Attached files
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
______________
FORM 8-K
______________
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): August 22, 2013
ASHLAND INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Kentucky
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-32532 | 20-0865835 | |||
(Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||
50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard
P.O. Box 391
Covington, Kentucky 41012-0391
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (859) 815-3333
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ ] | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
[ ] | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
[ ] |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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[ ] |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure
On August 22, 2013, Ashland Inc. will include the information contained in exhibits 99.1-99.14, and graphic images thereof, on the “Investor Center” section of its website located at http://investor.ashland.com, or in employee communications.
Ashland is furnishing the information pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Regulation FD. The information contained in exhibits 99.1-99.14 is summary information concerning key metrics for Ashland’s operating segments. The information is intended to be considered in the context of Ashland’s SEC filings and other public announcements that Ashland may make from time to time.
Additional Information Regarding Ashland Specialty Ingredients
During the month of July, Ashland experienced artificially low sales affecting the Ashland Specialty Ingredients (“ASI”) commercial unit. ASI’s sales for the month of July totaled $175 million. As indicated on the June quarter analyst conference call held on July 25, 2013, ASI sales for the month of July were anticipated to be below expectation due to certain issues arising from the implementation of the global Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Much of the issues have been related to shipments, and as of today, ASI continues to experience these challenges. Ashland is working to resolve the issues as quickly as possible and expects to have the ERP system operating effectively by the end of September. ASI sales are expected to progressively improve in each of the months of August and September.
Additionally, guar sales within the Energy business have been lower than previously expected. As a result, management expects ASI’s overall fourth quarter sales to be approximately 10% below the June 2013 quarter results. As was the case in the June quarter, guar profitability has been very low, thus management does not expect these lower sales will have a materially negative effect on ASI’s fourth quarter profitability.
By filing this report on Form 8-K, Ashland makes no admission as to the materiality of any information in this report. Ashland reserves the right to discontinue the availability of the data in the attached exhibits.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-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. Ashland has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should” and “intends” and the negatives of these words or other comparable terminology. In addition, Ashland may from time to time make forward-looking statements in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), news releases and other written and oral communications. These forward-looking statements are based on Ashland’s expectations and assumptions, as of the date such
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(d) | Exhibits | |
99.1
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Website data concerning Ashland Specialty Ingredients’ sales | |
99.2 | Website data concerning Ashland Specialty Ingredients’ gross profit | |
99.3 | Website data concerning Ashland Specialty Ingredients’ volume in metric tons | |
99.4
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Website data concerning Ashland Water Technologies’ sales
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99.5
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Website data concerning Ashland Water Technologies’ gross profit
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99.6 | Website data concerning Ashland Water Technologies’ average sales per shipping day | |
99.7 | Website data concerning Ashland Performance Materials’ sales | |
99.8
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Website data concerning Ashland Performance Materials’ gross profit
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99.9
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Website data concerning Ashland Performance Materials’ volume in metric tons
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99.10
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Website data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets’ sales
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99.11
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Website data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets’ gross profit
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99.12
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Website data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets’ lubricant sales gallons
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99.13
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Website data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets’ premium lubricants % of branded volume
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99.14
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Website data concerning Valvoline Instant Oil Change’s twelve month rolling average sales
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ASHLAND INC.
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(Registrant)
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August 22, 2013 |
/s/ J. Kevin Willis
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J. Kevin Willis
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Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
99.1
|
Website data concerning Ashland Specialty Ingredients’ sales | |
99.2 | Website data concerning Ashland Specialty Ingredients’ gross profit | |
99.3 | Website data concerning Ashland Specialty Ingredients’ volume in metric tons | |
99.4
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Website data concerning Ashland Water Technologies’ sales
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99.5
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Website data concerning Ashland Water Technologies’ gross profit
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99.6 | Website data concerning Ashland Water Technologies’ average sales per shipping day | |
99.7 | Website data concerning Ashland Performance Materials’ sales | |
99.8
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Website data concerning Ashland Performance Materials’ gross profit
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99.9
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Website data concerning Ashland Performance Materials’ volume in metric tons
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99.10
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Website data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets’ sales
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99.11
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Website data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets’ gross profit
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99.12
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Website data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets’ lubricant sales gallons
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99.13
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Website data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets’ premium lubricants % of branded volume
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99.14
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Website data concerning Valvoline Instant Oil Change’s twelve month rolling average sales
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