Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC - FORM 10-Q - May 15, 2015

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015
or 
o         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: 333-179870-02
 
 
 
NEXEO SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
Delaware
 
27-4328676
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
3 Waterway Square Place, Suite 1000
The Woodlands, Texas
 
77380
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(281) 297-0700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
None
 
 
  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  o    No  ý
 
(Explanatory Note: The registrant is a voluntary filer and is not subject to the filing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. However, during the preceding 12 months, the registrant has filed all reports that it would have been required to file by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 if the registrant was subject to the filing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)
 
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  ý    No  o
 
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. 
Large accelerated filer  o
 
Accelerated filer  o
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer  x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  o  No  ý
The equity interests of the registrant are not publicly held. At May 8, 2015, the registrant’s common equity consisted of membership interests, 99.5% of which was held by TPG Accolade, L.P. and the remaining interests were held by management of Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

2

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information and statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA") codified at Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). This statement is included for purposes of complying with the safe harbor provisions of the PSLRA. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. These statements may be identified, without limitation, by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "may," "will," "could," "would" and similar expressions. Certain forward-looking statements are included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, principally in the sections captioned "Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part I and "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part II.
 
These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, comments concerning our expectations for future revenues and operating results are based on our forecasts for our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results. Our future results will depend upon various other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the section captioned "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 5, 2014. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

 



3

PART I
Item 1. Financial Statements

Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
March 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
Current Assets
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
51.4

 
$
88.2

Accounts and notes receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4.0 million and $6.3 million, respectively)
558.5

 
636.6

Inventories
355.3

 
389.9

Other current assets
23.7

 
33.5

Total current assets
988.9

 
1,148.2

 
 
 
 
Non-Current Assets
 

 
 

Property, plant and equipment, net
220.3

 
224.0

Goodwill
374.3

 
379.5

Other intangible assets, net of amortization
119.3

 
127.4

Other non-current assets
23.8

 
27.0

Total non-current assets
737.7

 
757.9

Total Assets
$
1,726.6

 
$
1,906.1

 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 

 
 

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
$
45.1

 
$
54.4

Accounts payable
359.7

 
443.6

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
51.5

 
63.9

Related party payable
0.4

 
2.0

Income taxes payable
1.5

 
3.6

Total current liabilities
458.2

 
567.5

 
 
 
 
Non-Current Liabilities
 

 
 

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion, net
911.9

 
918.4

Deferred income taxes
87.6

 
84.9

Other non-current liabilities
10.5

 
10.5

Total non-current liabilities
1,010.0

 
1,013.8

Total Liabilities
1,468.2

 
1,581.3

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 13)


 


Redeemable noncontrolling interest
—

 
3.3

 
 
 
 
Members’ Equity
 

 
 

Series A membership interest
490.5

 
490.5

Series B membership interest
4.5

 
3.9

Accumulated deficit
(191.2
)
 
(152.2
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(45.4
)
 
(20.7
)
Total members’ equity
258.4

 
321.5

Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity
$
1,726.6

 
$
1,906.1

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Sales and operating revenues
$
1,012.8

 
$
1,123.8

 
$
2,030.5

 
$
2,166.1

Cost of sales and operating expenses
913.6

 
1,022.5

 
1,839.3

 
1,977.7

Gross profit
99.2

 
101.3

 
191.2

 
188.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
82.0

 
82.4

 
165.6

 
160.1

Transaction related costs
—

 
3.0

 
0.1

 
8.9

Operating income
17.2

 
15.9

 
25.5

 
19.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income
0.2

 
0.4

 
0.7

 
0.8

Interest income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Interest income
0.1

 
—

 
0.1

 
0.1

Interest expense
(16.3
)
 
(15.7
)
 
(32.7
)
 
(30.1
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
1.2

 
0.6

 
(6.4
)
 
(9.8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
1.8

 
0.9

 
0.9

 
3.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss from continuing operations
(0.6
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(7.3
)
 
(13.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
—

 
1.5

 
(0.8
)
 
3.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
(0.6
)
 
1.2

 
(8.1
)
 
(10.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
—

 
0.2

 
—

 
(1.5
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries
$
(0.6
)
 
$
1.4

 
$
(8.1
)
 
$
(11.5
)
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


5

Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net Income (Loss)
$
(0.6
)
 
$
1.2

 
$
(8.1
)
 
$
(10.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized foreign currency translation loss, net of tax
(15.6
)
 
(2.3
)
 
(24.9
)
 
(1.2
)
Unrealized gain on interest rate hedges, net of tax
—

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.2

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(15.6
)
 
(2.2
)
 
(24.8
)
 
(1.0
)
Total comprehensive loss, net of tax
(16.2
)
 
(1.0
)
 
(32.9
)
 
(11.0
)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax
—

 
0.4

 
0.1

 
(1.4
)
Total Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries, Net of Tax (1)
$
(16.2
)
 
$
(0.6
)
 
$
(32.8
)
 
$
(12.4
)
 
(1)    The tax effects for each component presented are not material.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


6

Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Members’ Equity
(Unaudited, in millions)

 
Series A
Membership
Interest
 
Series B
Membership
Interest
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Total
Balance at September 30, 2014
$
490.5

 
$
3.9

 
$
(152.2
)
 
$
(20.7
)
 
$
321.5

Adjustment to contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest
—

 
—

 
(30.9
)
 
—

 
(30.9
)
Equity-based compensation
—

 
0.6

 
—

 
—

 
0.6

Comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
—

 
—

 
(8.1
)
 
—

 
(8.1
)
Other comprehensive loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(24.8
)
 
(24.8
)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.1

 
0.1

Balance at March 31, 2015
$
490.5

 
$
4.5

 
$
(191.2
)
 
$
(45.4
)
 
$
258.4

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


7


Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
Six Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities
 

 
 

Net loss from continuing operations
$
(7.3
)
 
$
(13.0
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
26.5

 
25.6

Debt issuance costs amortization and original issue discount amortization
4.3

 
3.9

Provision for bad debt
0.7

 
0.9

Inventory impairment
1.6

 
—

Deferred income taxes
2.0

 
(0.1
)
Equity-based compensation charges
0.6

 
0.5

Gain on sales of property and equipment
(0.5
)
 
(0.2
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts and notes receivable
60.3

 
(51.1
)
Inventories
21.5

 
(32.8
)
Other current assets
7.1

 
(5.5
)
Accounts payable
(70.3
)
 
30.4

Related party payable
(1.6
)
 
—

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
(8.5
)
 
(7.5
)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net
(2.2
)
 
(3.2
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations
34.2

 
(52.1
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations
(0.6
)
 
4.4

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
33.6

 
(47.7
)
Cash flows from investing activities
 

 
 

Additions to property and equipment
(19.8
)
 
(26.7
)
Proceeds from the disposal of property and equipment
1.7

 
0.3

Acquisitions
—

 
(96.4
)
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations
(18.1
)
 
(122.8
)
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations
—

 
(0.3
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(18.1
)
 
(123.1
)
Cash flows from financing activities
 

 
 

Repurchases of membership units
—

 
(0.2
)
Purchase of additional equity interest in Nexeo Plaschem
(34.3
)
 
(55.9
)
Proceeds from short-term debt
103.5

 
29.5

Repayment of short-term debt
(112.3
)
 
(20.8
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
481.4

 
799.7

Repayment of long-term debt
(487.1
)
 
(470.9
)
Payments of debt issuance costs
—

 
(1.8
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(48.8
)
 
279.6

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(3.5
)
 
1.2

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(36.8
)
 
110.0

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
88.2

 
74.6

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
$
51.4

 
$
184.6

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
 

 
 

Non-cash capital expenditures, including capital leases
$
2.8

 
$
4.3


 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

8

Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited, currencies in millions)
 
1. Organization and Nature of Operations
 
Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC ("Holdings") was formed on November 4, 2010 as a Delaware limited liability company. On March 31, 2011, Holdings purchased the global distribution business (the "Distribution Business") from Ashland Inc. ("Ashland"), which is referred to as the "Ashland Distribution Acquisition." Holdings is a holding company and substantially all of its operations are conducted through its primary operating subsidiary Nexeo Solutions, LLC ("Solutions") and its subsidiaries. Holdings owns the majority of the membership interests of Solutions while the remaining membership interests are owned by Nexeo Solutions Sub Holding Corp. ("Sub Holding"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings. Holdings and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the "Company."
 
The Company is a global distributor of chemicals products in North America and Asia and plastics products in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA") and Asia, and provides services for waste collection, recovery, recycling and arrangement for waste disposal in North America through its Environmental Services division. The Company also distributes composites products in Asia. The Company was a distributor of composites products in North America until July 1, 2014, when these operations were sold. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, these North American composites operations are reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

The Company connects a network of approximately 1,300 suppliers with a diverse base of approximately 29,000 customers. The Company offers its customers products used in a broad cross section of end markets, including construction, oil and gas, household, industrial and institutional ("HI&I"), lubricants, performance coatings (including architectural coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers, or "CASE"), automotive, healthcare and personal care. The Company distributes approximately 27,000 products through a supply chain consisting of approximately 190 owned, leased or third-party warehouses, rail terminals and tank terminals globally. The Company has a private fleet of approximately 1,000 vehicles, including tractors and trailers, primarily located in North America.
 
The Company currently employs approximately 2,500 employees globally.
 
2. Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information. As such, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments, except as disclosed herein) considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. Results of operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015. Quarterly financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on December 5, 2014.

The condensed consolidated financial data as of September 30, 2014 presented in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation, including the discontinued operations presentation resulting from the sale of the Company's North American composites operations in July 2014.


9

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company determined that certain inventory purchase contracts include provisions for title transfer at the shipping point. As a result, the Company should have recognized inventory and corresponding accounts payable relating to in-transit inventory shipments at period end. This caused a misstatement in the balance sheet between current assets and current liabilities as of September 30, 2013. Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013 was adjusted to increase inventory and accounts payable by $13.3 million, with a corresponding impact on the respective line items in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 2014 presented herein. The adjustment did not have an impact on total cash flows provided by or used in operating activities and did not have an impact on the Company’s results of operations.

The Company does not believe that this revision has a material effect on the Company’s previously reported consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-4, Liabilities: Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date. This ASU provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from certain joint and several liability arrangements. It will require the Company to measure those obligations as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the Company expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. ASU 2013-4 also requires the Company to disclose important information related to those obligations. The Company adopted this standard during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 and its adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In March 2013, FASB issued ASU 2013-5, Foreign Currency Matters: Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity. This ASU clarifies pre-existing guidance regarding the treatment of cumulative translation adjustments when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity. The Company adopted this standard during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 and its adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This ASU provides that a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit should be offset against a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. The Company adopted this standard during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 and its adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
 
 In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-8, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This ASU changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations while requiring expanded disclosures surrounding the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. This ASU also requires disclosure of the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of a significant part of an organization that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the provisions of the ASU but currently does not expect it to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of non-financial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the ASU is that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2016. On April 29, 2015, the FASB proposed to delay the provisions of this ASU for one year. The Company is in the process of evaluating the provisions of the ASU and assessing the potential effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.


10

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. This ASU requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and an entity should apply existing guidance in Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the provisions of the ASU and assessing the potential effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This ASU defines management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The Company is in the process of evaluating the provisions of the ASU but currently does not expect it to have a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items ("ASU 2015-01").  This ASU eliminates the concept of an extraordinary item from U.S. GAAP. As a result, an entity will no longer be required to segregate extraordinary items from the results of ordinary operations to separately present an extraordinary item on its income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations or to disclose income taxes and earnings-per-share data applicable to an extraordinary item. However, the ASU retains the presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature and occur infrequently. The ASU is effective for the annual period beginning after December 15, 2015, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The adoption of ASU 2015-01 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02").  This ASU is intended to improve targeted areas of the consolidation guidance for legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, and securitization structures. The ASU affects the consolidation evaluation for reporting organizations. In addition, the ASU simplifies and improves current U.S. GAAP by reducing the number of consolidation models. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. The adoption of ASU 2015-02 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
    
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Cost ("ASU 2015-03"). This ASU was issued as part of an initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards. To simplify presentation of debt issuance costs, the ASU requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs would not be affected by the amendments in this ASU. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years. The Company is in the process of evaluating the provisions of the ASU and assessing the potential effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting For Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement ("ASU 2015-05"). This ASU provides guidance to customers with cloud computing arrangements that include a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer is required to account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The ASU does not change the accounting for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. As a result of the ASU, all software licenses within the scope of Subtopic 350-40 will be accounted for consistent with other licenses of intangible assets. ASU 2015-05 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years and early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the provisions of the ASU and assessing the potential effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.


11

3. Acquisitions and Divestitures
 
Discontinued Operations
    
On July 1, 2014, the Company sold its North American composites operations to Composites One LLC, a Rhode Island limited liability company (the "Composites Sale"), including inventory and existing supplier and customer arrangements related to those operations. The North American composites operations met the criteria for discontinued operations. As a result, the assets and liabilities of the Company's North American composites operations have been reflected as assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations for all periods presented herein in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets as follows:
 
March 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
Accounts receivable
$
—

 
$
0.5

Other current assets
0.1

 
0.2

Assets - discontinued operations  (1)
$
0.1

 
$
0.7

 
 
 
 
Trade payables (2)
$
—

 
$
0.5

Accrued expenses and other liabilities (2)
—

 
0.3

Non-current deferred tax liability (3)
0.7

 
1.3

Other non-current liabilities (3)
0.1

 
0.1

Liabilities - discontinued operations
$
0.8

 
$
2.2

 
1) 
Included in Other current assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

2) 
Included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

3) 
Included in Other noncurrent liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Additionally, the operating results and cash flows related to the North American composites operations have been reflected as discontinued operations in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations, condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and condensed consolidated statements of other comprehensive income (loss) for the periods presented.

Components of amounts reflected in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations related to discontinued operations are presented in the following table for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Sales and operating revenues
$
—

 
$
63.9

 
$
—

 
$
127.2

Pretax income (loss) from discontinued operations
(0.2
)
 
1.6

 
(1.1
)
 
3.2

Income tax expense (benefit)
(0.2
)
 
0.1

 
(0.3
)
 
0.2

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
—

 
1.5

 
(0.8
)
 
3.0


In connection with the Composites Sale, the Company recorded a gain on sale of approximately $14.3 million, net of tax of approximately $1.2 million, which was reflected in the Company's operating results, related to discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014.


12

Archway Sales, Inc.
 
On April 1, 2014, Sub Holding acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Archway Sales, Inc., a St. Louis, Missouri based chemicals blending and distribution business and a provider of specialty chemicals ("Archway"), and substantially all of the assets of JACAAB, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, a related business of Archway ("JACAAB" and such acquisitions collectively, the "Archway Acquisition"). After consideration of the final working capital adjustment, the final purchase price for the Archway Acquisition was $128.7 million. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, $12.5 million of the purchase price may remain in escrow for a period of up to two years and relates to certain indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement. The escrow will be released in accordance with the terms of the purchase agreement and related escrow agreement. The Archway Acquisition was funded with approximately $10.0 million of cash on hand and approximately $119.0 million of borrowings under the Company's asset based loan facility ("ABL Facility"). Following the Archway Acquisition, Archway was converted to a limited liability company. There is no contingent consideration related to the Archway Acquisition.

The Archway Acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method, which required the Company to perform an allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values is recorded as goodwill. The following table summarizes the Company’s final allocation of the net purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date: 
 
Purchase Price
Allocation
Accounts receivable
$
21.5

Inventory
16.4

Other current assets
2.3

Deferred tax asset - current
1.9

Property and equipment
1.2

Customer-related intangible
11.0

Vendor-related intangible
17.0

Trade name
1.9

Non-compete agreements
3.3

Goodwill
118.6

Total assets acquired
195.1

 
 

Accounts payable
9.3

Other current liabilities
4.1

Deferred tax liability — current
1.3

Other non-current liabilities
1.7

Deferred tax liability — non-current
50.0

Total liabilities assumed
66.4

 
 

Net assets acquired
$
128.7


During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company completed its fair value assessment for certain contingent liabilities assumed and recorded adjustments to reflect the estimated fair value of obligations assumed as part of the transaction, and to record a minor adjustment to the fair value of property and equipment acquired. In connection with these adjustments, the Company recognized a liability for assumed contingent obligations, inclusive of income tax-related uncertainties, included in Other Non-Current Liabilities on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. The contingent liabilities were valued using an expected value (probability-weighted) approach. The net impact to goodwill associated with these adjustments was $1.8 million.
 
Transaction costs associated with the Archway Acquisition are included in Transaction related costs in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations and totaled $0.8 million and $1.2 million during the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively. There were no transaction costs associated with the Archway Acquisition during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015.

13

 
Impact of the Archway Acquisition on the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Information
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company’s condensed consolidated sales and operating revenues and net income (loss) included approximately $35.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the Company’s condensed consolidated sales and operating revenues and net income (loss) included approximately $68.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

Chemical Specialists and Development, Inc.
 
Effective December 1, 2013, Sub Holding acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Chemical Specialists and Development, Inc. ("CSD"), a chemical distribution company and provider of specialty chemicals headquartered in Conroe, Texas. On the same date, Solutions acquired substantially all of the assets of STX Freight Company ("STX Freight") and ST Laboratories Group, LLC ("ST Laboratories"), two related businesses of CSD. The acquisition of CSD’s outstanding shares and substantially all the assets of STX Freight and ST Laboratories is referred to, collectively, as the "CSD Acquisition." The Company paid an aggregate purchase price of $96.4 million for the CSD Acquisition. Of the purchase price, $10.0 million was placed in escrow for a period of up to three years related to certain indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement. The escrow funds were released in May 2015 (see Note 19). The acquisition was financed with $10.0 million of cash on hand and approximately $87.0 million of borrowings under the ABL Facility. Following the CSD Acquisition, CSD and each of its subsidiaries were converted to limited liability companies. There is no contingent consideration related to the CSD Acquisition.
 
The CSD Acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method which required the Company to perform an allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values is recorded as goodwill.
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s final allocation of the purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date:
 
Purchase Price Allocation
Accounts receivable
$
24.7

Inventory
9.2

Other current assets
1.1

Property, plant and equipment
14.7

Customer-related intangible
36.0

Trademarks and trade names
3.5

Non-compete agreements
5.1

Other non-current assets
0.4

Goodwill
59.1

Total assets acquired
153.8

 
 

Accounts payable
16.8

Other current liabilities
2.3

Deferred tax liability — current
0.5

Other non-current liabilities
0.5

Deferred tax liability — non-current
37.3

Total liabilities assumed
57.4

 
 

Net assets acquired
$
96.4


The purchase price allocation above is final as the Company has completed the fair value assessment for the tax impact associated with the transaction. There were no changes to the purchase price allocation during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015.

14


Transaction costs associated with the CSD Acquisition are included in Transaction related costs in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations and totaled $0.0 million and $4.8 million during the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively. There were no transaction costs associated with the CSD Acquisition during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015.
 
Impact of the CSD Acquisition on the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Information
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company’s condensed consolidated sales and operating revenues and net income (loss) includes $41.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, related to the estimated results of operations of the acquired business for the period since the closing date of the CSD Acquisition on December 1, 2013. For the six months ended March 31, 2014, the Company’s condensed consolidated sales and operating revenues and net income (loss) includes $55.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to the estimated results of operations of the acquired business for the period since the closing date of the CSD Acquisition. The six months ended March 31, 2014 includes a $1.2 million charge related to the inventory adjustment to fair value recorded during the first quarter of fiscal year 2014. The charge related to the inventory fair value adjustment is recorded in Cost of sales and operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Beginning on July 1, 2014, the operations, sales force and other personnel of CSD were fully integrated into the Company’s operations and ERP systems.

China Operations
 
In September 2012, the Company formed a joint venture, Nexeo Plaschem (Shanghai) Co., Ltd ("Nexeo Plaschem"), with the shareholders of Beijing Plaschem Trading Co., Ltd ("Beijing Plaschem") and initially owned 60% of the joint venture. On November 1, 2012, Nexeo Plaschem acquired Beijing Plaschem’s operations, including inventory and existing supplier and customer arrangements related to those operations (the "Beijing Plaschem Acquisition").

During fiscal year 2014, the Company acquired additional equity interests totaling 30% for approximately $92.2 million in cash. In October 2014, the Company acquired the remaining 10% equity interest in Nexeo Plaschem it did not already own for approximately $34.3 million in cash, which made Nexeo Plaschem a wholly-owned subsidiary beginning in October 2014. The Company funded this payment with cash on hand and approximately $18.0 million of borrowings under the ABL Facility.

From the formation of Nexeo Plaschem and through September 30, 2014, the Company consolidated 100% of the operations of Nexeo Plaschem and reflected the percentage it did not own as of the applicable reporting date as a contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest, classified as mezzanine equity (temporary equity) in the consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, the income generated or loss incurred by Nexeo Plaschem during all periods was allocated to the Company and to the noncontrolling interest based on each party’s applicable ownership percentage during each respective period.

Nexeo Plaschem is not a guarantor of the 8.375% Senior Subordinated Notes (the "Notes") issued by Solutions and Nexeo Solutions Finance Corporation (the "Co-Issuer," and together with Solutions, the "Issuers"), the ABL Facility or the senior secured term loan facility ("Term Loan Facility" and collectively, the "Credit Facilities").
 
Contingently Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
 
As mentioned above, in October 2014, the Company acquired the remaining 10% equity interest in Nexeo Plaschem. In conjunction with this event, the noncontrolling shareholders agreed to immediately terminate their employment with Nexeo Plaschem and to effect the successful transfer of the business to the Company. The Company also entered into consulting agreements with the noncontrolling shareholders for the provision of certain transition services for a period of six months.


15

The following table summarizes the changes in the contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest for the six months ended March 31, 2015:  
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 March 31, 2015
Beginning balance
 
$
3.3

Total comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
0.1

Adjustment to noncontrolling interest / redemption value adjustment (1)
 
30.9

Sale of equity interest
 
(34.3
)
Ending balance
 
$
—

 
 (1)         Includes the adjustment to reflect the noncontrolling interest to the estimated redemption value in October 2014 immediately prior to settlement.

Unaudited Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Information
 
The unaudited consolidated pro forma results presented below include the effects of the Archway Acquisition and the CSD Acquisition as if they had occurred as of October 1, 2013.  The unaudited consolidated pro forma results reflect certain adjustments related to these acquisitions, primarily the amortization expense associated with estimates for the acquired intangible assets and any inventory adjustments to fair value.
 
The unaudited consolidated pro forma results do not include any anticipated synergies or other expected benefits of the acquisitions. Accordingly, the unaudited consolidated pro forma financial information below is not necessarily indicative of either future results of operations or results that might have been achieved had the acquisitions been completed on the date indicated.
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Sales and operating revenues
$
1,012.8

 
$
1,169.3

 
$
2,030.5

 
$
2,286.1

Operating income
17.2

 
19.8

 
25.5

 
31.1

Net income (loss) from continuing operations
(0.6
)
 
3.2

 
(7.3
)
 
(3.0
)
Net income (loss)
(0.6
)
 
4.7

 
(8.1
)
 
0.1

Net income (loss) attributable to Nexeo Solutions LLC and subsidiaries
(0.6
)
 
4.9

 
(8.1
)
 
(1.4
)

4. Cash and Cash Equivalents — Risks and Uncertainties
 
At March 31, 2015, the Company had $51.4 million in cash and cash equivalents. Of this amount, $43.8 million was held by foreign subsidiaries outside of the United States ("U.S."). Of the $43.8 million, $36.5 million was denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily in Canadian dollars ("CAD"), Euros, Chinese Renminbi ("RMB") and British pounds. At March 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $5.6 million in China denominated in RMB. While the RMB is convertible into U.S. dollars, foreign exchange transactions are subject to approvals from the State Approvals of Foreign Exchange ("SAFE"). The Company does not anticipate any significant adverse impact to overall liquidity from restrictions on cash and cash equivalents. Although the Company currently anticipates that the majority of the cash and cash equivalents held by foreign affiliates will be retained by the affiliates for working capital purposes, the Company believes such cash and cash equivalents could be repatriated to the U.S. in the form of debt repayments with limited tax consequences.



16

5. Inventories
 
Inventories at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 consisted of the following:

 
March 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
Finished products
$
351.4

 
$
385.9

Supplies
3.9

 
4.0

Total
$
355.3

 
$
389.9


During the six months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded a $1.6 million non-cash impairment charge related to inventory on hand for certain chemical products in Asia. The decline in the value of these products is associated with the recent decline of oil prices as the prices for these products are closely correlated to this feedstock price.

The Company’s inventory in the U.S. and Canada is collateral under the Credit Facilities.

6. Certain Assets Used as Collateral
 
The Company’s accounts receivable in the U.S. and Canada are collateral under the Credit Facilities. These accounts receivable totaled approximately $438.0 million and $493.7 million in the aggregate as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. The Company’s inventory in the U.S. and Canada is collateral under the Company's Credit Facilities. This inventory totaled approximately $271.5 million and $286.1 million in the aggregate as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.

Certain customers in China are allowed to remit payment during a period of time ranging from 30 days up to nine months. These notes receivables, which are supported by banknotes issued by large banks in China on behalf of these customers, totaled approximately $9.2 million and $19.7 million at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. Additionally, under certain credit arrangements to which Nexeo Plaschem is a party, these notes receivable may also be pledged as collateral. See Note 10.

7. Property, Plant and Equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 consisted of the following:
 
March 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
Land
$
41.4

 
$
42.8

Plants and buildings
74.5

 
74.1

Machinery and equipment
140.2

 
137.5

Software and computer equipment
64.5

 
62.3

Construction in progress
25.2

 
16.3

Total
345.8

 
333.0

Less accumulated depreciation
(125.5
)
 
(109.0
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
$
220.3

 
$
224.0

 
Included in the carrying value of property, plant and equipment in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet are certain closed facilities located in the U.S., which collectively have a carrying value of $1.5 million. The facilities do not currently meet the criteria for held-for-sale classification; accordingly, they remain classified as held and used. 

Total depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment was $9.7 million and $18.6 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, and $11.3 million and $20.3 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively. Included in depreciation expense for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 is an impairment loss of $1.2 million related to the closure of a facility in the U.S. This facility was sold in February 2015 for net proceeds of $1.3 million resulting in a $0.2 million gain on sale.
 

17

8. Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill
 
The following is a progression of goodwill for the six months ended March 31, 2015 by reportable segment: 
 
Chemicals
 
Plastics
 
Other
 
Total
Balance at September 30, 2014
$
268.8

 
$
98.2

 
$
12.5

 
$
379.5

Archway Acquisition
1.8

 
—

 
—

 
1.8

Foreign currency translation
(0.1
)
 
(6.9
)
 
—

 
(7.0
)
Balance at March 31, 2015
$
270.5

 
$
91.3

 
$
12.5

 
$
374.3

 
The purchase price allocation for the CSD Acquisition was finalized in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. The purchase price allocation for the Archway Acquisition was finalized during the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. See Note 3.
 
Goodwill Impairment Test
 
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as of March 31 and whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at the reporting unit level, or operating segment for the Company. As of March 31, 2015, the Company tested goodwill recorded at each of its operating segments and concluded that goodwill was not impaired.

Significant management judgment is required in the estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the Company’s goodwill impairment testing. If actual results differ from these estimates and assumptions or market conditions materially change, the analysis could be negatively impacted and could result in an impairment charge in future periods.

Other Intangible Assets
 
Definite-lived intangible assets at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 consisted of the following: 
 
 
 
March 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Estimated
Useful Life
(years)
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
Customer-related intangibles(1)
5-14
 
$
121.5

 
$
(28.3
)
 
$
93.2

 
$
121.5

 
$
(22.9
)
 
$
98.6

Supplier-related intangible
10
 
17.0

 
(1.7
)
 
15.3

 
17.0

 
(0.8
)
 
16.2

Leasehold interest intangible
1-20
 
2.0

 
(1.3
)
 
0.7

 
2.3

 
(1.4
)
 
0.9

Non-compete agreements(2)
3-5
 
10.0

 
(3.6
)
 
6.4

 
10.0

 
(2.8
)
 
7.2

Other(3)
2-6
 
6.2

 
(2.5
)
 
3.7

 
6.2

 
(1.7
)
 
4.5

Total
 
 
$
156.7

 
$
(37.4
)
 
$
119.3

 
$
157.0

 
$
(29.6
)
 
$
127.4

 
1) 
Includes net carrying amounts of $49.2 million, $2.8 million, $31.2 million and $9.9 million at March 31, 2015 associated with the Ashland Distribution Acquisition, the Beijing Plaschem Acquisition, the CSD Acquisition and the Archway Acquisition, respectively. Includes net carrying amounts of $51.8 million, $3.4 million, $33.0 million and $10.4 million at September 30, 2014 associated with the Ashland Distribution Acquisition, the Beijing Plaschem Acquisition, the CSD Acquisition and the Archway Acquisition, respectively.

2) 
In connection with the Ashland Distribution Acquisition, Ashland agreed to a three-year non-compete agreement, which has since been fully amortized. In connection with the CSD Acquisition and the Archway Acquisition, former officers agreed to five-year non-compete agreements.


18

3) 
Represents trademarks and trade names associated with the Beijing Plaschem Acquisition, the CSD Acquisition and the Archway Acquisition. As of March 31, 2015, net carrying amounts include $2.7 million and $1.0 million related to the CSD Acquisition and the Archway Acquisition, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, net carrying amounts include $0.1 million, $3.0 million and $1.4 million related to the Beijing Plaschem Acquisition, the CSD Acquisition and the Archway Acquisition, respectively.
 
Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets was $3.9 million and $7.9 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively and $3.0 million and $5.3 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively.

9. Other Non-Current Assets
 
Other non-current assets at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 consisted of the following:
 
 
March 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
Debt issuance cost, net
$
18.3

 
$
21.9

Other
5.5

 
5.1

Total
$
23.8

 
$
27.0

 

10. Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
 
Short-term borrowings outstanding and the current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are summarized below:
 
March 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
Short-term borrowings
$
38.1

 
$
47.6

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
7.0

 
6.8

Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligations, net
$
45.1

 
$
54.4


Long-term debt outstanding at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 is summarized below:
 
March 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
ABL Facility
$
97.0

 
$
101.5

Term Loan Facility
650.5

 
653.9

8.375% Senior Subordinated Notes
175.0

 
175.0

Capital lease obligations
1.0

 
0.3

Total long-term debt
923.5

 
930.7

Less: unamortized debt discount (1)
(4.6
)
 
(5.5
)
Less: current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
(7.0
)
 
(6.8
)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion, net
$
911.9

 
$
918.4

 
 
(1) At March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively, includes $2.4 million and $2.9 million of unamortized debt discount related to the Company's Term Loan Facility. The remainder of the unamortized debt discount was related to the Notes. Debt discount is amortized to interest expense over the life of the respective instruments using the effective interest rate method.


19

Short-Term Borrowings
 
The Company's short-term borrowings are associated with the Company's operations in China and are summarized below:
 
 
Facility Limit
 
Outstanding Borrowings Balance
 
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings
 
Outstanding LOC and Bankers' Acceptance Bills
 
Remaining Availability
 
 
March 31, 2015
October 2012 Line of Credit (1)
 
$
23.8

 
$
23.1

 
3.6
%
 
$
—

 
$
0.7

November 2012 Line of Credit (2)
 
$
24.1

 
$
15.0

 
6.2
%
 
$
8.6

 
$
0.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2014
October 2012 Line of Credit (1)
 
$
23.8

 
$
21.5

 
3.6
%
 
$
—

 
$
2.3

November 2012 Line of Credit (2)
 
$
24.4

 
$
23.4

 
6.2
%
 
$
0.7

 
$
0.3

 
(1) This line of credit is secured by a standby letter of credit drawn on the ABL Facility covering 110% of the facility’s borrowing limit amount. Borrowings under the line of credit are payable in full within 12 months of the date of the advance.
(2) This line of credit is secured by a standby letter of credit drawn on the ABL Facility covering 100% of the facility's borrowing limit amount. Borrowings under the line of credit are payable in full within 12 months of the date of the advance.

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, Nexeo Plaschem entered into an arrangement through which it makes borrowings on a short-term basis, usually six months, by using its line of credit with the bank or by pledging the proceeds of its notes receivable. The borrowings originated from this arrangement are also used to fund Nexeo Plaschem's working capital requirements. At March 31, 2015, there was no outstanding balance or notes receivable pledged under this arrangement. There were $2.0 million of bankers' acceptance bills issued to suppliers as of March 31, 2015. At September 30, 2014, the weighted average interest rate was 3.6%, outstanding borrowings totaled approximately $2.7 million, which were secured in full by pledged proceeds from certain of its notes receivable, and approximately $2.5 million of notes receivable were pledged under this arrangement in exchange for bankers’ acceptance bills issued to suppliers.

In addition, Nexeo Plaschem has an arrangement whereby it is able to pledge proceeds from its notes receivable in exchange for bankers' acceptance bills issued to suppliers. No notes receivable were pledged under this arrangement at March 31, 2015. At September 30, 2014, the Company had pledged approximately $2.9 million of notes receivable under this arrangement.

Long-Term Debt

At March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the Company had an aggregate of $68.6 million and $79.6 million, respectively, in outstanding letters of credit under the U.S., the Canadian and the permitted foreign facility tranches of the ABL Facility. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings under the ABL Facility was 2.9% and 3.3% at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. Collective credit availability under the U.S. and Canadian tranches of the ABL Facility was $357.6 million and $353.1 million at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. The ABL Facility matures on July 11, 2017.

The interest rate for the Term Loan Facility was 5.0% at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014. The Term Loan Facility matures on September 9, 2017. The Notes mature on March 1, 2018.

The Company’s accounts receivable and inventory in the U.S. and Canada are collateral under the Credit Facilities. The Company’s accounts receivable and inventory in the U.S. and Canada totaled approximately $709.5 million at March 31, 2015.

As of March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants under the Credit Facilities.


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Amendment No. 4 to ABL Facility

On January 30, 2015, as permitted under the ABL Facility, the Company established an incremental permitted foreign facility in an aggregate principal amount of $30.0 million. The new facility will be used solely to issue one or more letters of credit, on behalf of the Company's foreign subsidiaries, which will reduce the reliance on the letter of credit capacity under the U.S. tranche of the ABL Facility. Concurrently with the closing of the permitted foreign facility, the Company replaced an existing letter of credit in the approximate amount of $26.2 million under the ABL Facility with a letter of credit in the same amount under the new permitted foreign facility.

11. Derivatives
 
The Company is a party to interest rate swap agreements of varying expiration dates through March 2017, to help manage the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk related to its variable-rate Term Loan Facility. The swaps have a quarterly settlement frequency. As of March 31, 2015, the notional amount of outstanding interest rate swap agreements was $200.0 million. The interest rate swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value of the swaps are recorded in other comprehensive income to the extent that the swaps are effective as hedges. Gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value applicable to the ineffective portion, if any, are reflected in income. Gains or losses recorded in other comprehensive income are reclassified into and recognized in income when the interest expense on the Term Loan Facility is recognized.
 
During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, the Company reclassified into and recognized in income realized losses on the interest rate swaps of $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, which were recorded in interest expense. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, the Company reclassified into and recognized in income realized losses on interest rate swaps of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded unrealized gains on the interest rate swaps (net of reclassifications into income) of less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, which were recorded in other comprehensive income. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded unrealized gains on the interest rate swaps (net of reclassifications into income) of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, which were recorded in other comprehensive income. At March 31, 2015, approximately $0.5 million in unrealized losses were expected to be realized within the next twelve months.
 
12. Fair Value Measurements
 
The accounting standard for fair value measurements establishes a framework for measuring fair value that is based on the inputs market participants use to determine the fair value of an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy to prioritize those inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:
 
● Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

● Level 2—Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
 
● Level 3—Measurement is based on prices or valuation models that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and less observable for objective sources (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
 
The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs are obtained from independent sources and can be validated by a third party, whereas unobservable inputs reflect assumptions a third party would use in pricing an asset or liability based on the best information available under the circumstances. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, which may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The Company considers active markets as those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
 

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The Company’s financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis relate solely to its interest rate swaps. The Company’s interest rate swaps are valued using quoted market prices and significant other observable and unobservable inputs. These financial instruments’ fair values are based upon trades in liquid markets and the valuation model inputs can generally be verified through over-the-counter markets and valuation techniques that do not involve significant management judgment. The fair values of these financial instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
At March 31, 2015, the Company recorded $0.5 million in Accrued expenses and other liabilities and $0.1 million in Other non-current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet related to these instruments. At September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $0.5 million in Accrued expenses and other liabilities and $0.2 million in Other non-current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet related to these instruments.
 
During the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not have any transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 fair value measurements.
 
Fair value of financial instruments
 
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of those instruments.
 
The carrying values of borrowings outstanding under the ABL Facility and the Term Loan Facility approximate fair value at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, primarily due to their variable interest rate. The estimated fair value of these instruments is classified by the Company as a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy.
 
The estimated fair value of the Notes was approximately $157.0 million and $174.4 million at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively, including accrued interest of $1.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The estimated fair value of the Notes is classified by the Company as a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair values of these instruments are calculated based upon a pricing model using the estimated yield calculated from interpolated treasury and implied yields to quoted price as inputs. The Company’s relative credit standing is one of the inputs to the valuation.
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
 
In addition to the financial instruments that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company records assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as required by U.S. GAAP. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges or as part of a business combination. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded nonrecurring fair value measurements related to the Archway Acquisition. See Note 3. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded nonrecurring fair value measurements related to the CSD Acquisition. These fair value measurements were classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
 

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13. Commitments, Contingencies and Litigation
 
Environmental Remediation
 
Due to the nature of its business, the Company is subject to various laws and regulations pertaining to the environment and to the manufacture, sale, transportation and disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials. These laws pertain to, among other things, air and water, the management of solid and hazardous wastes, transportation, and human health and safety.

Ashland has agreed to retain all known environmental remediation liabilities listed on the schedules to the purchase agreement (the "Retained Specified Remediation Liabilities") and other environmental remediation liabilities arising prior to the closing date of March 31, 2011 for which Ashland receives written notice prior to the fifth anniversary of such closing date (the "Other Retained Remediation Liabilities") (collectively the "Retained Remediation Liabilities"). Ashland’s liability for Retained Remediation Liabilities is not subject to any claim thresholds or deductibles. However, in the event the Company was to incur expenses arising out of the Other Retained Remediation Liabilities, Ashland’s indemnification obligation is subject to an individual claim threshold of $0.2 million and an aggregate claim deductible of $5.0 million. Ashland’s indemnification obligation for the Retained Remediation Liabilities is subject to an aggregate ceiling of $75.0 million. Ashland’s indemnification obligations resulting from its breach of any representation, warranty or covenant related to environmental matters (other than for liabilities relating to taxes or the breach of any fundamental representation or warranty) are generally limited by an individual claim threshold of $0.2 million, an aggregate claim deductible of $18.6 million and a ceiling of $93.0 million. Collectively, Ashland’s indemnification obligation resulting from or relating to the Retained Remediation Liabilities, retained litigation liabilities, and the breach of Ashland’s representations, warranties and covenants contained in the purchase agreement (other than for liabilities relating to taxes or the breach of any fundamental representation or warranty) is subject to an aggregate ceiling of $139.5 million, and Ashland’s total indemnification obligation under the purchase agreement (other than for liabilities relating to taxes or any retained indebtedness) is subject to an aggregate ceiling in the amount of the purchase price for the Distribution Business net assets.

In July 2014, Ashland filed a lawsuit styled and numbered Ashland Inc. v. Nexeo Solutions, LLC, Case No. N14C-07-243 WCC CCLD, in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County. In the suit, Ashland seeks a declaration that the Company is obligated to indemnify Ashland for losses Ashland incurs pertaining to Other Retained Remediation Liabilities, up to the amount of a $5.0 million deductible, which Ashland contends applies pursuant to the purchase agreement for the Ashland Distribution Acquisition. Ashland further alleges that the Company has breached duties related to that purchase agreement by not having so indemnified Ashland to date with respect to costs for certain Other Retained Remediation Liabilities Ashland incurred pertaining to sites at which Ashland disposed of waste prior to the Ashland Distribution Acquisition, and on that basis seeks unspecified compensatory damages, costs and attorney’s fees. The Company disagrees with Ashland’s construction of the purchase agreement and is vigorously defending the lawsuit.
 
As a result, the Company does not currently have any environmental or remediation reserves for matters covered by the Ashland Distribution Acquisition agreement. However, if the Company was to incur expenses related to the Other Retained Remediation Liabilities, the Company would be responsible for the first $5.0 million in aggregate expenses relating thereto prior to the receipt of any indemnification from Ashland.  In addition, if any Retained Remediation Liability ultimately exceeds the liability ceilings described above, the Company would be responsible for such excess amounts. In either of these scenarios, the Company would be required to take an appropriate environmental or remediation reserve. The Company’s reserves will be subject to numerous uncertainties that affect its ability to accurately estimate its costs, or its share of costs if multiple parties are responsible. These uncertainties involve the legal, regulatory and enforcement parameters governing environmental assessment and remediation, the nature and extent of contamination, the extent of required remediation efforts, the choice of remediation methodology, availability of insurance coverage and, in the case of sites with multiple responsible parties, the number and financial strength of other potentially responsible parties.

Other Legal Proceedings
 
The Company is subject to various claims and legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities, including product liability claims. Management believes that any liability that may ultimately result from the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
 

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Other Contingencies
 
In June 2014, the Company self-disclosed to the California Department of Toxic Substance Control ("DTSC") that a recent inventory of its Fairfield facility had revealed potential violations of RCRA and the California Health and Safety Code. Although no formal proceeding has been initiated, the Company expects the DTSC to seek payment of fines or other penalties for non-compliance. The Company does not expect the amount of any such fine or other penalty to have a material adverse effect on its business, financial position or results of operations.

14. Employee Benefit Plans
 
Defined Contribution Plans
 
Qualifying employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the Nexeo Solutions, LLC Employee Savings Plan ("401(k) Plan"). The 401(k) Plan is a defined contribution plan designed to allow employees to make tax deferred contributions as well as Company contributions, designed to assist employees of the Company and its affiliates in providing for their retirement. The Company matches 100% of employee contributions up to 4.0%. The Company will make an additional contribution to the 401(k) Plan of 1.5%, 3.0%, or 4.5%, based upon years of service of one to ten years, eleven to twenty years, and over twenty-one years of service, respectively. Employees meeting certain age requirements may also receive an additional transition contribution from the Company. A version of the 401(k) Plan is also available for qualifying employees of the Company in its foreign subsidiaries. The Company contributed a total of approximately $2.6 million and $5.5 million to the defined contribution plans in the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, and $2.9 million and $5.8 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively. Of the above contributions to the plans, approximately $1.8 million and $3.6 million in the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, and $1.9 million and $3.7 million in the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively, were recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The remainder was recorded as a component of cost of sales and operating expenses.

Restricted Equity Plan
 
Holdings may issue unregistered Series B units to directors, certain officers and employees eligible to participate in the Company’s restricted equity plan ("Equity Plan"). The units issued under the Equity Plan are subject to certain transfer restrictions and are initially deemed to be unvested. With respect to units issued to certain officers and employees, 50% of the Series B units vest 20% annually over a five year period ("Time-Based Units"), and 50% of the Series B units become vested in accordance with a performance-based schedule that is divided into five separate and equal twelve month periods ("Performance-Based Units"). The vesting of both the Time-Based Units and the Performance-Based Units is subject to the employee’s continued employment with the Company. The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") establishes each annual performance-based period based upon an earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") target for the Company during that period. In the event that any Performance-Based Units do not vest for any applicable annual performance period due to the failure to achieve that year’s EBITDA-based performance target, the Performance-Based Units assigned to that annual performance period shall subsequently vest upon the achievement of the EBITDA-based performance target for the fiscal year following such fiscal year. Upon the occurrence of a liquidity event within seven years of the employee’s beginning vesting date in which TPG Accolade, L.P. ("TPG Accolade") realizes a return based upon cash received (including dividends) divided by aggregate purchase price that is equal to or greater than 3.0x all Performance-Based Units automatically vest, as long as the employee remains employed by the Company. Furthermore, upon a termination of employment within 24 months of a change of control, all outstanding and unvested Performance-Based Units automatically vest, provided the employee remains employed by the Company at the time of the event. Upon termination of employment, the Company may, in its sole discretion, elect to redeem unregistered Series B units previously granted to officers and employees eligible to participate in the Company’s Equity Plan. The repurchase price per unit is the difference between the established threshold value at the time of redemption and the threshold value at the time of the grant.

The fair value of the Series B units granted during the six months ended March 31, 2015 was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis and a Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model with the valuation assumptions of (1) expected term of three years, (2) expected price volatility of 39.6%, (3) a risk-free interest rate of 1.2% and (4) an expected distribution yield of 0.0%. Volatility was estimated using historical stock prices of comparable public companies.


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The Company recognized compensation expense associated with Time-Based Units of $0.3 million and $0.6 million during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.5 million during the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively. There was no compensation expense recognized during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 related to Performance-Based Units, as the Company did not meet the pre-established EBITDA target. Expenses related to the Equity Plan are recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses.

The following table summarizes Equity Plan activity during the six months ended March 31, 2015:
 
Units
 
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Per Unit
Outstanding at September 30, 2014
33,098,768

 
$
0.29

Granted
5,476,428

 
0.23

Forfeited/Cancelled
(200,000
)
 
0.29

Outstanding at March 31, 2015
38,375,196

 
$
0.28

 
The following table summarizes the non-vested Equity Plan units during the six months ended March 31, 2015: 
 
Units
 
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Per Unit
Nonvested at September 30, 2014
21,520,715

 
$
0.28

Granted
5,476,428

 
0.23

Vested
(1,837,146
)
 
0.33

Forfeited
(180,000
)
 
0.25

Nonvested units at March 31, 2015
24,979,997

 
$
0.25

 
During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, Series B Units vesting totaled 1,730,000 and 1,837,146, respectively, both of which had a total fair value of $0.6 million. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, Series B Units vesting totaled 1,766,001 and 1,842,364, respectively, both of which had a total fair value of $0.6 million. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to the Series B units was $1.9 million at March 31, 2015, to be recognized over the next five years.

15. Related Party Transactions
 
At the closing of the Ashland Distribution Acquisition, the Company entered into a management services agreement with TPG Capital, L.P. (together with its affiliates, including TPG Accolade, "TPG") pursuant to which it provides the Company with ongoing management, advisory and consulting services. Under the current terms of the agreement, the quarterly management fee to TPG is equal to 2% of the Company’s "Adjusted EBITDA" (as defined in the agreement) less $0.175 million, subject to a revised minimum annual amount of $2.825 million. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 , the Company recorded management fees of approximately $0.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and $0.8 million and $1.6 million during the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively. These fees are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.
 
The Company also pays TPG fees for consulting services in relation to the affairs of the Company, as well as reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it in connection with these consulting services. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded consulting fees to TPG of approximately $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.9 million during the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively. These fees are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.
 
The Company currently participates in TPG’s leveraged procurement program. While the Company is no longer subject to a fee for participation in this program, the Company paid TPG a fee through the first quarter of fiscal year 2014. The Company recorded fees of less than $0.1 million related to this program during fiscal year 2014. The fee for prior periods was calculated in relation to TPG’s portfolio companies for various categories of services and products for the benefit of portfolio companies. Fees associated with this program were recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.
 

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The Company may also pay TPG specified success fees in connection with advice it provides in relation to certain corporate transactions. During the six months ended March 31, 2014 and in connection with the closing of the CSD Acquisition, the Company recorded and paid TPG one-time aggregate transaction fees of $2.0 million, which is included in Transaction related costs in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

The Company’s sales to TPG related entities for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, were approximately $1.8 million and $5.5 million, respectively, and were $4.1 million and $8.1 million during the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively. There were no purchases from TPG related entities for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.  At March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, TPG entities owed the Company approximately $0.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively, included in Accounts and notes receivable in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
Effective January 1, 2014, under the terms of a consulting services agreement, the Company agreed to pay an annual fee of $0.175 million to Steven B. Schwarzwaelder, a member of the Board of Directors, for strategic consulting services. The Company recorded less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, and less than $0.1 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively, related to this agreement. This fee is recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.
 
In connection with the CSD Acquisition, the Company assumed a truck and lease service agreement ("Ryder Truck Lease") with Ryder Truck Rental, Inc. ("Ryder"). In addition, the Company engaged a company affiliated with Ryder for logistics advisory services. John Williford, a member of the Board of Directors, was the President, Global Supply Chain Solutions for Ryder System, Inc., a company affiliated with Ryder, from June 2008 until March 31, 2015. The Ryder Truck Lease covers the rental of 11 trucks and 5 trailers. Payments to Ryder and affiliated companies, inclusive of advisory services fees, reimbursements for licensing fees, fuel charges, mileage and certain maintenance and other obligations, were approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, and $0.1 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014. These costs are recorded in Cost of sales and operating expenses in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Certain former shareholders of Archway continue to be employed by Archway and are involved in the operations of the business acquired in the Archway Acquisition. In connection with the Archway Acquisition, the Company recorded a payable to former shareholders of Archway totaling $3.4 million related to certain tax refund receivables. During the fiscal year 2014 the Company paid $1.4 million of this amount and during the six months ended March 31, 2015 the Company paid an additional $1.6 million. Accordingly, at March 31, 2015, the Company owed approximately $0.4 million to the former shareholders, which is included in Related party payable in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company paid approximately $1.7 million to the former shareholders of Archway in connection with the completion of the final working capital adjustment for the Archway Acquisition. 

16. Income Taxes
 
As discussed in Note 1, Holdings is organized as a limited liability company and is taxed as a partnership for U.S. income tax purposes. As such, with the exception of a limited number of state and local jurisdictions, Holdings is not subject to U.S. income taxes. Accordingly, the members will report their share of Holdings’ taxable income on their respective U.S. federal tax returns. Holdings pays distributions to members to fund their tax obligations. Holdings made no tax distributions to members during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company’s sole U.S. corporate subsidiary, Sub Holding, is subject to tax at the entity level in the U.S. The Company’s controlled foreign corporations are subject to tax at the entity level in their respective jurisdictions.
 
Income tax expense was $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to expense of $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The current period tax expense is largely attributed to a valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets in China as well as to U.S. income tax expense on profitable U.S. operations. The prior period tax expense is largely attributed to foreign income tax expense on profitable foreign operations. The tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 reflects an effective tax rate of approximately 150.0%.

Income tax expense was $0.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2015 compared to expense of $3.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014. The current period tax expense is largely attributed to changes in the Company's valuation allowance as well as to foreign income tax expense on profitable foreign operations. The prior period tax expense is largely attributed to foreign income tax expense on profitable foreign operations. The tax expense for the six months ended March 31, 2015 reflects an effective tax rate of approximately 14.1%.


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 For the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company computed the provision for income taxes based on the actual year-to-date effective tax rate by applying the discrete method.  Due to on-going changes in the Company’s international operations, the annual effective tax rate, which relies on accurate projections by legal entity of income earned and taxed in foreign jurisdictions, as well as accurate projections by legal entity of permanent and temporary differences, was not considered a reliable estimate for purposes of calculating year-to-date income tax expense.
 
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.
 
At March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the valuation allowance was $3.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Based upon management’s expectations at March 31, 2015, management believes it is not more likely than not that it will realize the majority of its deferred tax assets.

Uncertain Tax Positions
 
U.S. GAAP prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the accounting and financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process.  The first step requires the Company to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position.  The second step requires the Company to recognize in the financial statements each tax position that meets the more likely than not criteria, measured as the amount of benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. Differences between the amount of tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in the income tax returns and the amount of tax benefits recognized in the financial statements represent the Company’s unrecognized income tax benefits, which are recorded as a liability.

In connection with the CSD Acquisition, the Company recorded an initial reserve of approximately $0.5 million associated with income tax-related uncertainties. The ultimate outcome of certain of these uncertainties is covered by indemnification provisions under the purchase agreement. Accordingly, the Company also recognized indemnification assets related to certain of these income tax-related uncertainties. The indemnification assets are included in Other current assets and Other noncurrent assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet and represent the reimbursement the Company reasonably expects to receive from funds currently held in escrow pursuant to the purchase agreement.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company completed its evaluation of income tax-related uncertainties associated with the Archway Acquisition. In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded an initial reserve of approximately $1.4 million associated with income tax-related uncertainties.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, as a component of income tax expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. There was an insignificant amount of interest and penalties recognized during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. As of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the Company had $1.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively, related to uncertain tax positions, including related accrued interest and penalties. Between the time of the initial recording of the uncertain tax positions associated with the CSD Acquisition and the Archway Acquisition and the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company reduced the reserve by approximately $0.4 million due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations.
 
The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in various state and foreign jurisdictions. Within the U.S., the Company is subject to federal and state income tax examination by tax authorities for periods after March 2011. With respect to countries outside of the U.S., with certain exceptions, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are subject to income tax audits for years after 2010.


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17. Segment and Geographic Data
 
The Company operates through four lines of business, or operating segments: Chemicals, Plastics, Environmental Services and a small set of Composites operations in Asia. The lines of business market to different sets of customers operating in an array of industries, with various end markets and customer segments within those industries. Until recently, the Composites line of business included composites operations in North America which were sold on July 1, 2014 and are now classified as discontinued operations in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. For segment presentation and disclosure purposes, the Chemicals and Plastics lines of business constitute separate reportable segments while the Environmental Services line of business and the remaining composites operations in Asia do not individually meet the materiality threshold for separate disclosure and are, as a result, combined in an "Other" segment.

Each line of business represents unique products and suppliers, and each line of business focuses on specific end markets within its industry based on a variety of factors, including supplier or customer opportunities, expected growth and prevailing economic conditions. Across the Chemicals and Plastics lines of business there are numerous industry segments, end markets, and sub markets that the Company may choose to focus on. These end markets may change from year to year depending on the underlying market economics, supplier focus, expected profitability, and the Company's strategic agenda.
 
The Chemicals, Plastics and Environmental Services lines of business compete with national, regional and local companies throughout North America. Additionally, the Chemicals and Plastics lines of business compete with other distribution companies in Asia. The Plastics line of business also competes with other distribution companies in EMEA. Competition within each line of business is based primarily on the diversity of the product portfolio, service offerings, reliability of supply, technical support and price. The accounting policies used to account for transactions in each of the lines of business are the same as those used to account for transactions at the corporate level.
 
The Chemicals, Plastics and Composites lines of business are distribution businesses, while the Environmental Services line of business provides hazardous and non-hazardous waste collection, recovery, recycling and arrangement for disposal services. The operations acquired during fiscal year 2014 in the CSD Acquisition and the Archway Acquisition are included in the Company’s Chemicals line of business.
 
A brief description of each line of business follows:
  
Chemicals. The Chemicals line of business distributes specialty and industrial chemicals, additives and solvents to industrial users primarily via rail cars, bulk tanker trucks and packaged goods in trucks and less than truckloads. The Company's chemical products are distributed in more than 50 countries worldwide, primarily in North America and Asia. While the Chemicals line of business serves multiple end markets, key end markets within the industrial space are CASE, oil and gas, HI&I, lubricants and personal care.
 
Plastics. The Plastics line of business supplies a broad product line consisting of commodity polymer products and prime thermoplastic resins for plastic processors engaged in blow molding, extrusion, injection molding and rotation molding and distributes its products via rail car, bulk truck, truckload boxes and less than truckload quantities. While the plastics products are distributed in more than 50 countries worldwide, the Company primarily distributes its plastics products in North America, EMEA and Asia. The Plastics line of business serves a broad cross section of industrial segments, with a current focus on the healthcare and automotive end markets.
 
 
Other. The Environmental Services line of business, in connection with certain waste disposal service companies, provides customers with comprehensive, nationwide hazardous and non-hazardous waste collection, recovery, recycling and arrangement for disposal services in North America, primarily in the U.S. These environmental services are offered through the Company's network of distribution facilities used as transfer facilities. The Composites line of business supplies certain resin products to a small set of customers in Asia. 
 
The Chief Executive Officer is the Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"). The CODM reviews net sales to unaffiliated customers and gross profit in order to make decisions, assess performance and allocate resources to each line of business. In order to maintain the focus on line of business performance, certain expenses are excluded from the line of business results utilized by the Company’s CODM in evaluating line of business performance. These expenses include depreciation and amortization, selling, general and administrative expense, corporate items such as transaction related costs, interest and income tax expense. These items are separately delineated to reconcile to reported net income. No single customer accounted for more than 10.0% of revenues for any line of business for each of the periods reported. Intersegment revenues were insignificant.

28

 
The Company aggregates total assets at the line of business level. The assets attributable to the Company’s lines of business, that are reviewed by the CODM, consist of trade accounts receivable, inventories, goodwill and any specific assets that are otherwise directly associated with a line of business. The Company’s inventory of packaging materials and containers are generally not allocated to a line of business and are included in unallocated assets.
 
Summarized financial information relating to the Company’s lines of business is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Sales and operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Chemicals
$
507.8

 
$
561.1

 
$
1,021.3

 
$
1,074.3

Plastics
477.0

 
527.2

 
952.2

 
1,029.8

Other
28.0

 
35.5

 
57.0

 
62.0

Total sales and operating revenues
$
1,012.8

 
$
1,123.8

 
$
2,030.5

 
$
2,166.1

Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Chemicals
$
57.5

 
$
49.7

 
$
108.2

 
$
91.6

Plastics
34.7

 
43.3

 
68.5

 
81.4

Other
7.0

 
8.3

 
14.5

 
15.4

Total gross profit
99.2

 
101.3

 
191.2

 
188.4

Selling, general & administrative expenses
82.0

 
82.4

 
165.6

 
160.1

Transaction related costs
—

 
3.0

 
0.1

 
8.9

Total operating income
17.2

 
15.9

 
25.5

 
19.4

Other income
0.2

 
0.4

 
0.7

 
0.8

Interest income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
0.1

 
—

 
0.1

 
0.1

Interest expense
(16.3
)
 
(15.7
)
 
(32.7
)
 
(30.1
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
$
1.2

 
$
0.6

 
$
(6.4
)
 
$
(9.8
)

 
March 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS
 

 
 

 
Chemicals(1)
$
754.8

 
$
812.5

 
Plastics
559.2

 
616.4

 
Other
34.0

 
34.5

 
Total identifiable assets by segment
1,348.0

 
1,463.4

 
Unallocated assets
378.6

 
442.7

 
Total assets(1)
$
1,726.6

 
$
1,906.1

 

(1) The purchase price allocation for the CSD Acquisition was finalized in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. The purchase price allocation for the Archway Acquisition was finalized in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. See Note 3.
  

29

Revenues by geographic location, based on the jurisdiction of the subsidiary entity receiving revenue credit for the sale, are presented below:
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
North America
$
843.5

 
$
904.3

 
$
1,691.3

 
$
1,688.9

EMEA
119.7

 
164.5

 
244.4

 
307.6

Asia
49.6

 
55.0

 
94.8

 
169.6

Total
$
1,012.8

 
$
1,123.8

 
$
2,030.5

 
$
2,166.1

 

18. Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities
 
The following consolidating financial statements are presented pursuant to Rule 3—10 of Regulation S-X issued by the SEC. The consolidating financial statements reflect the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 and the results of operations, items of comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
As a result of the Ashland Distribution Acquisition, on March 31, 2011, the Issuers issued the Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $175.0 million. The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by Holdings, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Sub Holding. The guarantees are subject to release under certain customary defeasance provisions. Solutions is also the primary borrower under the Credit Facilities, which are guaranteed by Holdings and Sub Holding. Holdings and Sub Holding are also co-borrowers on a joint and several basis with Solutions under the Credit Facilities. The Co-issuer also is a guarantor under the Term Loan Facility. The Co-issuer (labeled "Finance" in the tables below) has no independent operations and no assets or liabilities for any of the periods presented herein.
 
There are no restrictions on the ability of Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the Issuers, to make investments in, or loans directly to, Holdings. The ability of Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the Issuers, to pay dividends to Holdings is restricted under the Company’s Credit Facilities, subject to certain customary exceptions. As an example, the restrictions under the Company's Term Loan Facility include that dividends may be made to Holdings (i) in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $40.0 million and 3.25% of total assets, as defined, plus the amount of excluded contributions, as defined, received by Holdings prior to such payment; (ii) if the consolidated net leverage ratio, as defined, would be less than or equal to 3.0 to 1.0 after giving effect to such payment; and (iii) out of the available amount, as defined, if the consolidated net leverage ratio, as defined, would be less than or equal to 4.5 to 1.0 after giving effect to such payment. Payment of dividends described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) (other than with excluded contributions, as defined) are prohibited if at the time of, or after giving effect to, the dividend, a default, as defined, would exist under the credit agreement for the Term Loan Facility.
 
The Co-Issuer is a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Solutions, which jointly and severally issued the securities. Prior to December 1, 2013, Sub Holding had no independent operations and minimal assets. Effective December 1, 2013, Sub Holding acquired 100% of CSD’s outstanding shares. Following the CSD Acquisition, CSD and each of its subsidiaries were converted to limited liability companies (the "CSD Conversion"). Following the CSD Conversion, Sub Holding assigned $23.0 million of its long-term debt to Solutions and contributed its ownership interest in CSD to Solutions in exchange for a participating preferred interest in Solutions (the "CSD Contribution"). The preferred interest participates with common interests as the equivalent of a 2% common interest, and also has a preference with respect to income and distributions from Solutions that provides an annual return equal to 8% on the value of the preferred interest at the time of the CSD Contribution. Following the CSD Contribution, CSD and its subsidiaries became wholly owned subsidiaries of Solutions and guarantors of the Notes.
 
Following the Archway Acquisition, Archway was converted to a limited liability company (the "Archway Conversion"). Following the Archway Conversion, Sub Holding assigned $36.0 million of its long-term debt to Solutions and contributed its ownership interest in Archway to Solutions in exchange for a participating preferred interest in Solutions (the "Archway Contribution"). The preferred interest participates with common interests as the equivalent of a 2% common interest, and also has a preference with respect to income and distributions from Solutions that provides an annual return equal to 8% on the value of the preferred interest at the time of the Archway Contribution. Following the Archway Contribution, Archway became a wholly owned subsidiary of Solutions and guarantor of the Notes.


30

The remaining subsidiaries ("Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries") as of March 31, 2015 are not guarantors of the Notes.

The condensed consolidating financial statements for the Company are as follows:
 
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015
 
 
Holdings
 
Finance
 
Sub
Holding
 
Solutions
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
0.4

 
$
—

 
$
0.4

 
$
6.8

 
$
43.8

 
$
—

 
$
51.4

Accounts and notes receivable, net
—

 
—

 
—

 
411.9

 
146.6

 
—

 
558.5

Inventories
—

 
—

 
—

 
253.2

 
102.1

 
—

 
355.3

Intercompany advances
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.5

 
—

 
(0.5
)
 
—

Other current assets
—

 
—

 
—

 
8.1

 
15.6

 
—

 
23.7

Total current assets
0.4

 
—

 
0.4

 
680.5

 
308.1

 
(0.5
)
 
988.9

Property, plant and equipment, net
—

 
—

 
—

 
208.3

 
12.0

 
—

 
220.3

Goodwill and other intangibles, net
—

 
—

 
—

 
393.0

 
100.6

 
—

 
493.6

Other non-current assets
—

 
—

 
0.3

 
22.9

 
0.6

 
—

 
23.8

Intercompany advances
—

 
—

 
—

 
101.6

 
—

 
(101.6
)
 
—

Investment in subsidiaries
376.0

 
—

 
240.3

 
161.1

 
—

 
(777.4
)
 
—

Total assets
$
376.4

 
$
—

 
$
241.0

 
$
1,567.4

 
$
421.3

 
$
(879.5
)
 
$
1,726.6

Liabilities & Members’ Equity
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long- term debt
$
0.4

 
$
—

 
$
0.3

 
$
6.4

 
$
38.0

 
$
—

 
$
45.1

Intercompany advances
0.4

 
—

 
0.1

 
—

 
—

 
(0.5
)
 
—

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
—

 
—

 
3.1

 
294.2

 
115.8

 
—

 
413.1

Total current liabilities
0.8

 
—

 
3.5

 
300.6

 
153.8

 
(0.5
)
 
458.2

Long-term debt
117.2

 
—

 
42.4

 
752.3

 
—

 
—

 
911.9

Deferred income taxes
—

 
—

 
84.4

 
0.4

 
2.8

 
—

 
87.6

Other non-current liabilities
—

 
—

 
—

 
8.5

 
2.0

 
—

 
10.5

Intercompany advances
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
101.6

 
(101.6
)
 
—

Total liabilities
118.0

 
—

 
130.3

 
1,061.8

 
260.2

 
(102.1
)
 
1,468.2

Members’ Equity
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total members’ equity
258.4

 
—

 
110.7

 
505.6

 
161.1

 
(777.4
)
 
258.4

Total liabilities and members’ equity
$
376.4

 
$
—

 
$
241.0

 
$
1,567.4

 
$
421.3

 
$
(879.5
)
 
$
1,726.6



31

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets at September 30, 2014
 
 
Holdings
 
Finance
 
Sub
Holding
 
Solutions
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Assets
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current Assets
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
0.9

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
40.1

 
$
47.2

 
$
—

 
$
88.2

Accounts and notes receivable, net
—

 
—

 
—

 
458.8

 
177.8

 
—

 
636.6

Inventories
—

 
—

 
—

 
266.6

 
123.3

 
—

 
389.9

Intercompany advances
—

 
—

 
1.6

 
0.6

 
—

 
(2.2
)
 
—

Other current assets
—

 
—

 
0.1

 
14.0

 
19.4

 
—

 
33.5

Total current assets
0.9

 
—

 
1.7

 
780.1

 
367.7

 
(2.2
)
 
1,148.2

Property, plant and equipment, net
—

 
—

 
—

 
211.1

 
12.9

 
—

 
224.0

Goodwill and other intangibles, net
—

 
—

 
—

 
398.5

 
108.4

 
—

 
506.9

Other non-current assets
—

 
—

 
0.4

 
25.9

 
0.7

 
—

 
27.0

Intercompany advances
—

 
—

 
—

 
97.9

 
—

 
(97.9
)
 
—

Investment in subsidiaries
437.3

 
—

 
242.0

 
183.8

 
—

 
(863.1
)
 
—

Total assets
$
438.2

 
$
—

 
$
244.1

 
$
1,697.3

 
$
489.7

 
$
(963.2
)
 
$
1,906.1

Liabilities & Members’ Equity
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt
$
0.4

 
$
—

 
$
0.3

 
$
6.1

 
$
47.6

 
$
—

 
$
54.4

Intercompany advances
0.4

 
—

 
0.1

 
1.7

 
—

 
(2.2
)
 
—

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
0.1

 
—

 
8.7

 
362.5

 
141.8

 
—

 
513.1

Total current liabilities
0.9

 
—

 
9.1

 
370.3

 
189.4

 
(2.2
)
 
567.5

Long-term debt
115.8

 
—

 
42.5

 
751.1

 
9.0

 
—

 
918.4

Deferred income taxes
—

 
—

 
80.9

 
0.2

 
3.8

 
—

 
84.9

Other non-current liabilities
—

 
—

 
—

 
7.7

 
2.8

 
—

 
10.5

Intercompany advances
—

 
—

 
0.3

 
—

 
97.6

 
(97.9
)
 
—

Total liabilities
116.7

 
—

 
132.8

 
1,129.3

 
302.6

 
(100.1
)
 
1,581.3

Redeemable noncontrolling interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3.3

 
—

 
3.3

Members’ Equity
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total members’ equity
321.5

 
—

 
111.3

 
568.0

 
183.8

 
(863.1
)
 
321.5

Total liabilities and members’ equity
$
438.2

 
$
—

 
$
244.1

 
$
1,697.3

 
$
489.7

 
$
(963.2
)
 
$
1,906.1



32

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
Holdings
 
Finance
 
Sub
Holding
 
Solutions
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Sales and operating revenues
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
777.4

 
$
235.4

 
$
—

 
$
1,012.8

Cost of sales and operating expenses
—

 
—

 
—

 
693.6

 
220.0

 
—

 
913.6

Gross profit
—

 
—

 
—

 
83.8

 
15.4

 
—

 
99.2

Selling, general and administrative expenses and transaction related costs
—

 
—

 
0.3

 
69.2

 
12.5

 
—

 
82.0

Operating income (loss)
—

 
—

 
(0.3
)
 
14.6

 
2.9

 
—

 
17.2

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest expense, net
(0.9
)
 
—

 
(0.4
)
 
(13.3
)
 
(1.6
)
 
—

 
(16.2
)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
0.3

 
—

 
1.3

 
0.3

 
—

 
(1.9
)
 
—

Other income
—

 
—

 
0.5

 
(0.5
)
 
0.2

 
—

 
0.2

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
(0.6
)
 
—

 
1.1

 
1.1

 
1.5

 
(1.9
)
 
1.2

Income tax expense (benefit)
—

 
—

 
0.5

 
(0.2
)
 
1.5

 
—

 
1.8

Net income (loss) from continuing operations
(0.6
)
 
—

 
0.6

 
1.3

 
—

 
(1.9
)
 
(0.6
)
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax
—

 
—

 
—

 
(0.3
)
 
0.3

 
—

 
—

Net income (loss)
(0.6
)
 
—

 
0.6

 
1.0

 
0.3

 
(1.9
)
 
(0.6
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net income (loss) attributable to Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries
$
(0.6
)
 
$
—

 
$
0.6

 
$
1.0

 
$
0.3

 
$
(1.9
)
 
$
(0.6
)


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
Holdings
 
Finance
 
Sub
Holding
 
Solutions
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net income (loss)
$
(0.6
)
 
$
—

 
$
0.6

 
$
1.0

 
$
0.3

 
$
(1.9
)
 
$
(0.6
)
Unrealized foreign currency translation gain, net of tax
(15.6
)
 
—

 
—

 
(15.6
)
 
(14.8
)
 
30.4

 
(15.6
)
Unrealized gain on interest rate hedges
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(15.6
)
 
—

 
—

 
(15.6
)
 
(14.8
)
 
30.4

 
(15.6
)
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(16.2
)
 
—

 
0.6

 
(14.6
)
 
(14.5
)
 
28.5

 
(16.2
)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries, net of tax
$
(16.2
)
 
$
—

 
$
0.6

 
$
(14.6
)
 
$
(14.5
)
 
$
28.5

 
$
(16.2
)



33

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
Holdings
 
Finance
 
Sub Holding
 
Solutions
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Sales and operating revenues
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
827.0

 
$
296.8

 
$
—

 
$
1,123.8

Cost of sales and operating expenses
—

 
—

 
—

 
749.2

 
273.3

 
—

 
1,022.5

Gross profit
—

 
—

 
—

 
77.8

 
23.5

 
—

 
101.3

Selling, general and administrative expenses and transaction related costs
—

 
—

 
—

 
68.7

 
16.7

 
—

 
85.4

Operating income
—

 
—

 
—

 
9.1

 
6.8

 
—

 
15.9

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest expense, net
(0.4
)
 
—

 
(0.2
)
 
(12.7
)
 
(2.4
)
 
—

 
(15.7
)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
1.6

 
—

 
—

 
3.9

 
—

 
(5.5
)
 
—

Other income
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
—

 
0.4

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
1.2

 
—

 
(0.2
)
 
0.5

 
4.6

 
(5.5
)
 
0.6

Income tax expense
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.1

 
0.8

 
—

 
0.9

Net income (loss) from continuing operations
1.2

 
—

 
(0.2
)
 
0.4

 
3.8

 
(5.5
)
 
(0.3
)
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax
—

 
—

 
—

 
1.4

 
0.1

 
—

 
1.5

Net income (loss)
1.2

 
—

 
(0.2
)
 
1.8

 
3.9

 
(5.5
)
 
1.2

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
0.2

 
—

 
—

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
(0.4
)
 
0.2

Net income (loss) attributable to Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries
$
1.4

 
$
—

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
2.0

 
$
4.1

 
$
(5.9
)
 
$
1.4




Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
Holdings
 
Finance
 
Sub Holding
 
Solutions
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net income (loss)
$
1.2

 
$
—

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
1.8

 
$
3.9

 
$
(5.5
)
 
$
1.2

Unrealized foreign currency translation gain, net of tax
(2.3
)
 
—

 
—

 
(2.3
)
 
(2.0
)
 
4.3

 
(2.3
)
Unrealized gain on interest rate hedges, net of tax
0.1

 
—

 
—

 
0.1

 
—

 
(0.1
)
 
0.1

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(2.2
)
 
—

 
—

 
(2.2
)
 
(2.0
)
 
4.2

 
(2.2
)
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(1.0
)
 
—

 
(0.2
)
 
(0.4
)
 
1.9

 
(1.3
)
 
(1.0
)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax
0.4

 
—

 
—

 
0.4

 
0.4

 
(0.8
)
 
0.4

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries, net of tax
$
(0.6
)
 
$
—

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
—

 
$
2.3

 
$
(2.1
)
 
$
(0.6
)


34

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
Holdings
 
Finance
 
Sub
Holding
 
Solutions
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Sales and operating revenues
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,554.2

 
$
476.3

 
$
—

 
$
2,030.5

Cost of sales and operating expenses
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,392.4

 
446.9

 
—

 
1,839.3

Gross profit
—

 
—

 
—

 
161.8

 
29.4

 
—

 
191.2

Selling, general and administrative expenses and transaction related costs
—

 
—

 
0.3

 
138.1

 
27.3

 
—

 
165.7

Operating income (loss)
—

 
—

 
(0.3
)
 
23.7

 
2.1

 
—

 
25.5

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest expense, net
(1.8
)
 
—

 
(0.8
)
 
(26.7
)
 
(3.3
)
 
—

 
(32.6
)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
(6.3
)
 
—

 
(0.8
)
 
(2.3
)
 
—

 
9.4

 
—

Other income
—

 
—

 
0.5

 
(0.2
)
 
0.4

 
—

 
0.7

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
(8.1
)
 
—

 
(1.4
)
 
(5.5
)
 
(0.8
)
 
9.4

 
(6.4
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
—

 
—

 
(0.6
)
 
0.1

 
1.4

 
—

 
0.9

Net loss from continuing operations
(8.1
)
 
—

 
(0.8
)
 
(5.6
)
 
(2.2
)
 
9.4

 
(7.3
)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
—

 
—

 
—

 
(0.7
)
 
(0.1
)
 
—

 
(0.8
)
Net Loss
$
(8.1
)
 
$
—

 
$
(0.8
)
 
$
(6.3
)
 
$
(2.3
)
 
$
9.4

 
$
(8.1
)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
Holdings
 
Finance
 
Sub
Holding
 
Solutions
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net loss
$
(8.1
)
 
$
—

 
$
(0.8
)
 
$
(6.3
)
 
$
(2.3
)
 
$
9.4

 
$
(8.1
)
Unrealized foreign currency translation loss, net of tax
(24.9
)
 
—

 
—

 
(24.9
)
 
(23.6
)
 
48.5

 
(24.9
)
Unrealized gain on interest rate hedges, net of tax
0.1

 
—

 
—

 
0.1

 
—

 
(0.1
)
 
0.1

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(24.8
)
 
—

 
—

 
(24.8
)
 
(23.6
)
 
48.4

 
(24.8
)
Total comprehensive loss, net of tax
(32.9
)
 
—

 
(0.8
)
 
(31.1
)
 
(25.9
)
 
57.8

 
(32.9
)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax
0.1

 
—

 
—

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
(0.2
)
 
0.1

Total comprehensive loss attributable to Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries, net of tax
$
(32.8
)
 
$
—

 
$
(0.8
)
 
$
(31.0
)
 
$
(25.8
)
 
$
57.6

 
$
(32.8
)


35

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
Holdings
 
Finance
 
Sub
Holding
 
Solutions
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Sales and operating revenues
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,542.6

 
$
623.5

 
$
—

 
$
2,166.1

Cost of sales and operating expenses
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,402.2

 
575.5

 
—

 
1,977.7

Gross profit
—

 
—

 
—

 
140.4

 
48.0

 
—

 
188.4

Selling, general and administrative expenses and transaction related costs
—

 
—

 
3.4

 
135.6

 
30.0

 
—

 
169.0

Operating income (loss)
—

 
—

 
(3.4
)
 
4.8

 
18.0

 
—

 
19.4

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest expense, net
(0.5
)
 
—

 
(0.4
)
 
(24.6
)
 
(4.5
)
 
—

 
(30.0
)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
(9.5
)
 
—

 
—

 
10.7

 
—

 
(1.2
)
 
—

Other income
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.4

 
0.4

 
—

 
0.8

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
(10.0
)
 
—

 
(3.8
)
 
(8.7
)
 
13.9

 
(1.2
)
 
(9.8
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
—

 
—

 
(0.5
)
 
0.2

 
3.5

 
—

 
3.2

Net income (loss) from continuing operations
(10.0
)
 
—

 
(3.3
)
 
(8.9
)
 
10.4

 
(1.2
)
 
(13.0
)
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax
—

 
—

 
—

 
2.7

 
0.3

 
—

 
3.0

Net income (loss)
(10.0
)
 
—

 
(3.3
)
 
(6.2
)
 
10.7

 
(1.2
)
 
(10.0
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(1.5
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1.5
)
 
(1.5
)
 
3.0

 
(1.5
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries
$
(11.5
)
 
$
—

 
$
(3.3
)
 
$
(7.7
)
 
$
9.2

 
$
1.8

 
$
(11.5
)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
Holdings
 
Finance
 
Sub
Holding
 
Solutions
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net income (loss)
$
(10.0
)
 
$
—

 
$
(3.3
)
 
$
(6.2
)
 
$
10.7

 
$
(1.2
)
 
$
(10.0
)
Unrealized foreign currency translation gain, net of tax
(1.2
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1.2
)
 
(0.4
)
 
1.6

 
(1.2
)
Unrealized gain on interest rate hedges, net of tax
0.2

 
—

 
—

 
0.2

 
—

 
(0.2
)
 
0.2

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(1.0
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1.0
)
 
(0.4
)
 
1.4

 
(1.0
)
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(11.0
)
 
—

 
(3.3
)
 
(7.2
)
 
10.3

 
0.2

 
(11.0
)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax
(1.4
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1.4
)
 
(1.4
)
 
2.8

 
(1.4
)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries, net of tax
$
(12.4
)
 
$
—

 
$
(3.3
)
 
$
(8.6
)
 
$
8.9

 
$
3.0

 
$
(12.4
)


36

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
Holdings
 
Finance
 
Sub
Holding
 
Solutions
 
Non-
 Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Cash Flows From Operations
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations
$
(1.8
)
 
$
—

 
$
(1.3
)
 
$
21.4

 
$
16.9

 
$
(1.0
)
 
$
34.2

Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations
—

 
—

 
—

 
(0.5
)
 
(0.1
)
 
—

 
(0.6
)
Net cash used in operating activities
(1.8
)
 
—

 
(1.3
)
 
20.9

 
16.8

 
(1.0
)
 
33.6

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Additions to property and equipment
—

 
—

 
—

 
(18.6
)
 
(1.2
)
 
—

 
(19.8
)
Proceeds from the disposal of property and equipment
—

 
—

 
—

 
1.7

 
—

 
—

 
1.7

Investment in subsidiaries
(0.1
)
 
—

 
—

 
(34.3
)
 
—

 
34.4

 
—

Net cash used in investing activities
(0.1
)
 
—

 
—

 
(51.2
)
 
(1.2
)
 
34.4

 
(18.1
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Proceeds from short-term debt
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
103.5

 
—

 
103.5

Repayments of short-term debt
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(112.3
)
 
—

 
(112.3
)
Investment from parent
—

 
—

 
0.1

 
—

 
34.3

 
(34.4
)
 
—

Purchase of additional equity interest in Nexeo Plaschem
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(34.3
)
 
—

 
(34.3
)
Preferred interest payment
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1.0
)
 
—

 
1.0

 
—

Transfers to/from affiliates
—

 
—

 
1.7

 
(1.7
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
1.6

 
—

 
1.0

 
390.6

 
88.2

 
—

 
481.4

Repayment of long-term debt
(0.2
)
 
—

 
(1.1
)
 
(390.9
)
 
(94.9
)
 
—

 
(487.1
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
1.4

 
—

 
1.7

 
(3.0
)
 
(15.5
)
 
(33.4
)
 
(48.8
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3.5
)
 
—

 
(3.5
)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash
(0.5
)
 
—

 
0.4

 
(33.3
)
 
(3.4
)
 
—

 
(36.8
)
Beginning Cash Balance
0.9

 
—

 
—

 
40.1

 
47.2

 
—

 
88.2

Ending Cash Balance
$
0.4

 
$
—

 
$
0.4

 
$
6.8

 
$
43.8

 
$
—

 
$
51.4

 



37

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
Holdings
 
Finance
 
Sub
Holding
 
Solutions
 
Non-
 Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Cash Flows From Operations
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations
$
(0.4
)
 
$
—

 
$
(3.7
)
 
$
(32.6
)
 
$
(15.4
)
 
$
—

 
$
(52.1
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations
—

 
—

 
—

 
4.5

 
(0.1
)
 
—

 
4.4

Net cash used in operating activities
(0.4
)
 
—

 
(3.7
)
 
(28.1
)
 
(15.5
)
 
—

 
(47.7
)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Additions to property and equipment
—

 
—

 
—

 
(26.5
)
 
(0.2
)
 
—

 
(26.7
)
Proceeds from the disposal of property and equipment
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.3

 
—

 
—

 
0.3

Acquisitions
—

 
—

 
(86.4
)
 
(10.0
)
 
—

 
—

 
(96.4
)
Investment in subsidiaries
(107.5
)
 
—

 
—

 
(64.2
)
 
—

 
171.7

 
—

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations
(107.5
)
 
—

 
(86.4
)
 
(100.4
)
 
(0.2
)
 
171.7

 
(122.8
)
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations
—

 
—

 
—

 
(0.2
)
 
(0.1
)
 
—

 
(0.3
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(107.5
)
 
—

 
(86.4
)
 
(100.6
)
 
(0.3
)
 
171.7

 
(123.1
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Repurchases of membership units
(0.2
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(0.2
)
Purchase of additional equity interest in Nexeo Plaschem
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(55.9
)
 
—

 
(55.9
)
Proceeds from short-term debt
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
29.5

 
—

 
29.5

Repayments of short-term debt
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(20.8
)
 
—

 
(20.8
)
Investment from parent
—

 
—

 
107.5

 
—

 
64.2

 
(171.7
)
 
—

Transfer to/from affiliates
0.2

 
—

 
0.1

 
19.0

 
(19.3
)
 
—

 
—

Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt
160.0

 
—

 
129.5

 
441.0

 
69.2

 
—

 
799.7

Repayment of long-term debt
(51.1
)
 
—

 
(27.6
)
 
(335.7
)
 
(56.5
)
 
—

 
(470.9
)
Payments of debt issuance costs
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1.8
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1.8
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
108.9

 
—

 
209.5

 
122.5

 
10.4

 
(171.7
)
 
279.6

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1.2

 
—

 
1.2

Increase (Decrease) in Cash
1.0

 
—

 
119.4

 
(6.2
)
 
(4.2
)
 
—

 
110.0

Beginning Cash Balance
—

 
—

 
—

 
27.6

 
47.0

 
—

 
74.6

Ending Cash Balance
$
1.0

 
$
—

 
$
119.4

 
$
21.4

 
$
42.8

 
$
—

 
$
184.6


Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
 
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, Sub Holding assigned $23.0 million of its long-term debt to Solutions and contributed its ownership interest in CSD to Solutions in exchange for a participating preferred interest. Accordingly, CSD and its subsidiaries became wholly owned subsidiaries of Solutions.

There was no impact to the non-guarantor subsidiaries from the above non-cash transaction.

19. Subsequent Events

CSD Acquisition - Release of Escrow

On May 1, 2015, an agreement was reached to release the funds placed in escrow as part of the CSD Acquisition which related to certain indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement. In connection with the agreement, the Company received $8.0 million from the escrow fund with the former shareholders of CSD receiving the remaining funds of approximately $2.0 million. The Company recorded a pre-tax gain of $8.0 million related to this event.



38

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 5, 2014. To the extent this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements, these statements involve risks and uncertainties. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that are anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. 

The terms "Nexeo Solutions Holdings," "the Company," "we," "us," "our," "Nexeo" and similar terms in this report refer to Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries. The term "Holdings" refers only to Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which owns the majority of the membership interests of Nexeo Solutions, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Solutions"). The remaining membership interests are owned by Nexeo Solutions Sub Holding Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings ("Sub-Holding"). Holdings is a holding company and substantially all of its operations are conducted through its primary operating subsidiary Solutions and its subsidiaries. The operations of Solutions and its consolidated subsidiaries constitute the operations of Holdings presented under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 
Overview
 
We are a global distributor of chemicals products in North America and Asia and plastics products in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA") and Asia and provide environmental services, including waste collection, recovery, recycling and arrangement for disposal in North America through our Environmental Services line of business. We also distribute composites products in Asia. We were a distributor of composites products in North America until July 1, 2014, when we sold our North American composites operations. These operations are reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

We offer our customers products used in a broad cross section of end markets, including construction, oil and gas, household, industrial and institutional ("HI&I"), lubricants, performance coatings (including architectural coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers, or "CASE"), automotive, healthcare and personal care. We distribute approximately 27,000 products into over 70 countries for approximately 1,300 suppliers to approximately 29,000 customers.
 
 We distribute our broad product portfolio through a supply chain consisting of approximately 190 owned, leased or third-party warehouses, rail terminals and tank terminals globally. We have a private fleet of approximately 1,000 units, including tractors and trailers, primarily located in North America. We currently employ approximately 2,500 employees globally.
 

Segment Overview
 
We operate through four lines of business, or operating segments: Chemicals, Plastics, Environmental Services and a small set of Composites operations in Asia. Our lines of business market to different sets of customers operating in an array of industries, with various end markets and customer segments within those industries. Until recently, our Composites line of business was primarily comprised of composites operations in North America, which were sold on July 1, 2014, and are now classified as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. For segment presentation and disclosure purposes, our Chemicals and Plastics lines of business constitute separate reportable segments while our Environmental Services line of business and the remaining composites operations in Asia do not individually meet the materiality threshold for separate disclosure and are, as a result, combined in an "Other" segment.

A brief description of each of our lines of business follows:
 
Chemicals. Our Chemicals line of business distributes specialty and industrial chemicals, additives and solvents to industrial users primarily via rail cars, bulk tanker trucks and packaged goods in trucks and less than truckloads. While our chemicals products are distributed in more than 50 countries worldwide, we primarily distribute our chemicals products in North America and Asia. While our Chemicals line of business serves multiple end markets, key end markets within the industrial space are CASE, oil and gas, HI&I, lubricants and personal care.
 
Plastics. Our Plastics line of business supplies a broad product line consisting of commodity polymer products and prime thermoplastic resins for plastic processors engaged in blow molding, extrusion, injection molding and rotation molding and distributes its products via rail car, bulk truck, truckload boxes and less than truckloads. While our plastics products are distributed in more than 50 countries worldwide, we primarily distribute our plastics products in North America, EMEA and Asia. Our Plastics line of business serves a broad cross section of industrial segments, with a current focus on the healthcare and automotive end markets.
 
Environmental Services. Our Environmental Services line of business, in connection with certain waste disposal service companies, provides customers with comprehensive hazardous and non-hazardous waste collection, recovery, recycling and arrangement for disposal services in North America, primarily in the U.S. These environmental services are offered through our network of distribution facilities used as transfer facilities.

Composites. The Composites line of business supplies certain resin products to a small number of customers in Asia.
 
Certain Factors Affecting Comparability to Prior Period Financial Results
 
The following items impact the comparability with prior-period financial results:
 
•The CSD Acquisition closed on December 1, 2013. Accordingly, our condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 include the results of the acquired operations since the closing date. The acquired operations are included in our Chemicals line of business.

•The Archway Acquisition closed April 1, 2014. Accordingly, our condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 do not include any impact associated with the acquired operations. The acquired operations are included in our Chemicals line of business in the current period.

•In September 2012, we formed Nexeo Plaschem as a joint venture and initially owned 60% of the entity. In March 2014, we completed the purchase of an additional 20% equity interest in Nexeo Plaschem, and in July 2014, we completed the purchase of an additional 10% equity interest in Nexeo Plaschem, increasing our ownership percentage to 90% as of September 30, 2014. In October 2014, we acquired the remaining 10% equity interest.

As a result of the factors listed above, historical results of operations and other financial data, as well as period-to-period comparisons of these results, may not be comparable or indicative of future operating results or future financial condition.
 
Outlook
 
General. We currently have operations in North America, EMEA and Asia. As a result, our business is subject to broad, global and/or regional macroeconomic factors. These factors include:
 
l                  general state of the economy, specifically inflationary or deflationary trends, gross domestic product ("GDP") growth rates and commodities/feedstocks price movements;
 
l                unemployment levels;
 
l                government regulation and changes in governments;
 
l                 fiscal and monetary policies of governments, including import and export tariffs, duties, and other taxes;

l                 general income growth and the consumption rates of products; and
 
l                  rates of technological change in the industries we serve.
 
We monitor these factors routinely for both strategic and operational impacts.


39

Our operations are most impacted by regional market price fluctuations of the primary feedstock materials, including crude oil and natural gas, and the downstream derivatives of these primary raw materials. Market price fluctuations of these primary raw materials directly impact the decisions of our product suppliers, specifically the manufacturing capacity made available for production of the products we distribute. As capacity or demand patterns change, we may experience a corresponding change in the average selling prices of the products we distribute. Our gross profit margins generally decrease in deflationary price environments because we are selling inventory that was previously purchased at higher prices. Alternatively, our gross profit margins generally increase during inflationary pricing environments as we are able to sell inventory that was previously purchased at lower prices. The extent to which profitability increases or decreases, however, also depends on the relative speed at which selling prices adjust in relation to inventory costs. Additionally, as a logistics provider, oil price movements can also impact our transportation and delivery costs.

Regional Outlook. The global economic environment is mixed across the key regions where we compete and we implement and execute different market and operational strategies in these regions.
 
North America
 
The U.S. GDP grew at an annualized rate of 3.0% for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015, which followed a revised annualized growth rate of 2.4% for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2014. During our second quarter of fiscal year 2015, West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices began the quarter at approximately $53 per barrel and ended the quarter at approximately $48 per barrel, or approximately 9% lower. In terms of currency, the CAD continued to weaken versus the U.S. dollar in the second fiscal quarter following a significant decline in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, which affected, among other items, the reported dollar revenues and gross profit from our Canadian operations.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we generally continued to see lower selling prices for the products we distribute, particularly in our Plastics line of business. The lag between average selling price adjustments in the market and the impact on inventory costs is a typical phenomenon that occurs during periods of declining market prices for feedstocks. We experienced a profitability decrease, particularly in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, associated with this lag and we expect market forces and the intensity of competition to continue to drive pricing pressure throughout the remainder of the current fiscal year.
 
Europe
 
In Europe, we conduct business primarily in the Western European countries. European GDP grew at an annualized rate of 1.0% for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015, following an annualized growth rate of 0.9% for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2014. During our second quarter of fiscal year 2015, Brent crude oil prices began the quarter at approximately $55 per barrel and ended the quarter at approximately $54 per barrel, or approximately 2% lower, showing some signs of stabilizing. In terms of currency, the Euro and other European currencies continued to weaken versus the U.S. dollar in the second fiscal quarter following a significant decline in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, which affected, among other items, the reported dollar revenues and gross profit from our European operations.

The market prices for the products we sell in Europe are closely correlated to the cost of crude oil as these operations are primarily based on the distribution of commodity plastics products. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, our operations in Europe continued to experience weak pricing while volumes improved compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. We expect to see continued pressure in this region until oil prices stabilize further.
 
Asia
 
Our operations in Asia are primarily concentrated in China. For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015, China GDP grew at an annualized rate of 7.0%. This GDP growth is slower than the GDP growth reported for China over the past five years, primarily due to a weaker property sector, lower credit growth and weakened industrial production. We expect China's GDP growth to continue to gradually slow in the near future, which will further impact demand and drive pricing pressure.

Strategic Initiatives. We are focused on initiatives to enhance growth and profitability, including:

•
leveraging our centralized business model by more closely aligning our customer service functions with our lines of business to significantly enhance customer service;

•
improving our pricing methodologies to reflect market conditions and optimize profitability;
 

40

•
enhancing the processes and tools used by our sales force to increase productivity and motivating our sales force through various incentive programs;

•
continuing to refine our go-to-market model to drive more growth through greater customer intimacy;
 
•
expanding our footprint globally by focusing on key end markets within each line of business that we believe will grow faster than the overall market and that will differentiate us from our competitors;

•
realizing synergies from our acquisitions;

•
enhancing our supply chain agility; and
 
•
reducing selling, general, and administrative expenses while attracting and retaining the talent we need to create new capabilities within our company.
 
Results of Operations
     
On July 1, 2014, we sold our North American composites operations. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, these operations are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented and are excluded from the segment analysis tables and discussions below.

Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2015 Compared with Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2014
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage of Sales and
Operating Revenues For the
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
Period Over Period
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
(Dollars in millions)
2015
 
2014
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
Sales and operating revenues
$
1,012.8

 
$
1,123.8

 
$
(111.0
)
 
(9.9
)%
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
Cost of sales and operating expenses
913.6

 
1,022.5

 
108.9

 
10.7
 %
 
90.2
 %
 
91.0
 %
Gross profit
99.2

 
101.3

 
(2.1
)
 
(2.1
)%
 
9.8
 %
 
9.0
 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses
82.0

 
82.4

 
0.4

 
0.5
 %
 
8.1
 %
 
7.3
 %
Transaction related costs
—

 
3.0

 
3.0

 
100.0
 %
 
—
 %
 
0.3
 %
Operating income
17.2

 
15.9

 
1.3

 
8.2
 %
 
1.7
 %
 
1.4
 %
Other income
0.2

 
0.4

 
(0.2
)
 
(50.0
)%
 
*

 
*

Interest expense, net
(16.2
)
 
(15.7
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(3.2
)%
 
(1.6
)%
 
(1.4
)%
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
1.2

 
0.6

 
0.6

 
100.0
 %
 
0.1
 %
 
0.1
 %
Income tax expense
1.8

 
0.9

 
(0.9
)
 
(100.0
)%
 
0.2
 %
 
0.1
 %
Net loss from continuing operations
(0.6
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(100.0
)%
 
*

 
*

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
—

 
1.5

 
(1.5
)
 
(100.0
)%
 
—
 %
 
0.1
 %
Net income (loss)
$
(0.6
)
 
$
1.2

 
$
(1.8
)
 
(150.0
)%
 
*

 
0.1
 %
 

*              Not meaningful
 
Sales and operating revenues and cost of sales and operating expenses
 

41

Sales and operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $1,012.8 million compared to $1,123.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $111.0 million, or 9.9%. The decrease in revenues was primarily attributable to lower average selling prices and lower volume in our Chemicals and Plastics businesses as a result of the decline in oil prices during the current period. Additionally, revenue decreased as a result of our decision to stop certain transactions that are not meeting profitability thresholds or are not consistent with our long-term strategy. Further, revenue decreased approximately $32.4 million as a result of the declines in the exchange rates of various currencies versus the U.S. dollar as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in revenue was partially offset by a $35.5 million favorable impact during the current period in our Chemicals line of business related to the Archway Acquisition, which was completed on April 1, 2014.
 
Cost of sales and operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $913.6 million compared to $1,022.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $108.9 million, or 10.7%. The decrease in costs of sales and operating expenses was primarily attributable to (i) lower volumes in our Chemicals and Plastics lines of business, particularly in EMEA, (ii) a decrease in certain operating expenses, driven by the execution of certain cost saving efforts, including better utilization of our private fleet, better management of certain warehouse costs and other operating improvements and (iii) lower costs for certain products. The decrease in cost of sales and operating expenses was partially offset by the impact of the Archway Acquisition in our Chemicals line of business. Cost of sales and operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2014 included the negative impact of poor weather conditions in North America that resulted in decreased demand and higher costs and a non-cash impairment charge of $1.2 million associated with a closure of a facility in North America. The facility served all lines of business and its closure was the result of network optimization strategies.

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $99.2 million compared to $101.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $2.1 million, or 2.1%. This decrease was primarily attributable to our Plastics line of business, driven by the decline in sales volume coupled with price compression. Additionally, gross profit decreased approximately $3.2 million as a result of the declines in the exchange rates of various currencies versus the U.S. dollar as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in gross profit was partially offset by the impact of the Archway Acquisition on our Chemicals line of business, improved profitability resulting from the positive impact in the current period of certain market-based pricing initiatives and the decrease in operating expenses described above.

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $82.0 million compared to $82.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 0.5%. This decrease includes approximately a $6.0 million increase in expense attributable to selling, general and administrative expenses resulting from the Archway Acquisition, of which $1.3 million was depreciation and amortization expense. The offsetting decrease of approximately $6.4 million was primarily due to a favorable foreign exchange variance over the prior period of approximately $2.3 million, primarily associated with fluctuations in the RMB and CAD exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar, a decrease in employee-related costs of approximately $2.2 million, decreased insurance costs of $0.9 million, decreased consulting costs of $0.8 million and decreased travel costs of $0.6 million. Lower expenses are the result of our execution on key productivity and cost management initiatives.

Transaction related costs
 
We incurred no transaction related costs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Transaction related costs incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2014 related primarily to legal and consulting costs incurred in connection with the closing of the Archway Acquisition.
 
Other income
 
Other income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $0.2 million compared to $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

42


Interest expense, net
 
Net interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $16.2 million compared to $15.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $0.5 million, or 3.2%. Interest expense for both periods is primarily related to the Term Loan Facility, the Notes and the ABL Facility, along with the amortization of the costs associated with issuing the debt. The increase in interest expense during the current period compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year is primarily due to increased borrowings under the Term Loan Facility as a result of the amendment entered into in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in interest expense related to lower short-term borrowings outstanding during the current period.

Income tax expense
 
Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $1.8 million compared to $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $0.9 million, or 100.0%. Our income tax expense is primarily determined by our taxable income in foreign jurisdictions and certain U.S., Federal, state and local jurisdictions. The increase in income tax expense compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year is primarily attributed to a valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets in China, as well as to U.S. income tax expense on profitable U.S. operations.

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
 
We had no income or loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to income of $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 100.0%. The decrease in income from discontinued operations compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year is largely attributed to the lack of operations in the current period as a result of the Composites Sale on July 1, 2014, coupled with additional expenses incurred during the current period to terminate activity and relationships associated with these operations.
 


43

Segment Analysis

Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2015 Compared with Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2014
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage of Consolidated
Sales/Gross Profit For the
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
Period Over Period
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
(Dollars in millions)
2015
 
2014
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
Chemicals
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales and operating revenues
$
507.8

 
$
561.1

 
$
(53.3
)
 
(9.5
)%
 
50.1
%
 
49.9
%
Gross profit
$
57.5

 
$
49.7

 
$
7.8

 
15.7
 %
 
58.0
%
 
49.1
%
Gross profit %
11.3
%
 
8.9
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Plastics
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales and operating revenues
$
477.0

 
$
527.2

 
$
(50.2
)
 
(9.5
)%
 
47.1
%
 
46.9
%
Gross profit
34.7

 
43.3

 
$
(8.6
)
 
(19.9
)%
 
35.0
%
 
42.7
%
Gross profit %
7.3
%
 
8.2
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales and operating revenues
$
28.0

 
$
35.5

 
$
(7.5
)
 
(21.1
)%
 
2.8
%
 
3.2
%
Gross profit
7.0

 
8.3

 
$
(1.3
)
 
(15.7
)%
 
7.0
%
 
8.2
%
Gross profit %
25.0
%
 
23.4
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales and operating revenues
$
1,012.8

 
$
1,123.8

 
$
(111.0
)
 
(9.9
)%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Gross profit
99.2

 
101.3

 
$
(2.1
)
 
(2.1
)%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Gross profit %
9.8
%
 
9.0
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Chemicals
 
Sales and operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 for the Chemicals line of business decreased $53.3 million, or 9.5%, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The revenue decrease was primarily driven by volume declines associated with certain commodity products resulting from the weakened energy market, as well as volume declines resulting from the decision to stop certain transactions in North America and China that are not meeting our profitability thresholds or are not consistent with our long-term strategy. Revenue also decreased approximately $3.1 million as a result of the declines in the exchange rates of various currencies versus the U.S. dollar as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Furthermore, the decrease in revenues was also driven by a net decline in average selling prices in both North America and Asia operations across multiple product categories as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year due to the current deflationary environment. However, these market price declines in North America were notably offset by the positive impact of certain pricing initiatives as well as favorable changes in product mix. The decrease in revenues was partially offset by the impact of the Archway Acquisition, which contributed approximately $35.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Gross profit for the Chemicals line of business increased $7.8 million, or 15.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. This increase in gross profit was driven primarily by the impact of the Archway Acquisition, which contributed approximately 82.1% of the gross profit growth. The increase in gross profit was also driven by increased margins associated with certain pricing initiatives coupled with a decrease in operating expenses due to the execution of certain cost saving efforts, including better utilization of our private fleet, better management of certain warehouse costs and other operating improvements. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by a decrease of approximately $0.4 million as a result of the declines in the exchange rates of various currencies versus the U.S. dollar as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Gross profit in the three months ended March 31, 2014 was impacted by a non-cash impairment charge of $0.8 million allocated to the Chemicals line of business associated with a facility closure and poor weather conditions in North America that resulted in decreased demand and higher costs.

44

 
Plastics
 
Sales and operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 for the Plastics line of business decreased $50.2 million, or 9.5%, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The revenue decrease was primarily attributable to a decline in average selling price across all regions of our Plastics operations, driven by the lower oil prices in the current period. The revenue decrease was also driven by volume declines in our operations in EMEA. Additionally, revenue decreased approximately $29.3 million as a result of the declines in the exchange rates of various currencies versus the U.S. dollar as compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in revenue was partially offset by slight volume increases in our operations in North America and Asia, driven primarily by commodity products.

Gross profit for the Plastics line of business decreased $8.6 million, or 19.9%, for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in gross profit is primarily the result of the overall deflationary price environment that has caused us to sell inventory that was previously purchased at higher prices. Gross profit also decreased by approximately $2.8 million as a result of the declines in the exchange rates of various currencies versus the U.S. dollar as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. These decreases in gross profit were slightly offset by the impact of certain profitability initiatives that are helping us reduce the impact of the price compression we are experiencing as well as the relative stabilization of oil prices in EMEA in the last month of the current fiscal quarter. Included in gross profit from our operations in North America in the three months ended March 31, 2014 was the impact of poor weather conditions that resulted in decreased demand and higher costs as well as a $0.3 million non-cash impairment charge allocated to the Plastics line of business associated with a facility closure.
 
Other
 
Combined sales and operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 for the Other segment decreased $7.5 million, or 21.1%, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to decreased sales volumes of composite products in our Asia operations compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in revenues also reflects lower demand in certain end markets within our Environmental Services line of business, partially offset by increased revenue generation driven by new customer acquisitions as well as expanded operations with existing customers.

Gross profit for the Other segment decreased $1.3 million, or 15.7%, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, reflecting the factors discussed above.
 

45

Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared with Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage of Sales and
Operating Revenues For the
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
Period Over Period
 Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
Six Months Ended 
 March 31,
(Dollars in millions)
2015
 
2014
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
Sales and operating revenues
$
2,030.5

 
$
2,166.1

 
$
(135.6
)
 
(6.3
)%
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
Cost of sales and operating expenses
1,839.3

 
1,977.7

 
138.4

 
7.0
 %
 
90.6
 %
 
91.3
 %
Gross profit
191.2

 
188.4

 
2.8

 
1.5
 %
 
9.4
 %
 
8.7
 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses
165.6

 
160.1

 
(5.5
)
 
(3.4
)%
 
8.2
 %
 
7.4
 %
Transaction related costs
0.1

 
8.9

 
8.8

 
98.9
 %
 
*

 
0.4
 %
Operating income
25.5

 
19.4

 
6.1

 
31.4
 %
 
1.3
 %
 
0.9
 %
Other income
0.7

 
0.8

 
(0.1
)
 
(12.5
)%
 
*

 
*

Interest expense, net
(32.6
)
 
(30.0
)
 
(2.6
)
 
(8.7
)%
 
(1.6
)%
 
(1.4
)%
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
(6.4
)
 
(9.8
)
 
3.4

 
34.7
 %
 
(0.3
)%
 
(0.5
)%
Income tax expense
0.9

 
3.2

 
2.3

 
71.9
 %
 
*

 
0.1
 %
Net loss from continuing operations
(7.3
)
 
(13.0
)
 
5.7

 
43.8
 %
 
(0.4
)%
 
(0.6
)%
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
(0.8
)
 
3.0

 
(3.8
)
 
(126.7
)%
 
*

 
0.1
 %
Net loss
$
(8.1
)
 
$
(10.0
)
 
$
1.9

 
(19.0
)%
 
(0.4
)%
 
(0.5
)%
 
 
*                                         Not meaningful

Sales and operating revenues and cost of sales and operating expenses
 
Sales and operating revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2015 were $2,030.5 million compared to $2,166.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $135.6 million, or 6.3%. The decrease in revenues was primarily attributable to lower average selling prices and lower volumes in both our Chemicals and Plastics businesses as a result of the decline in oil prices during the current period. Additionally, revenue decreased as a result of the decision to stop certain transactions in North America and China that are not meeting our profitability thresholds or are not consistent with our long-term strategy. As an example, revenue decreased approximately $26.6 million compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year related to the impact of a decision made during fiscal year 2014 to stop serving certain trader business in China. Furthermore, revenue also decreased by approximately $48.5 million as a result of the declines in the exchange rates of various currencies versus the U.S. dollar as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in revenue was partially offset by the impact during the current period in our Chemicals line of business related to the Archway Acquisition, which was completed on April 1, 2014, and an additional two months of operations from the CSD Acquisition, which was completed on December 1, 2013, which collectively contributed $93.9 million.


46

Cost of sales and operating expenses for the six months ended March 31, 2015 were $1,839.3 million compared to $1,977.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $138.4 million, or 7.0%. The decrease in cost of sales and operating expenses was primarily due to (i) lower volumes in our Plastics and Chemicals lines of business, (ii) a decrease in certain operating expenses, driven by the execution of certain cost saving efforts, including better utilization of our private fleet, better management of certain warehouse costs and other operating improvements and (iii) lower costs for certain products. Cost of sales and operating expenses during the six months ended March 31, 2015 included approximately $1.4 million from the favorable settlement of claims with suppliers, offset by the impact of a non-cash inventory impairment charge of $1.6 million, both occurring in the first fiscal quarter and associated with our Chemicals operations. The decrease in costs of sales and operating expenses was partially offset by the impact of the Archway Acquisition and the two additional months of operations from the CSD Acquisition in the current period in our Chemicals business. Cost of sales and operating expenses during the six months ended March 31, 2014 included a $1.2 million non-cash impairment charge associated with a facility closing and an inventory step-up charge of $1.2 million resulting from the CSD Acquisition, both offset by the favorable impact of approximately $2.2 million of insurance proceeds received in connection with the fire at our Garland facility.

Gross profit increased $2.8 million, or 1.5%, for the six months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Overall, this increase in gross profit was primarily attributable to the impact of the Archway Acquisition on our Chemicals line of business, improved profitability resulting from the positive impact in the current period of certain pricing initiatives and the decrease in operating expenses described above. The increases in gross profit were partially offset by a decrease of approximately $4.6 million as a result of the declines in the exchange rates of various currencies versus the U.S. dollar as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended March 31, 2015 were $165.6 million compared to $160.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $5.5 million, or 3.4%. Approximately $12.7 million of the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, including approximately $3.3 million of depreciation and amortization expense, is attributable to the estimated impact of two months of additional operations from the CSD Acquisition and the impact of the Archway Acquisition for the current period. The offsetting decrease of approximately $7.2 million in selling, general and administrative expenses was driven primarily by lower travel costs of approximately $2.7 million compared to the prior fiscal year, decreased employee-related costs of $2.0 million, lower insurance costs of $1.5 million, a favorable foreign exchange variance over the prior period of $1.1 million primarily associated with fluctuations in the RMB and CAD exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar and lower telecommunications costs of $0.7 million. Lower expenses are the result of our execution on key productivity and cost management initiatives. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in depreciation and amortization expense of $0.9 million associated with the facility, equipment and vehicle investments made in the last half of fiscal year 2014 and in the current period.
 
Transaction related costs
 
We incurred $0.1 million in transaction related costs for the six months ended March 31, 2015 compared to $8.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $8.8 million, or 98.9%. The decrease is primarily due to the costs incurred during the six months ended March 31, 2014 related primarily to legal and consulting costs incurred in connection with the closing and early assimilation of the CSD Acquisition and the closing of the Archway Acquisition, which closed on December 1, 2013 and April 1, 2014, respectively.

Other income
 
Other income for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was $0.7 million compared to $0.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014.

Interest expense, net
 
Net interest expense for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was $32.6 million compared to $30.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $2.6 million, or 8.7%. Interest expense for both periods is primarily related to the Term Loan Facility, the Notes and the ABL Facility, along with the amortization of the costs associated with issuing the debt. The increase in interest expense compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year is primarily due to increased borrowings under the Term Loan Facility as a result of the amendment entered into in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in interest expense related to lower short-term borrowings outstanding during the current period.
 

47

Income tax expense
 
Income tax expense for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was $0.9 million compared to $3.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $2.3 million, or 71.9%. Our income tax expense is primarily determined by our taxable income in foreign jurisdictions and certain U.S., Federal, state and local jurisdictions. The decrease in income tax expense compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year is largely attributed to reduced profitability of our China operations and changes in valuation allowances.
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was $0.8 million compared to income of $3.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $3.8 million, or 126.7%. The decrease in income from discontinued operations compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year is largely attributed to the lack of operations in the current period as a result of the Composites Sale on July 1, 2014, coupled with additional expenses incurred during the current period to terminate activity and relationships associated with these operations.


48

Segment Analysis
 
Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared with Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage of Consolidated
Sales/Gross Profit For the
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
Period Over Period
 Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
Six Months Ended 
 March 31,
(Dollars in millions)
2015
 
2014
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
Chemicals
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales and operating revenues
$
1,021.3

 
$
1,074.3

 
$
(53.0
)
 
(4.9
)%
 
50.3
%
 
49.6
%
Gross profit
$
108.2

 
$
91.6

 
$
16.6

 
18.1
 %
 
56.6
%
 
48.6
%
Gross profit %
10.6
%
 
8.5
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Plastics
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales and operating revenues
$
952.2

 
$
1,029.8

 
$
(77.6
)
 
(7.5
)%
 
46.9
%
 
47.5
%
Gross profit
$
68.5

 
$
81.4

 
$
(12.9
)
 
(15.8
)%
 
35.8
%
 
43.2
%
Gross profit %
7.2
%
 
7.9
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales and operating revenues
$
57.0

 
$
62.0

 
$
(5.0
)
 
(8.1
)%
 
2.8
%
 
2.9
%
Gross profit
$
14.5

 
$
15.4

 
$
(0.9
)
 
(5.8
)%
 
7.6
%
 
8.2
%
Gross profit %
25.4
%
 
24.8
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales and operating revenues
$
2,030.5

 
$
2,166.1

 
$
(135.6
)
 
(6.3
)%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Gross profit
$
191.2

 
$
188.4

 
$
2.8

 
1.5
 %
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Gross profit %
9.4
%
 
8.7
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Chemicals
 
Sales and operating revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2015 for the Chemicals line of business decreased $53.0 million, or 4.9%, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The revenue decrease was primarily attributable to a volume decline in North America associated with certain commodity products, a volume decline in Asia associated with lower demand in that region and a volume decline resulting from the decision to stop certain transactions in North America and China that are not meeting our profitability thresholds or are not consistent with our long-term strategy. As an example, in China, Chemicals revenues decreased approximately $10.2 million compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year related to our decision during fiscal year 2014 to stop serving certain trader business. Overall, across the multiple product categories sold, average selling prices declined significantly in our Asia operations but remained relatively flat in our North America operations. While prices declined as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year due to the current deflationary environment, these market price declines were partially offset in North America due to the positive notable impact of certain pricing initiatives, as well as favorable changes in product mix. Revenue also decreased approximately $5.6 million as a result of the declines in the exchange rates of various currencies versus the U.S. dollar as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in revenue was partially offset by the Archway Acquisition, as well as the estimated impact of an additional two months in the current period of the CSD Acquisition, which collectively contributed $93.9 million.


49

Gross profit for the Chemicals line of business increased $16.6 million, or 18.1%, for the six months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. This increase in gross profit was primarily attributable to the impact of the Archway Acquisition and the CSD Acquisition, coupled with the positive impact during the current period from our pricing initiatives, favorable changes in product mix and efforts to reduce operating costs, which offset the declines in volume and average selling prices described above. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by a decrease of approximately $0.6 million as a result of the declines in the exchange rates of various currencies versus the U.S. dollar as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Gross profit during the six months ended March 31, 2015 included approximately $1.4 million from the favorable settlement of claims with suppliers, offset by the impact of a non-cash inventory impairment charge of $1.6 million associated with our operations in Asia, both of which occurred during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. The inventory impairment was driven primarily by the impact of the significant decline in oil prices. Gross profit during the six months ended March 31, 2014 included the effect of the inventory step-up charge of $1.2 million resulting from the CSD Acquisition, a $0.8 million non-cash impairment charge allocated to the Chemicals line of business associated with a facility closure and the negative impact of poor weather conditions at certain of our facilities in North America that resulted in decreased demand and higher costs, offset by the favorable impact of $2.2 million of insurance proceeds received during that period in connection with the fire at our Garland facility.

Plastics
 
Sales and operating revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2015 for the Plastics line of business decreased $77.6 million, or 7.5%, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The revenue decrease was primarily attributable to volume declines in our operations in EMEA and Asia, driven by lower oil prices in the current period. The revenue decrease was also driven by pricing pressure in our operations in EMEA. Additionally, revenue decreased approximately $42.9 million as a result of the declines in the exchange rates of various currencies versus the U.S. dollar as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Furthermore, the decrease in revenue also reflects a decrease of approximately $16.4 million compared to the prior fiscal year related to the impact of a decision made during fiscal year 2014 to stop serving certain trader business in China that either did not meet profitability thresholds or was not consistent with our long-term strategy. The overall revenue decrease was partially offset by volume increases in our operations in North America, driven primarily by commodity products.

Gross profit for the Plastics line of business decreased $12.9 million, or 15.8%, for the six months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease in gross profit is the result of the overall deflationary price environment which has caused us to sell inventory that was previously purchased at higher prices. Gross profit also decreased by approximately $4.0 million as a result of the declines in the exchange rates of various currencies versus the U.S. dollar as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. These decreases in gross profit were slightly offset by the impact of certain profitability initiatives that are helping us reduce the impact of the price compression we are experiencing as well as the relative stabilization of oil prices in EMEA in the last month of the current period. Gross profit during the six months ended March 31, 2014 included the effect of poor weather conditions that resulted in decreased demand and higher costs, as well as a $0.3 million non-cash impairment charge allocated to the Plastics line of business associated with a facility closure.

Other
 
Combined sales and operating revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2015 for the Other segment decreased $5.0 million, or 8.1%, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to decreased sales volumes of composite products in our Asia operations compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in revenues was partially offset by a net increase in revenue in our Environmental Services line of business driven by new customer acquisitions as well as expanded operations with existing customers.

Gross profit for the Other segment decreased $0.9 million, or 5.8%, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, reflecting the factors discussed above.
    
    

50

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Overview
 
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from operations and our ABL Facility. Cash flow generated from operations is influenced by the seasonal patterns of our business and other timing circumstances that can result in increases or decreases in working capital requirements for any given period during the course of our fiscal year. Our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from our operating activities will continue to be primarily dependent on purchasing and distributing chemicals and plastics materials. Our ability to generate these cash flows in the normal course of business can be significantly influenced by changing global and regional macroeconomic conditions. Borrowing availability under our ABL Facility is subject to a borrowing base, generally comprised of eligible inventory and accounts receivable held in certain subsidiaries. Our availability under the ABL Facility is, therefore, potentially subject to fluctuations, depending on the value of the eligible assets in the borrowing base on a given valuation date. An inability to borrow under the ABL Facility may adversely affect our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.

Our operating cash requirements consist principally of inventory purchases, trade credit extended to customers, labor, occupancy costs and delivery and transportation costs. Non-operating cash requirements include debt service requirements, acquisition-related costs, capital expenditures and investor tax payments. During the six months ended March 31, 2015, we used $34.3 million of non-operating cash to purchase the remaining 10% equity interest in Nexeo Plaschem. We funded this purchase with cash on hand and approximately $18.0 million of borrowings under the ABL Facility.
 
Cash capital expenditures for the six months ended March 31, 2015, were $19.8 million, and related primarily to facility improvements, additional information technology investments and vehicles. We expect our aggregate capital expenditures for fiscal year 2015 (excluding acquisitions) to be approximately $35.0-$37.0 million. These expenditures will be primarily related to fixed asset replacements, betterments to our information technology infrastructure and additions of equipment and vehicles.
 
We are a limited liability company, and our members are taxed on the income generated in certain states and in certain foreign countries. We are required to make quarterly distributions to our members to provide them with the funds to make estimated tax payments, if any, attributable to our U.S. taxable income. Any quarterly distributions to members to make estimated tax payments are subject to the availability of funds, as determined by our Board of Directors at its sole discretion. In some jurisdictions, we make such distributions in the form of tax payments paid directly to the taxing authority on behalf of our members. There were no material quarterly tax distributions in the six months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014. In addition, our sole U.S. corporate subsidiary, Sub Holding, is subject to tax at the entity level in the U.S.

The credit agreement governing our Term Loan Facility requires us to make quarterly principal payments of approximately $1.7 million. Additionally, the Term Loan Facility requires us to prepay outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions, with a portion of our annual Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the credit agreement), calculated as of the end of the applicable fiscal year. There was no Excess Cash Flow with respect to prior fiscal years.
 
We are required to make semi-annual interest payments on the Notes of approximately $7.3 million. In addition, we are required to make periodic interest payments under the ABL Facility and the Term Loan Facility based on principal amounts outstanding and the interest period elected by the borrower. Interest periods can range up to six months. Interest expense relating to the Notes and the Credit Facilities was approximately $13.7 million and $27.5 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively. Our ABL Facility currently matures on July 11, 2017, our Term Loan Facility matures on September 9, 2017, and our Notes mature on March 1, 2018. As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the covenants of the Credit Facilities and the Indenture governing the Notes.
 
Liquidity
 
Based on current and anticipated levels of operations, capital spending projections and conditions in our markets, we believe that cash on hand, together with cash flows from operations, and borrowings available to us under the ABL Facility are adequate to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs as well as any debt service and other cash requirements for at least twelve months. As of March 31, 2015, we had $51.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $357.6 million of borrowing capacity available under our ABL Facility, net of borrowings and letters of credit.
 

51

Under our ABL Facility, if as of any date of determination when Trigger Event Excess Availability (as defined in the ABL Facility agreement) is below certain thresholds or upon certain defaults, the ABL Borrowers (as defined in the ABL Facility agreement) will be required to deposit cash on a daily basis from certain depository accounts in a collection account maintained with the administrative agent under the ABL Facility, which will be used to repay outstanding loans and cash collateralized letters of credit. As of March 31, 2015, Trigger Event Excess Availability under our ABL Facility was $336.1 million, which was $286.4 million in excess of the $49.7 million threshold that would trigger the foregoing requirements.
 
On January 30, 2015, as permitted under the ABL Facility, we established an incremental permitted foreign facility in an aggregate principal amount of $30.0 million. The new facility will be used solely to issue one or more letters of credit, on behalf of our foreign subsidiaries, which will reduce the reliance on the letter of credit capacity under the U.S. tranche of the ABL Facility. Concurrently with the closing of the permitted foreign facility, we replaced an existing letter of credit in the approximate amount of $26.2 million under the ABL Facility with a letter of credit in the same amount under the new permitted foreign facility.

Our long-term liquidity needs are primarily related to early principal payments required in certain circumstances under the Term Loan Facility. While there can be no assurance, we anticipate that cash flows from operations will provide for the majority of these long-term liquidity needs. Additionally, we have final maturity debt payments due in 2017 and 2018. Depending on market conditions and other factors, we may also consider alternative financing options, including, but not limited to, issuance of equity, issuance of new debt or refinancing of our existing debt obligations.
 
At March 31, 2015, we had $51.4 million in cash and cash equivalents. Of this amount, $43.8 million was held by foreign subsidiaries outside of the U.S. Of the $43.8 million, $36.5 million was denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily in CAD, Euros, RMB and British pounds. At March 31, 2015, we had approximately $5.6 million in China denominated in RMB. While the RMB is convertible into U.S. dollars, foreign exchange transactions are subject to approvals from the SAFE. We do not anticipate any significant adverse impact to overall liquidity from restrictions on cash and cash equivalents. Although we currently anticipate that the majority of the cash and cash equivalents held by foreign affiliates will be retained by the affiliates for working capital purposes, we believe such cash and cash equivalents could be repatriated to the U.S. in the form of debt repayments with limited tax consequences.
 
Cash Flows
 
Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared with Six Months Ended March 31, 2014

The following table sets forth the major categories of our cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
 
Six Months Ended March 31,
(in millions)
2015
 
2014
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations
$
34.2

 
$
(52.1
)
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations
(0.6
)
 
4.4

 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
33.6

 
(47.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations
(18.1
)
 
(122.8
)
 
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations
—

 
(0.3
)
 
Net cash used in investing activities
(18.1
)
 
(123.1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(48.8
)
 
279.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(3.5
)
 
1.2

 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(36.8
)
 
110.0

 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
88.2

 
74.6

 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
51.4

 
$
184.6

 


52

Major Categories of Cash Flows
 
Cash flows from operating activities
 
Continuing operations

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was $34.2 million. Net loss from continuing operations of $7.3 million, adjusted for significant non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization expenses, debt issuance costs, provision for bad debt, inventory impairment and deferred income taxes collectively totaling $35.1 million, resulted in approximately $27.8 million of cash inflow from continuing operations during the six months ended March 31, 2015. Additionally, cash flow from continuing operations was positively impacted by a decrease in accounts and notes receivable of approximately $60.3 million. The decrease in accounts and notes receivable was driven primarily by timing of collections at period end as well as lower sales volumes and continuing pricing pressure experienced during the current period. There have been no significant changes in billing terms or collection processes during the current period. Certain customers of Nexeo Plaschem are allowed to remit payment during a period of time ranging from 30 days up to nine months and these receivables, which are supported by banknotes issued by large banks in China on behalf of these customers, totaled approximately $9.2 million at March 31, 2015. There was a decrease in inventory of $21.5 million during the six months ended March 31, 2015, which reflects the impact of lower inventory purchases as well as lower prices for these purchases. Additionally, there was a decrease in other current assets of $7.1 million partially due to a reduction in certain inventory prepayments. Cash outflow during the period was attributable to a decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and income taxes payable totaling approximately $80.9 million.
 
Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations for the six months ended March 31, 2014 was $52.1 million. Net loss from continuing operations of $13.0 million adjusted for significant non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization expenses, debt issuance costs and provision for bad debt, collectively totaling $30.4 million, provided approximately $17.4 million of cash inflow from continuing operations during the six months ended March 31, 2014. Additionally, cash flow from operations was positively impacted by an increase in accounts payable of approximately $30.4 million. We experienced a significant negative impact on cash flows from operations resulting from a net increase in accounts receivable of approximately $51.1 million. There were no significant changes in our billing terms or collection processes during this period, although, as described above, Nexeo Plaschem has billing terms that allow certain customers to remit payment during a broad range of time. These receivables were supported by banknotes issued by large banks in China on behalf of these customers and totaled approximately $23.4 million at March 31, 2014. We increased our investment in inventory by approximately $32.8 million primarily driven by lower than expected demand during the second fiscal quarter of 2014. Cash outflow during the period was also attributable to an increase in other current assets of $5.5 million, primarily related to prepayments on certain inventory purchases tied to pricing incentives.

Discontinued operations

Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was $0.6 million, related to certain one-time costs incurred to terminate activity and relationships associated with these operations.

Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations for the six months ended March 31, 2014 was $4.4 million. Net income of $3.0 million, adjusted for significant non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization expenses and provision for bad debt collectively totaling approximately $0.8 million, resulted in approximately $3.8 million of cash flows from discontinued operations during the period. The remainder of the cash provided by these activities was primarily attributable to a decrease in accounts receivable of approximately $0.9 million and a decrease in inventory of approximately $0.6 million. Cash used by operating activities from discontinued operations included a decrease in accounts payable and other accrued expenses totaling approximately $1.1 million.

Cash flows from investing activities

Continuing operations
 
Investing activities used $18.1 million of cash during the six months ended March 31, 2015, primarily due to capital expenditures of approximately $19.8 million throughout the period mainly related to facility improvements, additional information technology investments and vehicle additions. These expenditures were partially offset by net proceeds from the sale of assets of approximately $1.7 million.
 

53

Investing activities used $122.8 million of cash during the six months ended March 31, 2014, primarily due to the closing of the CSD Acquisition for $96.4 million and capital expenditures of approximately $26.7 million, primarily related to facility improvements, additional information technology investments and additions to our private delivery fleet.

Discontinued operations

There was no significant cash impact stemming from investing activities from discontinued operations for the six months ended March 31, 2015. Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations for the six months ended March 31, 2014 was $0.3 million.

Cash flows from financing activities
 
Financing activities used $48.8 million of cash for the six months ended March 31, 2015, primarily as a result of the purchase of the remaining equity interest in Nexeo Plaschem for approximately $34.3 million. In addition, financing activities used include net payments of $8.8 million on short-term lines of credit available to Nexeo Plaschem, net payments under the Term Loan Facility of $3.4 million, and net payments on the ABL Facility of $2.2 million.
 
Financing activities provided $279.6 million of cash for the six months ended March 31, 2014, primarily as a result of the new term loan proceeds of $169.2 million, net borrowings on the ABL Facility of $162.6 million and net borrowings of $8.7 million on short-term lines of credit available to Nexeo Plaschem. Proceeds from borrowings were partially offset by the purchase of the additional 20% interest in Nexeo Plaschem for approximately $55.9 million and the quarterly installments on the Term Loan Facility of $2.9 million.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
As of March 31, 2015, amounts due under our contractual commitments are as follows:
 
 
Payments Due by Period 
Contractual Obligations
Less than
 1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
4-5 Years
 
More
 than 5
 Years
 
Total
Short-term and long-term debt obligations (1)
$
45.1

 
$
741.2

 
$
175.3

 
$
—

 
$
961.6

Estimated interest payments (2)
50.3

 
81.9

 
7.4

 
—

 
139.6

Operating lease obligations (3)
18.1

 
23.7

 
13.5

 
11.6

 
66.9

Purchase obligations (4)
1.4

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1.4

Management and consulting services obligations (5)
3.0

 
6.0

 
6.0

 
—

 
15.0

Other long-term liabilities reflected on the balance sheet (6)
—

 
—

 
—

 
1.1

 
1.1

Total
$
117.9

 
$
852.8

 
$
202.2

 
$
12.7

 
$
1,185.6

 

(1) 
Short-term obligations primarily include (i) the payment of $38.1 million outstanding under credit facilities available to Nexeo Plaschem and (ii) principal installment payments under our Term Loan Facility. Long-term debt obligations include: (i) the payment of our $175.0 million in outstanding principal on the Notes, (ii) the payment of $97.0 million in outstanding principal (as of March 31, 2015) under our ABL Facility, (iii) the payment of $650.5 million in outstanding principal under our Term Loan Facility and (iv) capital lease obligations.
(2) 
Estimated interest payments include cash interest payments on long-term debt obligations. Variable rate interest payments were estimated using interest rates as of March 31, 2015 held constant to maturity.
(3) 
Operating lease obligations represent payments for a variety of facilities and equipment under non-cancellable operating lease agreements, including office buildings, transportation equipment, warehouses and storage facilities and other equipment.
(4) 
Purchase obligations are related to (i) non-cancellable equipment orders, and (ii) estimated obligation costs to relocate employees or new hires in various U.S. locations, primarily in The Woodlands, Texas. The relocations are assumed to be completed in fiscal year 2015, although it is not practicable to establish definite completion dates for each employee’s relocation.

54

(5) 
Management and consulting services obligations represent recurring minimum fees paid for services under management and consulting services agreements with certain related parties, including TPG. These related parties are paid management and consulting fees in connection with providing management and strategic consulting services. The amounts in the table above reflect minimum annual fees totaling $3.0 million per year for the next five years. See Note 15 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
(6) 
Includes long-term liabilities under certain employee benefit obligations.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We had no material off balance sheet arrangements at March 31, 2015.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Commodity and Product Price Risk
 
Our business model is to buy and sell products at current market prices in quantities approximately equal to estimated customer demand. Energy costs are a significant component of raw materials that are included in our product costs. Rising or volatile raw material prices for our suppliers, especially those of hydrocarbon derivatives, may cause our costs to increase or may result in volatility in our profitability. Although we do not speculate on changes in the prices of the products we sell, because we maintain inventories in order to serve the needs of our customers, we are subject to the risk of reductions in market prices for products we hold in inventory. We do not use derivatives to manage our commodity price risk because of the large number of products we sell and the large variety of raw materials used in the production of those products.  Inventory management practices are focused on managing product price risk by generally purchasing our inventories via our ERP system which helps us forecast customer demand based on historical practices. Global inventory balances can fluctuate based on variations in regional customer demand forecasts. We collaborate directly with customers in all regions to enhance the ongoing accuracy of these forecasts in order to reduce the number of days sales held in inventories, as well as lower the amount of any slow moving and older inventories. In addition, we are generally able to pass on price increases to our customers, subject to market conditions, such as the presence of competitors in particular geographic and product markets and prevailing pricing mechanisms in customer contracts. We believe that these risk management practices significantly reduce our exposure to changes in product selling prices or costs; however, significant unanticipated changes in market conditions or commodity prices could still adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition, as the prices of the products we purchase and sell are volatile.
 
Credit Risk
 
We are subject to the risk of loss arising from the credit risk related to the possible inability of our customers to pay for the products we resell and distribute to them. We attempt to limit our credit risk by monitoring the creditworthiness of our customers to whom we extend credit and establish credit limits in accordance with our credit policy. We perform credit evaluations on substantially all customers requesting credit. With the exception of Nexeo Plaschem’s operations, we generally do not require collateral with respect to credit extended to customers, however, we will not extend credit to customers for whom we have substantial concerns and will deal with those customers on a cash basis. Nexeo Plaschem offers billing terms that allow certain customers to remit payment during a period of time ranging from 30 days to nine months. These receivables (approximately $9.2 million at March 31, 2015) are supported by banknotes issued by large banks in China on behalf of these customers.
 
We typically have limited risk from a concentration of credit risk as no individual customer represents greater than 5.0% of the outstanding accounts receivable balance.
 
We are generally exposed to the default risk of the counterparties with which we transact our interest rate swaps. We attempt to manage this exposure by entering into these agreements with investment-grade counterparties or based on the specific credit standing of the counterparty.  At March 31, 2015, our interest rates swaps were in a liability position; accordingly, there is no default risk associated with these counterparties and no consideration of a credit valuation adjustment has been necessary.


55

Interest Rate Risk
 
Interest rate risks can occur due to changes in market interest rates. This risk results from changes in the fair values of fixed-interest rate financial instruments or from changes in the cash flows of variable-interest rate financial instruments. The optimal structure of variable and fixed interest rates is determined as part of interest rate risk management. It is not possible to simultaneously minimize both kinds of interest rate risk.
 
Borrowings under our ABL Facility bear interest at a variable rate, which was a weighted average rate of 2.9% for the six months ended March 31, 2015. For each $100.0 million drawn on the ABL Facility, a 100 basis point increase in the interest rate would result in a $1.0 million increase in annual interest expense.
 
Borrowings under our Term Loan Facility bear interest at a variable rate, which was an average of 5.0% for the six months ended March 31, 2015. The current LIBOR interest rate index is below the floor value of 1.5% established in the agreement. Changes in market interest rates will have no effect on interest expense until such time as the interest rate index increases above the floor value, which would currently require an increase of approximately 125 basis points. Were that to occur, an additional 100 basis point increase in the interest rate would result in approximately a $6.5 million increase in annual interest expense based on the Term Loan Facility balance at March 31, 2015.
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
We are a party to interest rate swap agreements of varying expiration dates to help manage our exposure to interest rate risk related to our variable interest rate Term Loan Facility (the variable interest rate is subject to a floor of 1.5%). As of March 31, 2015, the notional amount of outstanding interest rate swap agreements was $200.0 million. The interest rate swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value of the swaps are recorded in other comprehensive income to the extent that the swaps are effective as hedges. Gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value applicable to the ineffective portion, if any, are reflected in income. Gains or losses recorded in other comprehensive income are generally reclassified into and recognized in income when the related interest expense on the Term Loan Facility is recognized.  During the six months ended March 31, 2015, we reclassified into income and recognized a realized loss on the interest rate swaps of $0.3 million, which was recorded in interest expense. During the six months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded an unrealized gain on the interest rate swaps (net of reclassifications into income) of $0.1 million, which was recorded in other comprehensive income. As of March 31, 2015, approximately $0.5 million in unrealized losses were expected to be realized and recognized in income within the next twelve months.
 
At March 31, 2015, the estimated fair value of our derivative liabilities was:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021 and
 
Total Fair
Sources of Fair Value
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
Thereafter
 
Value
Interest Rate:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prices actively quoted (Level 1)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Prices provided by other external sources (Level 2)
 
0.5

 
0.1

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.6

Prices based on models and other valuation methods (Level 3)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total interest rate
 
$
0.5

 
$
0.1

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
0.6

 
For further discussion of how we determine these fair values, see Note 12 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.


56

Foreign Currency Risk
 
We may be adversely affected by foreign exchange rate fluctuations since we conduct our business on an international basis in multiple currencies. While the reporting currency of our condensed consolidated financial statements is the U.S. dollar, a substantial portion of our sales and purchase transactions are denominated in other currencies. Fluctuations in exchange rates could significantly affect our reported results from period to period, as we translate the results of these transactions into U.S. dollars. Additionally, certain of our subsidiaries' sales and purchase transactions are denominated in currencies other than their functional currency. Furthermore, a significant portion of Nexeo Plaschem’s total borrowings are denominated in U.S. dollars. We currently do not utilize financial derivatives to manage our foreign currency risk, but we will continue to monitor our exposure to foreign currency risk, employ operational strategies where practical and may consider utilizing financial derivatives in the future to mitigate losses associated with these risks.
 
Included in our condensed consolidated results of operations for the six months ended March 31, 2015 is a $0.6 million net loss related to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. During the six months ended March 31, 2015, the most significant currency exposures were to the RMB and the CAD versus the U.S. dollar, and the Russian ruble to the Euro.  The average exchange rates during the current period for these currencies fluctuated to various degrees from their respective values at September 30, 2014, but such fluctuations did not exceed 7.0% except for the Russian ruble exchange rate, which weakened in excess of 20% versus the Euro. Assuming the same directional variation as occurred during the six months ended March 31, 2015, a hypothetical 10.0% weakening/strengthening in the value of the RMB and the CAD relative to the value of the U.S. dollar and the value of the Russian ruble relative to the Euro from September 30, 2014 levels could have generated a net loss/gain of approximately $5.7 million in our condensed consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended March 31, 2015.



57

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 
    
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, we have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Based on the evaluation performed, our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2015.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
During the most recent fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

    
 

58

PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
We are not currently a party to any legal proceedings that, if determined adversely against us, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In July 2014, Ashland filed a lawsuit styled and numbered Ashland Inc. v. Nexeo Solutions, LLC, Case No. N14C-07-243 WCC CCLD, in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County. In the suit, Ashland seeks a declaration that we are obligated to indemnify Ashland for losses Ashland incurs pertaining to Other Retained Remediation Liabilities, up to the amount of a $5.0 million deductible, which Ashland contends applies pursuant to the purchase agreement for the Ashland Distribution Acquisition. Ashland further alleges that we have breached duties related to that purchase agreement by not having so indemnified Ashland to date with respect to costs for certain Other Retained Remediation Liabilities Ashland incurred pertaining to sites at which Ashland disposed of waste prior to the Ashland Distribution Acquisition, and on that basis seeks unspecified compensatory damages, costs and attorney’s fees. We disagree with Ashland’s construction of the purchase agreement and are vigorously defending the lawsuit.

In April and November 2011, two local unions each filed an unfair labor practice charge against us with the National Labor Relations Board ("NLRB"), alleging that we should be considered a successor of Ashland and, as such, we were obligated to bargain to agreement or impasse with the unions before changing the employment terms that were in effect before commencing operations, including continuing to cover employees under the union-affiliated multi-employer pension plans in which the employees participated as employees of the Distribution Business. In November 2011, the NLRB filed a complaint against us with respect to both cases, and a consolidated hearing was held before an administrative law judge in April and May of 2012. On June 28, 2012, the NLRB administrative law judge found substantially in our favor, holding that we were not obligated to continue to cover employees in the multi-employer pension plans. The matter is now before the NLRB for consideration by the board.  We have reached a settlement with one of the unions resulting in a collective bargaining agreement that keep the employees in our 401(K) Plan.  The NLRB has approved that settlement and, in May of 2014, dismissed the case with respect to that local union.  In the remaining case, the assertions against us primarily relate to the claim that we are obligated to continue to cover employees under the union-affiliated multi-employer pension plans in which the employees participated as employees of the Distribution Business. The case does not include a request for a specific dollar amount of damages in the applicable claims. In the event this case continues, we intend to vigorously challenge the allegations, however, no assurances can be given to the outcome of this remaining, pending complaint. Regardless, we do not believe this case could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
In June 2014, we self-disclosed to the DTSC that a recent inventory of our Fairfield facility had revealed potential violations of RCRA and the California Health and Safety Code. Although no formal proceeding has been initiated, we expect the DTSC to seek payment of fines or other penalties for non-compliance. We do not expect the amount of any such fine or penalty to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

We expect that, from time to time, we may be involved in lawsuits, investigations and claims arising out of our operations in the ordinary course of business.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
We are subject to certain risks and hazards due to the nature of the business activities we conduct. For a discussion of these risks, see " Item 1A. Risk Factors" to Part 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2014. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and result of operations. There have been no material changes to the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. We may experience additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us; or, as a result of developments occurring in the future, conditions that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities And Use of Proceeds
 
We are a privately held company, and there is no established public trading market for our membership interests. During the six months ended March 31, 2015, we did not sell any unregistered securities.

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SIGNATURE
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 thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
Nexeo Solutions Holdings , LLC
 
 
May 15, 2015
By:
/s/ Ross J. Crane
 
 
Ross J. Crane
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
 



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Exhibit Index
 
Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
 
 
3.1
 
Certificate of Formation of TPG Accolade Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2012 (File No. 333-179870)).
 
 
 
3.2
 
Certificate of Amendment of TPG Accolade Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2012 (File No. 333-179870)).
 
 
 
3.3
 
Amended & Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2012 (File No. 333-179870)).
 
 
 
3.4
 
First Amendment to Amended & Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2012 (File No. 333-179870)).
 
 
 
3.5
 
Second Amendment to Amended & Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.11 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2012 (File No. 333-179870)).
 
 
 
3.6
 
Third Amendment to Amended & Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 2012 (File No. 333-179870-02)).
 
 
 
3.7
 
Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC, dated August 5, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2013 (File No. 333-179870-02)).
 
 
 
4.1†
 
Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2015 among Nexeo Solutions, LLC, Bank of America, N.A.
 
 
 
4.2†
 
Partial Release of Trademark Security Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2015 by Bank of America, N.A., for the benefit of Chemical Specialists and Development, LLC and Startex Chemical, LLC
 
 
 
4.3†
 
Partial Release of Trademark Security Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2015 by Bank of America, N.A., for the benefit of Chemical Specialists and Development, LLC and Startex Chemical, LLC
 
 
 
4.4†
 
Trademark Security Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2015 by Nexeo Solutions LLC in favor of Bank of America, N.A.
 
 
 
4.5†
 
Trademark Security Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2015 by Nexeo Solutions, LLC in favor of Bank of America, N.A.
 
 
 
31.1†
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
31.2†
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

61

Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.1†
 
Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
101*
 
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T.

†                          Filed herewith.
††                   Furnished herewith.
*                          Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the interactive data files included in Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.



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Nexeo Solutions Holdings, LLC Reports