Andersons Inc

Company Overview

The Andersons, Inc. (the "Company") is a diversified company rooted in agriculture. Founded in Maumee, Ohio in 1947, the Company is a significant player in the North American agricultural supply chain and conducts its business in the trade, renewables, and nutrient & industrial sectors.

Segment Descriptions

The Company's operations are classified into three reportable business segments: Trade, Renewables, and Nutrient & Industrial. Each of these segments is organized based upon the nature of products and services offered and aligns with the management structure. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for information regarding business segments.

Trade

The Trade segment is a diversified business focusing on capturing profits through merchandising and managing logistics across a wide range of commodities. The segment specializes in the movement of physical commodities such as: whole grains, grain products, feed ingredients and domestic fuel products among other agricultural commodities. The Company has a broad geographic footprint with a diversified portfolio of physical commodities, although the principal commodities sold by the Company are corn, wheat and soybeans. Exported commodity sales are made both through intermediaries and direct shipments to foreign countries.

Trade also operates grain elevators across the United States and Canada where income is earned on commodities bought and sold through the elevator, commodities that are purchased and conditioned for resale, and commodities that are held in inventory until a future period, earning an elevation margin. Elevation margins consist of appreciation in the basis value of commodities held, which represents the difference between the cash price of a commodity in one of the Company's facilities and an exchange traded futures price (“basis”); appreciation or depreciation between different futures exchange contract months (“spread”); and commodities stored for others upon which storage fees are earned. The segment's asset-based grain handling business is seasonal in nature in that the largest portion of the principal grains are harvested and delivered from the farm and commercial elevators typically in July for wheat and September through November for corn and soybeans; however, depending on market conditions a significant portion of the principal grains may also be bought, sold and handled throughout the year.

Fixed price purchase and sale commitments as well as commodities held in inventory, expose the Company to risks related to adverse changes in market prices. Grain prices are typically comprised of two components, futures prices on regulated commodity exchanges and local basis adjustments. The Company manages the futures price risk by entering into exchange-traded futures and option contracts with regulated commodity exchanges. These regulated commodity exchanges maintain futures markets for the grains merchandised by the Company. Futures prices are determined by worldwide supply and demand. The business also offers a number of unique grain marketing, risk management and origination services to its customers and affiliated ethanol facilities for which it collects fees.

The Company competes in the sale of commodities with other public and private grain brokers, elevator operators and farmer owned cooperative elevators. Some of the Company's competitors are also its customers. Competition is based primarily on price, service and reliability. Because the Company often buys in smaller lots, its competition for the purchase of commodities is generally local or regional in scope, although there are some large national and international companies that maintain regional grain purchase and storage facilities. Significant portions of grain bushels purchased and sold are made using forward contracts.

The Renewables segment produces, purchases and sells ethanol and co-products, offers facility operations, and provides risk management and marketing services to the ethanol plants it invests and operates in. The segment demonstrates an expertise in ethanol plant management, logistics and commercialization of ethanol and co-products with a focus on leading the industry in margins per bushel. The business leverages partnerships, which are discussed in further detail below, to expand market knowledge and shared technology across its plants. The segment also operates a merchandising and trade portfolio of ethanol, ethanol co-products and other biofuels, such as renewable feedstocks.

The Company owns a 50.1% interest in The Andersons Marathon Holdings LLC ("TAMH") and Marathon Petroleum Corporation ("Marathon") owns the remaining 49.9% interest. TAMH is comprised of four ethanol plants located in Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. These plants have a combined nameplate capacity of 405 million gallons but have a history of outperforming the nameplate capacity. The Company operates these facilities under a management contract, provides corn origination, ethanol marketing, and risk management services. The Company fully consolidates TAMH's results in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company also owned 51% of ELEMENT, LLC ("ELEMENT") and ICM, Inc. ("ICM") owned the remaining 49% interest. ELEMENT is comprised of a 70 million-gallon-per-year bio-refinery in Kansas. The Company had acted as the manager of the facility, responsibilities which were assumed per the Management Services Agreement dated January 1, 2021, and ELEMENT was concluded to be a variable interest entity ("VIE") and had been consolidated within the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. On April 18, 2023, ELEMENT was placed into receivership and a receiver was appointed, which took possession and control of the rights and interests of ELEMENT. With this appointment, while retaining its investment in ELEMENT, the Company ceased to have a controlling financial interest and was no longer deemed to be the primary beneficiary in the subsidiary. Accordingly, the Company deconsolidated ELEMENT at that time and began accounting for the subsidiary as an equity method investment. Substantially all of the ELEMENT's assets were sold on January 31, 2024, see Note 19 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

The Nutrient & Industrial segment (formerly the Plant Nutrient Segment) is a manufacturer, distributor and retailer of agricultural and related plant nutrients, liquid industrial products, corncob-based products, pelleted lime and gypsum products, and various turf fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide products.

In its Nutrient & Industrial business, the Company competes with regional and local cooperatives, wholesalers and retailers, predominantly publicly owned manufacturers and privately-owned retailers, wholesalers and importers. Some of these competitors are also suppliers. Competition in the nutrient business is based largely on depth of product offering, price, location and service. Sales of agricultural nutrients and turf related products are heaviest in the spring and fall.

The segment is organized into the three divisions listed below:

Ag Supply Chain- The Ag Supply Chain division provides wholesale nutrients and farm services focused primarily in the Eastern Grain belt. The wholesale nutrients business formulates, stores and distributes dry and liquid agricultural nutrients, pelleted lime, gypsum and soil amendments. The major nutrient products are typically bought and sold as commodities. The farm centers offer a variety of essential crop nutrients, crop protection chemicals and seed products in addition to application and agronomic services to commercial and family farmers.

Engineered Granules - The Engineered Granules division manufactures and distributes proprietary professional lawn care products that are primarily sold into the golf course and professional turf care markets, serving both U.S. and international customers. The Company also performs contract manufacturing services to formulated and packaged fertilizer and weed and pest control products to various markets. It also manufactures value add soil amendments sold into agricultural and turf markets. Additionally, corncob-based products are manufactured for a variety of uses including laboratory animal bedding and private-label cat litter, as well as absorbents, blast cleaners, carriers and polishers. The principal sources for corncobs are seed corn producers. The products are distributed throughout the U.S. and international markets.

Specialty Liquids - The Specialty Liquids division manufactures and distributes a broad range of fertilizers, micronutrients, and soil amendments. The business has a diverse portfolio of specialty products which support more sustainable farming practices and command higher margins. The division is also a manufacturer and distributor of industrial products throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico including nitrogen reagents, calcium nitrate, deicers, and dust abatement products.

Other

The Company's “Other” activities include corporate income, a small corporate venture fund and the cost for functions that provide support and services to the operating segments. The results include expenses and benefits not allocated to the operating segments and other elimination and consolidation adjustments.

Human Capital Resources and Management

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a total of 2,334 employees across its Trade, Renewables and Nutrient & Industrial segments and Corporate Services function. This total was comprised of 982 salary, 1,277 hourly and 75 seasonal employees who conducted work at 122 locations across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Mexico, Romania and Singapore. Sixty-seven of the Company’s locations included less than 10 employees.

•Recruiting: The Company aims to attract the best talent to sustain our ongoing success and this is a key aspect of succession planning across the Company. Talent acquisition efforts target both internal and external candidates. The Company advertises opportunities on large online job boards, state job boards and various targeted diversity job boards, as well as geographically specific media channels. It also engages in campus recruiting efforts for entry level professional talent, internships and professional development programs. The Company strives to find candidates within its geographic footprint to generate a diverse talent pool. It believes that a diverse workforce with a range of experiences and perspectives is a significant driver of sustainable innovation and growth.

•Focus on Safety: Maintaining a high standard of employee safety is paramount to the Company’s core values. Systems and technology have been implemented to support the Company’s safety culture, maintain a safe working environment and foster personal accountability. As a part of our employee onboarding process, employees are required to complete core safety courses. A yearly training calendar is followed to ensure timely completion of annual safety training. The Company's safety program stays current on real-time concerns using anonymous employee surveys to confirm the effectiveness of the program. The program also focuses on identifying and focusing on high-risk work that has the potential of causing serious injury or fatality.

•Employee Engagement: The Company maintains an open-door policy that encourages candid conversations between employees and any level of leadership about job-related concerns without fear of reprisal. It regularly solicits employee feedback through informal pulse surveys and formal engagement surveys. It also communicates with employees on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis through electronic newsletters, town halls, its intranet site and small group meetings with the Chief Executive Officer.

•Talent Development: The Company values our investment in growing and retaining highly skilled talent. The Company aims to provide all of its employees with regular feedback to support their growth and development. It offers several resources to help employees expand their business knowledge and leadership skills, including merchandising and finance development programs. It hosts a Foundations of Leadership training course to newly appointed supervisors. It also offers a learning management system which houses numerous online courses, videos, audiobooks and podcasts that are available to all employees on demand and provides for thousands of continuing education credits for various professional certifications. Additionally, several in-person trainings are led by internal staff.

•Health and Wellness: The Company partners with a wellness vendor to offer a comprehensive healthy lifestyles program to employees and their spouses. The program uses rewards and incentives to encourage participants to take the necessary steps to manage their health and wellness goals. The program offers a prediabetes program, personal e-coaching with a licensed health professional and financial wellness webinars.

•Compensation and Benefits: The Company offers market competitive employee compensation and benefits programs. Benefits include health care benefits, dental and vision benefits, disability and life insurance coverages and other a la carte voluntary benefit offerings. Company leave policies include domestic and sexual violence leave, family and medical leave, parental leave and military leave.

•Community Involvement: The Company believes strongly in sharing its time, talent and financial resources to help improve and sustain the quality of life in its communities. It has contributed a portion of its operating income to community organizations every year since its founding in 1947. The Company also encourages employees to share their time and gifts through volunteerism, participation in its annual workplace giving campaign and gift match program.

Government Regulation

The Company, like other companies engaged in similar businesses, is subject to a multitude of federal, state, foreign and local environmental protection laws and regulations including, but not limited to, laws and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, pesticides and hazardous materials. The provisions of these various regulations could require modifications of certain of the Company's existing facilities and could restrict the expansion of future facilities or significantly increase the cost of operations. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations did not materially affect the Company's earnings or competitive position in 2023. In each of the countries in which we operate, we are subject to a variety of laws and regulations governing various aspects of our business, including general business regulations as well as those governing the manufacturing, handling, storage, transport, marketing and sale of our products. These include laws and regulations relating to facility licensing and permitting, food and feed safety, the handling and production of regulated substances, nutritional and labeling requirements, global trade compliance and other matters.

Grain sold by the Company must conform to official grade standards imposed under a federal system of grain grading and inspection administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”). The production levels, markets and prices of the grains that the Company merchandises are affected by United States government programs, which include acreage control and price support programs of the USDA. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has developed bioterrorism prevention regulations for food facilities, which require that the Company registers its grain operations with the FDA, provide prior notice of any imports of food or other agricultural commodities coming into the United States and maintain records to be made available upon request that identifies the immediate previous sources and immediate subsequent recipients of its grain commodities. Failure to comply with the laws and regulations of the FDA or similar state agencies could prevent us from selling certain of our products or subject us to liability.

In regard to our investments in ethanol production facilities, we follow standards implemented by the Renewable Fuel Standard ("RFS") and Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"). We obtain and maintain various environmental permits to operate our plants and other facilities. Legislation and regulatory rule making at the federal, state, and international level can impact us. Based on the standards, much of the blending is done to meet the RFS standard by adding 10% ethanol. Blending fuel-grade ethanol into gasoline is one means of reducing carbon intensity of transportation fuels.

We employ maintenance and operations personnel at each of our plants. In addition to the attention we place on the health and safety of our employees, the operations of our facilities are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”).

Available Information

The Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and files or furnishes reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports and other information filed by the Company with the SEC are available free of charge at https://investors.andersonsinc.com/SEC-filings when such reports are available on the SEC’s website. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. The Company periodically provides other information for investors on its corporate website, www.andersonsinc.com, and its investor relations website, https://investors.andersonsinc.com/home. This includes press releases and other information about financial performance, information on corporate governance and details related to the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders. The information contained on the websites referenced in this Form 10-K is not incorporated by reference into this filing. Further, the Company’s website references above are intended to be inactive textual references only.