2012 was $135.1 million, which resulted primarily from capital expenditures of $68.4 million, purchase of the remaining 50.1% equity interest in Ruffino of $51.5 million and payments of post-closing adjustments and direct costs associated with the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture of $30.8 million; partially offset by proceeds from the redemption of AFS debt securities of $20.2 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for Fiscal 2012 was $575.1 million resulting primarily from principal payments of long-term debt of $475.9 million and purchases of treasury stock of $413.7 million (see “Share Repurchase Programs” below), partially offset by net proceeds from notes payable of $249.8 million and proceeds from exercises of employee stock options of $51.3 million.

Fiscal 2011 Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for Fiscal 2011 was $619.7 million, which resulted primarily from net income of $559.5 million, plus $255.7 million of net noncash items charged to the Consolidated Statements of Operations, partially offset by net cash used in the net change in the Company’s operating assets and liabilities of $160.6 million.

The net noncash items consisted primarily of depreciation expense, loss on settlement of pension obligations associated with the CWAE Divestiture, deferred tax provision, loss on obligation from put option of Ruffino shareholder and stock-based compensation expense, partially offset by the net gain on business sold associated with the CWAE Divestiture. The net cash used in the net change in the Company’s operating assets and liabilities is driven primarily by decreases in other accrued expenses and liabilities of $168.2 million and accounts payable of $82.5 million combined with an increase in accounts receivable, net, of $86.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in inventories of $190.8 million. The decrease in other accrued expenses and liabilities is due largely to the recognition of income tax benefits in connection with the CWAE Divestiture. The decrease in accounts payable is due primarily to lower grape grower payables in Australia as a result of the timing of the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture in advance of the calendar 2011 Australian grape harvest and the timing of payments in the U.K. (through January 31, 2011). The increase in accounts receivable, net is due primarily to the net sales volume

 

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growth in the U.S. branded wine portfolio. The decrease in inventories is due largely to decreases in Australian, U.S. and New Zealand inventory levels. The reduction in Australian inventory levels is primarily due to a later calendar 2011 grape harvest combined with the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture. The decrease in the U.S. inventory levels is primarily due to the flow through of higher 2008 U.S. calendar grape costs combined with the net sales volume growth during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 in the U.S. branded wine portfolio. The reduction in New Zealand inventory levels is primarily due to lower tonnage and grape costs associated with the calendar 2011 grape harvest.

Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities for Fiscal 2011 was $188.1 million, which resulted primarily from proceeds from the sale of businesses, net of cash divested, of $219.7 million driven primarily by the proceeds from the CWAE Divestiture, net of direct costs to sell, and proceeds from the note receivable received in connection with the divestiture of the value spirits business of $60.0 million, partially offset by capital expenditures of $89.1 million and a payment in connection with the settlement of the irrevocable and unconditional put option of the incremental 9.9% ownership interest associated with the Company’s then existing equity method investment, Ruffino, of $29.6 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for Fiscal 2011 was $846.1 million resulting primarily from principal payments of long-term debt of $328.5 million, purchases of treasury stock through the ASB transaction (as defined below) of $300.0 million and net repayment of notes payable of $289.7 million, partially offset by proceeds from exercise of employee stock options of $61.0 million.

Share Repurchase Programs

In April 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $300.0 million of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Convertible Common Stock (the “2011 Authorization”). During Fiscal 2011, the Company repurchased 17,223,404 shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this authorization at an aggregate cost of $300.0 million, or an average cost of $17.42 per share, through a collared accelerated stock buyback (“ASB”) transaction that was announced in April 2010. The Company paid the purchase price under the ASB transaction in April 2010, at which time it received an initial installment of 11,016,451 shares of Class A Common Stock. In May 2010, the Company received an additional installment of 2,785,029 shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the early termination of the hedge period on May 10, 2010. In November 2010, the Company received the final installment of 3,421,924 shares of Class A Common Stock following the end of the calculation period on November 24, 2010. The Company used proceeds from revolver borrowings under the 2006 Credit Agreement to pay the purchase price for the repurchased shares. During Fiscal 2011, the Company used proceeds from cash generated from operations to repay the revolver borrowings under the 2006 Credit Agreement used to pay the purchase price for the repurchased shares. The repurchased shares have become treasury shares.

In April 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500.0 million of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Convertible Common Stock (the “2012 Authorization”). During Fiscal 2012, the Company repurchased 21,234,266 shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the 2012 Authorization at an aggregate cost of $413.7 million, or an average cost of $19.48 per share, through open market transactions. Subsequent to February 29, 2012, the Company utilized the remaining $86.3 million outstanding under the 2012 Authorization to repurchase 3,970,481 shares of Class A Common Stock at an average cost of $21.74 per share, through open market transactions. In total, the Company has repurchased 25,204,747 shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the 2012 Authorization at an aggregate cost of $500.0 million, or an average cost of $19.84 per share. The Company used proceeds from revolver borrowings under the 2006 Credit Agreement and cash flows from operating activities to pay the purchase price for the repurchased shares. The repurchased shares have become treasury shares.

 

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In April 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1.0 billion of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Convertible Common Stock (the “2013 Authorization”). The Board of Directors did not specify a date upon which the 2013 Authorization would expire. Share repurchases under the 2013 Authorization are expected to be accomplished at management’s discretion from time to time based on market conditions, the Company’s cash and debt position, and other factors as determined by management. Shares may be repurchased through open market or privately negotiated transactions, and management currently expects share repurchases under the 2013 Authorization will be implemented over a two year period, with approximately $500.0 million of share repurchases during Fiscal 2013. The Company may fund share repurchases with cash generated from operations, proceeds from borrowings under its senior credit facility or proceeds from the April 2012 Senior Notes (as defined below). Any repurchased shares will become treasury shares. Through April 30, 2012, the Company has repurchased 6,386,051 shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the 2013 Authorization at an aggregate cost of $137.1 million, or an average cost of $21.47 per share. The Company used proceeds from the April 2012 Senior Notes, revolver borrowings under the 2006 Credit Agreement and cash generated from operations to pay the purchase price for the repurchased shares.

Debt

Total debt outstanding as of February 29, 2012, amounted to $3,129.5 million, a decrease of $106.8 million from February 28, 2011.

Senior Credit Facility

2006 Credit Agreement

The Company and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as a lender and administrative agent, and certain other agents, lenders, and financial institutions are parties to a credit agreement, as amended (the “2006 Credit Agreement”). The 2006 Credit Agreement provides for aggregate credit facilities of $3,842.0 million, consisting of (i) a $1,200.0 million tranche A term loan facility with an original final maturity in June 2011, fully repaid as of February 28, 2011, (ii) a $1,800.0 million tranche B term loan facility, of which $1,500.0 million has a final maturity in June 2013 (the “2013 Tranche B Term Loans”) and $300.0 million has a final maturity in June 2015 (the “2015 Tranche B Term Loans”), and (iii) an $842.0 million revolving credit facility (including a sub-facility for letters of credit of up to $200.0 million), of which $192.0 million terminated in June 2011 and $650.0 million terminates in June 2013 (the “2013 Revolving Facility”). The Company uses its revolving credit facility under the 2006 Credit Agreement for general corporate purposes.

The rate of interest on borrowings under the 2006 Credit Agreement is a function of LIBOR plus a margin, the federal funds rate plus a margin, or the prime rate plus a margin. The margin is adjustable based upon the Company’s debt ratio (as defined in the 2006 Credit Agreement) with respect to the 2013 Revolving Facility, and is fixed with respect to the 2013 Tranche B Term Loans and the 2015 Tranche B Term Loans. As of February 29, 2012, the LIBOR margin for the 2013 Revolving Facility is 2.50%; the LIBOR margin for the 2013 Tranche B Term Loans is 1.50%; and the LIBOR margin on the 2015 Tranche B Term Loans is 2.75%.

The Company’s obligations are guaranteed by certain of its U.S. subsidiaries. These obligations are also secured by a pledge of (i) 100% of the ownership interests in certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries and (ii) 65% of the voting capital stock of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.

The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to covenants that are contained in the 2006 Credit Agreement, including those restricting the incurrence of additional indebtedness (including guarantees of indebtedness), additional liens, mergers and consolidations, the disposition or acquisition of property, the payment of dividends, transactions with affiliates and the making of certain investments, in each case subject to numerous conditions, exceptions and thresholds. The financial covenants are limited to maintaining a maximum total debt coverage ratio and minimum interest coverage ratio.

As of February 29, 2012, following the prepayment of $400.0 million of the tranche B term loan facility during the first quarter of fiscal 2012, under the 2006 Credit Agreement, the Company had outstanding 2013

 

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Tranche B Term Loans of $624.7 million bearing an interest rate of 2.0%, 2015 Tranche B Term Loans of $201.9 million bearing an interest rate of 3.1%, 2013 Revolving Facility of $298.0 million bearing an interest rate of 2.7%, outstanding letters of credit of $12.2 million, and $339.8 million in revolving loans available to be drawn.

As of February 29, 2012, the required principal repayments of the tranche B term loan facility for each of the four succeeding fiscal years are as follows:

 

     Tranche B
Term Loan
Facility
 
(in millions)       

2013

   $ 314.1   

2014

     314.1   

2015

     99.7   

2016

     98.7   
  

 

 

 
   $ 826.6   
  

 

 

 

As of April 20, 2012, under the 2006 Credit Agreement, the Company had outstanding 2013 Tranche B Term Loans of $624.7 million bearing an interest rate of 2.0%, 2015 Tranche B Term Loans of $201.9 million bearing an interest rate of 3.0%, outstanding letters of credit of $13.4 million, and $636.6 million in revolving loans available to be drawn.

Through February 28, 2010, the Company had outstanding interest rate swap agreements which were designated as cash flow hedges of $1,200.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt. The designated cash flow hedges fixed the Company’s interest rates on $1,200.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt through February 28, 2010. In addition, the Company had offsetting undesignated interest rate swap agreements with an absolute notional amount of $2,400.0 million outstanding as of February 28, 2010. On March 1, 2010, the Company paid $11.9 million in connection with the maturity of these outstanding interest rate swap agreements, which is reported in other, net in cash flows from operating activities in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. In June 2010, the Company entered into a new five year delayed start interest rate swap agreement effective September 1, 2011, which was designated as a cash flow hedge for $500.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt. Accordingly, the Company fixed its interest rates on $500.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt at an average rate of 2.9% (exclusive of borrowing margins) through September 1, 2016. For Fiscal 2012, the Company reclassified net losses of $3.8 million, net of income tax effect, from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) to interest expense, net on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. For Fiscal 2011, the Company did not reclassify any amount from AOCI to interest expense, net on its Consolidated Statements of Operations. For Fiscal 2010, the Company reclassified net losses of $27.7 million, net of income tax effect, from AOCI to interest expense, net on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Possible Refinancing of Senior Credit Facility

The Company is currently considering refinancing and replacing its 2006 Credit Agreement with a new $1,650.0 million senior credit facility that, subject to adjustment, would consist of:

 

   

Up to an $850.0 million five year revolving credit facility (which the Company currently expects would be undrawn exclusive of letter of credit usage at the time of the initial closing of the new facility), requiring interest only payments through the term;

 

   

Five year term loans of up to $550.0 million with quarterly amortization of principal totaling between 5% and 10% per year prior to final maturity;

 

   

Seven year term loans of up to $250.0 million with quarterly amortization of principal prior to final maturity in annual amounts of 1.0% per year; and

 

   

An up to $750.0 million uncommitted incremental facility that may be used to increase the revolver or add a new tranche of term loans, subject to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants.

 

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The Company expects that the collateral, guarantees and financial maintenance covenants for the new senior credit facility would be substantially similar to the collateral, guarantees and financial maintenance covenants under its 2006 Credit Agreement and that certain other covenants in the new senior credit facility may be less restrictive than those contained in the 2006 Credit Agreement. The Company expects that the interest rate pricing on each tranche of the new senior credit facility would be subject to a leverage grid. There can be no assurance that the Company will enter into a replacement senior credit facility on the terms described above or otherwise.

Senior Notes

In November 1999, the Company issued £75.0 million ($121.7 million upon issuance) aggregate principal amount of 8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 2009 (the “Sterling Senior Notes”). In March 2000, the Company exchanged £75.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/2% Series B Senior Notes due November 2009 (the “Sterling Series B Senior Notes”) for all of the Sterling Senior Notes. In October 2000, the Company exchanged £74.0 million aggregate principal amount of Sterling Series C Senior Notes (as defined below) for £74.0 million of the Sterling Series B Senior Notes. On May 15, 2000, the Company issued £80.0 million ($120.0 million upon issuance) aggregate principal amount of 8 1/2% Series C Senior Notes due November 2009 (the “Sterling Series C Senior Notes”). In November 2009, the Company repaid the Sterling Series B Senior Notes and the Sterling Series C Senior Notes with proceeds from the Company’s revolving credit facility under its then existing senior credit facility and cash flows from operating activities.

In February 2009, the Company entered into a foreign currency forward contract to fix the U.S. dollar payment of the Sterling Series B Senior Notes and Sterling Series C Senior Notes. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance for derivatives and hedging, this foreign currency forward contract qualified for cash flow hedge accounting treatment. In November 2009, the Company received $33.2 million of proceeds from the maturity of this derivative instrument. This amount is reported in cash flows from financing activities on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Fiscal 2010.

As of February 29, 2012, the Company had outstanding $696.3 million (net of $3.7 million unamortized discount) aggregate principal amount of 7 1/4% Senior Notes due September 2016 (the “August 2006 Senior Notes”).

In May 2007, the Company issued $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7 1/4% Senior Notes due May 2017 (the “Original May 2007 Senior Notes”). In January 2008, the Company exchanged $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7 1/4% Senior Notes due May 2017 (the “May 2007 Senior Notes”) for all of the Original May 2007 Senior Notes. The terms of the May 2007 Senior Notes are substantially identical in all material respects to the Original May 2007 Senior Notes, except that the May 2007 Senior Notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. As of February 29, 2012, the Company had outstanding $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of May 2007 Senior Notes.

In December 2007, the Company issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 3/8% Senior Notes due December 2014 at an issuance price of $496.7 million (net of $3.3 million unamortized discount, with an effective interest rate of 8.5%) (the “December 2007 Senior Notes”). As of February 29, 2012, the Company had outstanding $498.5 million (net of $1.5 million unamortized discount) aggregate principal amount of December 2007 Senior Notes.

On April 17, 2012, the Company issued $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6% Senior Notes due May 2022 (the “April 2012 Senior Notes”). The estimated net proceeds of the offering ($582 million) are expected to be used for general corporate purposes. These purposes might include, among others, reducing the outstanding indebtedness of the tranche B term loan facility under the Company’s senior credit facility, acquisitions of complementary assets or businesses, or common stock share repurchases. Interest on the April 2012 Senior Notes is payable semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning November 1, 2012.

The senior notes described above are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount plus a make whole payment based

 

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on the present value of the future payments at the adjusted Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points. The senior notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company. Certain of the Company’s significant U.S. operating subsidiaries guarantee the senior notes, on a senior unsecured basis.

Senior Subordinated Notes

In January 2002, the Company issued $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due January 2012 (the “January 2002 Senior Subordinated Notes”). On February 25, 2010, the Company repaid the January 2002 Senior Subordinated Notes with proceeds from its revolving credit facility under the 2006 Credit Agreement and cash flows from operating activities.

Indentures

The Company’s indentures under which its outstanding senior notes were issued contain customary covenants, requirements and restrictions, the breach of which could result in an acceleration of the Company’s obligation to repay the senior notes.

Subsidiary Credit Facilities

The Company has additional credit arrangements totaling $253.8 million as of February 29, 2012. These arrangements primarily support the financing needs of the Company’s domestic and foreign subsidiary operations. Interest rates and other terms of these borrowings vary from country to country, depending on local market conditions. As of February 29, 2012, amounts outstanding under these arrangements were $110.1 million, the majority of which is classified as current as of the respective date.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table sets forth information about the Company’s long-term contractual obligations outstanding at February 29, 2012. The table brings together data for easy reference from the consolidated balance sheet and from individual notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Notes 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements located in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of the items noted in the following table.

 

     PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD  
     Total      Less than
1 year
     1-3 years      3-5 years      After
5 years
 
(in millions)                                   

Contractual obligations

              

Notes payable to banks

   $ 377.9       $ 377.9       $ —         $ —         $ —     

Interest payments on notes payable to banks (1)

     11.3         11.3         —           —           —     

Long-term debt (excluding unamortized discount)

     2,756.8         330.2         925.9         800.7         700.0   

Interest payments on long-term debt (2)

     830.5         170.6         319.6         213.4         126.9   

Operating leases

     374.6         52.9         73.4         49.2         199.1   

Other long-term liabilities (3)

     191.8         67.7         65.5         19.8         38.8   

Unconditional purchase obligations (4)

     1,622.3         504.0         592.0         306.5         219.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 6,165.2       $ 1,514.6       $ 1,976.4       $ 1,389.6       $ 1,284.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Interest payments on notes payable to banks include interest on both revolving loans under the Company’s senior credit facility and on foreign subsidiary credit facilities. The weighted average interest rate on the revolving loans under the Company’s senior credit facility was 2.7% as of February 29, 2012. Interest rates on foreign subsidiary credit facilities range from 3.8% to 6.0% as of February 29, 2012.

 

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(2) 

Interest rates on long-term debt obligations range from 2.3% to 8.4% as of February 29, 2012. Interest payments on long-term debt obligations include amounts associated with the Company’s outstanding interest rate swap agreements to fix LIBOR interest rates on $500.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt. Interest payments on long-term debt do not include interest related to capital lease obligations or certain foreign credit arrangements, which represent approximately 1.0% of the Company’s total long-term debt, as amounts are not material.

(3) 

Other long-term liabilities include $19.4 million associated with expected payments for unrecognized tax benefit liabilities as of February 29, 2012, none of which is expected to be paid in the less than one year period. The payments are reflected in the period in which the Company believes they will ultimately be settled based on the Company’s experience in these matters. Other long-term liabilities do not include payments for unrecognized tax benefit liabilities of $72.6 million due to the uncertainty of the timing of future cash flows associated with these unrecognized tax benefit liabilities. In addition, other long-term liabilities do not include expected payments for interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefit liabilities as amounts are not material. See Note 12 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements located in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of these items.

(4) 

Total unconditional purchase obligations consist of $1,199.5 million for contracts to purchase grapes over the next thirteen fiscal years, $40.2 million for contracts to purchase bulk wine over the next two fiscal years, $250.3 million for contracts to purchase certain raw materials over the next three fiscal years, and $132.3 million for processing contracts over the next eight fiscal years. See Note 15 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements located in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of these items.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that either have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

Capital Expenditures

During Fiscal 2012, the Company incurred $68.4 million for capital expenditures. The Company plans to spend from $70 million to $80 million for capital expenditures in Fiscal 2013. Included within the planned expenditures for Fiscal 2013 are amounts associated with the improvement of operating facilities and investments for replacing of existing equipment and/or buildings. Management reviews the capital expenditure program periodically and modifies it as required to meet current business needs.

Effects of Inflation and Changing Prices

The Company’s results of operations and financial condition have not been significantly affected by inflation and changing prices. The Company intends to pass along rising costs through increased selling prices, subject to normal competitive conditions. There can be no assurances, however, that the Company will be able to pass along rising costs through increased selling prices. In addition, the Company continues to identify on-going cost savings initiatives.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements located in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. However, certain of the Company’s accounting policies are particularly important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial position and results of operations and require the application of significant judgment by the Company’s management; as a result, they are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. In applying those policies, the Company’s management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in the determination of certain estimates. Those estimates are based on the Company’s historical experience, the Company’s observance

 

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of trends in the industry, information provided by the Company’s customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. On an ongoing basis, the Company reviews its estimates to ensure that they appropriately reflect changes in the Company’s business. The Company’s critical accounting policies include:

 

   

Inventory valuation. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on the first-in, first-out method. The Company assesses the valuation of its inventories and reduces the carrying value of those inventories that are obsolete or in excess of the Company’s forecasted usage to their estimated net realizable value. The Company estimates the net realizable value of such inventories based on analyses and assumptions including, but not limited to, historical usage, future demand and market requirements. Reductions to the carrying value of inventories are recorded in cost of product sold. If the future demand for the Company’s products is less favorable than the Company’s forecasts, then the value of the inventories may be required to be reduced, which could result in material additional expense to the Company and have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial statements. The Company recognized inventory write-downs to net realizable value of $1.6 million for Fiscal 2010 in connection with certain of the Company’s restructuring plans. Inventory write-downs to net realizable value recognized in the ordinary course of business were not material for Fiscal 2012, Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010. Inventories were $1,374.5 million and $1,369.3 million as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, respectively.

 

   

Goodwill and other intangible assets. The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets by classifying intangible assets into three categories: (i) intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization; (ii) intangible assets with indefinite lives not subject to amortization; and (iii) goodwill. For intangible assets with definite lives, impairment testing is required if conditions exist that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. For intangible assets with indefinite lives and for goodwill, impairment testing is required at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that these assets might be impaired. The Company performs annual impairment tests and re-evaluates the useful lives of other intangible assets with indefinite lives at its annual impairment test measurement date of January 1 or when circumstances arise that indicate a possible impairment might exist. The Company uses a two-step process to evaluate goodwill for impairment. In the first step, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill. The estimate of fair value of the reporting unit is generally determined on the basis of discounted future cash flows supplemented by the market approach. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, a second step is performed to determine the amount of the goodwill impairment the Company should record. In the second step, an implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is determined by allocating the reporting unit’s fair value to all of its assets and liabilities other than goodwill (including any unrecognized intangible assets). The resulting implied fair value of the goodwill is compared to the carrying value of goodwill. The amount of impairment charge for goodwill is equal to the excess of the carrying value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The Company’s reporting units include the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Italy. In estimating the fair value of the reporting units, management must make assumptions and projections regarding such items as future cash flows, future revenues, future earnings and other factors. The assumptions used in the estimate of fair value are consistent with historical trends and the projections and assumptions that are used in current operating plans. These assumptions reflect management’s estimates of future economic and competitive conditions and are, therefore, subject to change as a result of changing market conditions. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss for these assets. The recording of any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial statements.

The most significant assumptions used in the discounted cash flows calculation to determine the fair value of the Company’s reporting units in connection with impairment testing are: (i) the discount rate, (ii) the expected long-term growth rate and (iii) the annual cash flow projections. If the Company used a discount rate that was 50 basis points higher or used an expected long-term growth rate that was 50

 

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basis points lower or used annual cash flow projections that were 100 basis points lower in its impairment testing of goodwill, then the changes individually would not have resulted in the carrying value of the respective reporting unit’s net assets, including its goodwill, exceeding its fair value, which would indicate the potential for impairment and the requirement to measure the amount of impairment, if any.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, pursuant to the Company’s accounting policy, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment analysis. No indication of impairment was noted for any of the Company’s reporting units, as the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units with goodwill exceeded their carrying value. Based on this analysis, the fair value of the Company’s New Zealand, U.S. and Canadian reporting units exceeded their carrying value by approximately 32%, 30% and 10%, respectively. The fair value of the Italian reporting unit approximated the carrying value as the Company acquired the remaining 50.1% equity interest in Ruffino on October 5, 2011. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, as a result of its annual goodwill impairment analysis, the Company concluded that there were no indications of impairment for any of the Company’s reporting units. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, as a result of its annual goodwill impairment analysis, the Company concluded that there were no indications of impairment for any of the Company’s reporting units. Goodwill was $2,632.9 million and $2,619.8 million as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, respectively.

The Company’s other intangible assets consist primarily of customer relationships and trademarks obtained through business acquisitions. Customer relationships are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The useful lives of existing trademarks that were determined to be indefinite are not amortized. These trademarks are evaluated for impairment by comparing the carrying value of the trademarks to their estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of trademarks is calculated based on an income approach using the relief from royalty methodology. The estimated fair value of trademarks is generally determined on the basis of discounted cash flows. The estimate of fair value is then compared to the carrying value of each trademark. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value of the trademark, then an impairment charge is recorded by the Company to reduce the carrying value of the trademark to its estimated fair value. In estimating the fair value of the trademarks, management must make assumptions and projections regarding such items as future cash flows, future revenues, future earnings and other factors. The assumptions used in the estimate of fair value are consistent with historical trends and the projections and assumptions that are used in current operating plans. These assumptions reflect management’s estimates of future economic and competitive conditions and are, therefore, subject to change as a result of changing market conditions. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss for these assets. The recording of any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial statements.

The most significant assumptions used in the discounted cash flows calculation to determine the fair value of intangible assets with indefinite lives in connection with impairment testing are: (i) the discount rate, (ii) the expected long-term growth rate and (iii) the annual cash flow projections. If the Company used a discount rate that was 50 basis points higher or used an expected long-term growth rate that was 50 basis points lower or used annual cash flow projections that were 100 basis points lower in its impairment testing of intangible assets with indefinite lives, then each change individually would not have resulted in any non-impaired unit of accounting’s carrying value exceeding its fair value.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, pursuant to the Company’s accounting policy, the Company performed its annual review of indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment. The Company determined that trademarks associated with the CWNA segment’s Canadian business were impaired. As a result of this review, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $38.1 million, which is included in impairment of intangible assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, as a result of its annual review of indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment, the Company determined that trademarks associated with the CWNA segment’s

 

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Canadian business were impaired. As a result of this review, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $16.7 million, which is included in impairment of intangible assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company had previously recorded an impairment loss of $6.9 million during its third quarter of fiscal 2011 in connection with the Company’s decision to discontinue certain wine brands within its CWNA segment’s U.S. wine portfolio. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, as a result of its annual review of indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment, the Company determined that trademarks associated primarily with the CWAE segment’s Australian business were impaired. As a result of this review, the Company recorded impairment losses of $103.2 million, which are included in impairment of intangible assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Intangible assets with indefinite lives were $803.6 million and $822.2 million as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, respectively.

 

   

Accounting for promotional activities. Sales reflect reductions attributable to consideration given to customers in various customer incentive programs, including pricing discounts on single transactions, volume discounts, promotional and advertising allowances, coupons, and rebates. Certain customer incentive programs require management to estimate the cost of those programs. The accrued liability for these programs is determined through analysis of programs offered, historical trends, expectations regarding customer and consumer participation, sales and payment trends, and experience with payment patterns associated with similar programs that have been offered previously. If assumptions included in the Company’s estimates were to change or market conditions were to change, then material incremental reductions to revenue could be required, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial statements. Promotional costs were $418.5 million, $699.0 million and $749.8 million for Fiscal 2012, Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010, respectively. Accrued promotion costs were $58.0 million and $52.3 million as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, respectively.

 

   

Accounting for stock-based compensation. The Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions using the modified prospective transition method on March 1, 2006 in accordance with the FASB guidance for compensation – stock compensation. Under the fair value recognition provisions of this guidance, stock-based compensation cost is calculated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense, net of estimated pre-vesting forfeitures, ratably over the vesting period of the award. In addition, this guidance requires additional accounting related to the income tax effects and disclosure regarding the cash flow effects resulting from stock-based payment arrangements. The Company selected the Black-Scholes option-pricing model as the most appropriate fair value method for its awards granted after March 1, 2006. The calculation of fair value of stock-based awards requires the input of assumptions, including the expected term of the stock-based awards and the associated stock price volatility. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent the Company’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, then stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. If the Company used an expected term for its stock-based awards that was one year longer, the fair value of stock-based awards granted during Fiscal 2012, Fiscal 2011, Fiscal 2010 and for the years ended February 28, 2009 (“Fiscal 2009”), and February 29, 2008 (“Fiscal 2008”), would have increased by $22.8 million, resulting in an increase of $3.2 million of stock-based compensation expense for Fiscal 2012. If the Company used an expected term of the stock-based awards that was one year shorter, the fair value of the stock-based awards granted during Fiscal 2012, Fiscal 2011, Fiscal 2010, Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008 would have decreased by $22.9 million, resulting in a decrease of $2.9 million of stock-based compensation expense for Fiscal 2012. The total amount of stock-based compensation recognized for Fiscal 2012 was $47.4 million, of which $43.7 million was expensed for Fiscal 2012 and $3.7 million was capitalized in inventory as of February 29, 2012. The total amount of stock-based compensation recognized for Fiscal 2011 was $47.0 million, of which $43.1 million was expensed for Fiscal 2011 and $3.9 million was capitalized in inventory as of February 28, 2011. The total amount of stock-based compensation recognized for Fiscal 2010 was $56.8 million, of which $51.7 million was expensed for Fiscal 2010 and $5.1 million was capitalized in inventory as of February 28, 2010.

 

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Accounting for income taxes. The Company estimates its income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits based upon various factors including, but not limited to, historical pretax operating income, future estimates of pretax operating income, differences between book and tax treatment of items of income and expense and tax planning strategies. The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Italy and other jurisdictions. The Company recognizes its deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the expected future tax outcome of amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. If necessary, the Company records a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets if the realization of the asset appears doubtful. The Company believes that all tax positions are fully supported; however, the Company records tax liabilities in accordance with the FASB’s guidance for income tax accounting. The Company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination. Due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from the Company’s current estimate of the tax liabilities. In addition, changes in existing tax laws or rates could significantly change the Company’s current estimate of its tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which they are determined. Changes in current estimates, if significant, could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial statements. The annual effective tax rate was 16.7%, (1.5%) and 61.7% for Fiscal 2012, Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010, respectively.

 

   

Accounting for business combinations. The acquisition of businesses is an important element of the Company’s strategy. Under the acquisition method, the Company is required to record the net assets acquired at the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The determination of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the Company’s financial statements. For example, the Company’s acquisitions typically result in the recognition of goodwill and other intangible assets; the value and estimated life of those assets may affect the amount of future period amortization expense for intangible assets with finite lives as well as possible impairment charges that may be incurred. Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets was $5.4 million, $5.5 million and $5.8 million for Fiscal 2012, Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010, respectively. Amortizable intangible assets were $62.8 million and $64.1 million as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, respectively.

Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

Fair value measurements –

In May 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements under generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. and International Financial Reporting Standards. This amended guidance provides clarification about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, and expands certain other disclosure requirements. The Company is required to adopt this amended guidance for its annual and interim periods beginning March 1, 2012. The adoption of this amended guidance on March 1, 2012, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Presentation of comprehensive income –

In June 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance requiring an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This amended guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders’ equity. In addition, this amended guidance requires retrospective application. In December 2011, the FASB issued additional guidance deferring the effective date of the June 2011 amended guidance related to the presentation of reclassification adjustments by component in both the statement where net income is presented and the statement where other comprehensive income is presented for further redeliberation. The

 

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Company is required to adopt the requirement to present comprehensive income in a single continuous financial statement or in two separate but consecutive financial statements for its annual and interim periods beginning March 1, 2012. The adoption of this amended guidance on March 1, 2012, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Intangibles – goodwill and other –

In September 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance for goodwill impairment testing. The amended guidance allows an entity to assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test would be unnecessary. If an entity concludes otherwise, the entity would be required to complete the two-step impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and then comparing the fair value with the carrying amount of the reporting unit. The Company is required to adopt this amended guidance for its annual and interim periods beginning March 1, 2012. The adoption of this amended guidance on March 1, 2012, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities –

In December 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance creating new disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity’s rights of setoff and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. The Company is required to adopt this amended guidance for its annual and interim periods beginning March 1, 2013. In addition, this amended guidance requires retrospective application. The Company does not expect the adoption of this amended guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The Company, as a result of its global operating, acquisition and financing activities, is exposed to market risk associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. To manage the volatility relating to these risks, the Company periodically purchases and/or sells derivative instruments including foreign currency forward and option contracts and interest rate swap agreements. The Company uses derivative instruments solely to reduce the financial impact of these risks and does not use derivative instruments for trading purposes.

Foreign currency derivative instruments are or may be used to hedge existing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, forecasted foreign currency denominated sales/purchases to/from third parties as well as intercompany sales/purchases, intercompany principal and interest payments, and in connection with acquisitions or joint venture investments outside the U.S. As of February 29, 2012, the Company had exposures to foreign currency risk primarily related to the euro, New Zealand dollar and Canadian dollar.

As of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, the Company had outstanding foreign currency derivative instruments with a notional value of $502.3 million and $326.4 million, respectively. As of February 29, 2012, approximately 43.4% of the Company’s balance sheet exposures and forecasted transactional exposures for the year ending February 28, 2013, were hedged. The estimated fair value of the Company’s foreign currency derivative instruments was a net asset of $6.8 million and $11.7 million as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, respectively. Using a sensitivity analysis based on estimated fair value of open contracts using forward rates, if the contract base currency had been 10% weaker as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, the fair value of open foreign currency contracts would have been decreased by $2.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Losses or gains from the revaluation or settlement of the related underlying positions would substantially offset such gains or losses on the derivative instruments.

 

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The fair value of fixed rate debt is subject to interest rate risk, credit risk and foreign currency risk. The estimated fair value of the Company’s total fixed rate debt, including current maturities, was $2,189.1 million and $2,104.0 million as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, respectively. A hypothetical 1% increase from prevailing interest rates as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, would have resulted in a decrease in the fair value of the fixed interest rate long-term debt by $80.7 million and $90.3 million, respectively.

As of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, the Company had outstanding cash flow designated interest rate swap agreements to minimize the impact of interest rate volatility. As of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, the swap agreements fix LIBOR interest rates on $500.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt at an average rate of 2.9% (exclusive of borrowing margins) through September 1, 2016. The estimated fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements was a net liability of $45.7 million and $4.4 million as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, respectively. A hypothetical 1% increase from prevailing interest rates as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, would have favorably increased the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements by $23.2 million and $25.1 million, respectively.

In addition to the $2,189.1 million and $2,104.0 million estimated fair value of fixed rate debt outstanding as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, respectively, the Company also had variable rate debt outstanding (primarily LIBOR-based), certain of which includes a fixed margin. As of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, the estimated fair value of the Company’s total variable rate debt, including current maturities, was $1,196.4 million and $1,278.0 million, respectively. A hypothetical 1% increase from prevailing interest rates as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, would have resulted in a decrease in the fair value of the variable interest rate long-term debt by $15.2 million and $29.0 million, respectively.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

The following information is presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – KPMG LLP

     55   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – KPMG LLP

     56   

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

     57   

Consolidated Balance Sheets – February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011

     58   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended February 29, 2012, February  28, 2011, and February 28, 2010

     59   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended February  29, 2012, February 28, 2011, and February 28, 2010

     60   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended February 29, 2012, February  28, 2011, and February 28, 2010

     62   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     63   

Selected Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)

     118   

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Constellation Brands, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Constellation Brands, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended February 29, 2012. 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 the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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 Constellation Brands, Inc. and subsidiaries as of February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended February 29, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Constellation Brands, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 29, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated April 30, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of Constellation Brands, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Rochester, New York

April 30, 2012

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Constellation Brands, Inc.:

We have audited Constellation Brands, Inc.’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of February 29, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Constellation Brands, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Constellation Brands, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 29, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Constellation Brands, Inc. and subsidiaries as of February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended February 29, 2012, and our report dated April 30, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Rochester, New York

April 30, 2012

 

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Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of Constellation Brands, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting. This system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting may vary over time.

Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the system of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of February 29, 2012.

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

 

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CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except share and per share data)

 

     February 29,
2012
    February 28,
2011
 
ASSETS     

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash investments

   $ 85.8      $ 9.2   

Accounts receivable, net

     437.6        417.4   

Inventories

     1,374.5        1,369.3   

Prepaid expenses and other

     136.4        287.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     2,034.3        2,083.0   

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net

     1,255.8        1,219.6   

GOODWILL

     2,632.9        2,619.8   

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net

     866.4        886.3   

OTHER ASSETS, net

     320.5        358.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 7,109.9      $ 7,167.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Notes payable to banks

   $ 377.9      $ 83.7   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     330.2        15.9   

Accounts payable

     130.5        129.2   

Accrued excise taxes

     24.8        14.2   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     336.2        419.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     1,199.6        662.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT, less current maturities

     2,421.4        3,136.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     608.7        583.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTHER LIABILITIES

     204.2        233.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 15)

    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Preferred Stock, $.01 par value- Authorized, 1,000,000 shares; Issued, none at February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011

     —          —     

Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value- Authorized, 322,000,000 shares; Issued, 233,751,797 shares at February 29, 2012, and 230,290,798 shares at February 28, 2011

     2.3        2.3   

Class B Convertible Common Stock, $.01 par value- Authorized, 30,000,000 shares; Issued, 28,583,916 shares at February 29, 2012, and 28,617,758 shares at February 28, 2011

     0.3        0.3   

Class 1 Common Stock, $.01 par value- Authorized, 25,000,000 shares; Issued, 11,549 shares at February 29, 2012, and none at February 28, 2011

     —          —     

Additional paid-in capital

     1,691.4        1,602.4   

Retained earnings

     2,107.3        1,662.3   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     173.7        188.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     3,975.0        3,456.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Treasury stock-

    

Class A Common Stock, 63,015,441 shares at February 29, 2012, and 42,739,831 shares at February 28, 2011, at cost

     (1,296.8     (902.0

Class B Convertible Common Stock, 5,005,800 shares at February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, at cost

     (2.2     (2.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (1,299.0     (904.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     2,676.0        2,551.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 7,109.9      $ 7,167.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share data)

 

     For the Years Ended  
     February 29,
2012
    February 28,
2011
    February 28,
2010
 

SALES

   $ 2,979.1      $ 4,096.7      $ 4,213.0   

Less – excise taxes

     (324.8     (764.7     (848.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net sales

     2,654.3        3,332.0        3,364.8   

COST OF PRODUCT SOLD

     (1,592.2     (2,141.9     (2,220.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     1,062.1        1,190.1        1,144.8   

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

     (521.5     (640.9     (682.5

IMPAIRMENT OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS

     (38.1     (23.6     (103.2

RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

     (16.0     (23.1     (47.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     486.5        502.5        311.5   

EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF EQUITY METHOD INVESTEES

     228.5        243.8        213.6   

INTEREST EXPENSE, net

     (181.0     (195.3     (265.1

LOSS ON WRITE-OFF OF FINANCING COSTS

     —          —          (0.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     534.0        551.0        259.3   

(PROVISION FOR) BENEFIT FROM INCOME TAXES

     (89.0     8.5        (160.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME

   $ 445.0      $ 559.5      $ 99.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHARE DATA:

      

Earnings per common share:

      

Basic – Class A Common Stock

   $ 2.20      $ 2.68      $ 0.46   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic – Class B Convertible Common Stock

   $ 2.00      $ 2.44      $ 0.41   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted – Class A Common Stock

   $ 2.13      $ 2.62      $ 0.45   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted – Class B Convertible Common Stock

   $ 1.96      $ 2.40      $ 0.41   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

      

Basic – Class A Common Stock

     180.724        187.224        196.095   

Basic – Class B Convertible Common Stock

     23.590        23.686        23.736   

Diluted – Class A Common Stock

     208.655        213.765        221.210   

Diluted – Class B Convertible Common Stock

     23.590        23.686        23.736   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in millions, except share data)

 

    Common Stock     Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Treasury
Stock
    Total  
    Class A     Class B            

BALANCE, February 28, 2009

  $ 2.2      $ 0.3      $ 1,426.3      $ 1,003.5      $ 94.2      $ (618.2   $ 1,908.3   

Comprehensive income:

             

Net income for Fiscal 2010

    —          —          —          99.3        —          —          99.3   

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax effect:

             

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    —          —          —          —          497.5        —          497.5   

Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges:

             
             

Net derivative gains

    —          —          —          —          60.2        —          60.2   

Reclassification adjustments

    —          —          —          —          (11.6     —          (11.6
             

 

 

 

Net gain recognized in other comprehensive income

                48.6   
             

 

 

 

Pension/postretirement adjustments:

             

Net actuarial losses

    —          —          —          —          (57.7     —          (57.7

Reclassification adjustments

    —          —          —          —          4.6        —          4.6   
             

 

 

 

Net loss recognized in other comprehensive income

                (53.1
             

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of income tax effect

                493.0   
             

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

                592.3   

Conversion of 14,657 Class B Convertible Common shares to Class A Common shares

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Exercise of 1,453,431 Class A stock options

    0.1        —          12.2        —          —          —          12.3   

Employee stock purchases of 388,294 treasury shares

    —          —          2.5        —          —          2.0        4.5   

Grant of 1,365,460 Class A Common shares – restricted stock awards

    —          —          (7.3     —          —          7.3        —     

Vesting of 27,145 restricted stock units (17,645 treasury shares and 9,500 Class A Common shares), net of 11,110 shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding requirements

    —          —          (0.2     —          —          0.1        (0.1

Cancellation of 136,497 restricted Class A Common shares

    —          —          0.7        —          —          (0.7     —     

Stock-based employee compensation

    —          —          56.8        —          —          —          56.8   

Tax benefit on stock-based employee compensation awards

    —          —          2.2        —          —          —          2.2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BALANCE, February 28, 2010

    2.3        0.3        1,493.2        1,102.8        587.2        (609.5     2,576.3   

Comprehensive income:

             

Net income for Fiscal 2011

    —          —          —          559.5        —          —          559.5   

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income tax effect:

             

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

             

Net gains

    —          —          —          —          177.4        —          177.4   

Reclassification adjustments

    —          —          —          —          (657.1     —          (657.1
             

 

 

 

Net loss recognized in other comprehensive income

                (479.7
             

 

 

 

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges:

             

Net derivative gains

    —          —          —          —          9.1        —          9.1   

Reclassification adjustments

    —          —          —          —          (24.5     —          (24.5
             

 

 

 

Net loss recognized in other comprehensive income

                (15.4
             

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale debt securities:

             
             

Net available-for-sale debt securities gains

    —          —          —          —          0.8        —          0.8   

Reclassification adjustments

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
             

 

 

 

Net gain recognized in other comprehensive income

                0.8   
             

 

 

 

Pension/postretirement adjustments:

             

Net actuarial gains

    —          —          —          —          9.3        —          9.3   

Reclassification adjustments

    —          —          —          —          86.6        —          86.6   
             

 

 

 

Net gain recognized in other comprehensive income

                95.9   
             

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of income tax effect

                (398.4
             

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

                161.1   

Repurchase of 17,240,101 Class A Common shares

    —          —          —          —          —          (300.3     (300.3

Conversion of 116,879 Class B Convertible Common shares to Class A Common shares

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Exercise of 5,100,677 Class A stock options

    —          —          62.3        —          —          —          62.3   

Employee stock purchases of 305,207 treasury shares

    —          —          2.6        —          —          1.7        4.3   

Grant of 739,388 Class A Common shares – restricted stock awards

    —          —          (3.9     —          —          3.9        —     

Vesting of 53,780 restricted stock units (43,085 treasury shares and 10,695 Class A Common shares), net of 23,628 shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding requirements

    —          —          (0.6     —          —          0.2        (0.4

Cancellation of 37,864 restricted Class A Common shares

    —          —          0.2        —          —          (0.2     —     

Stock-based employee compensation

    —          —          47.0        —          —          —          47.0   

Tax benefit on stock-based employee compensation awards

    —          —          1.6        —          —          —          1.6   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BALANCE, February 28, 2011

  $ 2.3      $ 0.3      $ 1,602.4      $ 1,662.3      $ 188.8      $ (904.2   $ 2,551.9   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in millions, except share data)

 

,   Common Stock     Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Treasury
Stock
    Total  
    Class A     Class B            

BALANCE, February 28, 2011

  $ 2.3      $ 0.3      $ 1,602.4      $ 1,662.3      $ 188.8      $ (904.2   $ 2,551.9   

Comprehensive income:

             

Net income for Fiscal 2012

    —          —          —          445.0        —          —          445.0   

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax effect:

             

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

             

Net gains

    —          —          —          —          8.3        —          8.3   

Reclassification adjustments

    —          —          —          —          6.3        —          6.3   
             

 

 

 

Net gain recognized in other comprehensive income

                14.6   
             

 

 

 

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges:

             
             

Net derivative losses

    —          —          —          —          (18.3     —          (18.3

Reclassification adjustments

    —          —          —          —          (6.4     —          (6.4
             

 

 

 

Net loss recognized in other comprehensive income

                (24.7
             

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale debt securities:

             
             

Net available-for-sale debt securities gains

    —          —          —          —          2.3        —          2.3   

Reclassification adjustments

    —          —          —          —          (2.1     —          (2.1
             

 

 

 

Net gain recognized in other comprehensive income

                0.2   
             

 

 

 

Pension/postretirement adjustments:

             

Net actuarial losses

    —          —          —          —          (5.5     —          (5.5

Reclassification adjustments

    —          —          —          —          0.3        —          0.3   
             

 

 

 

Net loss recognized in other comprehensive income

                (5.2
             

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of income tax effect

                (15.1
             

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

                429.9   

Repurchase of 21,234,266 Class A Common shares

    —          —          —          —          —          (413.7     (413.7

Conversion of 33,842 Class B Convertible Common shares to Class A Common shares

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Exercise of 3,438,706 Class A stock options

    —          —          50.7        —          —          —          50.7   

Employee stock purchases of 279,361 treasury shares

    —          —          (2.3     —          —          7.0        4.7   

Grant of 622,092 Class A Common shares – restricted stock awards

    —          —          (10.4     —          —          10.4        —     

Vesting of 38,783 restricted stock units, net of 22,145 shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding requirements

    —          —          (1.5     —          —          1.0        (0.5

Vesting of 123,822 performance stock units, net of 78,383 shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding requirements

    —          —          (4.8     —          —          3.1        (1.7

Cancellation of 105,402 restricted Class A Common shares

    —          —          2.6        —          —          (2.6     —     

Stock-based employee compensation

    —          —          47.4        —          —          —          47.4   

Tax benefit on stock-based employee compensation awards

    —          —          7.3        —          —          —          7.3   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BALANCE, February 29, 2012

  $ 2.3      $ 0.3      $ 1,691.4      $ 2,107.3      $ 173.7      $ (1,299.0   $ 2,676.0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

 

     For the Years Ended  
     February 29,
2012
    February 28,
2011
    February 28,
2010
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net income

   $ 445.0      $ 559.5      $ 99.3   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     98.4        119.2        143.8   

Deferred tax provision (benefit)

     48.0        70.9        (30.6

Stock-based compensation expense

     47.6        46.0        56.3   

Impairment of intangible assets

     38.1        23.6        103.2   

Amortization of intangible and other assets

     11.9        14.6        12.1   

Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of distributed earnings

     2.6        (23.8     (13.1

Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets, net

     0.3        0.4        15.7   

(Gain) loss on obligation from put option of Ruffino shareholder

     (2.5     60.0        34.3   

Gain on businesses sold, net

     (2.1     (165.1     (10.4

Loss on settlement of pension obligations

     —          109.9        —     

Noncash portion of loss on extinguishment of debt

     —          —          0.7   

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from purchases and sales of businesses:

      

Accounts receivable, net

     (5.6     (86.0     61.9   

Inventories

     51.5        190.8        51.0   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     6.5        (7.6     2.6   

Accounts payable

     (6.0     (82.5     (42.7

Accrued excise taxes

     10.6        (7.1     (18.1

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     44.6        (168.2     (110.5

Other, net

     (4.8     (34.9     47.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total adjustments

     339.1        60.2        303.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     784.1        619.7        402.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (68.4     (89.1     (107.7

Purchase of business, net of cash acquired

     (51.5     —          —     

(Payments related to) proceeds from sales of businesses, net of cash divested

     (30.8     219.7        349.6   

Investments in equity method investees

     (0.1     (29.7     (0.9

Proceeds from redemption of available-for-sale debt securities

     20.2        —          —     

Proceeds from sales of assets

     3.6        19.5        17.2   

Proceeds from note receivable

     1.0        60.0        —     

Other investing activities

     (9.1     7.7        (1.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (135.1     188.1        256.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Principal payments of long-term debt

     (475.9     (328.5     (781.3

Purchases of treasury stock

     (413.7     (300.0     —     

Payment of minimum tax withholdings on stock-based payment awards

     (2.2     (0.4     (0.1

Net proceeds from (repayment of) notes payable

     249.8        (289.7     117.1   

Proceeds from exercises of employee stock options

     51.3        61.0        12.3   

Proceeds from excess tax benefits from stock-based payment awards

     10.9        7.4        2.7   

Proceeds from employee stock purchases

     4.7        4.3        4.5   

Payment of financing costs of long-term debt

     —          (0.2     (11.5

Proceeds from maturity of derivative instrument

     —          —          33.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (575.1     (846.1     (623.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash investments

     2.7        4.0        (5.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH INVESTMENTS

     76.6        (34.3     30.4   

CASH AND CASH INVESTMENTS, beginning of year

     9.2        43.5        13.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH INVESTMENTS, end of year

   $ 85.8      $ 9.2      $ 43.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

      

Cash paid during the year for:

      

Interest

   $ 173.3      $ 203.3      $ 307.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income taxes

   $ 62.9      $ 88.2      $ 224.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Property, plant and equipment acquired under financing arrangements

   $ 27.8      $ 28.4      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchase of business

      

Fair value of assets acquired, including cash acquired

   $ 157.3      $ —        $ —     

Liabilities assumed

     (133.8     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

     23.5        —          —     

Plus – settlement of obligation from put option of shareholder

     56.7        —          —     

Less – fair value of previously owned 49.9% equity interest

     (11.6     —          —     

Less – cash acquired

     (17.1     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash paid for purchase of business

   $ 51.5      $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sales of businesses

      

Investment in Accolade

   $ —        $ 48.2      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Indemnification liabilities

   $ —        $ 26.1      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note receivable from sale of value spirits business

   $ —        $ —        $ 60.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Description of business –

Constellation Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) operate primarily in the beverage alcohol industry. The Company is a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol with a broad portfolio of consumer-preferred premium wine brands complemented by premium spirits, imported beer and other select beverage alcohol products. The Company has the leading premium wine business in the world and is a leading producer and marketer of wine in the United States (“U.S.”); the leading producer and marketer of wine in Canada; and a leading producer and exporter of wine from both New Zealand and Italy. In North America, the Company’s products are primarily sold to wholesale distributors as well as state and provincial alcoholic beverage control agencies. In New Zealand, the Company’s products are primarily sold to retailers, wholesalers and importers. In Italy, the Company’s products are primarily sold to retailers, wholesalers and importers, as well as direct to on-premise. In addition, the Company imports, markets and sells primarily the Modelo Brands (as defined in Note 9) through the Company’s joint venture, Crown Imports (as defined in Note 9).

Principles of consolidation –

The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries and entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest after the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. The Company has a controlling financial interest if the Company owns a majority of the outstanding voting common stock or has significant control over an entity through contractual or economic interests in which the Company is the primary beneficiary.

Management’s use of estimates –

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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 those estimates.

Equity method investments –

If the Company is not required to consolidate its investment in another entity, the Company uses the equity method if the Company (i) can exercise significant influence over the other entity and (ii) holds common stock and/or in-substance common stock of the other entity. Under the equity method, investments are carried at cost, plus or minus the Company’s equity in the increases and decreases in the investee’s net assets after the date of acquisition and certain other adjustments. The Company’s share of the net income or loss of the investee is included in equity in earnings of equity method investees on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Dividends received from the investee reduce the carrying amount of the investment.

Equity method investments are also reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investments may not be recoverable. No instances of impairment were noted on the Company’s equity method investments for the years ended February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011. During the third quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company determined that its Constellation Wines North America (“CWNA”) segment’s then existing international equity method investment, Ruffino S.r.l. (“Ruffino”) was impaired primarily due to a decline in revenue and profit forecasts for this equity method investee combined with an unfavorable foreign exchange movement between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar. The Company measured the amount of impairment by calculating the amount by which the carrying value of its investment exceeded its estimated fair value, based on projected discounted cash flows of this equity method investee (Level 3 fair value

 

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measurement – see Note 6). As a result of this review, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $25.4 million in equity in earnings of equity method investees on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Revenue recognition –

Sales are recognized when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which is generally when the product is shipped. Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are classified as sales. Sales reflect reductions attributable to consideration given to customers in various customer incentive programs, including pricing discounts on single transactions, volume discounts, promotional and advertising allowances, coupons, and rebates.

Cost of product sold –

The types of costs included in cost of product sold are raw materials, packaging materials, manufacturing costs, plant administrative support and overheads, and freight and warehouse costs (including distribution network costs). Distribution network costs include inbound freight charges and outbound shipping and handling costs, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing and internal transfer costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses –

The types of costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses consist predominately of advertising and non-manufacturing administrative and overhead costs. Distribution network costs are not included in the Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses, but are included in cost of product sold as described above. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred, shown or distributed. Prepaid advertising costs at February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, were not material. Advertising expense for the years ended February 29, 2012, February 28, 2011, and February 28, 2010, was $116.0 million, $128.6 million and $132.5 million, respectively.

Foreign currency translation –

The “functional currency” of the Company’s subsidiaries outside the U.S. is the respective local currency. The translation from the applicable foreign currencies to U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”). As a result of the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture (as defined in Note 7), the Company reclassified $657.1 million, net of income tax effect, from AOCI to selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations (see Note 7, Note 19). Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency denominated transactions are also included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company engages in foreign currency denominated transactions with customers and suppliers, as well as between subsidiaries with different functional currencies. Aggregate foreign currency transaction net losses were $0.7 million, $2.3 million and $4.6 million for the years ended February 29, 2012, February 28, 2011, and February 28, 2010, respectively.

Cash investments –

Cash investments consist of highly liquid investments with an original maturity when purchased of three months or less and are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. The amounts at February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, were not material.

Allowance for doubtful accounts –

The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The majority of the accounts receivable balance is generated from sales

 

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to independent distributors with whom the Company has a predetermined collection date arranged through electronic funds transfer. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $1.5 million and $0.8 million as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, respectively.

Fair value of financial instruments –

The Company calculates the fair value of financial instruments using quoted market prices whenever available. When quoted market prices are not available, the Company uses standard pricing models for various types of financial instruments (such as forwards, options, swaps, etc.) which take into account the present value of estimated future cash flows (see Note 6).

Derivative instruments –

As a multinational company, the Company is exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates that could affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. The amount of volatility realized will vary based upon the effectiveness and level of derivative instruments outstanding during a particular period of time, as well as the currency and interest rate market movements during that same period.

The Company enters into derivative instruments, primarily interest rate swaps and foreign currency forward and option contracts, to manage interest rate and foreign currency risks. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance for derivatives and hedging, the Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value (see Note 5, Note 6). The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments change with fluctuations in interest rates and/or currency rates and are expected to offset changes in the values of the underlying exposures. The Company’s derivative instruments are held solely to hedge economic exposures. The Company follows strict policies to manage interest rate and foreign currency risks, including prohibitions on derivative market-making or other speculative activities.

To qualify for hedge accounting treatment under the FASB guidance for derivatives and hedging, the details of the hedging relationship must be formally documented at inception of the arrangement, including the risk management objective, hedging strategy, hedged item, specific risk that is being hedged, the derivative instrument, how effectiveness is being assessed and how ineffectiveness will be measured. The derivative must be highly effective in offsetting either changes in the fair value or cash flows, as appropriate, of the risk being hedged. Effectiveness is evaluated on a retrospective and prospective basis based on quantitative measures.

Certain of the Company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under the FASB guidance for derivatives and hedging; for others, the Company chooses not to maintain the required documentation to apply hedge accounting treatment. These undesignated instruments are used to economically hedge the Company’s exposure to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency denominated receivables and payables; foreign currency investments, primarily consisting of loans to subsidiaries; and cash flows related primarily to repatriation of those loans or investments. Foreign currency contracts, generally less than 12 months in duration, are used to hedge some of these risks. The Company’s derivative policy permits the use of undesignated derivatives when the derivative instrument is settled within the fiscal quarter or offsets a recognized balance sheet exposure. In these circumstances, the mark to fair value is reported currently through earnings in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, the Company had undesignated foreign currency contracts outstanding with a notional value of $148.6 million and $160.0 million, respectively. The Company had no undesignated interest rate swap agreements outstanding as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011.

Furthermore, when the Company determines that a derivative instrument which qualified for hedge accounting treatment has ceased to be highly effective as a hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting

 

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prospectively. The Company also discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when (i) a derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; (ii) it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur; or (iii) management determines that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate.

Cash flow hedges:

The Company is exposed to foreign denominated cash flow fluctuations in connection with third party and intercompany sales and purchases and, historically, third party financing arrangements. The Company primarily uses foreign currency forward and option contracts to hedge certain of these risks. In addition, the Company utilizes interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates. Derivatives managing the Company’s cash flow exposures generally mature within three years or less, with a maximum maturity of five years. Throughout the term of the designated cash flow hedge relationship, but at least quarterly, a retrospective evaluation and prospective assessment of hedge effectiveness is performed. All components of the Company’s derivative instruments’ gains or losses are included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. In the event the relationship is no longer effective, the Company recognizes the change in the fair value of the hedging derivative instrument from the date the hedging derivative instrument became no longer effective immediately in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. In conjunction with its effectiveness testing, the Company also evaluates ineffectiveness associated with the hedge relationship. Resulting ineffectiveness, if any, is recognized immediately on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations in selling, general and administrative expenses.

The Company records the fair value of its foreign currency and interest rate swap contracts qualifying for cash flow hedge accounting treatment on its consolidated balance sheet with the effective portion of the related gain or loss on those contracts deferred in stockholders’ equity (as a component of AOCI). These deferred gains or losses are recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations in the same period in which the underlying hedged items are recognized and on the same line item as the underlying hedged items. However, to the extent that any derivative instrument is not considered to be highly effective in offsetting the change in the value of the hedged item, the hedging relationship is terminated and the amount related to the ineffective portion of such derivative instrument is immediately recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations in selling, general and administrative expenses.

As of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, the Company had cash flow designated foreign currency contracts outstanding with a notional value of $353.7 million and $166.4 million, respectively. In addition, as of February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011, the Company had cash flow designated interest rate swap agreements outstanding with a notional value of $500.0 million (see Note 11). The Company expects $3.1 million of net losses, net of income tax effect, to be reclassified from AOCI to earnings within the next 12 months.

Fair value hedges:

Fair value hedges are hedges that offset the risk of changes in the fair values of recorded assets and liabilities, and firm commitments. The Company records changes in fair value of derivative instruments which are designated and deemed effective as fair value hedges, in earnings offset by the corresponding changes in the fair value of the hedged items. The Company did not designate any derivative instruments as fair value hedges for the years ended February 29, 2012, February 28, 2011, and February 28, 2010.

Net investment hedges:

Net investment hedges are hedges that use derivative instruments or non-derivative instruments to hedge the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Historically, the Company has managed currency exposures resulting from certain of its net investments in foreign subsidiaries principally with debt denominated in the related foreign currency. Accordingly, gains and losses on these instruments were recorded as

 

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foreign currency translation adjustments in AOCI. The Company did not designate any derivative or non-derivative instruments as net investment hedges for the years ended February 29, 2012, February 28, 2011, and February 28, 2010. As a result of the January 2011 CWAE Divestiture, the Company reclassified $17.8 million of net gains, net of income tax effect, from AOCI to earnings related to its prior net investment hedges of its U.K. subsidiary (see Note 5).

Credit risk:

The Company enters into master agreements with its bank derivative trading counterparties that allow netting of certain derivative positions in order to manage credit risk. The Company’s derivative instruments are not subject to credit rating contingencies or collateral requirements. As of February 29, 2012, the fair value of derivative instruments in a net liability position due to counterparties was $47.5 million. If the Company were required to settle the net liability position under these derivative instruments on February 29, 2012, the Company would have had sufficient availability under its revolving credit facility to satisfy this obligation.

Counterparty credit risk:

Counterparty credit risk relates to losses the Company could incur if a counterparty defaults on a derivative contract. The Company manages exposure to counterparty credit risk by requiring specified minimum credit standards and diversification of counterparties. The Company enters into master agreements with its bank derivative trading counterparties that allow netting of certain derivative positions in order to manage counterparty credit risk. As of February 29, 2012, all of the Company’s counterparty exposures are with financial institutions which have investment grade ratings. The Company has procedures to monitor counterparty credit risk for both current and future potential credit exposures. As of February 29, 2012, the fair value of derivative instruments in a net receivable position due from counterparties was $8.6 million.

Inventories –

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (computed in accordance with the first-in, first-out method) or market. Elements of cost include materials, labor and overhead and are classified as follows:

 

 

     February 29,
2012
     February 28,
2011
 
(in millions)              

Raw materials and supplies

   $ 47.6       $ 38.2   

In-process inventories

     1,048.4         1,012.1   

Finished case goods

     278.5         319.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,374.5       $ 1,369.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Bulk wine inventories are included as in-process inventories within current assets, in accordance with the general practices of the wine industry, although a portion of such inventories may be aged for periods greater than one year. A substantial portion of barreled whiskey and brandy will not be sold within one year because of the duration of the aging process. All barreled whiskey and brandy are classified as in-process inventories and are included in current assets, in accordance with industry practice. Warehousing, insurance, ad valorem taxes and other carrying charges applicable to barreled whiskey and brandy held for aging are included in inventory costs.

The Company assesses the valuation of its inventories and reduces the carrying value of those inventories that are obsolete or in excess of the Company’s forecasted usage to their estimated net realizable value. The Company estimates the net realizable value of such inventories based on analyses and assumptions including, but not limited to, historical usage, future demand and market requirements. Reductions to the carrying value of inventories are recorded in cost of product sold. If the future demand for the Company’s products is less favorable than the Company’s forecasts, then the value of the inventories may be required to be reduced, which could result in additional expense to the Company and affect its results of operations.

 

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Property, plant and equipment –

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Major additions and betterments are charged to property accounts, while maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. The cost of properties sold or otherwise disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts at the time of disposal and resulting gains and losses are included as a component of operating income.

Depreciation –

Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

 

 

     Depreciable Life in Years

Land improvements

   15 to 32

Vineyards

   16 to 26

Buildings and improvements

   10 to 44

Machinery and equipment

   3 to 35

Motor vehicles

   3 to 7

Goodwill and other intangible assets –

In accordance with the FASB guidance for intangibles – goodwill and other, the Company reviews its goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets annually for impairment, or sooner, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company uses January 1 as its annual impairment test measurement date. Indefinite lived intangible assets consist principally of trademarks. Intangible assets determined to have a finite life, primarily customer relationships, are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are subject to review for impairment in accordance with the FASB guidance for property, plant and equipment. Note 8 provides a summary of intangible assets segregated between amortizable and nonamortizable amounts.

In the fourth quarters of fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, pursuant to the Company’s accounting policy, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment analysis. No indication of impairment was noted for any of the Company’s reporting units for the years ended February 29, 2012, February 28, 2011, and February 28, 2010, as the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units with goodwill exceeded their carrying value.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, pursuant to the Company’s accounting policy, the Company performed its annual review of indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment. The Company determined that trademarks associated with the CWNA segment’s Canadian business were impaired largely due to lower revenue and profitability associated with products incorporating these assets included in long-term financial forecasts developed as part of the strategic planning cycle conducted during the Company’s fourth quarter. The Company measured the amount of impairment by calculating the amount by which the carrying value of these assets exceeded their estimated fair values, which were based on projected discounted cash flows (Level 3 fair value measurement – see Note 6). As a result of this review, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $38.1 million, which is included in impairment of intangible assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, as a result of its annual review of indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment, the Company determined that trademarks associated with the CWNA segment’s Canadian business were impaired largely due to lower revenue and profitability associated with products incorporating these assets included in long-term financial forecasts developed as part of the strategic planning cycle conducted during the Company’s fourth quarter. The Company measured the amount of impairment by calculating the amount by which the carrying value of these assets exceeded their es