Form 8-K dated July 24, 2003

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

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


Date of report (date of earliest event reported):  July 24, 2003



INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

New York
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

1-4858
(Commission File Number)
13-1432060
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

521 West 57 th Street, New York, New York
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
10019
(Zip Code)

(212)  765-5500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT


Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits.

Exhibit No. Description

99.1     Press Release of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., dated July 24, 2003.

Items 9 and 12.

         Attached and incorporated herein by reference and being furnished hereby as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of a press release of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (“IFF”) dated July 24, 2003, reporting IFF’s financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2003.

The discussion of the Company’s historical results and its commentary regarding expected future results include and, where indicated, exclude the impact of sales attributable to certain non-core businesses disposed of in 2002, the impact of certain charges and the effects of exchange rate fluctuations. Such information is supplemental to information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and is not intended to represent a presentation in accordance with GAAP. In discussing its historical and expected future results and financial condition, the Company believes it is meaningful for investors to be made aware of and to be assisted in a better understanding of, on a period-to-period basis, the impact of sales attributable to certain non-core businesses disposed of in 2002, the impact of exchange rate fluctuations and the impact such specifically identified charges have on results and financial condition.



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 hereunto duly authorized.





Date:  July 24, 2003
INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC.


By:  STEPHEN A. BLOCK
——————————————
       Name:  Stephen A. Block
       Title:    Senior Vice President, General Counsel
                     and Secretary


EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No. Description

99.1    Press Release of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., dated July 24, 2003.

press release dated July 24, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IFF REPORTS SECOND QUARTER SALES AND EARNINGS
CONFIRMS 2003 EARNINGS OUTLOOK


  New York, N.Y., July 24, 2003.... International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) (“IFF” or “the Company”) reported earnings per share for the second quarter 2003 of $.54 compared to $.47 for the prior year quarter. The 2003 second quarter results include $6.7 million ($4.4 million after tax or $.05 per share) of nonrecurring charges related to the Company’s ongoing reorganization plan; 2002 second quarter results included $9.2 million ($6.1 million after tax or $.07 per share). Excluding the effects of such charges, 2003 second quarter earnings per share would have been $.59, compared to $.54 in the prior year comparable quarter, representing an increase of 9%.

  Second quarter 2003 sales totaled $482.6 million, increasing 1.3% in comparison to the prior year quarter. Sales for the second quarter 2002 included $4.3 million attributable to non-core businesses that the Company disposed of during 2002; excluding such sales from the 2002 results, second quarter 2003 sales increased 2.2% in comparison to the prior year. Reported sales for the 2003 quarter benefited from the strengthening of various currencies, most notably the Euro, the Japanese Yen and the Australian dollar, in relation to the U.S. dollar; had exchange rates remained constant, sales for the second quarter 2003 would have declined approximately 5% in comparison to the prior year quarter, excluding sales attributable to the non-core businesses from the 2002 results.

  Sales for the second quarter reflected continued weak customer order activity, most significantly in Europe and North America, and to a lesser extent in Latin America and parts of Asia Pacific. Excluding, for comparative purposes, sales attributable to non-core businesses disposed of during 2002, sales for the second quarter 2003 reflected the following:

      North America flavor and fragrance sales declined by 1% and 6%, respectively; in total the region declined 4%, reflecting weak economic conditions and ongoing customer efforts to reduce inventory levels. Functional fragrance and chemical sales declined approximately 8%. Fine fragrance sales, reflecting the benefit of several new wins, were essentially flat with the prior year quarter despite the difficult economic environment.

      Local currency flavor sales in Europe decreased 3%, resulting in a 16% increase in reported dollar sales. Fragrance sales declined 11% in local currency, resulting in an 8% increase in reported dollar sales. Overall, the region’s sales declined 8% in local currency terms and increased 11% in dollars. The local currency performance reflected the persistent economic weakness in much of the European region, most notably in France, Germany, Switzerland and the U.K., where sales performance was weakest in comparison to the 2002 second quarter.


      Local currency sales in Asia Pacific declined 3%, resulting in a 3% increase in reported dollar sales. Local currency fragrance sales were flat in comparison to the prior year quarter, resulting in a 5% increase in reported dollars. Local currency flavor sales declined 5%, resulting in a 1% increase in reported dollars. Australia and the Philippines accounted for the sales decline in the quarter, more than offsetting mid-to-high single digit sales growth in the other major countries in the region.

      Latin America sales declined 10%, mainly due to persistent weakness in Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia. Fragrance sales in the region declined 13%. Flavor sales increased 3%, benefiting from a 21% increase in Brazil; the strong gain in Brazil was partially offset by declines in Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia.

      India sales increased 2% in local currency and 7% in reported dollars. This performance was led by a 12% local currency increase in flavor sales; this increase was partially offset by a decline of 6% in fragrance sales for the quarter.

  Sales for the six-month period ending June 30, 2003 totaled $948.8 million, increasing 2.9% in comparison to the prior year period. Sales for the 2002 six-month period included $9.4 million attributable to non-core businesses that the Company disposed of during 2002; excluding such sales from the 2002 results, sales for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003 increased 3.9% in comparison to the prior year period. Reported sales for the 2003 period benefited from the strengthening of various currencies, most notably the Euro, the Japanese Yen and the Australian dollar, in relation to the U.S. dollar; had exchange rates remained constant, sales for the first six months in 2003 would have declined approximately 4% in comparison to the prior year period, excluding sales attributable to the non-core businesses from the 2002 results.

  Excluding, for comparative purposes, sales attributable to non-core businesses disposed of during 2002, sales for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003 reflected the following:

      North America flavor and fragrance sales declined by 2% and 6%, respectively; in total the region declined by 5%, reflecting weak economic conditions and ongoing customer efforts to reduce inventory levels. Functional fragrance and chemical sales declined 9%. Fine fragrance sales, reflecting the benefit of several new wins, were essentially flat with the prior year period.

      Local currency flavor sales in Europe were flat in comparison to the prior year period, resulting in a 19% increase in reported dollar sales. Fragrance sales declined 7% in local currency, resulting in a 13% increase in reported dollar sales. Overall, the region’s sales declined 4% in local currency terms and increased 15% in dollars. The local currency performance reflected the persistent economic weakness in much of the European region.

      Local currency sales in Asia Pacific declined 2%, resulting in a 3% increase in reported dollar sales. Local currency fragrance sales increased 3% in comparison to the prior year period, resulting in an 8% increase in reported dollars. Local currency flavor sales declined 5% and were flat in reported dollars. Sales performance for the six-month period was weakest in Japan, the Philippines and Australia.

      Latin America sales declined 8%, mainly due to persistent economic weakness throughout the entire region. Fragrance sales declined 9%, while flavor sales decreased 3%.


      India sales increased 9% in local currency and 13% in reported dollars. This performance was led by a 14% local currency increase in flavor sales with fragrances increasing by 5% in comparison to the prior year comparable period.

  Reorganization Actions

  On October 5, 2000, the Company announced a significant reorganization, including management changes, consolidation of production facilities and related actions. On completion, the reorganization is expected to yield annual savings approximating $25 million to $30 million. A portion of these savings is to be reinvested in the business, although a substantial portion is expected to contribute to improving earnings.

  In the second quarter 2003, the Company eliminated over 40 positions, principally in its North American and European operating regions. As a result of these actions, the Company recorded nonrecurring pre-tax charges of $6.7 million ($4.4 million after tax or $.05 per share) in the quarter. Year-to-date, the Company has eliminated over 190 positions and recorded nonrecurring pre-tax charges of $27.1 million ($17.9 million after tax or $.19 per share); essentially all elements of these charges relate to employee terminations.

  The Company continues to anticipate that total pre-tax costs relating to the reorganization will approximate $110 million. To date, the Company has recorded approximately $101 million of the expected pre-tax charges.

  Debt Repurchase

  At December 31, 2002, the Company had $1,057 million of debt outstanding, including deferred gains on interest swap transactions approximating $58 million; debt included $700 million of 6.45% long-term notes maturing in May 2006. During the first quarter, the Company repurchased $149 million of the notes; in the second quarter, the Company repurchased an additional $51 million of the notes. All repurchases were funded with commercial paper.

  The repurchases were intended to take full advantage of the Company’s strong cash flows and to enable the Company to reduce long-term debt prior to the notes’ scheduled maturity in 2006. Interest expense will be reduced as a result of the shift to commercial paper borrowing. The Company expects, based on current commercial paper borrowing rates, to save approximately $4.0 million annually in interest expense as a benefit of replacing the notes with commercial paper; interest expense savings in 2003 is expected to approximate $3.0 million.

  As a result of premiums paid for the notes repurchased during the second quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2003, the Company incurred pre-tax losses, included in Other income (expense), of $1.5 million and $4.2 million, respectively. The Company does not anticipate additional repurchases of notes this year.

  Sale of New York Headquarters

  On June 18, 2003, the Company sold its New York headquarters, at which time it entered into a long-term lease with respect to the space it currently occupies (approximately 40% of the building). Proceeds from the sale approximated $90 million and were used to reduce short-term borrowings. The gain on the sale will be deferred and amortized over the initial lease term of 27.5 years, as required under applicable accounting standards.


  Outlook for 2003

  IFF expects earnings per share for 2003 to be in the range of $1.93 to $1.99 compared to the 2002 comparable of $1.84. Excluding nonrecurring charges, earnings per share are expected to increase between 10% and 14% over comparable 2002 results of $1.92 per share, and to be in the range of $2.12 to $2.18.

  IFF now expects full year local currency sales to be flat to up slightly in 2003, excluding for comparative purposes approximately $9.4 million of 2002 sales related to non-core businesses disposed of during 2002. Based on current exchange rates, currency is expected to be favorable by approximately 6%-7% for the year, resulting in an expected increase of 6%-7% in reported dollars.

  Richard A. Goldstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IFF, said, “The actions we have taken over the last several years to streamline our business and realize operating efficiencies enabled us to deliver solid earnings growth in the second quarter.

  “We are confident in our ability to deliver expected full year earnings, notwithstanding our cautious sales outlook due to the difficult global economic circumstances. We remain focused on reducing costs and maintaining margins through improved operational efficiencies; we also continue to benefit from lower interest expense as we reduce debt and better manage our invested capital. I am more convinced than ever that the actions we have taken, in combination with our unwavering commitment to Research & Development, will enable us to achieve superior operating results, thus rewarding our shareholders.”

  About IFF

  IFF is the world’s leading creator and manufacturer of flavors and fragrances used in a wide variety of consumer products—from fine fragrances and toiletries, to soaps, detergents and other household products, to beverages and food products. IFF is dedicated to The Pursuit of Excellence in every area of its business, using knowledge, creativity, innovation and technology to continually provide customers with the highest quality products and service and superior consumer understanding.

  IFF has sales, manufacturing and creative facilities in 34 countries worldwide and annual sales exceeding $1.8 billion. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.iff.com.

  Cautionary Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

  Statements in this release, which are not historical facts or information, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable current assumptions and expectations. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from management’s expectations. Such factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions in the Company’s markets, including economic, population health and political uncertainties; interest rates; the price and availability of raw materials; the Company’s ability to implement its business strategy, including the achievement of anticipated cost savings, profitability and growth targets; the impact of currency fluctuation or devaluation in the Company’s principal foreign markets and the success of the Company’s hedging and risk management strategies; the impact of possible pension funding obligations and increased pension expense on the Company’s cash flow and results of operations; and the effect of legal and regulatory proceedings, as well as restrictions imposed on the Company, its operations or its Representatives by foreign governments. The Company intends its forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of such statements and does not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available or to reflect changes in expectations, assumptions or results.

  Conference call

  There will be a conference call today at 10:00 AM Eastern Time, at which time the Company will discuss operating results for the second quarter 2003 and its expectations for the balance of the year. The dial in number for U.S.-based participants is 800-946-0742; for international participants, the number is 719-457-2650. The passcode for the call is 310448.

  A replay of the conference call will be available from 1:00 PM Eastern Time beginning on Thursday, July 24, 2003 and ending at Midnight on Friday, August 22, 2003. The dial in number for the replay for U.S.-based listeners is 888-203-1112; for international listeners, the number is 719-457-0820. The replay pass code will be 310448.

  The call can also be monitored via the World Wide Web at www.iff.com. Real Network’s Real Player or Microsoft Media Player is required to access the webcast. They can be downloaded from www.real.com or www.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website for twelve months.

  Contact

  Douglas J. Wetmore
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
Phone:  212-708-7145

* * * * * *

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Consolidated Income Statement

(Amounts in thousands except per share data)


Quarter Ended June 30,
2002 2003


Net sales     $ 476,336   $ 482,611  
Cost of goods sold    272,612    275,235  


Gross margin on sales    203,724    207,376  
Research & development    35,022    38,897  
Selling and administrative    78,921    72,888  
Amortization    3,158    3,158  


     86,623    92,433  
   
Nonrecurring charges    (9,242 )  (6,715 )
Interest expense    (9,294 )  (7,957 )
Other income (expense), net    807    (2,371 )


Pretax income    68,894    75,390  
Income taxes    23,493    23,992  


Net income   $ 45,401   $ 51,398  


Including nonrecurring charges  
Net income   $ 45,401   $ 51,398  
Earnings per share - basic       $  .48     $  .55  
Earnings per share - diluted     $  .47     $  .54  


Excluding nonrecurring charges  
Net income   $ 51,492   $ 55,831  
Result per share - basic     $  .54   $  .60  
Result per share - diluted       $  .54     $  .59  



International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Consolidated Income Statement

(Amounts in thousands except per share data)


Six Months Ended June 30,
2002 2003


Net sales     $ 922,180   $ 948,835  
Cost of goods sold    532,476    545,682  


Gross margin on sales    389,704    403,153  
Research & development    70,192    77,859  
Selling and administrative    154,307    149,003  
Amortization    6,316    6,316  


     158,889    169,975  
   
Nonrecurring charges    (9,242 )  (27,104 )
Interest expense    (19,721 )  (16,070 )
Other income (expense), net    2,772    (4,897 )


Pretax income    132,698    121,904  
Income taxes    45,350    38,489  


Net income   $ 87,348   $ 83,415  


Including nonrecurring charges  
Net income   $ 87,348   $ 83,415  
Earnings per share - basic   $  .92   $  .89  
Earnings per share - diluted   $  .91   $  .88  


Excluding nonrecurring charges  
Net income   $ 93,439   $ 101,325  
Result per share - basic   $  .99   $  1.08  
Result per share - diluted   $  .97   $  1.07  


International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet

(Amounts in thousands)


December 31,
2002
June 30,
2003


Cash & short-term investments     $ 15,165   $ 15,881  
Receivables    338,607    397,952  
Inventories    421,603    441,636  
Other current assets    91,374    126,719  


    Total current assets    866,749    982,188  
   
Property, plant and equipment, net    520,499    491,033  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net    782,703    776,387  
Other assets    62,743    71,435  


                            Total assets   $ 2,232,694   $ 2,321,043  


Commercial paper/notes payable - bank   $ 49,663   $ 295,307  
Other current liabilities    309,834    312,974  


   Total current liabilities    359,497    608,281  
   
Long-term debt    1,007,085    712,936  
Non-current liabilities    291,434    346,602  
   
Shareholders’ equity    574,678    653,224  


              Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 2,232,694   $ 2,321,043  


   
  Capital spending in quarter:                     $15.4 million              
  Depreciation in quarter:                            $18.5 million                

********

Average Shares Outstanding (in thousands) 2002 2003

Second quarter:
         Basic 94,572  93,782 
         Diluted 96,029  94,874 

Year-to-date:
         Basic 94,553  93,970 
         Diluted 96,106  95,077 


Quarter ended June 30, 2003 As Reported


% Change in Sales by Area of Destination Fragrances Flavors Total

        North America   (6 ) (6 ) (6 )
 
      Europe - Reported  8   16   11  
   Europe - Local Currency  (11 ) (3 ) (8 )
 
        Latin America  (13 ) 3   (10 )
 
   Asia Pacific - Reported  5   1   3  
Asia Pacific - Local Currency  --   (5 ) (3 )
 
       India - Reported  --   14   7  
    India - Local Currency  (6 ) 12   2  
 
       Total - Reported  --   4   1  
    Total - Local Currency  (9 ) (4 ) (6 )


Quarter ended June 30, 2003 Pro-Forma to Exclude Non-Core Businesses Disposed of in 2002


% Change in Sales by Area of Destination Fragrances Flavors Total

        North America   (6 ) (1 ) (4 )
 
      Europe - Reported  8   16   11  
   Europe - Local Currency  (11 ) (3 ) (8 )
 
        Latin America  (13 ) 3   (10 )
 
   Asia Pacific - Reported  5   1   3  
Asia Pacific - Local Currency  --   (5 ) (3 )
 
       India - Reported  --   14   7  
    India - Local Currency  (6 ) 12   2  
 
       Total - Reported  --   6   2  
    Total - Local Currency  (9 ) (2 ) (5 )

Six months ended June 30, 2003 As Reported
 
% Change in Sales by Area of Destination Fragrances Flavors Total

        North America   (6 ) (8 ) (7 )
 
      Europe - Reported  13   19   15  
   Europe - Local Currency  (7 ) --   (4 )
 
        Latin America  (9 ) (3 ) (8 )
 
   Asia Pacific - Reported  8   --   3  
Asia Pacific - Local Currency  3   (5 ) (2 )
 
       India - Reported  11   15   13  
    India- Local Currency  5   14   9  
 
       Total - Reported  3   4   3  
    Total - Local Currency  (6 ) (4 ) (5 )


Six months ended June 30, 2003 Pro-Forma to Exclude Non-Core Businesses Disposed of in 2002
 
% Change in Sales by Area of Destination Fragrances Flavors Total

        North America   (6 ) (2 ) (5 )
 
      Europe - Reported  13   19   15  
   Europe - Local Currency  (7 ) --   (4 )
 
        Latin America  (9 ) (3 ) (8 )
 
   Asia Pacific - Reported  8   --   3  
Asia Pacific - Local Currency  3   (5 ) (2 )
 
       India - Reported  11   15   13  
    India- Local Currency  5   14   9  
 
       Total - Reported  3   6   4  
    Total - Local Currency  (6 ) (2 ) (4 )