Form 8-K dated October 23, 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):  October 23, 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 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

         Attached and being furnished hereby as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of a press release of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (“IFF”) dated October 23, 2003, reporting IFF’s financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 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:  October 23, 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 October 23, 2003.

Third Quarter Sales and Earnings Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IFF REPORTS THIRD QUARTER SALES AND EARNINGS

UPDATES 2003 SALES AND EARNINGS OUTLOOK


  New York, N.Y., October 23, 2003.... International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) (“IFF” or “the Company”) reported diluted earnings per share for the third quarter 2003 of $.54 compared to $.52 for the prior year quarter. The 2003 third quarter results include $3.9 million ($2.4 million after tax or $.03 per share) of restructuring and other charges related to the Company’s ongoing reorganization plan; 2002 third quarter results included $2.5 million ($1.7 million after tax or $.02 per share) of such charges. Excluding the effects of these charges, 2003 third quarter diluted earnings per share would have been $.57, compared to $.54 in the prior year comparable quarter, an increase of 6%.

  Third quarter 2003 sales totaled $480.9 million, increasing 4% in comparison to the prior year quarter. Reported sales for the 2003 quarter benefited from the strengthening of various currencies, most notably the Euro, the Pound Sterling and the Australian dollar, in relation to the U.S. dollar; had exchange rates remained constant, sales for the third quarter 2003 would have declined approximately 1% in comparison to the prior year quarter.

  Sales for the third quarter reflected continued weak customer order activity, most significantly in North America, and to a lesser extent in Europe, and parts of Latin America and Asia Pacific. Sales performance by region was as follows:

      North America flavor and fragrance sales declined 1% and 13%, respectively; in total the region declined 7%, reflecting weak demand and ongoing customer efforts to reduce inventory levels. Fine fragrance sales declined 24%, a lower performance than had been expected, and than had been achieved in the first half of 2003. The fine fragrance weakness spanned the entire range of the Company’s customers and reflected the continued weak retail environment for fine fragrances. Functional fragrance and chemical sales declined 3% and 11%, respectively.

      Local currency flavor and fragrance sales in Europe each decreased 2%, resulting in reported dollar increases of 9% and 11%, respectively. In total, the region’s sales declined 2% in local currency terms and increased 10% in dollars. Local currency sales of fine and functional fragrances increased 1% and 7%, respectively, while aroma chemical sales declined 13%. The local currency performance reflected the persistent economic weakness in much of the European region, most notably in France, Germany, the U.K. and Switzerland, where sales were weakest in comparison to the 2002 third quarter; local currency sales in Eastern Europe also declined in the low double digits.

      Local currency sales in Asia Pacific increased 6%, resulting in an 11% increase in reported dollar sales. Local currency fragrance sales increased 14% in comparison to the prior year quarter, resulting in a 17% increase in reported dollars; this strong performance benefited from improving economic conditions in the region and the benefit of significant new fragrance wins. Local currency flavor sales increased 2%, resulting in a 6% increase in reported dollars. For the region, Greater China, Thailand, South Korea and Indonesia were strongest, each achieving double digit growth; this growth was partially offset by continued weakness in Japan, where local currency sales declined 9% in comparison to the 2002 third quarter.

      Latin America sales increased 4%. Flavor sales increased 31%, benefiting from increases of 43%, 38% and 35% in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, respectively, reflecting the impact of new wins. Fragrance sales in the region declined 4% with Mexico and Brazil declining 10% and 5%, respectively. Argentina fragrance sales increased 33% as economic conditions in that country stabilized.

      India sales increased 10% in local currency and 12% in reported dollars. Local currency fragrance sales increased 13% resulting in a 17% increase in reported dollars. Local currency flavor sales increased 6%, resulting in a 7% increase in reported dollars. In both flavors and fragrances, the sales performance reflected the benefit of new wins.

  Net income for the quarter increased 3% in comparison to the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of restructuring and other charges in both the 2003 and 2002 quarters, net income increased 4% in the current quarter in comparison to the prior year. Gross and operating margin in the third quarter, as a percentage of sales, declined in comparison to the prior year; the decline was primarily attributable to the weak sales performance in the higher margin fine fragrance business. Earnings have been sustained by the Company’s cost-cutting efforts and by reduced interest expense.

  Sales for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2003 totaled $1,429.7 million, increasing 3% in comparison to the prior year period. Sales for the 2002 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 nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 increased 4% 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, the Pound Sterling and the Australian dollar, in relation to the U.S. dollar; had exchange rates remained constant, sales for the first nine months in 2003 would have declined approximately 4% in comparison to the prior year period as reported, and declined 3% 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 performance by region for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 was as follows:

      North America flavor and fragrance sales declined by 2% and 8%, respectively; in total the region declined by 5%, reflecting weak economic conditions and weak demand for fine fragrance products as well as the effect of ongoing customer efforts to reduce inventory levels. Functional fragrance, fine fragrance and chemical sales declined 7%, 9% and 9%, respectively.

      Local currency flavor sales in Europe declined 1% in comparison to the prior year period, resulting in a 15% increase in reported dollar sales. Fragrance sales declined 5% in local currency, resulting in a 12% increase in reported dollar sales. Overall, the region’s sales declined 3% in local currency terms and increased 14% in dollars. Fine fragrance local currency sales increased 4%, while functional fragrance and aroma chemical sales declined by 5% and 13%, respectively. The local currency performance reflected the persistent economic weakness throughout much of the European region.


      Local currency sales in Asia Pacific increased 1% resulting in a 6% increase in reported dollar sales. Local currency fragrance sales increased 6% in comparison to the prior year period resulting in an 11% increase in reported dollars. Local currency flavor sales declined 3% in comparison to the prior year period resulting in a 2% increase in reported dollars. For the region, sales performance year-to-date has been strongest in Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia and Greater China, with respective local currency increases of 21%, 10%, 9% and 7%, respectively. These strong performances were substantially offset by persistent weakness in Japan and the Philippines where local currency sales have declined by 6% and 17%, respectively.

      Latin America sales declined 4% in comparison to 2002. Flavor sales increased 6%, benefiting from increases of 77%, 39% and 15% in Central America, Argentina and Brazil, respectively, reflecting the benefit of new wins and, in Argentina, an improved economic environment. Fragrance sales in the region declined 7% with Mexico and Brazil declining 7% and 12%, respectively; Argentina fragrance sales increased 11% for the period, again mainly benefiting from improved economic conditions in that country.

      India sales increased 9% in local currency and 13% in reported dollars. This performance was led by an 11% local currency increase in flavor sales with fragrance sales increasing 8% in comparison to the prior year. In both flavors and fragrances, the sales performance reflected the benefit of new wins.

  Net income for the nine-month period decreased 2% in comparison to the prior year period. Excluding the impact of restructuring and other charges in both the 2003 and 2002 periods, 2003 year-to-date income increased 7% in comparison to the prior year. Gross margin on sales in 2003, as a percentage of sales, has declined in comparison to the prior year. The margin decline is primarily attributable to the weak sales performance in the higher margin fine fragrance business. Earnings have been sustained by the Company’s ongoing cost-cutting efforts and by reduced interest expense.

  Reorganization Actions
In the third quarter 2003, the Company eliminated 70 positions, principally in its North American and European operating regions. As a result of these actions, the Company recorded restructuring and other pre-tax charges of $3.9 million ($2.4 million after tax or $.03 per share) in the quarter. Year-to-date, the Company has eliminated over 260 positions and recorded restructuring and other pre-tax charges of $31.0 million ($20.3 million after tax or $.22 per share); essentially all elements of these charges relate to employee terminations.

  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.

  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 $105 million of the expected pre-tax charges. The Company will complete the remaining portions of its contemplated reorganization actions by the end of 2003.

  Outlook for 2003
IFF expects earnings per share for 2003 to be in the range of $1.86 to $1.91 compared to $1.84 in 2002. Excluding restructuring and other charges, earnings per share are expected to increase between 7% and 9% over comparable 2002 results of $1.92 per share, and to be in the range of $2.05 to $2.09.

  IFF expects full year local currency sales to decline 2% to 3% 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% to 7% for the year, resulting in an expected increase of 3% to 5% in reported dollars.

  Richard A. Goldstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IFF, said, “Our improved performance in Latin America, Asia Pacific, and continued solid growth in India has been driven by new wins. But, while we continue to win new business in both flavors and fragrances, our top line performance in the third quarter was disappointing. Against a weak consumer confidence backdrop, we continue to see sharply fluctuating order patterns in both flavors and fragrances, most notably in North America; a weak retail environment and low airline travel, impacting duty free sales, have exacerbated this trend in the higher margin, fine fragrance business. Further, many of our customers have chosen to delay or downsize their product launches until they see a stronger economic recovery.

  “In updating our guidance for the full year 2003, we are assuming that these weak conditions and demand will persist for the balance of the year. Nevertheless, we remain focused on our many new initiatives in research and development, while at the same time reducing costs and focusing on improved operational efficiencies; we also continue to benefit from lower interest expense as we reduce debt and better manage our invested capital.”

  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 third quarter 2003 and its expectations for the balance of the year. The dial in number for U.S.-based participants is 800-946-0713; for international participants, the number is 719-457-2642. The passcode for the call is 568258.

  A replay of the conference call will be available from 1:00 PM Eastern Time beginning on Thursday, October 23, 2003 and ending at Midnight on Sunday, November 23, 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 568258.

  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
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,


2002 2003 2002 2003




Net sales     $ 462,777   $ 480,886   $ 1,384,957   $ 1,429,721          
Cost of goods sold    261,075    278,191    793,551    823,873  




Gross margin on sales    201,702    202,695    591,406    605,848  
Research & development    37,664    39,184    107,856    117,043  
Selling and administrative    75,142    75,638    229,449    224,641  
Amortization       3,158     3,158     9,474     9,474  




        85,738   84,715   244,627   254,690
Restructuring and other charges    (2,495 )  (3,916 )  (11,737 )  (31,020 )
Interest expense    (8,947 )  (6,532 )  (28,668 )  (22,602 )
Other income (expense), net    561    446    3,333    (4,451 )




Pretax income    74,857    74,713    207,555    196,617  
Income taxes    25,258    23,642    70,607    62,131  




Net income   $ 49,599   $ 51,071   $ 136,948   $ 134,486  




Including restructuring and other charges  
   
Net income     $ 49,599   $ 51,071   $ 136,948   $ 134,486  
Earnings per share - basic     $.52   $.55   $1.45 $1.43
Earnings per share - diluted     $.52   $.54   $1.43 $1.42




Excluding restructuring and other charges  
   
Net income   $ 51,253   $ 53,468   $ 144,693   $ 154,793  
Result per share - basic     $.54   $.57   $1.53 $1.65
Result per share - diluted     $.54   $.57   $1.51 $1.64





Average Shares Outstanding (in thousands) 2002 2003



Third quarter:      
         Basic 94,628  93,265 
         Diluted 95,665  93,793 
   
Year-to-date:
         Basic 94,578  93,735 
         Diluted 95,954  94,418 
   

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet
(Amounts in thousands)


December 31,
2002
September 30,
2003


Cash & short-term investments   $     15,165   $     15,454  
Receivables  338,607   387,849  
Inventories  421,603   429,781  
Other current assets  91,374   126,700  


    Total current assets  866,749   959,784  
   
Property, plant and equipment, net  520,499   486,911  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net  782,703   773,229  
Other assets  62,743   80,505  


                           Total assets   $2,232,694   $2,300,429  


   
Commercial paper/notes payable - bank  $     49,663   $   262,814  
Other current liabilities  309,834   326,394  


   Total current liabilities  359,497   589,208  
   
Long-term debt  1,007,085   700,417  
Non-current liabilities  291,434   341,760  
   
Shareholders’ equity  574,678   669,044  


            Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $2,232,694   $2,300,429  



Capital spending in quarter:   $ 14.2 million  
Depreciation in quarter:  $ 18.2 million 

***************


Quarter ended September 30, 2003

   % Change in Sales by Region of Destination Fragrances Flavors Total
 
        North America   (13 ) (1 ) (7 )
 
      Europe - Reported  11   9   10  
   Europe - Local Currency  (2 ) (2 ) (2 )
 
        Latin America  (4 ) 31   4  
 
   Asia Pacific - Reported  17   6   11  
Asia Pacific - Local Currency  14   2   6  
 
       India - Reported  17   7   12  
    India - Local Currency  13   6   10  
 
       Total - Reported  2   7   4  
    Total - Local Currency  (3 ) 1   (1 )

Nine months ended September 30, 2003 as Reported

   % Change in Sales by Region of Destination Fragrances Flavors Total
 
        North America   (8 ) (6 ) (7 )
 
      Europe - Reported  12   15   14  
   Europe - Local Currency  (5 ) (1 ) (3 )
 
        Latin America  (7 ) 6   (4 )
 
   Asia Pacific - Reported  11   2   6  
Asia Pacific - Local Currency  6   (3 ) 1  
 
       India - Reported  13   13   13  
    India- Local Currency  8   11   9  
 
       Total - Reported  2   5   3  
    Total - Local Currency  (5 ) (2 ) (4 )

Nine months ended September 30, 2003 Pro-Forma Excluding Non-Core Businesses Disposed of in 2002

   % Change in Sales by Region of Destination Fragrances Flavors Total
 
        North America   (8 ) (2 ) (5 )
 
      Europe - Reported  12   15   14  
   Europe - Local Currency  (5 ) (1 ) (3 )
 
        Latin America  (7 ) 6   (4 )
 
   Asia Pacific - Reported  11   2   6  
Asia Pacific - Local Currency  6   (3 ) 1  
 
       India - Reported  13   13   13  
    India- Local Currency  8   11   9  
 
       Total - Reported  2   6   4  
    Total - Local Currency  (5 ) (1 ) (3 )