In particular, we depend on the management service agreements between the Company and companies controlledservices provided to us by Zwi Williger the Company's former Chairman, and Joseph Williger, the Company's former Presidentthrough management companies that they control, each of whom holds senior management positions with us. We do not have any key-man life insurance policy on either Zwi Williger or Joseph Williger. See "Item 7. Major Shareholders and a director, were terminated and, on January 18, 2016, Messrs.Related Party Transactions – A. Major Shareholders". The loss of either or both of Zwi andWilliger and/or Joseph Williger resigned from the Company's Boardcould adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of Directors and all other positions in the Company, its subsidiaries, and Willi-Food Investments Ltd., which we refer to as Willi-Food. At the same time, Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger were appointed by the Company's Board of Directors as Co-Presidents of the Company, positions they held until January 21, 2016, when the Company announced that they had both been terminated from the Company pursuant to the termination agreement. As a result, Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger no longer hold any positions with the Company. For details regarding the termination agreement, including payments made to Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger under such agreement, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees – B. Compensation – Termination of Management Service Agreements”.operations.
We are dependent on Arla Foods amba, or "Arla", and we also work with a limited number of other key suppliers. If these suppliers raise prices or terminate their engagement with us, our operating results could be adversely affected.affected.
Although no single company supplies a majority of any of our products, for some of our dairy products and their substitutes, we are dependent on Arla, a Danish company which supplies a high percentage of our products (13%(15% in 20162017 and 12%13% in 2015)2016). Terminating the engagement with any supplier, and Arla in particular, or a material change in the engagement terms for purchasing products from those suppliers, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Our wholly-owned
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On October 19, 2017, our wholly owned subsidiary, Gold Frost Ltd., which we refer to herein as Gold Frost, hasGoldfrost, received a distribution agreement withnotice from Arla pursuant to which Gold Frost serves as Arla’s sole and exclusive agent and distributor in Israel of certain products for a ten-year period from June 2005, which was extended in April 2015 for an additional five years until June 2020. After the departure of Mr. Zwi Williger from the Company on January 21, 2016, Arla notified the Company that, among other changes, it is seeking to reduce the period of exclusivity of the contract. On January 3, 2017, Arla and the Company announced the extension of itsend their exclusive distribution agreement for a termeffective as of one year commencing from December 29, 2016 until December 31, 2017. Under the extension, Arla grantedRepresentatives of Goldfrost an exclusive non-transferable right to import, export, market and distribute in Israel dairy and dairy substitute products manufactured by Arla. Goldfrost's exclusivity is subject to its purchase of certain minimum quotasrepresentatives of Arla products. In addition,have met several times and have agreed that Goldfrost may place new orders for additional dairy products produced by Arla hasand to be sold by Goldfrost during the rightfirst half of 2018. The termination of the engagement with Arla, and our anticipated termination of our supply arrangement with Arla at end of the first half of 2018, will have an adverse effect on our revenues and our results of operations. However, the Company believes that it will be able to terminate the Agreement under certain circumstances, includingenter into agreements in the casenear future with alternative suppliers for a portion of the death or permanent incapacity of Mr. Iram Graiver or his ceasing to be involved in Goldfrost's business. products currently purchased from Arla.
For more information, see “Item 4. Information on the Company – B. Business Overview – Suppliers”.
If Arlaone or othermore of our suppliers raises their prices, our operating results may be adversely affected. See risk factor below - "Increases or decreases in global product prices have in the past, and in the future, may continue to have a material adverse effect on our profitability". We believe that there are alternative suppliers for purchasing our products; however, we cannot assure that the products of the alternative suppliers will become immediately available and that the terms of purchase will be similar to the current ones.
We may not be able to successfully compete with larger competitors who have greater operations, financial, marketing, labor and other resources than we have.
The food distribution business in Israel is highly competitive. We face competition from existing competitors in respect of imported as well as locally manufactured food products. Local producers are not subject to the financial risks of importing food products or to governmental policies regarding taxation of imported food products to which we as importers are subject. We may also face competition from potential newcomers to the local food manufacturing business as well as from existing importers and/or manufacturers not currently offering the same lines of products as us. In addition, in the event we further expand our activity in the international food markets, we will also face competition from manufacturers and/or distributors from the locations in which we expand our activity. Certain of our current and potential competitors are substantially more established, benefit from substantially greater market recognition and have greater financial, marketing, labor and other resources than we have. If any of our competitors materially reduces prices, we may be required to reduce our prices in order to remain competitive. Such reductions, if effected, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Increases or decreases in global product prices have in the past, and in the future may continue to have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
The cost of food commodities and other food products is cyclical and subject to other market factors and may fluctuate significantly. As a result, our cost in securing these products is subject to substantial increases over which we have no control. In addition, fuel costs, which represent the most significant factor affecting both utility costs at our facilities and our transportation costs, are subject to wide fluctuations. Although we are making best efforts, we cannot assure that we will be able to pass on to customers the increased costs associated with the procurement of these products. Moreover, there has in the past been, and there may in the future be, a time lag between the incurrence of such increased costs and the transfer of such increases to customers. To the extent that increases in the prices of our products cannot be passed on to customers or there is a delay in doing so, we are likely to experience an increase in our costs which may materially reduce our margin of profitability.
Further, there is an additional lag from the date we purchase inventory from our suppliers situated outside of Israel (or commit to purchase inventory from our suppliers) until the date we sell this inventory to our customers in Israel. To the extent that the purchase price of products that we purchase decreases from the time that we purchase our inventory (or commit to purchase our inventory) until the time we sell the inventory to our customers, our margin of profitability may be materially reduced if we are not able to sell our products at prices exceeding such purchase prices.
Increases or decreases in global product prices in the future may have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
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Our results of operations may be adversely affected if we do not accurately predict the rate of consumption of our products.
We hold inventory of basic foodstuffs (such as preserved food, dairy and dairy substitute products, edible oils, pasta and rice) andrice (and other food products, and we accumulate inventories of these products based on our prediction of the consumption of these products by our customers. If actual consumption does not meet the prediction, and the shelf life of such products expires or we cannot otherwise sell such products, this may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. On the other hand, to the extent we do not have adequate inventory of these critical products (due, for example, to an emergency situation or our failure to predict the rate of consumption of our products), we will not be able to meet the needs of our customers and our potential revenues may be adversely affected.
We may be unable to anticipate changes in consumer preferences, which may result in decreased demand for our products.
Our success depends in part on our ability to anticipate the tastes and eating habits of consumers and to offer products that appeal to their preferences. Consumer preferences change from time to time and our failure to anticipate, identify or react to these changes could result in reduced demand for our products, which would adversely affect our operating results and profitability.
We may be subject to product liability claims for misbranded, adulterated, contaminated or spoiled food products.
We sell food products for human consumption, which involves risks such as product contamination or spoilage, misbranding, product tampering, and other adulteration of food products. Consumption of a contaminated, spoiled, misbranded, tampered with or adulterated product may result in personal illness or injury. We could be subject to claims or lawsuits relating to an actual or alleged illness or injury, and we could incur liabilities that are not insured or that exceed our insurance coverage. Even if product liability claims against us are not successful or fully pursued, these claims could be costly and time consuming and may require management to spend time defending the claims rather than operating our business. A product that has been actually or allegedly misbranded or becomes adulterated could result in: product withdrawals, product recalls, destruction of product inventory, negative publicity, temporary plant closings, and substantial costs of compliance or remediation. Any of these events, including a significant product liability judgment against us, could result in a loss of confidence in our food products, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We may be adversely affected by any interruption to our storage facility.
We store most of our products in one main location – a logistics center warehouse situated in Yavne, Israel, used for products being distributed to customers. Any interruption to this storage facility, whether by power failure, flooding or other event, would have a material impact on our ability to trade in the ordinary course.
Our insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover our losses in the event our products are subject to product liability claims or our products are subject to recall. In such event, it would have a material adverse effect on us.
Our products may become the subject of product liability claims, and there can be no assurance that our property insurance coverage limits will be adequate or that all such claims will be covered by insurance. A product recall or a product liability claim, even one without merit or for which we have substantial coverage, could result in significant expenses, including legal defense costs, thereby lowering our earnings and, depending on revenues, potentially resulting in additional losses. A successfulSuccessful product liability claimclaims or other judgment against us in excess of our insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on us and our reputation.
Our operating results may be subject to variations from quarter to quarter.
Our operating results may be subject to variations from quarter to quarter depending on, among other things, the timing of sales campaigns and special events initiated by both us and our customers, the major Jewish holidays (such as the Jewish New Year and Passover), our ability to manage future inventory levels in line with business opportunities and anticipated customers’ demand, competitive developments in the market, changes in government regulations, periodic work stoppages or disruptions, changes in the rates of inflation in Israel and fluctuations in NIS/Dollar and NIS/Euro exchange rates. There can be no assurance that our sales or net income (if any) in any particular quarter will not be lower than the preceding and/or comparable quarter or that our sales or net income (if any) in a particular quarter will be indicative of our results of operations for the entire year. The trading prices of our ordinary shares may fluctuate significantly in response to variations in our operating results.
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Our branded products may not be able to compete successfully with nationally branded products.
For sales of our branded products to retailers, the principal competitive factors are price, product quality and quality of service. For sales of branded products to consumers, the principal competitive factors are price and product quality. In many cases, competitors with nationally branded products may have a competitive advantage over our products primarily due to name recognition.
Competition to obtain shelf space for our branded products with retailers is primarily based on the expected or historical performance of our product sales relative to our competitors. The principal competitive factors for sales of our branded products to consumers are brand recognition and loyalty, product quality and price. Most of our branded competitors have significantly greater resources and brand recognition than we do.
Competitive pressures or other factors could cause us to lose market share, which may require us to lower prices, increase marketing expenditures, and/or increase the use of discounting or promotional programs, each of which would adversely affect our margins and could result in a decrease in our operating results and profitability.
We may not successfully integrate our acquisitions.
We have made acquisitions in the past and may do so in the future. Our success will depend in part on our ability to manage the combined operations of any acquired company, to integrate the operations and personnel of such company together with our other subsidiaries into a single organizational structure, and to replace those subsidiary managers who have departed or may in the future leave our employ. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively integrate the operations of our subsidiaries and our acquired businesses into a single organizational structure. Integration of operations could also place additional pressures on our management as well as on our other key personnel. The failure to successfully manage any integration could have an adverse material effect on results of our operations.
If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, our competitive position could be compromised.
We market certain products under the trademarks “Willi-Food”, Donna"Donna Rozza", "Manchow", “Gold Frost”, "Tifeeret", "Say cheese", and "Emma". Although we have registered trademarks for these brands, we cannot assure that the degree of protection these and other trademarks offer will be sufficient to protect our rights in these marks.
One shareholder owns a large percentage of our shares.
As of April 24, 2017,29 2018, Willi-Food owned approximately 61.93% of our ordinary shares (approximately 61.93% on a fully‑diluted basis), and as of such date B.S.D. Crown Ltd. ("BSD") held approximately 67.76% of our outstanding shares (approximately 67.76% on a fully‑diluted basis). In addition to its control of Willi-Food, BSD directly owns 771,0755.83% of our ordinary shares. See "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – A. Major Shareholders".
Our Articles of Association do not provide for cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of directors and every resolution of the company in the general meeting of shareholders is deemed duly passed if passed by a simple majority of the shareholders present and voting unless another majority is required by the Israeli Companies Law (the "Companies Law") or by our Articles of Association. Therefore, our major shareholders are able to control the outcome of matters requiring shareholder approval that do not require a special majority.
We have business relations with Willi-Food and its management.
Willi-Food, our controlling shareholder, is a holding company whose main asset is the ordinary shares it owns in our company. Willi-Food currently does not directly conduct any material business.
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Certain of our key personnel also serve in management positions in Willi-Food. By serving in dual capacities, these persons may experience conflicts of interest involving the two companies. Israeli law imposes procedures, including, for certain material transactions, a requirement of shareholder approval, as a precondition to entering into interested party transactions. These procedures may apply to transactions between Willi-Food and us. However, we cannot assure that we will be able to avoid possible detrimental effects of any such conflicts of the price of our ordinary shares may be volatile.
If our ordinary shares are delisted from Nasdaq, the liquidity and price of our ordinary shares and our ability to issue additional securities may be significantly reduced.
The market price of our ordinary shares has fluctuated significantly and may be affected by our operating results, changes in our business, changes in the products we market and distribute, and general market and economic conditions which are beyond our control. In addition, the stock market in general has, from time to time, experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of individual companies. These fluctuations have affected stock prices of many companies without regard to their specific operating performance. For these reasons, the price of our ordinary shares may fluctuate significantly in the future.
Also, the financial markets in the Unites States and other countries have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations, and market prices of public companies have been and continue to be volatile. Volatility in the price of our ordinary shares may be caused by factors outside of our control and may be unrelated or disproportionate to our results of operations. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a public company’s securities, shareholders have frequently instituted securities class action litigation against that company. Litigation of this kind could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.
We may in the future fail to comply with the Nasdaq Capital Market regulations and listing requirements as to minimum share price, minimum net income, minimum number of shareholders and public float and other requirements, and as a result Nasdaq may initiate procedures to delist our ordinary shares from the Nasdaq Capital Market.In addition, under Nasdaq’s Listing Rules, any company whose shares have a closing bid price less than $1.00 for 30 consecutive business days may be subject to a delisting proceeding by Nasdaq.
On February 18, 2016, trading of the Company's ordinary shares was halted by Nasdaq following announcement by the Company of an investigation by the Israel Securities Authority regarding possible breaches of the Israeli securities laws and criminal offenses. To the best knowledge of Company management, the investigation relates to an investment of approximately US$ 2.25 million made during January 2016 in the form of bonds of a European company which allegedly served as a collateral to a loan obtained by Mr. GurovoyGregory Gurtovoy, at that time the controlling shareholder of the Company, or another individual, and which was unrelated to the Company's operations. Following the public disclosure of this information, trading of the Company's ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market resumed on April 7, 2016. See " Item"Item 8. Financial Information – A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information – Legal Proceedings".
On January 10, 2017, the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq notifying the Company that it is no longer in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(a) because it did not hold an annual meeting of shareholders within 12 months of the end of the Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. The letter provided that the Company had 45 calendar days to submit a plan to regain compliance, which the Company did on February 23, 2017. That plan indicates the scheduling by the Company of the convening of an annual meeting of shareholders to be held June 20, 2017, at which, in addition to any other matters on the agenda, shareholders will vote on election of directors.and Nasdaq subsequently accepted the 0.plan.
If we fail to meet the continued listing criteria under the Rule, our ordinary shares may be delisted from trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market could have an adverse effect on our business and on the trading of our ordinary shares. If a delisting of our ordinary shares were to occur, our shares would trade in the over-the-counter market such as on the OTC Bulletin Board or on the “pink sheets”. The over-the-counter market is generally considered to be a less efficient market, and this could diminish investors’ interest in our ordinary shares as well as significantly impact our share price and the liquidity of our ordinary shares. Any such delisting may also severely complicate trading of our shares by our shareholders, or prevent them from re-selling their shares at/or above the price they paid. Furthermore, our relatively low trading volumes may make it difficult for shareholders to trade shares or initiate any other transactions. Delisting may also make it more difficult for us to issue additional securities or secure additional financing.
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If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our ordinary shares may be adversely affected.
Our reporting obligations as a public company place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems. We implemented financial and disclosure control procedures and corporate governance practices that enable us to comply, with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, rules. For example, we developed accounting and financial capabilities, including the establishment of an internal audit function and development of documentation related to internal control policies and procedures. Failure to establish the necessary controls and procedures would make it difficult to comply with SEC rules and regulations with respect to internal control and financial reporting. We need to take further actions to continue to improve our internal controls. If we are unable to implement solutions to any weaknesses in our existing internal controls and procedures, or if we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud and investor confidence and the market price of our ordinary shares may be adversely impacted.
Substantially all of our assets are pledged to banks, which limits our ability to incur further debt.
We have pledged substantially all of our assets to Bank Leumi Le’Israel Ltd., Bank Mizrahi-Tefahot Ltd.Ltd, and Bank Hapoalim Ltd. in order to secure credit lines from each of these banks. If we were to utilize these credit lines, we expect that the proceeds from the sale of any of these assets may be used to prepay the principal amount owed on the credit lines secured by these pledges. As a result of these arrangements, our ability to dispose of pledged assets may require the consent of these banks, and our ability to incur further debt (whether secured or unsecured) is limited.
Our results of operations may be impacted by cyber-attacks on the Company's information systems.
Suspension or malfunction of internal or third partythird-party systems, or unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses and cyber-attacks affecting such systems, could impact our results of operations. Our businesses rely on secure processing, storage, transmission and reception of personal, confidential and proprietary information on our systems. We may become the target of attempted unauthorized access, computer viruses or malware, and other cyber-attacks designed to access and obtain information on our systems or to disrupt and cause other damage to our services. Although these threats may originate from human error or technological failure, they may also originate from the malice or fraud of internal parties, such as employees, or third parties, including foreign state actors and extremist parties. Additionally, we could also be adversely impacted if any of the third-party vendors, exchanges, clearing houses or other financial institutions to which we are interconnected are subject to cyber-attacks or other informational security breaches. Such events could cause interruptions to our systems, reputational damage, client dissatisfaction, legal liability, enforcement actions or additional costs, any and all of which could adversely affect our financial condition and operations. While we continue to devote significant resources to monitor and update our systems and implement information security measures to protect our systems, there can be no assurance that any controls and procedures we have in place will be sufficient to protect us from future security breaches. As cyber threats are continually evolving, our controls and procedures may become inadequate and we may be required to devote additional resources to modify or enhance our systems in the future.
Risks Related to Our Location in Israel
We are subject to regulations and other policies of the Israeli government and of other countries from which we import and into which we export. If we are unable to obtain and maintain regulatory qualifications or approvals for our products, our business may be adversely affected.
Regulatory, licensing and quotas: The import, export, storage, marketing, distribution and labeling of some major food products are subject to extensive regulation and licensing by various Israeli government and municipal agencies, principally the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Economy (f/k/a the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor), the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance. To the extent that we have imported and exported, or will import and export, food products outside of Israel, we may be subject to quotas and other import and export laws and regulations which may limit our ability to sell or buy certain of our food products into or from these countries. We are required to maintain our distribution processes in conformity with all applicable laws and regulations. In the event that such laws and regulations change, or we fail to comply with such laws and regulations, we may be prevented from trading within Israel or another part of the world.
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Tariffs: The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy of the State of Israel may increase the levels of tariffs on importing goods. This would have a direct impact on us and our financial performance by increasing our costs which we may not be able to pass on to our customers.
Kosher Licenses: Under kosher regulations, we are required to ascertain that the food products which we offer for sale bear kosher certification approved by certain authorities such as the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. There is a risk that the relevant authorities in Israel or other areas of the world responsible for issuing kosher licenses may change the criteria for obtaining such licenses. In such circumstances, we may be prohibited from obtaining kosher licenses for various products that we sell into the various kosher markets. Failure to comply with such applicable laws and regulations in relation to kosher licenses could subject us to civil sanctions, including fines, injunctions, recalls or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us and our financial performance.
Economic conditions in Israel affect our financial performance.
A major part of our sales are made in Israel, and consequently our financial performance is dependent to a significant extent on the economy of Israel. A deterioration of the economic situation in Israel, or periodic work stoppages or disruptions, may erode the real wages and lower the buying power of our potential customers. This in turn may adversely affect our activities and business results. In addition, in 2011 to mid-2012 our business results were adversely affected by the national protest against the cost of food products, pressuring us to decrease our selling prices to our customers. The pressure from such protests decreased during 2012 and 2013 but rose again beginning in mid-2014. The result of such protests and a strong price awareness by consumers continues to affect the food industry and the level of pricing. In general, from 2013 to 2016 food consumption in Israel remained unchanged, despite a natural population growth rate of about 2% per year during this period. In addition, in 2015 Mega Retail Ltd., one of Israel’s largest supermarket chains and a major customer of the Company, encountered financial difficulties and entered into a court-approved creditor arrangement with its suppliers. In July 2016, the Mega chain was sold as a single block to the Yenot-Bitan Ltd. In addition, large discount supermarket chains such as Rami Levy, Hazi Hinam, and Osher Ad have experienced growth in recent years, which is evidenced by the conversion of mid-range branches into this format. For more information, see "Our business may be materially affected if any of our major clients defaults on its payment to us" in this section above. Any consumer demand for price reductions or decrease in food consumption in Israel in monetary terms may have a material adverse effect on us and our financial performance.
We may be affected by political, economic and military conditions in Israel and the Middle East.
We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel, our principle offices are located in central Israel and all of our officers, employees and directors are residents of Israel. Accordingly, political, economic and military conditions in Israel have a direct influence on us. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Any hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its present trading partners could materially and adversely affect our operations. During the winter of 2012 and the summer of 2014, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with Hamas, a militia group and political party operating in the Gaza Strip. This conflict involved missile strikes by Hamas against civilian targets in various parts of Israel and negatively affected business conditions in Israel. We estimate that the conflict with Hamas in 2014 reduced the Company's sales by approximately NIS 16 million. Ongoing or revived hostilities related to Israel may have a material adverse effect on our business and on our share price. The recent revolutions and political uncertainty in surrounding countries, including Egypt and Syria, are affecting the political stability of those countries. This instability may lead to deterioration of the political relationships that exist between Israel and these countries, and have raised concerns regarding security in the region and the potential for armed conflict. In addition, it is widely believed that Iran, which has previously threatened to attack Israel, has been stepping up its efforts to achieve nuclear capability. Iran is also believed to have a strong influence among extremist groups in the region, such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The tension between Israel and Iran and/or these groups may escalate in the future and turn violent, which could affect the Israeli economy generally and us in particular.
Many of our executive officers and employees in Israel are obligated to perform annual military reserve duty in the Israeli Defense Forces and, in addition, may be called to active duty under emergency circumstances at any time. If a military conflict or war arises, these individuals could be required to serve in the military for extended periods of time. Our operations could be disrupted by the absence for a significant period of one or more of our executive officers or key employees or a significant number of our other employees due to reserve duty. Any disruption in our operations may harm our business.
Our commercial insurance does not cover property, asset or operational losses that may occur as a result of events associated with the security situation in the Middle East. Although the Israeli government currently reimburses for the value of direct damages that are caused by terrorist attacks or acts of war, and if certain conditions are met covers indirect damages (up to limited amounts) as well, we cannot assure you that this government coverage will be maintained. Any losses or damages incurred by us could have a material adverse effect on our business.
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Additionally, several Arab countries restrict business with Israeli companies and these restrictions may have an adverse impact on our operating results, financial condition or the expansion of our business. From time to time pro-Arab organizations in various locations around the world promote local boycotts of products from Israel. Prompted by political, religious or other factors, these and other restrictive laws or policies directed towards Israel and Israeli businesses may affect our financial condition and results of operations.
It will be extremely difficult to acquire jurisdiction and enforce liabilities against us, our officers and directors who are based in Israel.
We are organized under the laws of the State of Israel. The majority of our officers and present directors reside outside of the United States and most of our operations and assets, and the assets of these persons, are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for United States investors to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process or to enforce judgments of United States courts against us, our directors or our officers under federal securities laws of the United States. Further, it is unclear if extradition treaties now in effect between the United States and Israel would permit effective enforcement of criminal penalties under such securities laws. It may also be difficult to enforce civil liabilities under such securities laws in actions initiated in Israel.
Our international operations may be adversely affected by risks associated with international business.
We purchase food products from over 150 suppliers located around the world. Therefore, we are subject to certain risks that are inherent in an international business. These include, but are not limited to:
| · | varying regulatory restrictions on sales of our products to certain markets and unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; |
| · | tariffs, customs, duties, quotas and other trade barriers; |
| · | global or regional economic crises; |
| · | difficulties in managing foreign operations and foreign distribution partners; |
| · | longer payment cycles and problems in collecting accounts receivable; |
| · | fluctuations in currency exchange rates; |
| · | political risks; |
| · | foreign exchange controls which may restrict or prohibit repatriation of funds; |
| · | export and import restrictions or prohibitions, and delays from customs brokers or government agencies; |
| · | seasonal reductions in business activity in certain parts of the world; and |
| · | potentially adverse tax consequences. |
Depending on the countries involved, any or all of the foregoing factors could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
The Company was incorporated in Israel in January 1994 under the name G. Willi-Food Ltd. and commenced operations in February 1994. It changed its name to G. Willi-Food International Ltd. in June 1996. The Company's corporate headquarters and principal executive offices are located at 4 Nahal Harif Street, Northern Industrial Zone, Yavne 81106, Israel. The Company's telephone number in Israel is +972 8-9321000, its fax number is +972-8-9321001, its e-mail address for communications is willi@willi-food.co.il and its Webweb site is www.willi-food.com. The information contained in its web site, or that can be accessed therefrom, does not constitute a part of this annual report and is not incorporated by reference herein. We have included our website address in this annual report solely for informational purposes.
In May 1997, the Company completed an initial offering to the public in the United States (the “Initial Public Offering”) of 1,397,500 units, each unit consisting of one ordinary share and one redeemable ordinary share purchase warrant.
In May 2001, the Company acquired all the shares of Gold Frost Ltd. for NIS 336 thousand (USD 90 thousand). Gold Frost, which was registered in 1977 in Israel, is engaged in designing, developing and distributing frozen and chilled food products.
On March 9, 2006, the Company's subsidiary, Gold Frost, completed an initial issuance to the public on the London AIM market which yielded gross proceeds of NIS 36.5 million ($9.8 million). Following this issuance, as of May 30, 2006, the Company held approximately 75.7% of Gold Frost's share capital. During November 2007 - January 2008, the Company purchased on the AIM market an additional approximately 14.3% of Gold Frost's share capital, reaching aggregate holdings of up to 90% of Gold Frost's share capital.
On May 20, 2008, a special general meeting of Gold Frost approved the cancellation of its ordinary share listing to the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange. The cancellation of Gold Frost's AIM admission took place on May 27, 2008. On July 27, 2009, the Company announced that it had successfully completed a tender offer for all of the issued and outstanding share capital of Gold Frost which was not already held by the Company. The Company paid an aggregate amount of approximately £370,430 ($619,198) for all such shares and depositary interests.
On March 17, 2010, the Company raised net proceeds of approximately a $19 million through a public offering of its ordinary shares. The Company issued a total of 3,305,786 ordinary shares at a purchase price of $6.05 per share.
On May 4, 2014, Mr. Zwi Williger and Mr. Joseph Williger sold their controlling stake (approximately 58% of the outstanding shares) in Willi-Food to BSD, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange, the ultimately controlling shareholder of which was Mr. Alexander Granovsky.
On July 15, 2015, Mr. Granovsky sold his indirect controlling interest in BSD to Mr. Gregory Gurtovoy, according to public filings and information supplied to the Company. See "Item 7. Major
On May 7, 2017, Mr. Joseph Williger informed Willi-Food that he is the controlling shareholder of BSD through private companies he owns, and that he is therefore the controlling shareholder of Willi-Food, and therefore the Company, as from May 5, 2017.
On June 11, 2017, a General Meeting of the Willi-Foods' Shareholders approved the appointment of the following BSD nominated directors: Messrs. Joseph Williger, Zwi Williger, Kobi Navon and Related Party Transactions – A. Major Shareholders".Bensi Sao, and the termination of the term of office of all then current directors (other than the external directors): Mr. Ilan Admon, Gregory Gurtovoy, Eli Arad, Shalhevet Hasdiel and Arik Safran. On June 12, 2017, Willi-Foods' Board of Directors approved the appointment of Mr. Gil Hochboim as a director.
On June 20, 2017, a General Meeting of Shareholders of the company approved the appointment of the following directors: Messrs. Yoseph Williger, Zwi Williger, Gil Hochboim and David Donin and the termination of the term of office of all then current directors of the company (other than the external directors): Messrs. Ilan Admon, Gregory Gurtovoy and Ilan Cohen. On June 20, 2017 the Board of Directors of the company approved the appointment of Mr. Victor Bar as a director.
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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Our capital expenditures were $0.50$0.76 million, $0.60$0.56 million and $1.85$0.83 million for the three years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 2015 and 2014,2015, respectively. Our capital expenditures from January 1, 20172018 until March 31, 20172018 were approximately $23,000.$14,000. For more information, see "Item 4. Information on the company" – D. Property, Plants and Equipment".
| B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW |
Overview
The Company is an Israeli-based company engaged, directly and through subsidiaries, in the development, import, export, marketing and distribution of a wide variety of over 600 food products world-wide. In the year ended December 31, 2016, 2017, substantially all of our revenue was generated in Israel, with less than 1% of our revenue resulting from exports outside Israel.
The Company purchases food products from over 150120 suppliers located in Israel and throughout the world, including from the Far East (China, India, the Philippines and Thailand), Ethiopia, Eastern Europe (Poland, Lithuania and Latvia), South America (Ecuador), the United States, Canada, Western and Central Europe (the(the Netherlands, Belgium, Monaco, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, and France) and Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Turkey and Greece).
The Company's products are marketed and sold to approximately 1,500 customers in Israel and around the world (for example, to customers in the Unites States, England and France), including to supermarket chains, wholesalers and institutional consumers. The Company markets most of its products under the brand name “Willi-Food,” and some of its chilled and frozen products under the brand name “Gold Frost.”Frost”. Certain products are marketed under brand names of other manufacturers or under other brand names. In addition, the Company distributes some of its products on an exclusive basis, as described further below.
Following changes in management in recent years, the Company continues to re-evaluate its strategic position and consider other business opportunities. As part of this re-evaluation, the Company is considering forming strategic alliances with or entering into different lines of business, expanding its product lines, and increasing product sales with existing customers while adding new customers. In addition, the Company is examining M&A opportunities to further increase its market presence.
As of April, 24, 2017,29, 2018, the Company’s principal shareholder, Willi-Food, held approximately 61.93% of our ordinary shares (approximately 61.93% on a fully‑diluted basis). The primary assets of Willi-Food are the Company’s ordinary shares. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – A. Major Shareholders”. Willi-Food’s securities are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
Business Strategy
The Company’s business strategy is:
| · | to promote the “Willi-Food” brand name and other brand names used by the Company (such as "Gold Frost" and "Tifeeret") and to increase market penetration of products through marketing efforts and advertising campaigns; |
| · | to expand its current food product lines and diversify into additional product lines, as well as to respond to market demand ; |
| · | to consider new fields of activity/operating segments; and |
| · | to expand the Company's activity in the international food markets, mainly in the U.S. and Europe. |
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| · | Utilizing management’s expertise in identifying market demand and preferences, as well as its supplier sourcing abilities, the Company intends: |
| · | to continue to locate, develop and distribute additional food products, some of which may be new to Israeli consumers; |
| · | to penetrate new food segments within Israel through the establishment of food manufacturing factories or the establishment of business relationships and cooperation with existing Israeli food manufacturers; |
| · | to increase its inventory levels from time to time both to achieve economies of scale on its purchases from suppliers and to more fully meet its customers’ demands; |
| · | to further expand into international food markets, mainly in the U.S. and Europe, by purchasing food distribution companies, increasing cooperation with local existing distributors and/or exporting products directly to the customer; and |
| · | to penetrate new markets through the establishment of business relationships and cooperation with representatives in such markets subject to a positive political climate. |
The Company has developed certain trade relationships locally, as well as in areas administered by the Palestinian Authority, although current sales volumes to Palestinian-administered areas remain low.
Principal Products
We import, market and distributeGold-Frost import, a broad variety of over 600 food products. These products are sold, marketed and distributed by us and by Gold Frost.us. A small percentage of our products are purchased from suppliers in Israel.
We aim to broaden the variety of products we import. We expect to launch additional new products into our product lines in the near future while continuing to develop new and innovative food products.
The principal products in the import segment product line are as follows:
· | Canned Vegetables and Pickles: including mushrooms (whole and sliced), artichoke (hearts and bottoms), beans, asparagus, capers, corn kernels, baby corn, palm hearts, vine leaves (including vine leaves stuffed with rice), sour pickles, mixed pickled vegetables, pickled peppers, an assortment of olives, garlic, roasted eggplant sun and dried tomatoes. These products are imported primarily from China, Greece, Thailand, Turkey, India, and the Netherlands. |
| · | Canned Fish: including tuna (in oil or water), sardines, anchovies, smoked and pressed cod liver, herring, fish paste and salmon. These products are primarily imported from the Philippines, Thailand, Greece, Germany and Sweden. |
| · | Canned Fruit: including pineapple (sliced or pieces), peaches, apricots, pears, mangos, cherries, litchis and fruit cocktail. These products are primarily imported from China, Monaco, the Philippines, Thailand, Greece and Europe. |
| · | Edible Oils: including olive oil, regular and enriched sunflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil and rapeseed oil. These products are primarily imported from Belgium, Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. |
· | Dairy and Dairy Substitute Products: including hard and semi-hard cheeses (parmesan, edam, kashkaval, gouda, havarti, cheddar, pecorino, manchego, maasdam, rossiysky, iberico and emmental), molded cheeses |
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| · | Dried Fruit, Nuts and Beans: including figs, apricots and organic apricots, chestnuts organic chestnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts, pine nuts, cashews, banana chips, pistachios and peanuts. These products are primarily imported from Greece, Turkey, India, China, Thailand and the United States. |
· | Other Products: including, among others, instant noodle soup, frozen edamame soybeans, freeze dried instant coffee, bagels, breadstick, coffee creamers, lemon juice, halva, Turkish delight, cookies, vinegar, sweet pastry and crackers, sauces, corn flour, rice, rice sticks, pasta, organic pasta, spaghetti and noodles, breakfast cereals, corn flakes, rusks, |
Product Information
The products that generated the largest sales volume for the year ended December 31, 2017 were dairy and dairy substitute products (39% of sales), fish products (17% of sales) canned vegetables (13% of sales).
The products that generated the largest sales volume for the year ended December 31, 2016 were dairy and dairy substitute products (37% of sales), canned vegetables (14% of sales), dried fruit, nuts and beans products and edible oil products (less than 10 % of sales).
The products that generated the largest sales volume for the year ended December 31, 2015 were dairy and dairy substitute products (33% of sales), canned vegetables (14% of sales), dried fruit, nuts and beans products and edible oil products (less than 10% of sales).
The allocation mentioned above does not include the product line "Other Products" in the Import segment, as this product line includes products that have no characteristic definition.
Most of the products that we import and market are approved as kosher by, and/or under the supervision of, various supervisory institutions, including the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, Badatz Edah HaChareidis, Badatz Beit Yosef,, Chug Chatam Sofer, certain Jewish organizations administering Kashrut procedures and certifications (such as the Union of the Orthodox Jewish Congregation of America (referred to as OU), Badatz Igud Harabanim Manchester, OK, Circle K and Triangle K) and rabbis of local Jewish congregations abroad. For more information, see “-“– Government Regulation” in this section below.
Our products are packaged by various manufacturers and suppliers abroad and labeled with Hebrew, English and, in certain cases, Arabic and Russian labels, in accordance with our instructions and requirements and in accordance with applicable law. For more information, see “ –“– Government Regulation” in this section below.
Suppliers
We purchase food products from over 150120 suppliers, including suppliers located in Israel, the Far East (China, India, the Philippines and Thailand), Ethiopia, Eastern Europe (Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania), South America (Ecuador)(Ecuador and Argentina), the United States, Canada and in Western, Northern and Southern Europe (Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Monaco, the Netherlands, Italy, Monaco, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Germany, France, and Turkey).
In addition, we actively maintain contact with our suppliers world-wide through which we assess, on an on-going basis, world market trends, fluctuations in prices, and other issues relevant to our business. Our management and personnel visit food trade fairs world-wide on a regular basis and endeavor to create new business relationships with potential suppliers.
Certain of the products we import are seasonal agricultural products, such as artichokes, cherries, mushrooms, eggplants and peaches. In order to ensure a continued supply of these seasonal items, we generally make arrangements with the producers of such products at the beginning of the season for the terms of purchase of such items for the upcoming year.
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A substantial portion of our purchases from suppliers outside of Israel is made in U.S. Dollars (such as purchases from the Far East, the United States, South America and certain European countries) with the remaining purchases usually made in Euros and other foreign currencies (e.g., Swedish Kronas and Swiss Francs).currencies. Supply is generally made to us against letters of credit for a period of up to 90 days.
No single supplier provides us with for the majority of our products, most of which we purchase from several suppliers. However, we are dependent on one supplier, Arla, with respect to a large part of our products (13%(15% in 20162017 and 12%13% in 2015)2016). A
Until December 31, 2017, a distribution agreement between our wholly-owned subsidiary Gold Frost and Arla grantsgranted Gold Frost an exclusive and non-transferable right to market and distribute in Israel dairy and dairy substitute products manufactured by Arla and its affiliated companies. Gold Frost's exclusivity is subjectOn October 19, 2017, Goldfrost received a notice from Arla to its purchase of certain minimum quotas of Arla products. The agreement was signed in March 2005 for a period of five years commencing June 2005. In July 2007, the agreement was extended for a period of 10 years from June 2005 and is renewable automatically for a further period of five years, unless notice of termination is provided by either party. On January 21, 2016, Arla notified the Company that, due to changes in the organizational structure and management of the Company, it is seeking to reduce the period of exclusivity of the contract. On January 3, 2017, Arla and the Company announced the extension of itsend their exclusive distribution agreement for a termeffective as of one year commencing from December 29, 2016 until December 31, 2017. Under the extension, Arla grantedRepresentatives of Goldfrost an exclusive non-transferable right to import, export, market and distribute in Israel dairy and dairy substitute products manufactured by Arla. Goldfrost's exclusivity is subject to its purchase of certain minimum quotasrepresentatives of Arla products. In addition,have met several times and have agreed that Goldfrost may place new orders for additional dairy products produced by Arla hasand to be sold by Goldfrost during the right to terminate the Agreement under certain circumstances, including in the casefirst half of 2018. The termination of the death or permanent incapacityengagement with Arla, and our anticipated termination of Mr. Iram Graiver or his ceasing to be involved in Goldfrost's business.our supply arrangement with Arla at the of the first half of 2018, have an adverse effect on our revenues and our results of operations.
We do not generally enter into written agency or other agreements with our suppliers. However, we have written agreements with approximately nine13 foreign suppliers that confirm our exclusive appointment as the sole agent and/or distributor of such suppliers, either with respect to a specific product or with respect to a line of products, within the State of Israel. These exclusivity rights have generally been granted for periods of 12 – 36 months and are automatically extendable unless terminated by either party upon prior notice, and in certain cases are conditioned upon our compliance with certain minimum purchase requirements. The suppliers from which we received such written agreements accounted for 39%30%, 24% and 23% of our purchases in 2017, 2016 and in 2015, respectively. In a few instances we did not fulfill the minimum purchase requirements of such agreements, but no supplier has ever terminated its agreement with us due to our failure to comply with such minimum purchase requirements. Our purchases are not motivated by a desire to meet such minimum purchase requirements, and the considerations in purchasing products from these suppliers are identical to those for purchasing from other suppliers.
In addition to Arla, we purchased several products from a single supplier in 20162017 and, as a result, that supplier accounted for more than 10% of our total purchases; however, purchases from this supplier were made due to economies of scale, operational efficiency and convenience, and the Company does not consider itself dependent on this supplier. The average volume of our credit balance with our suppliers in 20162017 was NIS 9.214.7 million (US$ 2.4 million) consisting of 16 days of suppliers credit on average, in 2015 was NIS 16.6 million (US$ 4.34.2 million) consisting of 24 days of suppliers credit on average, in 2016 was NIS 15.3 million (US$ 4.4 million) consisting of 26 days of suppliers credit on average and in 2014 it2015 was NIS 16.714.9 million (US$ 4.3 million) consisting of 1624 days of suppliers credit on average.
Customers
The Company's products are marketed and sold to approximately 1,500 customers throughout Israel and outside of Israel.
The Company's customers generally fall within one of the following twothree groups:
| · | large retail supermarket chains, |
| · | small retail supermarket chains, and |
| · | other custumers, including small private |
The first group of customers above includes the large retail food marketing chains: Shufersal Ltd. (including, inter alia, Shufersal Deal, Shufersal Deal Extra, Shufersal Express, My Shufersal, Yesh Hesed and Yesh Neighborhood), Yenot Bitan, (following the acquisition of Mega including, inter alia, Yenot Bitan, Mehadrin Market, Mega Ba’ir ("Mega in Town") and Zul Bashefa ("Cheap and Plentiful")), andRami-Levy Ltd, Co-Op Israel, (including, inter alia, Co-Op Jerusalem, Co-Op Shop, Co-Op Village Shop, Co-Op Shop Extra"Osher-Ad", Viktory, Yohananof and Co-Op Stop). others. The large retail food marketing chains usually consist of dozens of stores with nationwide deployment.
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The Company contracts with those supermarket chains in the organized market through the buyers in the head office of the supermarket chain, after which the Company receives orders from the supermarket chain's logistics center or directly from individual stores. Merchandise is then delivered directly to each branch or to the supermarket’s chain distribution centers. The Company is not accustomed to setting fixed prices that apply to all such customers, but rather sets ad-hoc prices for a transaction or for several transactions. Simultaneous with closing of sale prices with the buyers at the chains’ central offices, quantities of the products to be supplied to the branches are routinely determined directly with the branches.
A number of provisions of a law entitled "Promoting Competition in the Food Industry" (the "Food Law"), which went into effect on January 15, 2015, regulating the operations of food suppliers and retailers, are applicable to the Company (which is not defined as a large supplier in respect of its engagements with retailers subject to the provisions of the Food Law), including a prohibition on any interference on the part of a supplier in a retailer’s determination of the consumer price that such retailer will collect on another suppliers’ merchandise, or the terms of such sale; a prohibition on retailers interfering in any way in a supplier’s determination regarding what products to sell other retailers and what prices to charge for those products, or the terms of such sale; a ban on suppliers transferring payments (in cash or cash equivalents) to a large retailer, other than by lowering the price per unit of a product, subject to certain exceptions; a prohibition on interfering in any way in the price per product collected by a retailer for that supplier’s products, the allocation of any share of sales space for that supplier’s products, the purchase of products provided by that supplier on any scale in proportion to the retailer’s purchase of the product from alternative suppliers; and a prohibition on interfering in the purchase or sale of products provided to a retailer by another supplier, including quantities and purchase targets, sales space allocated to them in stores and other commercial terms. In 2016,2017, the Company had one retail customer, Shufersal, an “Organized Market” customer that is considered a large supplier according to the Food Law, the scope of Company sales to which exceeded 10% of its income in 2016.2017. As a result, the Company's interaction with this customer is required to meet certain principles for engagement, including those impacting commercial agreements, logistics and monetary collection.
The second group of customers above includes private supermarketthe small retail chains mini-markets, wholesalers, food manufacturers, institutional consumers, such as catering halls, hotels, hospitals, food service companies and food producers and governmental customers such as the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
Generally, the Company’s engagement with private market customerssmall retail chains does not involve exclusivity, or other obligatory terms of operations. Prior to entering into an engagement with such customer, the Company gauges the customer's financial stability and determines the scope of credit to assign to and the sureties to obtain from such customer. Private market customersSmall retail chains are generally requested to provide deferred checks as sureties, and some are requested to provide additional sureties, including promissory notes, personal guarantees and bank guarantees. In addition, the Company insures most of its private market customerssmall retail chains with credit insurance. In 2016,2017, more than 50% of the Company's private market customerssmall retail chains were insured with credit insurance policies by credit insurance companies.
The Company undertakes toward some of its private market customerssmall retail chains that are not subject to the provisions of the Food Law to pay a fixed incentive in the form of a percentage of sales, or an incentive in the event the scope of sales exceeds the scope agreed upon between the parties. The Company undertakes towards a small number of private customerssmall retail chains to provide discounts for the inclusion of new products, as well as limited-time discounts for the opening of new stores. Furthermore, the Company undertakes towards a small number of the private market customerssmall retail chains to participate in payments for the customers’ advertisements, at rates determined in negotiations between the parties, and subject to the actual execution of the advertisements in various media, including in print newspapers, or in specific advertisement placed inside a customer's stores.
The sale prices to private market customerssmall retail chains are determined in negotiations that occur frequently, usually on a monthly basis, owing to the lack of uniformity in the purchase terms for different products from different manufacturers, and owing to variable market conditions. The Company is not accustomed to setting fixed prices that apply to all such customers, but rather sets ad-hoc prices for a transaction or several transactions.
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The Company's sales by customer group for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
Percentage of Total Sales Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
| Customer Groups | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||
| Supermarket chains in the organized market | 21 | % | 25 | % | ||||
Private supermarket chains, mini-markets, wholesalers, manufacturers, institutional consumers, governmental customers and customers in the Palestinian Authority | 79 | % | 75 | % | ||||
| 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||
Percentage of Total Sales Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
| Customer Groups | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
| large retail supermarket chains | 50 | % | 49 | % | ||||
| other custumers | 50 | % | 51 | % | ||||
| 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||
The average aggregate debit balance of the Company's customers with the Company in 20162017 was NIS 84.588.1 million (USD 21.9 million) and the average time period within which our accounts receivable were paid was 89 days, in 2015 it was NIS 81.4 million (USD 20.125.4 million) and the average time period within which our accounts receivable were paid was 86 days, in 2016 was NIS 85.5 million (USD 24.7 million) and the average time period within which our accounts receivable were paid was 90 days and in 20142015 it was NIS 87.788.8 million (USD 22.6 25.6 million) and the average time period within which our accounts receivable were paid was 86 days.days.
In the event that a customer in the private sectorsmall retail supermarket chains or other customers does not respect its financial commitments, the Company may elect to foreclose on the collateral or the promissory note given by such customer. Since 2008, the Company has made no significant use of this foreclosure power. The Company strives to minimize its credit risk by constantly reviewing the credit it extends to customers versus the security it receives. As a result, the Company has ceased selling products to certain customers and considerably reduced sales to other customers, and may continue to do so.
Distribution, Marketing and Sales
The Company principally distributes and markets its products on its own. The Company markets its products via internal sales agents, although with sales of certain products to clients situated in different areas of Israel, the Company utilizes external distributors, with whom it does not have exclusivity agreements.
The Company generally has no written agreements with its customers, nor are its arrangements with its customers on an exclusive or binding basis. The Company generally extends its customers approximately 60-90 days credit, and in limited cases up to 110 days credit, beginning at the end of the month in which the sale took place. TheMost of the large retail supermarket chains in the organized market generally effect payment by wire transfers or cash payments on the due date, while other customers are generally required to provide post-dated promissory notes at least one month prior to the date of the expected payment. The Company does not require the large retail supermarket chains in the organized market to provide any kind of security for payments; however, other customers may be required to provide security, including personal guarantees.
Sales are made by the placement of customers’ orders (except for part of the dairy and dairy substitute products), which are directed to the Company’s regional office and placed by the sales personnel or directly by the customers. Orders are delivered by the Company’s transport network (including two freezing trucks, fivefour refrigeration trucks, three regular trucks and nineten combined trucks) [Company to confirm/update] and by independent transporters. In certain cases, the Company transports products directly from port to customers, utilizing the services of independent transporters. In some instances, the Company transfers the merchandise to the logistics centers of the supermarket chains, and the supermarket chains themselves are responsible for the distribution of the merchandise to their chain stores for a commission charged to the Company.
The sale of most of our dairy and dairy substitute products is performed by external distributers, although some of these sales are made by “van sale” sales agents using small terminals. The sales agents supply these products immediately from the stock of products in the refrigeration trucks in which they travel.
Some of the marketing and distribution to institutional clients in the private sector (such as hotels, police, prisons, the Ministry of Defense and "kibbutz" collective settlements) is done by winning tenders, direct distribution or by wholesalers.
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With imported products, the Company generally holds an inventory of products which the Company believes to be sufficient to meet market requirements for a period of up to 7060 days. Occasionally, the Company may take advantage of low priced merchandise and purchase larger amounts than usual of a product with long shelf life. In those cases, the inventory may be sufficient to meet market requirements for more than 9060 days. Products ordered by customers in full container loads are generally forwarded directly to the customers’ facilities without being stored in the Company’s facilities. The Company does not regularly maintain a significant backlog of orders from customers; orders received by customers are generally filled within one week. The Company’s inventory as of December 31, 20162017 amounted to NIS 39.9 million (USD 11.5 million) compared with NIS 41.9 million (USD 10.912.1 million) compared with NIS 34.5 million (USD 8.8 million) as of December 31, 2015.2016.
The Company maintains close contact with its consumers in an effort to be attentive to market needs, market trends, and demand for certain products in various markets. The Company also regularly gathers information on new products manufactured world-wide, including by attending food exhibitions and maintaining close relations with manufacturers and suppliers world-wide.
The Company is responsible for the products it markets in Israel under the Israeli Law of "Liability for Defective Products 1980,Law, 1980" and it has also purchased an insurance policy for product liability.
Seasonality
Each year as the Passover, Shavuot, and Rosh Hashana holidays approach, the Company usually increases its inventories in order to provide a fast response to the market's demand. Usually there is an increase in the Company’s sales prior to the Rosh Hashanah holiday (celebrated in September-October) and, the Pesach (Passover) holiday (celebrated in March-April) and Shavuot (celebrated in May). Despite the impact of the holiday season on the Company’s activities, the Company’s quarterly sales are not materially affected as a result of these holiday seasons.
Competition
The food distribution business in Israel is highly competitive with respect to imported, as well as locally manufactured, food products. The Company faces direct competition both from local manufacturers, as well as from a number of importers of food products. The food market in Israel is very price sensitive.
For each of the categories of products distributed by the Company, there exists competition by dozens of local manufacturers as well as from other importers. The barriers to entry in the food market are low, and new potential competitors are constantly joining the market. In addition to new-comers to the food business, the Company faces potential competition from existing importers and/or manufacturers currently not offering the same lines of products as the Company.
For example, certain of the products imported by the Company, such as canned fish, corn flakes, edible oils, certain pickles, olives, pasta, cereal, sweet pastry and crackers and certain dairy products, are also produced by local manufacturers in Israel. Local producers are not subject to the financial risks of importing food products or to governmental policies regarding taxation of imported food products to which the Company is subject.
To the Company's knowledge, several of its competitors (Shemen, Taaman and Solbar with respect to edible oils, Fodor (Starkist and Yona), Posidon and Williger of the Neto Group, Filtuna, the new Vita Pri HaGalil and Shastowits with respect to fish products, the new Vita Pri HaGalil, Yachin-Zan laKol, Williger of the Neto Group, and Tomer with respect to canned vegetable and canned fruit products, Osem, Barila, the new Vita Pri HaGalil, Williger of the Neto Group, Taaman and Tomer with respect to pasta products, Tnuva, Tara, Strauss, Seyman, Gad Dairy and Meshek Zuriel with respect to dairy and dairy substitute products, for example) are substantially more established, have greater market recognition and have greater financial, marketing, human and other resources than those of the Company. If any of the Company’s major competitors materially reduces prices, the Company would experience significantly more competitive pressure and a decrease in profitability. The Company cannot predict whether it could successfully compete with these pressures and, if it were unable to do so, the Company’s business would be adversely impacted.
The Company's management does not have precise information regarding the import of food products to Israel. However, it believes the Company is currently one of the leading companies in Israel in its line of products.
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The Company endeavors to compete by reacting to the availability of competitor products and their prices, while diversifying sources of supply and setting product prices according to changing market conditions.
Intellectual Property Rights
The Company markets certain products under the trademark “Willi-Food,” which was approved for registration in Israel in May 1997 for certain uses relating to the food industry. In 2015, the trademark's validity was extended for an additional ten years. The Company markets certain products under the trademark “Gold-Frost,” which was registered in Israel in February 2002.
The Company also markets cheeses and cheese substitutes such as "Ha-Bulgaria", which was registered in Israel in February 2009, "SAY CHEESE", which was registered in Israel in July 2012, and "EMMA", which was registered in Israel in December 2013.
The Company also markets certain products under the trademark "Gold Food", which was registered in Israel in November 2002 for different uses in the food industry.
The Company markets frozen edamame soybeans under the trademark "Manchow," which was registered in Israel in October 2007. The Company markets ice cream products under the trademark "Gelato," which was registered in Israel in May 2013.
The Company also markets a line of products with kosher supervision by Badatz Edah HaChareidis under the trademark "Tifeeret", which was registered in Israel in September 2010 for different uses in the food industry.
The Company also markets pasta and sauces under the trademark "Donna Rozza," which was registered in Israel in August 2005 for different uses in the food industry.
Other products marketed by the Company under their original brand name are “Completa”, "Raskas", "Del Monte", "Danesita", "Nobeleza Gaucha", "Fetina", "Sera", "Daawat", "Zanetti", "Ferro", "Hahne", "Arla", "Bloose", "Pastor", "Kolios", "Castello" and "Lurpak""Kolios".
The Company imports several products for the Shufersal chain under the brand name “Shufersal”.
There can be no assurances as to the degree of protection registration of the Company’s trademarks will afford.
The Company's investment in registering these trademarks was insignificant.
Government Regulation
The import, export, storage, distribution, manufacturing, marketing and labeling of food products is subject to extensive regulation and licensing by various Israeli government and municipal agencies, principally the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy.Economy and Industry. We are required to maintain our distribution processes, as well as the products imported and manufactured by us, in conformity with all applicable laws and regulations. Failure to comply with these applicable laws and regulations could subject us to civil sanctions, including fines, injunctions, recalls or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us. We believe that we comply in all material respects with the above-mentioned requirements. To the extent that the Company exports food products outside of Israel, we may be subject to quotas and other laws and regulations of the country to which we export which may limit our ability to sell certain of our food products into these countries.
In 1978, the Israeli government issued the free import decree, which exempts the import of most food products from the requirement to acquire a license. However, preliminary permits from the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Agriculture are still required. These preliminary permits are granted based on laboratory analysis reports and other data.
Customs duties and charges are levied on a portion of the Company’s products imported into Israel. In addition, the Company is required to obtain import licenses for the import of certain food products from the Ministry of Economy. The Company has also obtained the necessary authorization required by the Ministry of Health (Food Authority) for the import of all of its food products to Israel. The Company’s products are packaged by various manufacturers and suppliers abroad and labeled in Hebrew, English and, in certain cases, Arabic and Russian, according to the Company’s instructions and the requirements of the Israeli authorities. Since the beginning of the Company’s activities, the Company has been found to have mislabeled packages foura few times, as a result of which the Company was required to pay an immaterial amount of fines.
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The government has undertaken various efforts to reduce custom duties and charges in recent years. From late 2011 through 2013, the Company and its subsidiaries received various permits to import various hard chesses with reduced customs duties. In addition, custom duties on several other products imported or potentially imported by the Company were significantly reduced during 2013 and the beginning of 2014. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Ministry of Finance announced a tax-free import quota program for hard cheeses (over 5,000 tons) and butter and cream (together, more than 1,250 tons). for the year 2016. In addition, new procedures were announced for quota distribution in order to increase the efficiency of the allocation and to ensure that the benefit reaches the consumer, including a competitive process exemption from certain customs duties for hard cheeses (with winners chosen by which bidder has the lowest sale price to the end consumer). The Company expect these changes to haveMinistry of Finance announce two more times at the end of 2016 and 2017 (for the years 2017 and 2018) a material impact ontax free import quota for hard cheese at the Company in 2017. same mechanism like 2015. The company won a significant share of the entire quotas for each year. For more information, see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospectus – D. Trend Information".
Most of the products which the Company imports and markets are approved as kosher by and/or under the supervision of various supervisory institutions including the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, Chug Chatam Sofer, Badatz Edeh HaChareidis, certain Jewish organizations administering Kashrut procedures and certifications (such as the Union of the Orthodox Jewish Congregation of America (OU), Badatz Igud Harabanim Manchester, OK, Circle K and Triangle K.) and rabbis of local Jewish congregations abroad. Such procedures include, in certain cases, personal supervision by a Kashrut supervisor sent by such institutions to the manufacturing facilities from which the Company purchases products, who is present at the plant during the processing of the product. Under Israeli law, the Company is required to ascertain that the kosher foodstuffs which it offers for sale bear kosher certification approved by certain authorities, such as the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and also bear the name of the individual authorized to certify such product. Not all products marketed by the Company have been so certified, although they do bear certain kosher certification from other certification bodies. The expenses for obtaining the kosher approval are relatively low.
| C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE |
The Company’s principal shareholder, Willi-Food, as of April 24, 2017,29, 2018, held approximately 61.93% of our ordinary shares (approximately 61.93% on a fully‑diluted basis). The primary assets of Willi-Food are the Company’s ordinary shares. Willi-Food was established on November 27, 1992 and its securities have been traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange since January 1993.
The Company, as of April 24, 2017,29, 2018, had seven active subsidiaries, as follows:
| Subsidiary | Jurisdiction of Organization | Company's Ownership Interest |
| W.F.D. (import, marketing and trading) Ltd. ("WFD") | Israel | 100% |
| B.H. W.F.I. Ltd. ("BHWFI") | Israel | 100% |
| Gold Frost Ltd. | Israel | 100% |
Gold Frost subsidiaries: | ||
| Willi-Food Quality Cheeses Ltd. | Israel | 100% |
| Gold Frost Cheeses World Ltd. | Israel | 100% |
| Gold Cheeses Ltd. | Israel | 100% |
| Cheeses Farm Ltd. | Israel | 100% |
The offices of our active wholly owned subsidiaries are located in Yavne, Israel, at the offices of the Company.
WFD
In November 1995, the Company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, WFD. The Company occasionally imports certain products through this subsidiary, which then sells these products to the Company. WFD has no assets, facilities or obligations, other than those amounts owed to suppliers overseas with respect to products purchased from them.
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BHWFI
In June 2014, the Company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, BHWFI.
Gold Frost
In May 2001, the Company acquired all the shares of Gold Frost in. Gold Frost, which was registered in 1977 in Israel, is engaged in designing, developing and distributing frozen and chilled food products. The Company purchased Gold Frost in order to take advantage of Gold Frost’s know-how in importing frozen and chilled products as well as of its well known brand name in the Israeli market. Gold Frost distributes over 100 products, usually packed for private consumers (in cans, jars, containers and plastic sealed and vacuumed packages), but also for institutional consumers and labeled in Hebrew, English, and in certain cases, Arabic and Russian. Gold Frost markets certain products under the trademarks “Gold Frost” and “Willi-Food” which are registered in Israel. Gold Frost is working towards broadening the variety of products that it develops and distributes. The mission of Gold Frost is to develop low fat, low cholesterol dairy chilled and frozen products aimed at the kosher and health conscious consumer market.
On February 28, 2006, a relationship agreement between Gold Frost, the Company and others was signed, defining the relationship between the two companies.
In September 2011, Gold Frost established Willi-Food Quality Cheeses. Gold Frost occasionally imports certain products through this subsidiary, which then sells these products to the Company. Willi-Food Quality Cheeses has no assets, facilities or obligations, other than those amounts owed to suppliers overseas with respect to products purchased from them.
Gold Frost Cheeses World
In September 2011, Gold Frost established Gold Frost Cheeses World. Gold Frost occasionally imports certain products through this subsidiary, which then sells these products to the Company. Gold Frost Cheeses World has no assets, facilities or obligations, other than those amounts owed to suppliers overseas with respect to products purchased from them.
Gold Cheeses
In September 2011, Gold Frost established Gold Cheeses. Gold Frost occasionally imports certain products through this subsidiary, which then sells these products to the Company. Gold Cheeses has no assets, facilities or obligations, other than those amounts owed to suppliers overseas with respect to products purchased from them.
Cheeses Farm
In September 2011, Gold Frost established Cheeses Farm. Gold Frost occasionally imports certain products through this subsidiary, which then sells these products to the Company. Cheeses Farm has no assets, facilities or obligations, other than those amounts owed to suppliers overseas with respect to products purchased from them.
The Company's principal executive offices are situated at a logistics center in the northern industrial zone of Yavne, at 4 Nahal Harif St., Israel, 35 km south of Tel Aviv. The logistics center is 9,000 square meters (approximately 81,000 square feet) and is located on a plot of 19,000 square meters (approximately 171,000 square feet).
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In addition to the current logistics center, the Company makes use of so-called "free" warehouse services, mainly in the area of the Ashdod seaport. For such services, the Company is charged only for storage per container or pallet (i.e., there is no charge for rental when containers or pallets were not stored there). The Company's expenses for usage of free warehouses services were NIS 1,522 thousand (USD 439 thousand) for the year ended December 31, 2017, NIS 264 thousand (USD 6976 thousand) for the year ended December 31, 2016 and NIS 181 thousand (USD 46.552 thousand) for the year ended December 31, 2015, and NIS 1,308 thousand (USD 336.3 thousand) for the year ended December 31, 2014 NIS.2015. In 2016 and 2015, the Company expanded its frozen storage facility at its logistics center in order to save the Company the expense of using storage services in free warehouses, as described above, and in order to improve Company's operations.
As of December 31, 2016,2017, the Company owned sixfive refrigeration trucks (each with a capacity of 12 tons), nine refrigeration trucks (each with a capacity of 15 to 18 tons), twothree combined trucks (each with capacity of 2726 tons) and four private cars. As of December 31, 2016,2017, the depreciated total cost of such vehicles amounted to approximately NIS 1,8093,053 thousand (USD 470881 thousand).
Since January 22, 2008, the Company has been operating the Yavne facility under a municipal business license as required under Israeli applicable law. The license has been granted permanently.
Not applicable.
Overview
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related notes thereto submitted in this Annual Report. The Company's financial statements as of December 31, 20162017 and for the year then ended have been prepared in accordance with IFRS and interpretations issued by the IASB, which differ in certain respects from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or U.S. GAAP.
The Company is engaged, directly and through its subsidiaries, in the design, import, marketing and distribution of a broad range of food products purchased from over 150120 suppliers worldwide and marketed throughout Israel and abroad. The products imported by the Company are marketed in Israel and sold to approximately 1,500 customers, including supermarket chains, mini-markets, wholesalers, manufacturers and institutional consumers. The Company also sells its products outside Israel to a variety of customers world-wide.
The Company was incorporated in Israel in January 1994 and commenced operations in February 1994.
For convenience purposes, the financial data for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 2015 and 20142015 has been translated into U.S. Dollars using the representative exchange rate. This rate as of December 31, 20162017 was NIS 3.8453.467 = USD 1.00.
The Company is not involved in any off balanceoff-balance sheet transactions or long-term contractual obligations.
Critical Accounting Policies
Management’s discussion and analysis is based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB for all reporting periods presented. The use of IFRS Standards requires the management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting accounting periods presented. These estimates include, among other things, assessing the collectability of accounts receivable and the use of recoverability of inventory. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The markets of the Company’s products are characterized by intense competition and a rapid turnover of products and frequent introductions of new products, all of which may impact future ability to value the Company’s assets.
The following critical accounting policies may affect significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
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| 1. | Recognition of income |
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Revenue is reduced for estimated customer returns, rebates and other similar allowances.
| a. | Sale of goods |
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized when all the following conditions are satisfied:
| · | The Group has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods; |
| · | The Group retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold; |
| · | The amount of revenue can be measured reliably; |
| · | It is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; and |
| · | The costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably. |
| b. | Customer returns and rebates |
The customer returns, rebates and other credits are being deducted from revenues. Although, in general, the Group does not grant rights of return and rebates, its enable for certain customers from time to time to return products. The Group assesses the expected customer returns and rebates according to specific information in its possession and its past experience in similar cases. According to IAS 18, these provisions are reduced from the Company's revenues. As of December 31, 2016,2017, the provision for returns is insignificant.
| 2. | Useful lifespan of property, plant, and equipment |
During every annual reporting period, the Company's management assesses the estimated useful life span of an item of property, plant and equipment. There were no changes to the estimated useful life spans of an item of property, plant and equipment during the course of the financial reporting period.
| 3. | Employee benefits |
The current value of the Company's liability for payment of severance compensation and for pension plans for its employees is based on a significant amount of data, which are determined on the basis of actuarial valuation utilizing a large number of assumptions, including the capitalization rate. Changes in the actuarial assumptions may impact the carrying amount of the Company's liabilities for payment of severance compensation and pension payments. The Company estimates the capitalization rate once per year, based on the capitalization rate of highly rated corporate bonds. Other key assumptions are determined based on the prevailing market conditions and the Company's experience. For additional details about the assumptions utilized by the Company, seeCompany. See Note 1310 of the financial statements.
A. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the correlation (in percentages) between items from the Company’s statements of operations to its total sales for such periods:
Year Ended December 31, 2016 | Year Ended December 31, 2015 | Year Ended December 31, 2017 | Year Ended December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues | 100 | % | 100 | % | 311,978 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Cost of Sales | 73.96 | % | 75.98 | % | 237,645 | 76.2 | % | |||||||||
| Gross Profit | 26.04 | % | 24.02 | % | 74,333 | 23.8 | % | |||||||||
| Selling Expenses | 13.39 | % | 11.93 | % | 42,090 | 13.5 | % | |||||||||
| General and Administrative Expenses | 4.95 | % | 10.54 | % | 15,839 | 5.1 | % | |||||||||
| Other Income | (0.04 | )% | (0.7 | )% | 361 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||
| Operating profit | 7.73 | % | 2.25 | % | 16,765 | 5.3 | % | |||||||||
| Financial Income (Loss), Net | (2.23 | )% | 0.76 | % | 14,168 | 4.5 | % | |||||||||
| Profit before taxes on income | 5.50 | % | 3.01 | % | 30,933 | 9.9 | % | |||||||||
| Taxes on income | 1.81 | % | 0.82 | % | 5,910 | 2 | % | |||||||||
| Net Income | 3.69 | % | 2.19 | % | 25,023 | 8.0 | % | |||||||||
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Year Ended December 31, 2017 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2016
Revenues. Revenues for fiscal 2017 increased by NIS 17,776 thousand (USD 5,127 thousand), or 6%, to NIS 311,978 thousand (USD 89,985 thousand) from NIS 294,202 thousand (USD 84,858 thousand) recorded in fiscal year 2016. Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in personnel in the sales and trade department and due to a strike at the Ministry of Health in the third quarter of 2016 which limited release of goods from the port and caused a decrease of NIS 6 million in sales in fiscal year 2016.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales for fiscal year 2017 increased by 9.2% to NIS 237,645 thousand (USD 68,545 thousand), or 76.2 % of revenues, from NIS 217,585 thousand (USD 62,759 thousand), or 74% of revenues recorded in fiscal year 2016. The increase in cost of sales in fiscal year 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016 was primary due to an increase in sales.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for fiscal year 2017 decreased by 2.98% to NIS 74,333 thousand (USD 21,440 thousand), or 23.82% of revenues, from NIS 76,617 thousand (USD 22,099 thousand), or 26.04% of revenues, recorded in fiscal year 2016. The decrease in gross profit in fiscal year 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016 was primary due to reductions in the prices of certain of our products as a result of an inventory with a short expiration date that the Company had to sell with lower prices and due to an increase of inventory-storage expenses.
Selling Expenses. Selling expenses for fiscal year 2017 increased by 6.81% from fiscal year 2016 to NIS 42,090 thousand (USD 12,140 thousand), or 13.49% of revenues, from NIS 39,405 thousand (USD 11,366 thousand), or 13.39 % of revenues recorded in fiscal year 2016. The increase in selling expenses was primarily due to an increase in salary expenses resulting from an increase in personnel in the sales and trade department and due to an increase in distribution expenses related to the increase in sales.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2017 increased by 8.66% to NIS 15,839 thousand (USD 4,569 thousand), or 5.07% of revenues, from NIS 14,577 thousand (USD 4,204 thousand), or 4.95% of revenues recorded in fiscal year 2016. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a NIS 1.3 million (US$ 0.3 million) write-off in fiscal year 2016 which was canceled in fiscal year 2017, with respect to the Company’s estimated exposure to Mega Retail Ltd. debts.
Other Income. Other income for fiscal year 2017 amounted to NIS 361 thousand (USD 104 thousand) compared to NIS 112 thousand (USD 32 thousand) recorded in fiscal year 2016. Other income for fiscal year 2017 and 2016 mainly consisted of gain from sales of property plant and Equipment.
Operating Profit. Operating profit for fiscal year 2017 decreased by NIS 5,982 thousand (USD 1,725 thousand), or by 26.30%, to NIS 16,765 thousand (USD 4,835 thousand), or 5.37 % of revenues, from NIS 22,747 thousand (USD 6,561 thousand), or 7.73% of revenues, recorded in fiscal year 2016. The decrease in operating profit was primarily due to the decrease in the gross profit and increase in total operating expenses.
Financing Income, Net. Financing Income, net, for fiscal year 2017 amounted to NIS 14,168 thousand (USD 4,086 thousand) compared to net loss of NIS 6,568 thousand (USD 1,894 thousand) recorded in fiscal year 2016. Financing Income, net, for fiscal year 2017 consisted primarily of gain on marketable securities of NIS 12,523 (USD 3,612 thousand), gain from non-tradeable financial assets of NIS 5,357 thousand (USD 1,545 thousand) and a loss from foreign currency differences amounted to NIS 2,708 thousand (USD 781 thousand). For more information on this non- tradeable financial asset, see "Item 8. Financial Information – Legal Proceedings".
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Profit before taxes on income. Profit before taxes on income for fiscal year 2017 increased by NIS 14,754 thousand (USD 4,256 thousand), or by 91.18%, to NIS 30,933 thousand (USD 8,921 thousand) from NIS 16,179 thousand (USD 4,666 thousand) recorded in fiscal year 2016. The increase in profit before taxes on income was primarily due to increase in financial income.
Taxes on Income. Taxes on income for fiscal year 2017 increased by 10.94% to NIS 5,910 thousand (USD 1,705 thousand) from NIS 5,327 thousand (USD 1,536 thousand) recorded in fiscal year 2016. The increase in taxes on income in fiscal year 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016 was mainly due to an increase in income before taxes. For more information see Note 11a (Taxes on income) of our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 included in this report.
Profit for the year. Profit for fiscal year 2017 increased by 130.57% or NIS 14,171 thousand (USD 4,087 thousand), to NIS 25,023 thousand (USD 7,217 thousand), or NIS 1.89 (USD 0.54) per share or 8.02% of revenues, from NIS 10,852 thousand (USD 3,130 thousand), or NIS 0.82 (USD 0.23) per share or 3.69% of revenues, recorded in fiscal year 2016. The increase in profit for the year was primarily due to an increase in financial income.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2015
Revenues. Revenues for fiscal 20152016 decreased by NIS 16,22718,312 thousand (USD 4,2204,763 thousand), or 4.9%,5.9 %, to NIS 312,514 294,202 thousand (USD 81,278 76,516 thousand) from NIS 328,741312,514 thousand (USD 85,49881,278 thousand) recorded in fiscal 2014.2015. Revenues decreased primarily due to (i) the impact of a decreaseshortage of salesinventories in the third quarter of 2016 due to Mega Retail Ltd., onea strike at the Israeli Ministry of our largest customers. Other factors included an overall market declineHealth in July-August 2016, which significantly delayed the release of imported Company products from customs, and (ii) the fact that the level of food product consumption by the Israeli consumer, the Company's strategic focus on lower volume of sales of one-time sales lower margin products (which caused a decrease in the volume of sales while maintaining approximately the same level of gross profit as a percentage of sales as in fiscal 2014), and due to government regulations that became effective in January 2015 prohibiting certain of the Company's customers from billing the Company for marketing services, such as shelf stocking services, which led to lower sales prices and a resulting reduction in revenues and selling expenses.
Israel has remained unchanged despite population growth.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales for fiscal 20152016 decreased by 4.7%8.4 % to NIS 237,452217,585 thousand (USD 61,75656,590 thousand), or 76%73.96 % of revenues, from NIS 249,136237,452 thousand (USD 64,79561,756 thousand), or 75.78%75.98% of revenues recorded in fiscal 2014.2015. The decrease in cost of sales in fiscal 20152016 compared to fiscal 20142015 was primary due to a decrease in sales.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for fiscal 2015 decreased 5.7%2016 increased by 2.1 % to NIS 75,062 76,617 thousandthousand (USD 19,52219,926 thousand), or 2426.04% of revenues, from NIS 79,60575,062 thousand (USD 20,70319,522 thousand), or 24.2%24.02 % of revenues, recorded in fiscal 2014.2015. The percentageincrease in gross profit in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 was primary due to the Company's strategic focus on selling a favorable mix of products, which generated a higher gross margin, remain approximately the same, see revenue above. The total gross profit decreased duein addition to lower volume of sales.successful negotiations for improved commercial terms with certain suppliers.
Selling Expenses. Selling expenses decreasedincreased by 6%5.7 % from fiscal 20142015 to NIS 37,294 39,405 thousand (USD 9,699 10,249 thousand), or 11.93%13.39 % of revenues, from NIS 39,69637,294 thousand (USD 10,3249,699 thousand), or 12.08%11.93 % of revenues recorded in fiscal 2014.2016. The decreaseincrease in selling expenses was primarily due to a decreasean increase of 58% in promotionpromotional expenses as mentioned above, and duethat included an approximate NIS 3 million (USD 0.8 million) expense related to a decreasenationwide campaign launched in vehiclethe second half of 2016 aimed at broadening awareness of Willi-Food's brands and transport expenses as a result of adjusting expenses in light of lower sales. Selling expenses as a percentage of sales were 11.93%, approximately the same percentage as in fiscal 2014.products.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses for fiscal 2015 increased2016 decreased by 71.2%55.7 % to NIS 32,926 14,577 thousand (USD 8,563 3,791 thousand), or 10.54%4.95 % of revenues, from NIS 19,23132,926 thousand (USD 5,0028,563 thousand), or 5.85%10.54 % of revenues recorded in fiscal 2014.
2015. The most significant expense which affecteddecrease in general and administrative expenses was the cost relatedprimarily due to a termination agreement with companies controlled bysignificant decrease in the costs of management salaries to Mr. Zwi Williger, the Company's former Chairman,Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors and president, and Mr. Joseph Williger, a former director and president of the Company's former President and a director, after which Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger no longer hold any positions with the Company. The total cost related to the termination agreement wasCompany, an approximate NIS 13 million (US$ 3.4 million), or approximately 4.2% of sales.. In addition, operating income and in particular general and administrative expenses was further impacted byfiscal 2015, a NIS 3.41.7 million (US$ 0.9(USD 0.4 million) write-off was recorded with respect to the Company’s estimated exposure to the debts of Mega Retail Ltd. and Eden Briut Teva Market Ltd. debts.
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Other Income. Other income for fiscal 20152016 amounted to NIS 112 thousand (USD 29 thousand) compared to NIS 2,182 thousand (USD 567 thousand) compared to NIS 2,943 thousand (USD 765 thousand)) recorded in fiscal 2014.2015. Other income for fiscal 2015 was mainly comprised of a NIS 1,961 (USD 510 thousand) compensation received from the Israeli authorities for the losses the Company suffered from Operation Protective Edge, an Israeli military operation in the summer of 2014.
Operating Profit. Operating profit for fiscal 20152016 decreasedincreased by NIS 16,59615,722 thousand (USD 4,3164,089 thousand), or by 70.25%,223.8 %, to NIS 7,02522,747 thousand (USD 1,827 5,916 thousandthousand)), or 2.2%7.73 % of revenues, from NIS 23,6217,024 thousand (USD 6,1431,827 thousand), or 7.12.25 % of revenues, recorded in fiscal 2014.2015. The decreaseincrease in operating profit was primarily due to a decreasethe increase in the gross profit and an increasedecrease in General and Administrative expenses.
Financing Income,Loss, Net. Financing income,Loss, net, for fiscal 2015 decreased by 1.4%2016 amounted to NIS 2,385 6,568 thousand (USD 620 1,708 thousand) compared to net income of NIS 2,4192,385 thousand (USD 629620 thousand) recorded in fiscal 2014.2015. Financing income,Loss, net, for fiscal 20152016 consisted primarily of non-cash provision due to uncertainty related to the collection of the remaining USD 1.6 million debt for an early redemption of a gain from marketable securities of NIS 186 thousand (USD 48 thousand) compared to a loss from marketable securities of NIS 1,995 thousand (USD 519 thousand) recorded in fiscal 2014, and loss from foreign currency differences of NIS 614 thousand (USD 160 thousand) recorded in fiscal 2015 compared to a profit from foreign currency differences of NIS 2,745 thousand (USD 713 thousand) recorded in fiscal 2014.non-current financial assets. For more information on this non-current financial asset, see the fourth legal proceedings at "Item 8. Financial Information – Legal Proceedings".
Profit before taxes on income. Profit before taxes on income for fiscal 2015 decreased2016 increased by NIS 16,630 6,769 thousandthousand (USD 4,325 1,760 thousandthousand)), or by 63.9%,71.9 %, to NIS 16,179 thousand (USD 4,208 thousand) from NIS 9,410 thousand (USD 2,447thousand) from NIS 26,040 thousand (USD 6,772 thousand) recorded in fiscal 2014.2015. The decreaseincrease in profit before taxes on income was primarily due to a decreaseincrease in operating profit and a decrease in financing income.profit.
Taxes on Income. Taxes on income for fiscal 2015 decreased2016 increased by 64.29%107.6% to NIS 2,566 5,327 thousandthousand (USD 6671,385 thousand) from NIS 7,1862,566 thousand (USD 1,869667 thousand) recorded in fiscal 2014.2015. The decreaseincrease in taxes on income in fiscal 20152016 compared to fiscal 20142015 was attributable to a decreasean increase in income before taxes.
Profit for the year. Profit for fiscal 2015 decreased2016 increased by 63.7%58.6 % or NIS 12,010 4,008 thousand (USD 3,124 1,042 thousand), to NIS 10,852 thousand (USD 2,823 thousand), or NIS 0.82 (USD 0.21) per share or 3.69% of revenues, from NIS 6,844 thousand (USD 1,780 thousand), or NIS 0.52 (USD 0.14)0.13) per share or 2.2% of revenues, from NIS 18,854 thousand (USD 4,904 thousand), or NIS 1.45 (USD 0.37) per share or 5.7%2.19% of revenues, recorded in fiscal 2014.2015. The decreaseincrease in profit for the year was primarily due to a decreasean increase in profit before taxes on income.
The Company’s operations are funded mainly through equity and cash flows from operating activities. The Company’s bank indebtedness is secured by certain liens on its share capital, goodwill and certain other assets. In general, the Company and its subsidiaries do not utilize bank indebtedness.
For fiscal 2016,2017, cash and cash equivalents, net of short-term bank debt, increaseddecreased from NIS 79.4129.6 million (USD 20.337.4 million) as of December 31, 20152016 to NIS 129.6113.1 million (USD 33.732.6 million) as of December 31, 2016.2017.
During fiscal 2016,2017, marketable securities, short term deposits and loans carried at fair value through profit or loss decreasedincreased to NIS 143.5 million (USD 41.4 million) from NIS 104.9 million (USD 27.3 million) from NIS 165.3 million (USD 4330.3 million) as of December 31, 2015.2016.
Cash flow from operating activities
For fiscal 2016,2017, the Company generated a positive cash flow from continuing operating activities of NIS 17.314.4 million (USD 4.54.2 million) compared to positive cash flow from continuing operating activities of NIS 14.317.4 million (USD 3.75 million) in fiscal 2015,2016, a change primarily as a result of an increase in profit from continuing operations from NIS 7.010.9 million (USD 1.8 million) in fiscal 2015 to NIS 22.7 million (USD 5.93.1 million) in fiscal 2016 and an increase in inventory ofto NIS 7.325 million (USD 1.9 million) compared to a decrease of NIS 14.1 million (USD 3.77.2 million) in fiscal 2015, which resulted2017, a decrease in "adjustments to net cash from the Company's decisionoperating activities" of NIS 10.6 million (USD 3.1 million) from positive adjustment of NIS 6,500 thousands (USD 1,875 thousands) in fiscal 2016 to increase inventory balancesnegative adjustment of NIS 10,584 thousands (USD 3,053 thousands) in order2017 primarily due to improve the abilityan adjustment of unrealized gain on marketable securities of NIS 7.8 million (USD 2.2 million) on 2017 compared to supply goodsNIS 1.9 million (USD 0.6 million) in 2016, and a gain from non-tradeable financial assets of NIS 5 million (USD 1.5 million) in fiscal 2017 compared to customers.loss from non-tradeable financial assets of NIS 7.7 million (USD 2.2 million) in fiscal 2016 due to an investment on non-tradeable bond. For more information see "Item 8. Financial Information – Legal Proceedings".
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Cash flow from investing activities
During fiscal 2016,2017, the Company utilized cash flow of NIS 52.131 million (USD 13.68.9 million) fromfor continuing investing activities compared to net cash used inflow from continuing investing activities of NIS 24.652.1 million (USD 6.415 million) generated in fiscal 2015,2016 primarily due to an increase of proceeds from realizationacquisition of marketable securities of NIS 42.131 million (USD 10.98.9 million) and a redemption of non-current financial assets of NIS 2.2 million (USD 0.6 million) compared to a decrease of proceeds used in purchase offrom marketable securities of NIS 22.142 million (USD 5.712.1 million) in fiscal 2015, of, proceeds from realization of short term deposit of NIS 20.3 million (USD 5.35.9 million) in fiscal 2016, and a decrease of proceeds used in acquisition of non-current financial assets of NIS 8.5 million (USD 2.32.6 million). in fiscal 2016.
Cash flow used in financing activities
During fiscal 2016,2017, the Company used inhad no cash flow of NIS 19.3 million (USD 5.0 million) forfrom continuing financing activities, mainly due to dividend distributing in a sum of NIS 19.2 million (USD 5.0 million).activities.
Cash requirements
The Company’s cash requirements, net, during the years ended December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 were met primarily through its working capital. As of December 31, 2016,2017, the Company had working capital of NIS 347.2371 million (USD 90.3107 million) compared to working capital of NIS 352.4347.2 million (USD 91.7100.2 million) as of December 31, 2015.2016. The Company believes that its working capital is sufficient for the Company's present requirements.
Trade receivables
The Company’s trade receivables balance as of December 31, 20162017 was NIS 80.286 million (USD 20.924.8 million) compared to the trade receivables balance as of December 31, 20152016 in the amount of NIS 81.480.2 million (USD 21.223.1 million). The average time period within which our accounts receivable werewas paid was 86 days in 2017 compared to 89 days in 2016 compared to 86 days in 2015.2016.
Impact of Inflation and Devaluation on Results of Operations, Liabilities and Assets
The representative rate of the U.S. Dollar was NIS 3.467 on December 31, 2017 compared to NIS 3.845 on December 31, 2016, compared to NIS 3.902 on December 31, 2015, compared to NIS 3.889 on December 31, 2014 and NIS 3.471 on December 31, 2013 and NIS 3.733 on December 31, 2012.2013. As of April 24, 2017,26, 2018, the representative rate of the U.S. Dollar was NIS 3.649.3.579.
The annual rates of inflation (deflation) in Israel during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 20162017 were approximately 1.6%, 1.8%, (0.2%), (0.1%), (0.3%) and (0.3%) 0.4%, respectively, while during such periods the revaluation (devaluation) of the NIS against the U.S. Dollar was approximately 2.3%, 7.0%, (12.1%), (0%), (1.5%) and (1.5%(10%), respectively.
A revaluation of the NIS in relation to the U.S. Dollar has the effect of increasing the U.S. Dollar value of any assets of the Company which consist of NIS or receivables payable in NIS. Such a revaluation also has the effect of increasing the U.S. Dollar amount of any liabilities of the Company which are payable in NIS (unless such payables are linked to the Dollar). Conversely, any decrease in the value of the NIS in relation to the U.S. Dollar has the effect of decreasing the U.S. Dollar value of any linked NIS assets of the Company and the U.S. Dollar amount of any linked NIS liabilities of the Company.
The dollar cost of the Company’s operations in Israel is influenced by the extent to which any increase in the rate of inflation in Israel over the rate of inflation in the United States is offset by the devaluation of the NIS in relation to the U.S. Dollar.
Guarantees and Pledges
Principally in connection with letters of credit issued to the Company, the Company has issued a debenture to each of Bank Leumi Le’Israel Ltd., Bank Mizrahi Tefahot Ltd.Ltd and Bank Hapoalim Ltd. The Company has pledged all of its assets (including its outstanding share capital and goodwill of the Company) in favor of Bank Leumi Le’Israel Ltd., Bank Mizrahi Tefahot Ltd. and Bank Hapoalim Ltd. to secure its obligations or those obligations incurred by the Company jointly with third parties, including obligations with respect to letters of credit with the Company’s suppliers. Bank Leumi Le’Israel Ltd., Bank Mizrahi Tefahot Ltd. and Bank Hapoalim Ltd. have agreed among them that the pledges subject to such debentures will rank pari passu. The outstanding amount of such letters of credit as of December 31, 20162017 was approximately NIS 6.57.1 million (USD 1.92 million).
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The Company also guarantees, without limitation as to amount and for an unlimited period of time, the obligations of its subsidiary, Gold Frost, both to Bank Leumi Le’Israel Ltd. and to Bank Mizrahi Tefahot Ltd.
C.RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES
Not applicable.
D.TREND INFORMATION
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of small private supermarket stores that have opened in Israel, which has resulted in greater price competition in the stores and in our business. The increased price competition in the past resulted in an increase in our cost of sales as a percentage of total revenues. In order to maintain our gross margin at its high levels, in the past we were able to change our product mix and introduce new products with higher margins to increase our gross profit.
In June 2011, a national protest began against the rise of prices of dairy products in Israel. The national protest, as well as continued economic uncertainty, caused Israeli consumers to reduce consumption of dairy products and to demand lower prices, which resulted in decreasing the Company's revenues and profits in the second half of fiscal 2011. In the second half of 2014, cost of living protests returned to Israel, and the pressure to lower prices continued into 2016.2017. One consequence of the protests was that the Ministry of Economy established a competitive annual process for allocating quotas for the import of duty-free hard cheese products. Candidates in the competitive process had to commit to lower sale prices to the end consumer, which has caused downward price pressure during fiscal 2016 which has continued into 2017.consumer.
The food industry is characterized by a high level of competition and limited consumer loyalty. The sector is dynamic, responding to the demands, needs and various tastes of an audience numbering millions of Israeli consumers. Various macro-economic factors and industry risks, including the rate of growth and state of the local economy, the inflation rate, the growth of the food industry, and personal consumption per capita (including available income per capita) may impact the Company's operations and profitability. According to Bank of Israel's data and macro-economic sources, 2016 was characterized by a general decline in economic activity, reducing demand and lowering economic growth rates to approximately 3.6%. According to Storenext's data, the retail market in 2016 continued in the statesecond half of recession that has characterized2017, the sectorIsraeli economy grew moderately, with GDP growing at an annual rate of 3.7% in the second half of 2017, after rising in the other quarters of 2017. Ongoing private consumption continued to lead economic growth. In the labor market, employment continued to grow, with average unemployment in 2017 of 3.7%, and wages continued to rise at a moderate rate. Indicators for the last three years.end of 2017 indicated an improvement in domestic activity and exports. The business product rose in the fourth quarter of 2017 by an annual rate of 4%, following a consistent increase in the other quarters of 2017. In 2017, the NIS depreciated by 3.59% against the Euro and appreciated by 10.18% against the USD. The Bank of Israel interest rate for December 2017 remained at the low level of 0.1%, and in 2017 the CPI rose by 0.1%, and the Consumer Price Index excluding the housing component decreased by 0.3%.
Recent years have seen a strengthening of private brands marketed by the large supermarket chains Shufersal Ltd. ("Shufersal") and Rami Levi Hashikma Marketing Ltd. ("Rami Levy"). The marketing of these private brands strengthens competition; however, it also allows the Company to integrate into this market by marketing its products as private brands to the large supermarket chains.
On January 15, 2015, the Food Law went into effect. Designed to advance and increase competition in the food industry in order to reduce prices to the consumer, the Food Law is divided into three main sections:
(i) provisions related to increasing the transparency of prices at large retailers ("Large Retailer", as defined therein) – the Food Law requires that large food retail chains advertise on the internet the current prices of their products in each branch, which will enable the development of internet sites to compare prices between food stores close to a consumer's residence.
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(ii) provisions related to addressing regional concentration for food retailers – the industry is characterized by high concentration of food retail chains in a single geographic area. These chains force competitors from the same region and limit competition. The Food Law prohibits, among other things, the large food retail chains that control a specific region from opening new stores without the consent of the Israel Antitrust Commissioner. In addition, the anti-trust court may require these retailers to sell branches suffering from high concentration and low competition.
(iii) provisions related to advancement of competition and arrangement of fair competition in the food retail industry – the food industry is characterized by a small number of dominant suppliers, most of which have been declared monopolies. In addition, anti-competitive arrangements have been established in the industry whose purpose is to force products of medium-sized and small suppliers from the shelves and to hurt competition. The Food Law prohibits various anti-competitive arrangements by large suppliers and large food retailers, such as involvement of a supplier in the manner of arrangement of products in the stores, and in setting of prices of products from other suppliers.
In addition, the law includes a temporary order to limit the shelf space of very large suppliers (defined as retailers whose annual sales exceed NIS 1 billion) to 50% of the shelf space at large stores (defined as stores with more than 250 square meters) of larger retailers. The purpose is to enable medium-sized and small suppliers, such as the Company, to obtain shelf space at the large food retailers and thereby increase competition and lower prices for the end customer. The Company is not currently on the list of large suppliers maintained by the Anti-Trust Authority. A large supplier is defined as a supplier with revenues to retailers, or through retailers, in Israel of more than NIS 300 million, or a supplier who is a monopoly as defined in the Israel anti-trust law, with respect to a particular food products for which it was declared a monopoly.
The Company expects that in the long term the Food Law could positively affect the financial results of the Company because it may provide more shelf space to the small and medium size suppliers such as the Company and lessen the influence of our largest competitors.
In addition, the Company's management is evaluating the financial stability of its customers by entering into agreements with companies for providing business data, examining bank accounts, conducting inquiries, and following negative publicity regarding its customers or other signs indicating financial difficulties.
In May 2014, the Ministry of Finance announced the implementation of a government decision to open free of duty import quotas for hard cheeses (over 6,500 tons), yogurt (over 1,500 tons) and butter and cream (together, more than 1,250 tons). This decision revoked an earlier decision which determined an import duty on these products. Pursuant to this decision, the Company and Goldfrost won quotas for imports of a variety dairy products. Another announcement of the Ministry of Finance formulated new procedures for the distribution of duty-free quotas in order to increase the efficiency of the market and in order to ensure that the benefit reaches the consumer and that the program will operate to support small dairies in order to increase competition in the domestic market. In late 2014, the Ministry of Finance announced the opening of the competitive process for hard cheese import quotas exempt from customs duties, while the winning importers would be obligated to sell products at a lower selling price to the end consumer. The Company and Goldfrost did not participate in this process. In late 2015, the Ministry of Finance announced an additional competitive process for tax free import quotas for cheeses under the same conditions to the lowest bidder for prices to the final consumers, The Company and Goldfrost received more than 1,000 tons of cheeses and 500 tons of butter for import fully exempt from customs duties in addition to other exemptions from custom duties on other products. In late 2016, Thethe Company and Goldfrost received more than 1,450 tons of cheeses and 600 tons of butter for import fully exempt from customs duties in addition to other exemptions from custom duties on other products. In late 2017 and in the early 2018, the Company and Goldfrost received more than 1,790 tons of cheeses and 1,250 tons of butter for import fully exempt from customs duties in addition to other exemptions from custom duties on other products. The Company believes that the effect of these reductions and procedures for the Company and Goldfrost in 20172018 will be material and will contribute substantially to the development and growth in a variety of sales.
E.OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Not applicable.
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F.TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTURAL OBLIGATIONS
Not applicable.
The directors, executive officers and key employees of the Company as of the date of this Annual Report are as follows:
| Name | Age | Position with the Company | |||
| Joseph Williger | 61 | ||||
| Zwi Williger | 63 | Director, Co-Chairman of the Board | |||
53 | |||||
| Director | |||||
| Sigal Grinboim (1) | 52 | External Director | |||
| Menashe Arnon (1) | 77 | External Director | |||
| Gil Hochboim | 48 | Director | |||
61 | Director | ||||
| Michael Luboschitz | 56 | Chief Executive Officer | |||
38 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
| (1) | ||||
Members of the Company’s Audit Committee | ||||
The Directors are elected at the annual general meeting of shareholders and hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected. Officers serve at the discretion of the Board, subject to the terms of any agreement between officers and the Company.
The business experience of each of the Directors, executive officers and key employees of the Company is set forth below:
Zwi Williger has served as the active Co-Chairman of the board of the company (together with his brother Mr. Joseph Williger) and as a Chairman of the board of Willi-Food the controlling shareholder of the Company since august 13, 2017 and June 12, 2017 respectively. In addition, From January 1994 until January 2016 he served as an active chairman of the board of the Company and a director and a CEO of Willi-Food the controlling shareholder of the Company. Prior to that and from inception of the Company in 1994 until 1997, he had served as a director and Manager of Marketing Development of the Company. In addition, Mr. Williger served as Chief Operating Officer of the Company since September 10, 2015. In addition,from 1997 until 2011. Mr. Ilan Admon serves as the chairman of the board of directors of Nachshonit Ltd., a water and attraction park in Kibbutz Nachsonim, Israel since April 2012. Mr. Admon also serves as a member of the board of directors of Levinstein Properties Ltd., a construction and Real Estate Company traded on the TASE, Termokir Industries Ltd., a manufacturer of grouts, adhesives, and plasters, and Plastnir Ltd., a manufacturer of flexible plastic packaging. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Admon was General Manager of Hafestus Ltd., a developer and manufacturer of top sealing machines for packaging products, from 2002 to 2004, he served as Chairman and G.M. of Serafon Ltd. and Zach Ltd., chemicals and paint manufacturers, from 1999 to 2002, he served as a senior vice-president at Pelephone Communications Ltd., a cellular communications provider, and from 1994 to 1999 as CEO of Elite Foods Ltd., a company in the food manufacturing industry. Mr. Admon earned an MBA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
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Sigal Grinboim has served as external director of the Company since August 2015. In addition, Ms. Grinboim serves as an external director in two companies publicly traded on the TASE, as follows: Gindi Investments 1 Ltd., a real estate and construction company, and Fattal Properties (Europe) Ltd., which owns and operates a chain of hotels in Israel and internationally. In addition, since 2007 Ms. Grinboim has been providing external financial services and professional financial opinions. Between 2004 and 2007, Ms. Grinboim was the Manager of the Israeli branch and the chief financial officer of HOMI Industries Ltd., a Nasdaq listed company which develops and manufactures a range of advanced computerized minibars. Between 2003 and 2004, she was a partner in the accounting firm Romano and Co., and between 1997 and 2002, she was the chief financial officer of Amos Gazit Ltd., which sells safety products. Between 1993 and 1996, Ms. Grinboim was an audit senior manager in the accounting firm Fahan Kane and Co. Ms. Grinboim is a certified public accountant (Israel). She holds a BSC in exact sciences from Tel Aviv University, and she received her BA in Accounting and Business Management from the College of Management in Tel Aviv.
Menashe Arnon has served as external director of the Company since August 2015. He also currently serves as an external director and finance committee member of the Israel Land Development Company Ltd., an Israeli company traded on the TASE that is active in the fields of real-estate, utilities and energy, hotels and outdoor advertising, Hagag-Group Ltd., an Israeli company traded on the TASE that is active in the real estate construction field, Mendelson Infrastructures & Industries Ltd., an Israeli company traded on the TASE that is active in infrastructures and industries, Zvi Sarfati & Sons Investments & Constructions Ltd., an Israeli company traded on the TASE that is active in the real estate construction field, and Industrial Buildings Corporation Ltd., an Israeli company traded on the TASE that is active in the real estate construction field. From 1999 to 2005, he served a senior executive partner at Deloitte Brightman Almagor C.P.A. Mr. Arnon also served as the outside auditor for Israeli companies traded on the TASE, such as Urdan Metal and Casting Ltd. and Orbit Communication Systems Ltd., and as the outside auditor for Israeli companies traded on Nasdaq, such as Suspension and Parts Industries Ltd. Mr. Arnon is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and has been an Israeli C.P.A. since 1969.
David Donin has served as independent director of the Company since June 20, 2017. He also serves as founder and CEO of Biconix International, a business solution services company. David earned his Bachelor of Economics and Accounting from Bar Ilan University and his Master's Degree, magna cum laude, in Rishon LeZion, Israel.Business Administration from Pace University in New York.
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Amir Kaplan has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Willi-Food since November 2015.October 15 2017. Prior to being appointed CFO, Mr. BuberKaplan served as Controller and Secretarythe CFO of RSL Electronics Ltd., an Israeli public company whose shares are traded on the CompanyTel Aviv Stock Exchange since September 2011. From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Buber served as an auditor in Ernst & Young Israel in the Capital Markets and Real Estate division. He served from 2006 to 2008 as financial controller of the Yashir Investment House. Mr. BuberJuly 2011.Mr. Kaplan is a certified public accountant (Israel). He received and holds a bachelor's degree (B.A.) in EconomyBA (Accounting & Economic) from Haifa University and ManagementMBA (Business Administration) from Ben-Gurion University, Israel and Accounting degree from the Bar-Ilan University, Israel.Tel-Aviv University.
Termination of Office
Tim Cranko served as CEO of the Company from July 6, 2017 to December 31, 2017.
Gregory Gurtovoy, the former indirect controlling shareholder of the Company, served as a director from July 17, 2016 until June 20, 2017.
Ilan Admon served as the active Chairman of the Board since July 17, 2016 until June 20, 2017.
Ilan Cohen served as a director of the Company from May 2014 until June 20, 2017.
Emil Budilovsky served as a director of the Company and Willi-Food from May 2014 until June 20, 2017.
B. COMPENSATION
The table below reflects the compensation granted to our five most highly compensated office holders (as defined in the Companies Law) during or with respect to the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. We refer to the five individuals for whom disclosure is provided herein as our “Covered Executives.” For purposes of the table below, “compensation” includes amounts accrued or paid in connection with management fees, salary cost, consultancy fees, bonuses, equity-based compensation, retirement or termination payments, benefits and perquisites such as car, phone and social benefits and any undertaking to provide such compensation. All amounts reported in the table are in terms of cost to the Company, as recognized in our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, plus compensation paid to such Covered Executives following the end of the year in respect of services provided during the year. Each of the Covered Executives was covered by our D&O liability insurance policy and was entitled to indemnification and exculpation in accordance with applicable law and our articles of association.
Name and Principal Position (1) | Salary (2) | Value of Social Benefits (3) | Bonus (4) | Total |
| NIS Thousands | ||||
Iram Graiver President of the Company and CEO of Willi-Food | 1,188 | 91 | - | 1,279 |
Yair Tzubery Chief Operating, and Supply Chain Officer | 658 | 51 | - | 709 |
Pavel Buber Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company and Willi-Food | 581 | 49 | 33 | 663 |
Gil Hochboim CEO and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Willi-Food (former) | 334 | 106 | 179 | 619 |
Mor Atias VP of Commerce and Sales | 558 | 45 | - | 604 |
| Name and Principal Position | Salary (1) | Social benefits (7) | Management Fees (2) | Bonus (3) | Total |
| NIS Thousands | |||||
Joseph Williger (4)Co-Chairman of the board and a director of Willi-Food | - | - | 495 | 267 | 762 |
Iram Graiver Former President of the Company and CEO of Willi-Food | 506 | 122 | - | - | 628 |
Zwi Williger (4)Co-Chairman of the board and a chairman of the board of Willi-Food | - | - | 432 | 168 | 600 |
Tim Cranko (5)Former CEO of the company and Willi-Food | 353 | 83 | - | - | 436 |
Pavel Buber(6) Former Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company and Willi-Food | 323 | 75 | - | - | 398 |
| (1) |
| The aggregate of gross monthly salaries or other payments with respect to the Company's Executive Officers and members of the Board of Directors for |
Annual profit-related bonuses for |
| (4) | For additional information on Zwi Williger's and Joseph Williger's compensation arrangements with the Company, see - "Management Service Agreements" with Zwi Williger and Joseph Williger", below. |
| (5) | Mr. Cranko served as CEO of the Company since july 6, 2017 until December 31, 2017. |
| (6) | Mr. Buber served as CFO of the Company since November 15, 2015 until July 18, 2017 |
| (7) | Social benefits including managers’ insurance, study fund, annual leave, recreation days, a vehicle cost, and mobile phone |
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Terms of Service of Mr. Zwi Williger and Mr. Joseph Williger
On August 13, 2017 and on August 17, 2017, the Company’s Compensation Committee and Board, respectively, unanimously approved the following terms of office of each of the co-Chairmen, which were approved by the Company's shareholders on October 17, 2017.
According to the Management Services Agreements , each of the co-Chairmen will serve as an active co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company in a part time position (60% of a full-time position).
The main terms and conditions of each of the Management Services Agreement are as follows:
(a)Monthly service fees of 60,000 (currently approximately USD 17,306) (excluding VAT).
In addition to the monthly service fees, the co-Chairman will be entitled to annual remuneration, remuneration for participation in meetings of the Board of Directors and/or its committees according the “minimum amount” as set forth in the Israeli Companies Regulations (Rules Regarding Compensation and expenses of an External Director), 5760-2000 (the “Compensation Regulations”) and in accordance with the level of equity of the Company as defined in the Compensation Regulations (as amended from time to time).
(b) Profit Related Bonus - an annual bonus determined according to measurable quantitative criteria:
Payment of the Measurable Bonus will be subject to achieving an operating profit target before bonuses to all Company’s officers (the “Bonuses”) of at least NIS 15 million (currently approximately USD 4,326,507) (the “Minimum Operating Profit before Bonuses”).
Achieving or exceeding the Minimum Operating Profit before Bonuses the co-Chairman will entitle to receive a bonus in the following manner: (i) a Bonus of 2% of the actual operating profit before Bonuses up to and including NIS 10 million (currently approximately USD 2,884,338); (ii) a Bonus of 3% of the actual operating profit before Bonuses above NIS 10 million and up to and including NIS 15 million (currently approximately USD 4,326,507); (iii) ) a Bonus of 4% of the actual operating profit before Bonuses above NIS 15 million and up to and including NIS 20 million (currently approximately USD 5,768,676); (iv) a Bonus of 5% of actual operating profit before Bonuses exceeding NIS 20 million).
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The maximum annual Measurable Bonus to be paid to the co-chairman will not exceed NIS 720 thousand (currently approximately USD 207,672).
(c)The Company may terminate the Management Service Agreements at any time, and for any reason, by prior written notice of at least three months in the first year of acting as co-Chairman and by prior written notice of at least four months after the first year.
The co-Chairman may terminate their respective Management Service Agreement at any time, and for any reason, by prior written notice of at least three months.
During the notice period, the co-Chairman must fulfill his duties in order to ensure the continued and smooth operation of the Company, unless the Board decides to conclude his service before the end of the Notice Period.
(d)Upon termination of Management Services Agreement by the Company, the co-Chairman will be entitled to a retirement grant in an amount equal to six (6) monthly service fees (provided that the Company did not terminate the Management Services Agreement in circumstances specified in the agreement), and three (3) monthly service fees following termination of the Management Services Agreement by the applicable co-Chairman.
The co-Chairman will be entitled to a retirement grant described above, provided the co-Chairman has been acting as co-Chairman the Company for at least one (1) year.
(e)The Company will provide the co-Chairman with use of a vehicle, the value of which will not exceed the amount of NIS 400,000 (currently approximately USD 115,374). The Company will cover all the operating expenses of the Company car (excluding fines), including grossing up the related tax. In case, at the request of the co-Chairman, the value of the vehicle will exceed the amount of NIS 400,000, the co-Chairman will reimburse the Company with any amount exceeding NIS 400,000.
(f)Benefits in general, including the social benefits of the co-Chairman and income tax payments, national insurance payments and other payments due to employees in respect of their employment, are to be paid for at the sole expense of the co-Chairman’s Management Company. The co-Chairman’s Management Company has undertaken to indemnify the Company with respect to any claims against the Company with respect to employer/employee relations.
Terms of Office and Employment of Iram Graiver as CEO and President
Mr. Graiver, who ended his term of office as the Company’s CEO and his term of office in Willi-Food on July 5, 2017, was entitled to receive from the Company a (gross) monthly salary of NIS 71 thousand. On November 15, 2015, the Company's boardCompany’s Board of directors as well as Willi-Food’s boardDirectors and the Board of directors approved the appointmentDirectors of Willi-Food, appointed Mr. Iram Graiver as the CEO of the Company and of Willi-Food, positions he assumed on December 15, 2015.Company. On July 17, 2016, the Company's boardBoard of directors resolvedDirectors decided to appoint Mr. Iram Graiver as President of the Company in lieu of his position as CEO, while at the same time approving, upon the recommendation of Company’s compensation committee,Compensation Committee of July 12, 2016 and in accordance with his terms of office and employment, a (gross) monthly salary for Mr. Graiver in the (gross) sum of NIS 65,000 (USD 16,905), including65 thousand, as well as other employment terms commonlynormally provided to officers ofoffice holders in the Company,Group, including managers’ insurance, study fund, annual leave, convalescencerecreation days, a vehicle including tax gross up, and cellular telephone. Atmobile phone. After the same time,termination of employment in the Company, reported that it was in the processparties filed mutual claims with the Labor Court (for more information regarding mutual lawsuits filed by the company against Mr. Graiver and by Mr. Graiver against the company regarding his terms of choosing a new CEO. On November 22, 2016, the board of directors, upon the recommendation of Company’s compensation committee, approved increasing Mr. Graiver's (gross) monthly salary to the sum of NIS 71,000 (USD 18,465)employment see "Item 8. Legal Proceedings".
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On November 28, 2017 Mr. Graiver in April 2017 after approvalTim Cranko submitted a letter of resignation as CEO of the annual financial statementsCompany for personal reasons, effective as of December 31, 2016.2017.
On October 17, 2017 the shareholder meeting has approved the terms of office and employment of Mr. Graiver are as follows:
Cranko Salary - which were effective for an Gross monthly salaryindefinite period of NIS 71,000 (approximately USD 18,456) ("Monthly Payment") linked to the Israeli Consumer Price Index.
| · | Study Fund (‘Keren Hishtalmut’) - monthly payment to be made by the |
| · | Vehicle - Company will provide Mr. Cranko with a leased vehicle, the value of which will not exceed the amount of NIS 250,000 (currently approximately USD 69,800). The Company will cover all the operating expenses of the Company |
| · | Vacation Days - 22 vacation days per year, during which Mr. Cranko will not provide services to the Company; |
| · | Profit Related Bonus - an annual bonus determined according to measurable quantitative criteria (the “Measurable Bonus”). |
The Measurable Bonus mechanism:
Payment of the Measurable Bonus will be subject to achieving the Minimum Operating Profit before Bonuses.
Achieving or exceeding the Minimum Operating Profit before Bonuses, will entitle Mr. Cranko to receive a bonus in the following manner: (i) a Bonus of 0.5% of the actual operating profit before Bonuses up to and including the Minimum Operating Profit before Bonuses; and (ii) a Bonus of 0.75% of the actual operating profit before Bonuses exceeding the Minimum Operating Profit before Bonuses.
The maximum annual Measurable Bonus to be paid to Mr. Cranko will not exceed six (6) monthly payments.
| · | Equity based compensation - in the event |
| · | Termination, Notice Period and Retirement Term - |
| Each of the Company and Mr. |
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Provided Mr. Cranko has completed 2.5 years of employment and provided the Company did not terminate Mr. Cranko’s employment in circumstances specified in the agreement, and subject to the fulfillment of Mr. Cranko’s duties (unless the Board decides to terminate his service before the end of the Notice Period), upon termination of Mr. Cranko's employment, Mr. Cranko will be entitled to a retirement grant in an amount one (1) Monthly Payment.
| · | The Company may terminate Mr. Cranko’s employment immediately, without any advance notice or obligation to pay any sum as would have been payable to Mr. Cranko in respect of the Notice Period (including retirement grant), if termination is for cause. |
| · | Mr. Cranko will be included in the D&O insurance policy available to the Company and its subsidiaries under the same terms as other officers of the Company, and he will be entitled to an exemption and indemnification letter, which is identical to the form of exemption and indemnification that was approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders on July 20, 2005 for all directors and officers. |
Terms of Office and Employment of Pavel Buber, CFO and Secretary of the Company and Willi-Food
Through the end of his term of office on July 18, 2017, Mr. Buber was entitled to receive from the company a gross monthly salary of NIS 33 thousand, as well as other employment terms normally provided to office holders in the Group, including managers’ insurance, study fund, annual leave, recreation days, a vehicle, mobile phone and 13th salary.
Terms of Office and Employment of Michael Luboschitz as the Company's Chief Executive Officer
The terms of office of Mr. Luboschitz are similar in terms of the cost for the company to those of the previous CEO of the Company, Mr. Tim Cranko, as approved by the shareholders in October 17, 2017 and will be brought for approval by the shareholders at the next shareholders meeting of the Company.
On December 13, 2017, the Company's board of directors as well as Willi-Food’s board of directors approved the appointment of Mr. Luboschitz as CEO of the Company and of Willi-Food, effective as of January 1, 2018.
According to the Management Services Agreements, Mr. Luboschitz will serve as CEO of the Company in a full-time position.
| · | Monthly service fees of NIS 78,000 (currently approximately USD 22,498) (excluding VAT). |
| · | Profit Related Bonus - an annual bonus determined according to measureable quantitative criteria (the “Measureable Bonus”). |
The Measureable Bonus mechanism: Payment of the Measureable Bonus will be subject to achieving the Minimum Operating Profit before Bonuses.
Achieving or exceeding the Minimum Operating Profit before Bonuses, will entitle Mr. Luboschitz to receive a bonus in the following manner: (i) a Bonus of 0.5% of the actual operating profit before Bonuses up to and including the Minimum Operating Profit before Bonuses; and (ii) a Bonus of 0.75% of the actual operating profit before Bonuses exceeding the Minimum Operating Profit before Bonuses.
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The maximum annual Measurable Bonus to be paid to Mr. Luboschitz will not exceed NIS 330,000 (currently approximately USD 95,183) (excluding VAT).
| · | Equity based compensation - in the event the Company will decide to grant equity-based compensation, the Company may grant Mr. Luboschitz Company securities as determined by the Company’s organs and subject to the receipt of all approvals required by the applicable law. |
| · | Termination, Notice Period and Retirement Term - |
Each of the Company and Mr. Luboschitz may terminate Admon Management Company’s services immediately, withoutMr. Luboschitz’s employment at any advancetime, and for any reason, by prior written notice or being obligedof 60 days. Notwithstanding in the first six months of employment, the company could terminate the agreement at any time, and for any reason, by prior written notice of 30 days. During the Notice Period Mr. Luboschitz must fulfill his duties in order to pay any sumensure the continued and smooth operation of the Company, as would have been payablewell as the handing over of Mr. Luboschitz’s duties to Admon Management Company in respectsuch person(s) as will be designated by the Board, unless the Board decides to conclude his service before the end of the Notice Period, if termination is for "Cause".Period.
| · | The Company may terminate Mr. Luboschitz’s employment immediately, without any advance notice or obligation to pay any sum as would have been payable to Mr. Luboschitz in respect of the Notice Period (including retirement grant), if termination is for cause’. |
| · | Mr. Luboschitz will be included in the D&O insurance policy available to the Company and its subsidiaries under the same terms as other officers of the Company, and he will be entitled to an exemption and indemnification letter, which is identical to the form of exemption and indemnification that was approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders on July 20, 2005 for all directors and officers. |
Aggregate Compensation of Directors and Officers
The aggregate compensation paid by the Company to its directors and officers as a group for the fiscal year 20162017 was approximately NIS 5.2 million (USD 1.31.5 million), excluding bonuses in an aggregate amount of approximately NIS 1.3 million435 thousands (USD 0.33 million)125 thousands) paid to Messrs. Iram GraiverJoseph and Ilan Admon.Zwi Williger. These amounts include all contingent or deferred compensation payable to directors or officers during fiscal 2016.2017. These amounts also include payments to non-executive directors in the aggregate amount of approximately NIS 368429 thousand (USD 96124 thousand) during fiscal 2016.2017.
The foregoing does not include amounts expended by the Company for motor vehicles made available to its officers, expenses (including business travel, professional and business association dues and expenses) reimbursed to officers and other benefits commonly reimbursed and paid for by companies in Israel.officers. The Company provides motor vehicles to key employees and certain officers, at the Company’s expense.
See also “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – B. Related Party Transactions”.
Management Service Agreements
On June 1, 1998, the Company entered into management services agreements with companies controlled by each of Mr. Zwi Williger and Mr. Joseph Williger (collectively, the "Williger Management Companies"), pursuant to which Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger were to provide management services on behalf of the Williger Management Companies to the Company and to its subsidiary, Gold Frost Ltd. (the “Management Services Agreements”). These agreements were subsequently amended in August 2005, February 2006, March 2008 and August 2011.
On August 21, 2014, the General Meeting of the Shareholders approved the extension of the Management Services Agreements described above, for three years, from August 21, 2014 until August 20, 2017.
On January 13, 2016, shareholders approved certain terms in a termination agreement, dated November 12, 2015, between the Company and companies controlled by each of Mr.Messrs. Zwi Williger, the Company's former Chairman, and Mr. Joseph Williger the Company's former President and a director,, with the purpose of terminating of the Management Services Agreements (the "Termination Agreement"). The (see also “Item 6 B -"Termination Agreement provided that it would become effective upon shareholder approval of certain of its terms. The Termination Agreement is set forth as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 20-F.Agreement").
Compensation Policy
Pursuant to Amendment No. 20 to the Companies Law and following approval of the Compensation Committee and Board, a Compensation Policy was approved by shareholders on November 28, 2013 and a revised Compensation Policy was approved by shareholder on October 17, 2017 (the "2013"2017 Compensation Policy"). The objective of the 20132017 Compensation Policy is to achieve the goals and work plans of the Company, including its long-term best interests by: (i) creating a reasonable and appropriate set of incentives for the Company’s executives; (ii) providing the tools necessary for recruiting, motivating and retaining talented and skilled executives; (iii) putting an emphasis on performance based compensation; and (iv) creating proper balance between the various compensation components (such as fixed versus variable components and short-term versus long-term).
Pursuant to Amendment No. 20 to the Companies Law, a compensation policy must be reviewed and re-approved every three years, whether or not it has been amended. On February 2, 2016, shareholders declined to support a revised Compensation Policy. In April 2017, the Compensation Committee and the Board approved a newly revised Compensation Policy, and a special meeting of the shareholders will be convened to consider such revised policy.
Terms of Office
Except as to External Directors, who are discussed below, Directors are elected by the shareholders at the annual general meeting of the shareholders, except in certain cases where Directors are appointed by the Board of Directors, and their appointment is later ratified at the first annual general meeting of the shareholders thereafter. Except for External Directors, Directors serve until the next annual general meeting of the shareholders.
Alternate Directors
The Articles of Association of the Company provide that any director (except for External Directors) may, by written notice to the Company, appoint another person to serve as an alternate director. Under the Israeli Companies Law, the directors of the Company cannot appoint an incumbent director or an incumbent alternate director as an alternate director. The term of appointment of an alternate director may be for a specified period, or until notice is given of the termination of the specified period or of the appointment. A Director on a Board Committee may appoint anyone to be his Alternate subject to the potential alternate not being a member of such committee.
Audit Committee
Nasdaq Requirements
Our ordinary shares are listed for quotation on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and we are subject to the rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market applicable to listed companies. Under the current Nasdaq rules, a listed company is required to have an audit committee consisting of at least three independent directors, all of whom are financially literate and one of whom has accounting or related financial management expertise. Sigal Grinboim (Chair), Menashe Arnon, Victor Bar and Ilan CohenDavid Donin qualify as independent directors under the Nasdaq requirements and are members of the Audit Committee. The role of the audit committee for Nasdaq purposes includes assisting the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the Company's accounting, auditing and reporting practices.
Companies Law Requirements
Under the Israeli Companies Law, the board of directors of a public company must appoint an audit committee, comprised of at least three directors including all of the external directors, with a majority of independent directors but excluding a:
| · | chairman of the board of directors; |
| · | controlling shareholder or his relative; |
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| · | any director employed by or who provides services to the company on a regular basis. |
| · | any director employed by the controlling shareholder or by any corporation controlled by the controlling shareholder or who provides services to the controlling shareholder on a regular basis; and |
| · | any director who principal livelihood comes from the controlling shareholder. |
The Chairman of the audit committee must be an external director.
The responsibilities of the audit committee under the Israeli Companies Law include, among others, identifying irregularities in the management of the company’s business, approving related party transactions as required by law, approving “actions” or “transactions” (as such terms are defined in the Israeli Companies Law), overseeing the business management practices of the Company in consultation with the Company’s internal auditor and independent auditors (and making recommendations to the Board to improve such practices) and approving transactions with affiliates. In addition, the audit committee has certain powers with regard to transactions with a controlling shareholder or with a person or entity the controlling shareholder has a personal interest in, including the power to require a competitive or other procedure in some cases prior to entering into such a transaction and the power to establish a procedure for approving such a transaction in some cases if the transaction is not de minimis to the Company.
Compensation Committee
Companies Law Requirements
Sigal Grinboim (Chair), Menashe Arnon and Ilan CohenVictor Bar are members of the Board’s Compensation Committee. All of our Compensation Committee members have been determined to be eligible to be members of a compensation committee in accordance with the recent amendments to the Companies Law.
Under the Companies Law, which provide for new procedures relating to the approval of the terms of office and employment of Office Holders of and the formulation of a compensation policy applicable to Israeli public companies, the compensation committee of a public company, such as the Company, is required to consist of at least three members and all of the external directors must be members of the committee (one of which to be appointed as the chairperson) and a majority of members of the committee must be independent. The remaining members must be directors who qualify to serve as members of the audit committee as defined in the Companies Law. In addition to its other roles, under the amendments to the Companies Law the compensation committee of a public company such as the Company is required:
| 1) | to recommend to the board of directors the compensation policy for the company's Office Holders to be adopted by the company and to recommend to the board of directors, once every three years, regarding any extension or modifications of the current compensation policy that had been approved for a period of more than three years; |
| 2) | from time to time to recommend to the board of directors any updates required to the compensation policy and examine the implementation thereof; |
| 3) | to determine, with respect to the company's Office Holders, whether to approve their terms of office and employment in situations that require the approval of the compensation committee in accordance with the Companies Law; and |
| 4) | in certain situations, described in the Companies Law, to determine whether to exempt the approval of terms of office of the CEO of the company from the requirement to obtain shareholder approval. |
According to the Companies Law, terms of service and employment (including cash and equity-based compensation, exemption from liability, indemnification, D&O insurance and other benefits and payments related to the service and employment) of a public company’s Office Holders must be approved also by the board as a whole and, with respect to terms of service and employment of the CEO or a director, also by the company's shareholders in accordance with the majority requirements of the Companies Law.
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Independent Directors
The Company is a “Controlled Company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq rules since more than 50% of its voting power is held by Willi-Food. As a Controlled Company, the Company is exempt from certain Nasdaq independence requirements, such as the requirement that a majority of the Board of Directors be independent and the rules relating to independence of directors approving nominations and executive compensation.
External Directors under the Israeli Companies Law/Financial Experts
The Israeli Companies Law requires that the Company have at least two external directors on its Board of Directors. The election of an external director under the Israeli Companies Law must be approved by a general meeting of shareholders provided that either: (a) the majority of shares voted at the meeting, including at least a majority of the shares of non-controlling shareholders and who do not have a personal interest in the appointment (excluding a personal interest which did not result from the shareholder's relation with the controlling shareholder) voted at the meeting, vote in favor of such arrangement (not including abstentions) or (b) the total number of shares voted against such arrangement does not exceed two percent of the aggregate voting rights in the company.
A “Controlling Shareholder” is defined in the Israeli Companies Law as a shareholder with the ability to control the actions of the company, whether by majority ownership or otherwise, and for the purpose of transactions with related parties, it may include a shareholder who holds at least 25% of the voting rights in the Company, provided that there is no other shareholder who holds more than 50% of the voting rights in the company. Regarding the holdings, two or more shareholders that holds voting rights in the Company and that each one has a personal interest with the approval of that transaction presented for approval of the company, will be seen as holding together. The Israeli Companies Law further requires that at least one external director have financial and accounting expertise, and that the other external director(s) have professional competence, as determined by the company’s board of directors. A director having financial and accounting expertise is a person who, due to his or her education, experience and talents is highly skilled in respect of, and understands, business-accounting matters and financial reports in a manner that enables him or her to understand in depth the company’s financial statements and to stimulate discussion regarding the manner in which the financial data is presented. Under the regulations, a director having professional competence is a person who has an academic degree in either economics, business administration, accounting, law or public administration or an academic degree in an area relevant to the company’s business, or has at least five years experience in a senior position in the business management of a corporation with a substantial scope of business, in a senior position in the public service or a senior position in the field of the company’s business.
An External Director is appointed for a period of three consecutive years and may be re-appointed for two additional three-year periods only, subject to certain conditions (including approval by shareholders at a general meeting) as provided under Israeli regulations. Under the Company’s Articles of Association,Companies Law, any committee of the Board of Directors to which the Board of Directors has delegated its powers in whole or in part must include at least one External Director. Under the Israeli Companies Law, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee must include all the External Directors.
The External Directors of the Company are Ms. Sigal Grinboim and Mr. Menashe Arnon. Ms. Grinboim was elected by shareholders on July 2, 2015 to serve for a period of three years, and was determined by the Board to have “financial and accounting expertise” under Companies Law. Mr. Arnon was elected by shareholders on July 2, 2015 to serve for a period of three years starting August 20, 2015, and was determined by the Board to have “professional expertise” under the Israel Companies law.
Internal Auditor
Under the Israeli Companies Law, Israeli companies whose securities are publicly traded are also required to appoint an internal auditor, as recommended by the audit committee. The role of the internal controller is to examine, inter alia, whether the Company’s actions comply with the law, integrity and orderly business procedures. TheMr. Doron Yunisy, the internal auditor, works in accordance with an annual audit plan approved by the Audit Committee. Mr. Doron Yunisy has served as the internal auditor of the Company since September 2010.
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Indemnification
In accordance with the Israeli Companies Law and the Company’s Articles of Association, the Company has undertaken to indemnify and insure its directors and senior officers, against certain liabilities which they may incur in connection with the performance of their duties. Under the terms of such indemnification provisions, the Company may, to the extent permitted by law, indemnify an Officer for legal expenses incurred by him/her in connection with such indemnification.
In May 2005, the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of the Company approved an exemption in advance to any Director or Officer from any liability to the Company attributed to damage or loss caused by breach of the Director’s or Officer’s duty of care owed to the Company, except for such breach of duty of care in distribution (as such term is defined in the Israeli Companies Law). Also, the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee and shareholders approved an irrevocable indemnification of the Officers by the Company with respect to any liability or expense paid for by the Officer or that the Officer may be obligated to pay.
In accordance with the Companies Law, an agreement with a controlling shareholder, such as the Company's exemption and indemnification letter to its controlling shareholders, must be approved every three years by the Company’s Audit Committee or Compensation Committee (as the case may be), Board of Directors and by a special majority of the General Meeting of Shareholders.
All current officers and directors of the Company have received exemption and indemnification letters except that at a Special Meeting of Shareholders on February 2, 2016 shareholders did not approve a proposal to provide an exemptionincluding Joseph Williger and indemnification letter for Mr. Gregory Gurtovoy, the indirect controlling shareholder of the Company.
Directors and officers liability insurance policy
In accordance with the Companies Law, an agreement with a controlling shareholder, such as the Company's directors' and officers' liability insurance policy for its controlling shareholders, must be approved every three years by the Company’s Audit Committee or Compensation Committee (as the case may be), Board of Directors and by a special majority of the General Meeting of Shareholders, unless approved in accordance with Article 1B(5) of the Israeli Companies Regulations (Relief with Respect to Transactions with Interested Parties), 2000 (the “Relief Regulations”). On December 10, 2014,October 17, 2017 the BoardGeneral Meeting of Directors resolved, following the approval of the Compensation Committee, that the said directors and officers liabilityShareholders approved an insurance policy of the Company for directorsZwi Williger and officers who are controlling shareholders will be approvedJoseph Williger for a three years period in accordance withwhich is on the Relief Regulations. Accordingly, if there is opposition as provided in Article 1C ofsame terms such policy applies to the Relief Regulations, one or more shareholders who hold at least one percent of the issued capital or the voting rights in the company, is entitled to give notice of its opposition of this report. If opposition as provided in Article 1C(a) of the Relief Regulations is submitted, the engagement shall require, in relation to application of the policy toother directors and officers who are controlling shareholders, approval of the general meeting by a special majority laid down in section 275 of the Israeli Companies Law. It should be stated that no such notice of opposition was provided to the Company.Company
Approval of Related Party Transactions under the Israeli Companies Law
Office Holders
The Companies Law codifies the fiduciary duties that office holders owe to a company. An office holder is defined as a general manager, chief executive officer, executive vice president, vice president, director or manager directly subordinate to thedeputy general manager, orvice general manager, any other person assuming the responsibilities of any of these positions regardless of that person’s title.title and director or manager directly subordinate to the general manager. Each person listed in the table under "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees – A. Directors and Senior Management” is an office holder under the Companies Law.
Fiduciary duties. An office holder’s fiduciary duties consist of a duty of loyalty and a duty of care. The duty of loyalty requires the office holder to act in good faith and for the benefit of the company, and includes, among other things, the duty to avoid any conflict of interest between the office holder’s position in the company and his/her personal affairs. In addition, the duty of loyalty proscribes any competition with the company or the exploitation of any business opportunity of the company in order to receive personal advantage for him or herself or others. This duty also requires disclosure to the company of any information or documents relating to the company’s affairs that the office holder has received due to his or her position as an office holder. The duty of care requires an office holder to act with a level of care that a reasonable office holder in the same position would employ under the same circumstances. This includes the duty to use reasonable means to obtain information regarding the advisability of a given action submitted for his or her approval or performed by virtue of his or her position and all other relevant information pertaining to these actions.
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Compensation. An amendment to theThe Companies Law requires that the terms of service and engagement of the chief executive officer, directors or controlling shareholders (or a relative thereof) receive the approval of the compensation committee, board of directors, and shareholders, subject to limited exceptions. Similarly, the terms of service and engagement of any officer other than the CEO must receive the approval of the compensation committee and board of directors. However, shareholder approval is only required if the compensation of such officer other than the CEO is not in accordance with the compensation policy. This compensation policy is required to take into account, among other things, providing proper incentives to directors and officers, taking into account the risk management of the company, the officer’s contribution to achieving corporate objectives and increasing profits, and the function of the officer or director. Following the approval of the Compensation Committee and Board, the Company'sa newly revised Compensation Policy was approved by the shareholders on November 28, 2013. Pursuant to Amendment No. 20 to the Companies Law, a compensation policy must be reviewed and re-approved (whether the policy has been amended or not) every three years. In AprilOctober 17, 2017 the Compensation Committee and the Board approved a newly revised Compensation Policy, and at a special meeting of the shareholders will be convened to consider such revised Compensation Policy.shareholders. For more information on the Company's Compensation Policy, see "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees" – B. Compensation". In accordance with the Companies Law, as amended, the compensation policy must be re-approved every three years, in the manner described above. The board of directorsCompensation Committee is responsible for reviewing from time to time the compensation policy and determining whether or not there are any circumstances that require adjustments to the current compensation policy.
The Companies Law provides that a compensation policy requires shareholder approval by a special majority vote. Notwithstanding the above, the compensation committee and the board of directors may approve the compensation policy of a company, even if the shareholders do not approve such terms, provided that:
1) the compensation committee and after the Board decide, on the basis of detailed reasons and re-discussion of the compensation policy, the approval of the compensation policy despite the shareholders' objection is in favor of the company; and
2) the company is not a "Public Pyramid Held Company", which is a public company controlled by another public company (including by a company that only issued debentures to the public), which is also controlled by another public company (including a company that only issued debentures to the public) that has a controlling shareholder.
As of April 29, 2018, the Company is a "public pyramid held company", with the parent Company, Willi-Food, a public company traded on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange, and BSD, Willi-Food's parent company, a public company traded on the London Stock Exchange.
Disclosure of personal interest. The Companies Law requires that an office holder promptly disclose to the company any personal interest that he or she may have and all related material information known to him or her, in connection with any existing or proposed transaction by the company. “Personal interest”, as defined by the Companies Law, includes a personal interest of any person in an act or transaction of the company, including a personal interest of his relative or of a corporate body in which that person or a relative of that person is a 5% or greater shareholder, a holder of 5% or more of the voting rights, a director or general manager, or in which he or she has the right to appoint at least one director or the general manager. “Personal interest” does not apply to a personal interest stemming merely from the fact that the office holder is also a shareholder in the company. "Personal interest" also includes (1) personal interest of a person who votes via a proxy for another person, even if the other person has no personal interest, and (2) personal interest of a person who gives a proxy to vote even if the person who votes on his or her behalf has no personal interest, regardless of whether the discretion of how to vote lies with the person voting or not.
The office holder must make the disclosure of his or her personal interest promptly and, in any event, no later than the first meeting of the company’s board of directors that discusses the particular transaction. This duty does not apply to the personal interest of a relative of the office holder in a transaction unless it is an “extraordinary transaction”. The Companies Law defines an extraordinary transaction as a transaction not in the ordinary course of business, not on market terms or that is likely to have a material impact on the company’s profitability, assets or liabilities, and defines a relative as a spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent, descendent, and spouse’s descendant, and includes a sibling, parent and spouse of any of the foregoing.
Approvals. The Companies Law provides that a transaction with an office holder or a transaction in which an office holder has a personal interest may not be approved if it is adverse to the company’s interest. In addition, such a transaction generally requires board approval, unless the transaction is an extraordinary transaction or the articles of association provide otherwise. If the transaction is an extraordinary transaction, or if it concerns exculpation, indemnification or insurance of an office holder, then in addition to any approval stipulated by the articles of association, approval of the Company’s Audit Committee or Compensation Committee (as the case may be) and Board of Directors, in that order, is required, and may also require special majority approval by shareholders. In accordance with the Companies Law, approval by both the compensation committee and the board of directors is required for all arrangements regarding terms of service, including cash and equity based compensation, exemption from liability, indemnification, D&O insurance and other benefits and payments related to the service and employment of an Office Holder. Except for certain specific exemptions under the Companies Law, matters referred to herein with respect to the CEO of a public company or a director of a company (including engagement with respect to employment terms of a director in a position other than as a director) also require shareholder approval.
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With respect to the CEO of a public company, or with respect to a director who is a controlling shareholder, shareholder approval must be by a special majority vote. With respect to transactions described above with the CEO, the compensation committee may determine that such transaction does not require shareholders approval, provided that: (i) the CEO is considered to be "independent" based on criteria set forth in the Companies Law; (ii) the compensation committee determined, based on detailed reasons, that bringing the transaction to the approval of the shareholders may compromise the entering into the transaction; and (iii) the terms of the transaction are consistent with the company's compensation policy.
In order to be approved, the terms of employment of Office Holders of a public company must be consistent with the company's compensation policy. However, the compensation committee and the board of directors may, under special circumstances, approve terms of employment which are not in accordance with the company's compensation policy if:
| 1) | the compensation committee and the board of directors have taken into consideration the mandatory considerations and criteria which are specified in the Companies Law for a compensation policy and the respective employment terms include such mandatory considerations and criteria; and |
| 2) | the company's shareholders approved such terms of employment, subject to a special majority requirement. |
Notwithstanding the above, the compensation committee and the board of directors may approve terms of employment of Office Holders (other than CEO or directors) that are not in accordance with the company's compensation policy, even if the shareholders' do not approve such terms, provided that:
| 1) | both the compensation committee and the board of directors re-discussed the transaction and decided to approve it despite the shareholders' objection, based on detailed reasons; and |
| 2) | the company is not a "Public Pyramid Held Company", which is a public company controlled by another public company (including by a company that only issued debentures to the public), which is also controlled by another public company (including a company that only issued debentures to the public) that has a controlling shareholder. |
Under the Companies Law, as amended, changes of the terms of a current arrangement regarding service and employment terms of an Office Holder (other than a director) may require only the approval of the compensation committee if the compensation committee determines that such changes are not material.
A director who has a personal interest in a matter that is considered at a meeting of the board of directors, compensation committee or audit committee may not attend that meeting or vote on that matter. However, if the chairman of the board of directors or the chairman of the compensation committee or audit committee determines that the presence of an office holder with a personal interest is required for the presentation of a matter, such officer holder may be present at the meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a director who has a personal interest may be present at the meeting and vote on the matter if a majority of the board of directors, compensation committee or audit committee also has a personal interest in the matter. If a majority of the board of directors, compensation committee or audit committee has a personal interest in the transaction, shareholder approval also would be required.
Shareholders
The Companies Law imposes the same requirements regarding disclosure to the company of a personal interest, as described above, on a controlling shareholder of a public company that it imposes on an office holder. For these purposes, a controlling shareholder is any shareholder who has the ability to direct the company’s actions, including any shareholder holding 25% or more of the voting rights if no other shareholder owns more than 50% of the voting rights in the company. Two or more shareholders with a personal interest in the approval of the same transaction are deemed to be one shareholder.
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Unless approved in accordance with the Relief Regulations, approval of the audit committee, board of directors and our shareholders, in that order, is required, among others, for:
| · | extraordinary transactions with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest; and |
| · | the terms of an engagement by the company, directly or indirectly, with a controlling shareholder or a controlling shareholder’s relative (including through a corporation controlled by a controlling shareholder), regarding the company’s receipt of services from the controlling shareholder, and if such controlling shareholder is also an office holder of the company, regarding his or her terms of employment. |
The shareholder approval must include the majority of shares voted at the meeting. In addition, either:
| · | the majority of the shares of the voting shareholders who have no personal interest in the transaction must vote in favor of the proposal (shares held by abstaining shareholders shall not be considered); or |
| · | the total shareholdings of those who have no personal interest in the transaction and who vote against the transaction must not represent more than 2% of the aggregate voting rights in the company. |
Furthermore, any extraordinary transaction with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest with a term of more than three years requires the abovementioned approval every three years, unless, with respect to transactions not involving the receipt of services or compensation, the audit committee or compensation committee (as the case may be) determines that a longer term is reasonable under the circumstances.
In accordance with the recent amendments to the Companies Law, approval by both the compensation committee and the board of directors is required for all arrangements regarding terms of service. Except for certain specific exemptions under the Companies Law, matters referred to herein with respect to the CEO of a public company or a director of a company (including engagement with respect to employment terms of a director in a position other than as a director) also require shareholder approval. With respect to the CEO of a public company, or with respect to a director who is a controlling shareholder, shareholder approval must be by a special majority vote, provided that either:
| 1) | such majority includes a majority of the total votes of shareholders who have no personal interest in the approval of the transaction and who participate in the voting, in person, by proxy or by written ballot, at the meeting (abstentions not taken into account); or |
| 2) | the total number of votes of shareholders mentioned above that vote the transaction do not represent more than 2% of the total voting rights in the company. |
The Companies Law requires that every shareholder who participates in person, by proxy or by voting instrument in a vote regarding a transaction with a controlling shareholder must indicate either in advance or on the ballot whether or not that shareholder has a personal interest in the vote in question. Failure to so indicate will result in the invalidation of that shareholder’s vote.
Under the Companies Law, a shareholder has a duty to act in good faith towards the company and other shareholders and to refrain from abusing his or her power in the company including, among other things, when voting in a general meeting of shareholders or in a class meeting on the following matters:
| · | any amendment to the articles of association; |
| · | an increase in the company’s authorized share capital; |
| · | a merger; or |
| · | approval of related party transactions that require shareholder approval. |
A shareholder has a general duty to refrain from depriving any other shareholder of their rights as a shareholder. In addition, any controlling shareholder, any shareholder who knows that he/she possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholder vote, and any shareholder who has the power to appoint or prevent the appointment of an office holder in the company is under a duty to act with fairness towards the company. The Companies Law does not describe the substance of this duty of fairness except to state that the remedies generally available for breach of contract would also apply in the event of a breach of the duty to act with fairness toward the company.
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D. EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2016,2017, the Company, including its subsidiaries, employed a total of 131137 persons (all of them are located in Israel), four of whom were in management, 30 of whom were in accounting and importing positions, 30 of whom were involved in the Company's sales and marketing departments and 73 of whom were employed in logistics networks (warehousing and transportation). This compares with 131 employees as of December 31, 2016, seven of whom were in management, 24 of whom were in accounting and importing positions, 30 of whom were involved in the Company's sales and marketing departments and 70 of whom were employed in logistics networks (warehousing and transportation). This compares with 134 employees as of December 31, 2015, five of whom were in management, 25 of whom were in accounting and importing positions, 29 of whom were involved in the Company's sales and marketing departments and 75 of whom were employed in logistics networks (warehousing and transportation).
As of December 31, 2017, and 2016, four additional employees (stewards and sales people) were engaged on an hourly basis. On December 31, 2015, the number was four. Other employees were supplied by temporary manpower companies, on as needed bases.
The Company believes that its working relations with its employees are satisfactory. Israeli labor laws are applicable to most of the Company's employees, as are certain provisions of the collective bargaining agreements between the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) (the "Histadrut") and the Coordination Bureau of Economic Organizations (including the Manufacturers' Association of Israel) (the "MAI"), by order of the Israeli Ministry of Labor. These provisions, along with the Israeli labor laws, principally concern the length of the work day, minimum daily wages for professional employees, paid annual sick leave, prohibition of discrimination, insurance for work-related accidents, social security, procedures for termination of employment by dismissal, entitlement to and calculation of severance pay and other terms of employment.
Each month the employee contributes an amount which equals to 5%6% of his insured salary, and the Company contributes an additional sumamount equals to 12.5% or 14.83% of between 11.5% to 13.33% to histhe employee's insured salary. The contributions made by the Company to the pension fund cover 72% or 100% of the Company's severance liability towards its employees in case of termination (the differences in coverage depends on the amount the Company contributes to the severance part of the Pension Insurance). In addition, Israeli law generally requires paymentthe event that the Company contributes amounts to the severance part of the pension insurance that cover only 72% of the Company's severance pay uponliability, then in the retirement or deathcase of an employee or termination of employment without due cause.relations that entitle the employee to a payment of full severance pay under the law, the Company pays to the employee a supplementary payment. Furthermore, Israeli employees and employers are required to pay predetermined sums to the National Insurance Institute (which is similar, to some extent, to the United States Social Security Administration). The payments thereto amount to 6.95% to 18.75% of wages; the employee’s share being 3.5% to 12% (depending on the marginal level of wages) and the employer’s share being 3.45% to 6.75%.
For information regarding the share ownership of Directors and Officers of the Company see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – A. Major Shareholders”.
Employee Share Option Plans
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A.MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth, as of April 24, 2017,29, 2018, the number of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by each shareholder known to the Company to own more than 5% of the Ordinary Shares and (ii) all directors and officers as a group. The information presented in the table is based on 13,240,913 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of April 24, 2017.
| Name and Address | Number of Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Ordinary Shares | Number of Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Ordinary Shares | ||||||||||||
| Willi-Food Investments Ltd. (1) | 8,200,542 | 61.93 | % | 8,200,542 | 61.93 | % | ||||||||||
| B.S.D. Crown Ltd. (2) | 8,971,617 | 67.76 | % | 8,971,617 | 67.76 | % | ||||||||||
| Gregory Gurtovoy (3) (4) | 8,971,617 | 67.76 | % | |||||||||||||
| Joseph and Zwi Williger (3) (4) | 8,971,617 | 67.76 | % | |||||||||||||
| Brian Gaines (5) | 883,160 | 6.67 | % | 1,289,005 | 9.73 | % | ||||||||||
| (1) | Willi-Food’s securities are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The principal executive offices of Willi-Food are located at 4 Nahal Harif St., Northern Industrial Zone, Yavne, 8122216 Israel. |
| (2) | Includes (i) 8,200,542 Ordinary Shares held by Willi-Food, and (ii) 771,075 Ordinary Shares held by B.S.D. Crown Ltd. ("BSD"). Willi-Food is controlled by its majority shareholder, BSD, and BSD may be deemed to beneficially own all of the shares owned by Willi-Food. |
| (3) | any such group. |
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| (4) | Based on information provided to us, all of the Company's directors and officers as a group hold |
| (5) | Based on a Schedule 13G filed |
The following arrangements, known to the Company from Schedule 13D filings and updated to the Company's best knowledge, may at a subsequent date result in a change of control:
On August 14, 2013, BGI Investments (1961) acquired 20.01% of BSD's outstanding shares from Mr. Naftali Shani and Olamic Holding NV (collectively, "Shani"), Fortissimo Capital Management Ltd. ("Fortissimo") and others (collectively, the "Sellers"). Call options for approximately 19.01% of BSD's outstanding shares were subsequently assigned by BGI (with the consent of the Sellers) to Israel 18 (the "Call Options") and exercised. As security for payment of the full exercise price of such Call Options, Israel 18 pledged in favor of Fortissimo approximately 4.1% of the shares of BSD ("Fortissimo Collateral Shares"); in favor of Shani, Israel 18 pledged approximately 67.7% of the shares of BGI (net of BGI's treasury shares) ("Shani BGI Shares") and approximately 9.34% of the shares of BSD ("Shani BSD Shares") (Shani BGI Shares and Shani BSD Shares are referred to collectively as "Shani Collateral Shares"). Under the terms of the agreement, Fortissimo and Shani undertook to grant a proxy to act in favor of Israel 18 with regard to the shares of BSD and BGI, as the case may be, which have been pledged in favor of each of them. On March 2014 Israel 18 signed a Shareholders Agreement with BGI and secured the voting with the shares according to BGI's board decision.
In addition, Israel 18 pledged in favor of S.G. Textile Holdings Ltd. and Z. Birinboim Holdings Ltd. (S.G. Textile Holdings Ltd. and Z. Birinboim Holdings Ltd. referred to collectively as "S.G.") approximately 3.78% of the shares of B.G.I.
On October 19, 2015, BGI received notice from Israel 18 that urgent motions had been filed against it in the District Court of Haifa for the liquidation of, and appointment of temporary liquidators over, Israel 18 by Fortissimo and S.G. (Fortissimo and S.G. referred to collectively as the "Applicants") on the grounds that Israel 18 is not compliant with its debt obligations to the Applicants. On November 3, 2015, Israel 18 reached a memorandum of understanding regarding an arrangement of its debts to Fortissimo and S.G. Subsequent to this memorandum of understanding, the Applicants and Israel 18 filed a consent motion by which the court canceled a scheduled hearing regarding the liquidation of Israel 18 and determined as follows: Fortissimo was provided 30 days to notify the court if it seeks to maintain the liquidation motion; and, with regard to S.G., the court (1) validated the consent motion filed by the parties to the arrangement; and (2) ruled that S.G. would have until November 20, 2015 to petition the court whether the agreements, as provided for in the consent motion, have been fulfilled. On December 26, 2015, the court approved: (a) the dismissal of the motion for the appointment of temporary liquidators over Israel 18; (b) approved the removal of S.G. from the liquidation motion of Israel 18; and (c) ordered the dismissal of the liquidation motions.
On March 23, 2016, two applications were filed with the Haifa District Court relating to the above proceedings: one was a joinder petition by S.G. to the liquidation petition described above by which S.G. claimed that Israel 18 is in breach of its obligations to S.G. and to Fortissimo; and the second was an urgent motion for the appointment of temporary liquidators over Israel 18, which was submitted by the Applicants for the second time (the "Motion"). In the Motion it was argued that since the dismissal of the petition for the appointment of temporary liquidators, Israel 18 had violated the arrangements signed with the Applicants. On April 13, 2016 the court dismissed the petition and granted Israel 18 an extension to pay its debts.
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On September 25, 2016, Israel 18 signed a loan agreement with Ta'aman Food Marketing Ltd. ("Ta'aman") to provide a loan to Israel 18 (the "Loan Agreement") for the purpose of repaying the outstanding consideration that Israel 18 owed to Shani.Shani. The Loan Agreement was subject to approval of the Tel Aviv District Court for Economic Affairs, which granted such approval on September 27, 2016.
According to the terms of the Loan Agreement and following repayment of the entire outstanding consideration due to Shani and release of the pledge of the Shani Collateral Shares, 10,278,251 shares of the BSD and 24,909,603 shares of BGI owned by Israel 18 (both of which were previously held in trust for the repayment of the debt owed to Shani) were transferred and held in trust as security for the amounts owed to Ta’aman under the terms of the Loan Agreement from time to time, and serve as a guarantee of the repayment of the loan.
On September 24, 2016, a memorandum of understanding was signed, and an amendment to which was signed on September 28, 2016 (collectively the memorandum of understanding and its amendment, "MOU"), between Israel 18 and Mr. Gurtovoy (collectively for purposes of the description of the MOU below, "Israel 18"), and Ta'aman (collectively, the "Parties") for joint control of BGI, as follows:
A new company ("NewCo") will be incorporated for the purpose of holding approximately 71.5% of the shares of BGI and approximately 19% of the shares of BSD (BSD and BGI together, the "Companies") owned by Israel 18 ("Israel 18 Holdings"). The ownership of NewCo will be held in equal parts, 50% by Israel 18 and 50% by Ta'aman. In exchange for the holdings in NewCo, Ta'aman will pay Israel 18 USD 10 million.
Alternatively, if the transfer of the Israel 18 Holdings to NewCo will not be possible upon its incorporation, Ta'aman will directly hold half of the shares that would have been transferred to NewCo. In such event, the Parties will negotiate terms for joint management and control. NewCo’s holdings in the Companies will be held by a trustee (the "Trustee") who will act as a trustee appointed by both Parties and will hold the voting rights attached to the Companies in accordance with a joint decision by the Parties.
Until Israel 18 completes all of its obligations under the MOU, Israel 18 will be entitled to 50% of all dividends that will be distributed by NewCo and its subsidiaries, while the remaining 50% will go to Ta'aman.
The following will constitute a violation of the MOU:
| · | If Israel 18 does not transfer to the Trustee all of the powers of attorney necessary in order to vote the shares of BSD under its ownership, within the agreed time frame, and will not give the possibility to use these voting rights, such breach which will give Ta'aman the right to sell NewCo’s entire shareholdings and exercise all securities provided to Ta'aman under the loan agreement. |
| · | If Israel 18 will not be able to transfer to the Trustee's account, within 18 months following the execution of the MOU, all of the Israel 18 Holdings that are not shares which cannot be used due to restrictions under the lawsuit of BSD against Israel 18. |
| · | If Israel 18 will not be able to release the entire holdings in the Companies from the restrictions imposed by BSD’s lawsuit, within a period of 36 months. |
| · | If a final judgment is given in BSD’s lawsuit, Israel 18 is required to pay the entire amount as determined in favor of BSD. If Israel 18 does not pay such amount, Ta'aman can pay the debt instead of Israel 18, whereas in order to pay this debt, the entire Israel 18 Holdings will be appraised at USD 10 million. |
| · | Israel 18 will have a period of 30 days to correct any violation of the MOU as stated above. |
Pursuant to the MOU, the Parties will act to convene general meetings of shareholder in the Companies and all subsidiaries within 30 days of the date of the MOU for the purpose of replacing all current directors with mutually agreed directors. Representation on the board of directors will be proportionate to the holdings of the Parties in NewCo.
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Pursuant to the MOU, the following actions of NewCo and the companies held by it will require the mutual approval of both Israel 18 and Ta'aman:
| · | Any payment not within ordinary course of business. |
| · | Any loan, fundraising, expansion of company debt that is not within ordinary course of business. |
| · | Providing any loan, credit, collateral or indemnification. |
| · | Announcement of any payment of dividend or any other distribution, and any adoption, amendment, implementation or cancellation of any distribution policy. |
| · | Any filing, settlement or cancellation of any legal proceeding or administrative proceeding regarding the companies in the group, including the liabilities or claim of any one of the companies. |
| · | A settlement or pledging of any of NewCo’s assets or the assets of any of the other companies in the group. |
| · | Acquisitions. |
| · | Increase or dilution of company capital. |
| · | Appointment of legal advisors and auditors for the companies in the group. |
The MOU was subject to the approval of the Israel Antitrust Authority, which approved the MOU on January 11, 2017.
In addition, both Parties in the MOU have the right of first refusal, as well as tag-along and bring-along rights, and the Loan Agreement between Israel 18 and Ta'aman will be extended so long as the voting rights are held by the Trustee.
On November 29, 2016, Israel 18, via a $1.9 million loan agreement with a third party called Power Gate LTD, paid the entire outstanding consideration due to Fortissimo. As a result, the pledge of Fortissimo Collateral Shares was released, and such shares of BSD were pledged to Power Gate LTD to secure its debt (however, Israel 18 retained an irrevocable power to vote such shares).
Prior to GG becoming its controlling shareholder, Israel 18 pledged 5.54% of the total outstanding share capital of BSD (excluding(excluding dormant shares) in favor of Meinl Bank in Austria as security for the provision of certain loans provided to Israel 18.
On January 31, 2017, following agreement between BGI and Mordechai Peretz Hirshenboim (the "Agreement" and "Purchaser" respectively) and BGI notice to the Purchaser of BGI’s intention to exercise its right of first refusal, Taaman claimed that Israel 18 and BGI breached the undertaking towards them. BGI filed a motion and interim injunctions (the “Proceeding”) in the Economic Department of the Tel Aviv District Court, wherein BGI motioned for the court to determine that the shareholder agreement, including the right of refusal granted to BGI with respect to the sale of BSD shares owned by Israel 18, was decided in order to allow BGI and the Purchaser to exercise the right of first refusal, through financing to be extended to it by the Purchaser, as set out in the purchase agreement; and, accordingly, that the agreements signed between Israel 18 and Taaman (the Loan Agreement and the MOU concerning the joint control of the Company by these parties) would expire, subject to the fulfillment of the agreements that received force of judgment, as detailed below:
(1) Israel 18 will repay the debt from the Loan Agreement by transferring funds to the account of the Trustee over the Loan Agreement, Adv. Yaakov Amster, who was appointed Trustee by the court (the “Trustee”), along with interest at the rate of 10% annually, calculated from the date of the loan and until the payment date, i.e. until March 7, 2017. This date was postponed by 10 business days.
(2) If the above payment is not made on time, the court will dismiss BGI’s claim with respect to the exercise of the refusal right and erase the remainder of the claim, as filed by BGI. In this case, the court will grant expenses in favor of Taaman and the Trustee after hearing the parties’ positions.
(3) In addition, Israel 18 will pay Taaman, by transfer to the Trustee’s account, agreed compensation on the order of US$ 500 thousand, to be paid on the same date set out in Section 1, above.
(4) If the payment noted in Section 3, above, is not made on time, Israel 18 will be charged additional agreed compensation on the order of US$ 250 thousand.
(5) Until the execution of all of the payments detailed above, the parties must reach an arrangement with BSD with regards to the removal of the attachment levied in favor of BSD pursuant to a claim BGI filed over the assets of Israel 18, including the shares of BSD held by the Trustee, with respect to which BGI moved to exercise the right of first refusal afforded it in its shareholder agreement.
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(6) Subject to full payment, as detailed above, the Trustee will transfer the BSD shares that the refusal right concerns, in accordance with the arrangement with BSD, notice of which will be provided to the court.
(7) It should be clarified that the above agreements, which were given the force of a judgment, constitute consent on the part of Israel 18 to the exercise of the right of first refusal with respect to the specific Transaction conducted between Israel 18 and Taaman.
On March 1, 2017, BGI announced that even though approvals required to carry out the Agreement had been obtained, the Purchaser failed to comply with the payment schedule as set out in the Agreement, and that BGI was acting to fully exhaust its rights in connection with the enforcement of the Agreement and the transfer of full payment, as stipulated in the Agreement. As a result, Taaman acted to transfer all of the pledged shares held by the Trustee to it.
Consequently, BGI filed a motion to order that the Trustee vote using the BSD shares, in accordance with the rights granted within the Shareholder Agreement signed by Israel 18. On March 16 and 20, 2017, the court determined that the Trustee would vote using the BSD shares in accordance with his discretion at the shareholder meeting convened by BSD on March 29, 2017.
On April 5, 2017, the Israeli Supreme Court decided to postpone the general meeting of BSD scheduled to take place on April 19, 2017 until a decision was made by the Israeli District Court regarding BGI's claim of ownership of 10,278,451 shares of the Company held by Adv. Kobie Amstar, in his capacity as trustee.
On April 23, 2017, the District Court of Tel Aviv ruled that the 10,278,451 shares of the Company held by Adv. Kobie Amster, in his capacity as trustee, should be voted in accordance with Adv. Amster’s discretion and that the Company can and should convene its adjourned general meeting by no later than May 5, 2017.
On June 11, 2017, following a court proceeding in the District Court of Tel-Aviv in which the court ordered that a shareholders meeting be held in the parent company prior to the convening of a shareholders meeting of the Company, as of this date BGI holds, together with Israel 18’s holdings, some 43.65%a special meeting of the issuedparent company shareholders approved the appointment of the following BSD nominated directors: Mr. Zwi Williger, Mr. Yoseph Williger, Mr. Kobi Navon and paid up capitalMr. Benzi Sao; and the termination of BSD (net treasury shares), constituting the largest holdings group amongterm of office of all then current directors of the shareholdersparent company (Mr. Gregory Gurtovoy, Mr. Ilan Admon, Ms. Shalhevet Hasdiel, Mr. Eli Arad and Arik Safran) other than the external directors of BSD.the parent company (Mrs. Ronit Zalman Malach and Mr. Ziv Ironi) who remained in office.
On June 20, 2017, an Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Company approved the appointment of the following directors: Mr. Yoseph Williger, Mr. Zwi Williger, Mr. Gil Hochboim and Mr. David Donin. and the termination of the term of office of all then current directors of the company (Mr. Gregory Gurtovoy, Mr. Ilan Admon, Mr. Ilan Cohen, and Mr. Emil Bodilovski) other than the external directors of the parent company (Mrs. Sigal Grinboim and Mr. Menashe Arnon) who remained in office. On June 20, 2017 the board of directors approved the appointment of Mr. Victor Bar as a director.
All of the shareholders of the Company (including Willi-Food) have the same number of votes for each Ordinary Share held. Accordingly, the major shareholder of the Company, Willi-Food, does not have voting rights that are different from those of the Company’s other shareholders. The Company believes that, as April 24, 2017, 8,200,54229, 2018, 3,386,136 Ordinary Shares (approximately 61.93%25.57% of its outstanding Ordinary Shares) were held by persons who were not officers, Directors or the owners of 5% or more of the Company's outstanding Ordinary Shares. As of April 25, 2017,29, 2018, there were 14 holders of Ordinary Shares of record registered with a United States mailing address, including banks, brokers and nominees. These holders of record, including a part of the Company’s shares held by Willi-Food through brokers, represented as of April 25, 201729, 2018 approximately 74.32% of the total outstanding Ordinary Shares. Because these holders of record include banks, brokers and nominees, the beneficial owners of these Ordinary Shares may include persons who reside outside the United States.
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B.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Management Service Agreements.
For information regarding Management Services Agreements with Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger through Williger Management Companies, see "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees -– B. Compensation -– Management Service Agreements".
Termination Agreementof Management Service Agreements
On January 13, 2016, shareholders approved certain terms in a termination agreement, dated November 12, 2015, between the Company and companies controlled by each of Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger, with the purpose of terminating of the Management Services Agreements (the "Termination Agreement").
In accordance with the terms of the Termination Agreement, the Management Service Agreements would terminate after a notice period of 180 days following execution of the Termination Agreement (the "Notice Period"). During this Notice Period, but in any event until at least January 15, 2016 (the "Termination Date"), Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger would continue to manage the core business of the Company while serving as Co-Presidents of the Company. Upon shareholder approval of certain terms of the Termination Agreement, Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger are to resign as directors and from all other positions with the Company, Willi-Food and from any office or position they have or may have had in Willi-Food's subsidiaries (including the Company's subsidiaries) (except for the office of Co-Presidents of the Company). The Termination Agreement provides for certain retirement payments (the "Retirement Payments") to each of the Williger Management Companies, including management fees during the Notice Period, an annual bonus of NIS 2 million (excluding VAT) (approximately USD 0.5 million), a retirement bonus of NIS 1.67 million (excluding VAT) (approximately USD 0.4 million), certain management fees of NIS 1.67 million (excluding VAT) (approximately USD 0.4 million) during the year following a notice period, management fees during a notice period for 5.5 months of NIS 0.75 million (excluding VAT) (approximately USD 0.19 million), and the redemption of 90 vacation days of NIS 0.57 million (excluding VAT) (approximately USD 0.15 million) to each of Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger. In addition, reimbursement was provided for payments made by Mr. Zwi Williger in connection with a car provided by the Company in the amount of NIS 173 thousand (approximately USD 44 thousand). All payments to Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger and their respective companies were deposited in trust during the year 2015 and relisted 3 business days after the approval of agreement by Company shareholders on January 13, 2016.
The provisions of the Termination Agreement include, among others:
| · | During the period between execution of the Termination Agreement and the Termination Date, and upon the appointment of any successor, Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger will make their best efforts to accommodate a smooth transition to the successor appointed in their stead pursuant to the provisions of the Termination Agreement to manage the core business of the Company, including but not limited to handing over all contact information, agreements and details being required with regard to the Company customers and suppliers, in addition to making their best efforts for the continuation of the relationship with such customers and suppliers; |
| · | Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger are restricted from competing with the Company, either directly or indirectly, for a period of 12 months commencing upon expiration of the Notice Period, subject to exceptions as set out in the Termination Agreement; |
| · | Subject to the full and timely satisfaction of all of the Company's undertakings and obligations set forth in the Termination Agreement, each of Mr. Zwi Williger, Mr. Joseph Williger and the Williger Management Companies, irrevocably waives, completely releases and forever discharges the Company and its shareholders (includes the Company's controlling shareholders), subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, and others from any and all claims, rights, demands, actions, obligations and causes of action, known or unknown, which they directly or through the Company may now have or may have against such party, including but without limitation also with regard to that certain agreement dated March 2, 2014, by and among B.S.D Crown Ltd., the Williger Management Companies, Y.M. Dekel-Holdings and Investments Ltd., and Mr. Joseph Williger, subject to exceptions as set out in the Termination Agreement (the "Willifood Controlling Stake Purchase Agreement"); |
| · | Subject to the full and timely satisfaction of all of Mr. Zwi Williger, Mr. Joseph Williger and the Williger Management Companies undertakings and obligations set forth in the Termination Agreement and subject to the restrictions, limitations and consents required under any law, regulation including that of the Israeli Companies Law, the Company irrevocably waives, completely releases and forever discharges Mr. Zwi Williger, Mr. Joseph Williger and the Williger Management Companies from any and all claims, rights, demands, actions, obligations and causes of action, known or unknown, which they may now have or may have against such party, subject to exceptions as set out in the Termination Agreement (the "Waiver"); and |
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| · | The Company shall maintain the effectiveness and validity of its D&O insurance policy in a scope and with coverage at least equal to those existing under the current D&O insurance policy, for a period of at least seven years following the Termination Date, or will purchase run–off insurance coverage with respect to the liability of Mr. Zwi Williger and Mr. Joseph Williger as directors and officers of the Company, subject to the restrictions and consents required under the law. |
The terms of the Termination Agreement that had not previously been approved by the shareholders and that were subject to shareholder approval were as follows (the "Termination Agreement Terms to be Approved by Shareholders"):
| · | The payment of a retirement bonus in the amount of NIS 1,670 thousand (excluding VAT) (approximately USD 428 thousand) to each of the Williger Management Companies; |
| · | The payment of an Annual Bonus (for 2015 and 2016) in the amount of NIS 2,000 thousand (excluding VAT) (approximately USD 513 thousand) to each of the Williger Management Companies; |
| · | The acceleration of the Retirement Payments to the later of December 31, 2015 or three business days following shareholder approval; |
| · | The purchase of run–off insurance coverage with respect to the liability of Mr. Zwi Williger and Mr. Joseph Williger as directors and officers of the Company (as detailed in section 7 of the Termination Agreement); and |
| · | Obtaining the Waiver. |
In addition, on November 12, 2015, Mr. Gregory Gurtovoy, the Company's then indirect controlling shareholder and Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, signed a personal undertaking in favor of Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger and the Williger Management Companies, effective upon shareholders' approval of certain terms of the Termination Agreement, to guarantee the payment of approximately USD 1.6 million in connection with the exercise of a put option granted to Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger and the Williger Management Companies by BSD as part of the terms of the Willi-Food Controlling Stake Purchase Agreement.
On August 13, 2017 and on August 17, 2017, the Company’s Compensation Committee and Board, respectively, unanimously approved a new management agreement to each of the co-Chairmen, which were approved by the Company's shareholders on October 17, 2017.For information regarding the termination of the Management Services Agreements with Messrs. Zwi and Joseph Williger through Williger Management Companies, see "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees -– B. Compensation – Termination of Management Service Agreements".
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Services to Willi-Food
The Company has been providing certain services to Willi-Food on an on-going basis since the Company’s commencement of operations, including office space and certain management, financial and administrative services. Effective May 19, 1997, the effective date of the Company’s initial public offering, the Company entered into a service agreement with Willi-Food. This agreement was updated on October 2, 2017.
Pursuant to this agreement, Willi-Food is entitled to manage its operations from the Company’s executive offices in Yavne, including use of an office space and facilities and certain management, financial, accounting, legal, administrative and secretarial services.
In light of the enactment of Amendment No. 16, an agreement with a controlling shareholder, such as the Company's service agreement with Willi-Food, must be approved every three years by the Audit Committee, Board of Directors and by a special majority of the General Meeting of Shareholders. Willi-Food is the parent company of the Company and is the controlling shareholder of the Company. On August 21, 2014October 18, 2017 following the unanimous approval of the Company's Audit Committee and Board of Directors, the General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company approved the extension of the above service agreement, for a three-year period ending August 20, 2017.October 18, 2020.
As of April 1, 1997, the Company and Willi-Food entered into an agreement pertaining to the allocation of corporate opportunities which may arise from time to time. The agreement provides that Willi-Food will make available and provide a right of first refusal to the Company with regard to any corporate opportunity offered to Willi-Food, which relates to the food business.
Sale Agreement with Willi-Food
At a General Meeting of Shareholders on August 30, 2012, a sale agreement was approved between the Company and Willi-Food in terms of which Willi-Food would purchase from the Company a variety of food products in order to sell the food products at its store in Israel, and at additional stores that Willi-Food may open in the future (the "Sale Agreement").
Pursuant to the Sale Agreement, Willi-Food agreed to purchase the food products from the Company at a price list to be determined and calculated based on the Company's aggregate cost plus an amount equal to 21% of the Company's aggregate cost. Payment for the food products is to be provided by Willi-Food to the Company within 75 days of supply. In consideration for advertising and branding the Company's brands, Willi-Food is entitled to a monthly credit of NIS 15,000 (USD 3,844)4,326) per store. Pursuant to the Sale Agreement, the Company has agreed to participate in discount sale promotions for certain food products performed by Willi-Food twice a year (Passover and the “High Holidays”) in the total amount of NIS 50,000 (USD 12,814)14,422) per store for each discount sale promotion. The Company has no obligation to participate in any other discount sale promotions by Willi-Food. The Company will make a one-time payment to Willi-Food for the store shelf and refrigerator space in the amount of NIS 120,000 (USD 30,753)34,612) per store. The Company will contribute to the expenses of Willi-Food for arranging the food products on the store shelves in an amount equal to 3% of the total monthly purchases made by Willi-Food and Willi-Food would be entitled to a year-end bonus equal to 5% of Willi-Food's total yearly purchases from the Company. Willi-Food would have full right to return all of the food products to the Company.
The Sale Agreement will be in effectwas originally for a period of three years commencing on July 24, 2012. Subject to any legal requirements, the Sale Agreement will automatically renew for additional 12 month periods, unless either party notifies the other of its intention to terminate the Sale Agreement. On August 21, 2014, the general meeting of the Company approved the extension of the duration of said agreement for a period of three additional years. In July, 2017, Willi-Food closed the store and the agreement expired.
Not applicable.
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A.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The financial statements required by this item are found at the end of this report, beginning on page F-1.
Dividend Policy
On November 22, 2016, the Company announced that it had adopted a dividend policy of issuing a regular annual dividend at a rate of at least 25% of its annual after-tax revenues (out of earnings generated after December 31, 2013). In accordance with the new dividend policy, the Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular annual cash dividend of $0.3776 per share payable on December 21, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 8, 2016.2016.On April 29, 2018, the board of directors decided to suspend the dividend policy and to consider adoption of a new policy in the future.
The Company may change its cash dividend policy in the future, depending on its financial and operational condition and on its expansion strategy.
Legal Proceedings
| (1) | On July 23, 2017, Mr. Iram Graiver, former CEO of the Company and Willi-Food (hereinafter - “Mr. Graiver”) filed a lawsuit to the Regional Labor Court in Tel Aviv Jaffa (hereinafter - “the Labor Court”) claiming payment of social rights and different compensations at the total amount of NIS 2,377,305 (USD 686 thousand). On November 26, 2017, the Company filed a statement of defense. On July 27, 2017, the company filed a lawsuit to the Labor Court against Mr. Graiver, demanding that he repays funds that he has taken unlawfully from the Company, amounting to NIS 1,694,325. According to the Company, throughout his term of employment as an office holder in the Company, the defendant has unlawfully taken from the company salary, bonus in respect of 2016 and reimbursement of expenses. According to the Company, Mr. Graiver has done so while breaching his fiduciary duty and his duty of care towards the Company as well as the cogent provisions of the Companies Law, 5759-1999, whereby it is mandatory that payments of the type taken from the Company by Mr. Graiver are approved by the General Meeting of the Company’s shareholders; according to the Company, Mr. Graiver has not obtained such an approval. On November 26, 2017, Mr. Graiver filed a statement of defense. On November 2, 2017, a resolution was issued to join the hearings pertaining to the two proceedings described above. A preliminary hearing was held on March 7, 2018. Mr. Graiver and the Company are expected to provide their documents disclosure affidavits on May 8, 2018. At this preliminary stage of the proceedings, it is not yet possible to assess the result of the proceedings. |
| In January 2015, a lawsuit was lodged in the court of first instance in Valencia, Spain against Gold Frost Ltd. (hereinafter – “Gold Frost”) and against the Company (hereinafter – “the Companies”) by a Spanish food manufacturer (hereinafter – “the Plaintiff”), with whom the Companies entered into an agreement for the production of Kosher food products in Spain and for the sale of these products by Gold Frost. The lawsuit was lodged in connection with a financial dispute in respect of a debt which was allegedly not paid to the Plaintiff; the Plaintiff also demands that the Companies compensate it for products it had produced and which, according to the statement of claim, were not collected by the Companies, and as a result the Plaintiff had to destroy them. |
On July 7, 2015, the Companies were served by post with judicial documents in the Spanish language. These judicial documents pertained to service of a legal procedure in the court of first instance in Valencia. A further service of process was carried out in December 2015. In this case as well, the judicial documents were in the Spanish language.
On March 3, 2016, the court of first instance in Valencia, Spain approved the lawsuit against the Companies in an ex parte proceeding and ruled payment by the Companies of app. € 530 thousand (hereinafter – “Spanish Ruling”). In April 2016, the Companies received the Spanish Ruling in the Spanish language as well as a translation of the Spanish Ruling into English. In December 2017, an enforcement order in the Spanish language was received at the Company’s offices. In the order, which was issued on November 22, 2017, the Companies are asked to provide details of assets and/or bank accounts for the purpose of enforcing the ruling in Spain.
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The Company and its legal advisors are of the opinion that the Companies have grounds to demand the cancellation of the Spanish Ruling due to the fact that the judicial documents were served in the Spanish language, and due to the fact that the Plaintiff did not pursue the procedure set in the agreement between the parties, whereby disputes will be resolved in accordance with international law by an arbitrator that will be agreed upon by both parties.
As of the date of April 29, 2018, the Companies hired the services of a Spanish attorney in order to file a demand for the cancellation of the Spanish Ruling based on the aforesaid claims. If the claim of unlawful service of process and the claim in which the Plaintiff’s ignoring the arbitration procedure are rejected by the court in Spain, and if the Plaintiff will file an application to enforce the ruling in Israel, the Company may object to enforcement of the Spanish Ruling in Israel based on those claims. The Company also believes that it has good defenses against the claims made in the lawsuit, should the Plaintiff lodge a lawsuit in Israel, or if the parties ask an agreed-upon arbitrator to resolve the dispute as set out in the agreement signed between the parties in 2011.
In view of the above, Company’s management is of the opinion that disclosure provided in the financial statements and in the notes to the financial statements in respect of the Spanish Ruling is sufficient.
| (3) | In December 2013, December 2014 and April 2016, the Company was served with lawsuits and motions to certify them as class action lawsuits in accordance with |
| A lawsuit and a motion to approve it as class action was filed on July 5, 2017, against Willi-Food to the Central District Court for allegedly not complying with the food labelling regulations in connection with one of its products and thereby misleading consumers. The amount specified in the lawsuit is NIS 4 million. The Company and the plaintiff reached a settlement agreement whereby the plaintiff will withdraw the lawsuit and it will be stricken out at a cost which is immaterial to the Company. On November 23, 2017, the Court approved the compromise, thereby ending the litigation. |
| (5) | A lawsuit and a motion to approve it as class action was filed on July 23, 2017, against Willi-Food and against two other companies to the Central District Court for allegedly not complying with the food labelling regulations in connection with one of its products and thereby misleading consumers. The amounts specified in the lawsuit is NIS 3 million (and no specific amount was attributed to any of the defendants), since according to the plaintiff, he does not have any data regarding the scope of marketing of the product, which is the subject matter of the motion. The Company and the plaintiff reached a settlement agreement whereby the plaintiff will withdraw the lawsuit and it will be stricken out without consideration. On November 24, 2017, the Court approved the settlement agreement, thereby ending the litigation. |
| (6) | In October 2013, the Company filed a lawsuit in the Magistrate Court in Rishon Letziyon against the Customs and VAT Division of the State of Israel in which it sought a declaratory judgment in order to cancel a charge notice issued by the Central Customs Office to the Company (hereinafter in this subsection – the "Charge Notice"). In the Charge Notice, it was claimed that the Company did not add costs which it defrayed for kosher certification for the food products to the value for tax purposes of shipments of foodstuffs that it imported. The customs amount demanded in the Charge Notice related to seven years prior to such Charge Notice and was for a total amount of approximately NIS 150,000. According to legal advisors, the Company has a marginal chance of |
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| On November 14, 2016, Green Cola Hellas S.A. (in this section - the “Plaintiff”) filed a claim against the Company in the Magistrates Court of Kfar Saba as a summary proceeding. The claim alleges breach of contract by the Company, in that, according to the Plaintiff, the Company failed to pay consideration for products provided to it by the Plaintiff. The |
On February 17, 2016, a search was conducted in the offices of the Company, Willi-Food, BSD, and BGI (collectively, the “Group”) by the Israeli Securities Authority (the “ISA”), during which various documents and computers were taken from the Group's offices ("the Investigation"). A number of executives in the Group were investigated by the ISA, and Mr. Gurtovoy, a former member of the Company's board of directors and the Company's former indirect controlling shareholder, was detained for interrogation by the ISA for three days, after which he was placed under house arrest for a period of two weeks (which has since ended) on the suspicion of money laundering. |
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At the beginning of January 2018, the ISA filed a notice stating that the respondents to the Motion may reply to the Motion, provided that no meetings with the attorneys will be attended by more than one person who is subject to restrictions as part of the criminal proceedings. On January 11, 2018, the Court instructed the respondents to reply to the Motion within 60 days, i.e., no later than March 12, 2018.
On January 15, 2018, the ISA served indictments against Alexander Granovskyi, Gregory Gurtovoy and Joseph Schneerson.
On February 18, 2017, some of the respondents filed an application for stay of proceedings relating to the Motion, until the finalization of the criminal proceedings, and alternatively until all restrictions, which were placed on the respondents by the ISA are removed.
On February 26, 2018, the abovementioned respondents filed an application for deferral of the date of filing the reply to the Motion to 60 days after the issuance of a ruling in the stay of proceedings application or after the removal of all restrictions placed by the ISA as described above. In its ruling of February 26, 2018, the court granted the aforementioned extension.
On March 4, 2018, the Company filed a notice stating that it does not oppose to the motion and that the Court should rule according to its discretion.
On April 12, 2018, the Authority filed a notice stating that it has decided not to express its opinion regarding the Motion.
| On February 29, 2016, |
B.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
We are not aware of any significant changes bearing upon our financial condition since the date of the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
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Our ordinary shares have been traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market since May 19, 1997. On March 15, 2006, the ticker symbol of our ordinary shares was changed from “WILCF” to “WILC”. The warrants that were issued as part of our initial public offering in May 1997 expired in May 2000.
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the closing representative high and low bid quotations of our ordinary shares as reported by Nasdaq. The bid quotations are expressed in United States Dollars and are not adjusted for retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and do not necessarily represent actual transactions.
| Calendar Period | Ordinary Shares | |||||||
| High | Low | |||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||
| First Quarter | 7.25 | 6.66 | ||||||
| Second Quarter (through April 26, 2018) | 7.10 | 6.71 | ||||||
2017 | 7.65 | 5.7 | ||||||
| Second Quarter | 6.76 | 5.63 | ||||||
| First Quarter | 7.65 | 5.70 | ||||||
| Third Quarter | 7.63 | 5.65 | ||||||
| Fourth Quarter | 7.19 | 5.36 | ||||||
2016 | 5.91 | 3.22 | ||||||
First Quarter (*) | 4.08 | 3.43 | ||||||
| Second Quarter | 4.43 | 3.22 | ||||||
| Third Quarter | 5.49 | 3.75 | ||||||
| Fourth Quarter | 5.91 | 4.60 | ||||||
2015 | 7.00 | 3.28 | ||||||
2014 | 8.83 | 6.12 | ||||||
2013 | 8.40 | 4.91 | ||||||
| April 2018 (through April 26, 2018) | 7.10 | 6.70 | ||||||
| March 2018 | 7.23 | 6.72 | ||||||
| February 2018 | 7.25 | 6.67 | ||||||
| January 2018 | 7.23 | 6.66 | ||||||
| December 2017 | 7.19 | 6.4 | ||||||
| November 2017 | 6.75 | 5.37 | ||||||
| October 2017 | 6.32 | 5.36 | ||||||
| Calendar Period | Ordinary Shares | |||||||
| High | Low | |||||||
2017 | 6.76 | 5.63 | ||||||
| First Quarter | 6.76 | 5.63 | ||||||
| Second Quarter (through April 24, 2017) | 6.32 | 5.70 | ||||||
2016 | 5.91 | 3.22 | ||||||
First Quarter (*) | 4.08 | 3.43 | ||||||
| Second Quarter | 4.43 | 3.22 | ||||||
| Third Quarter | 5.49 | 3.75 | ||||||
| Fourth Quarter | 5.91 | 4.60 | ||||||
2015 | 7.00 | 3.28 | ||||||
| First Quarter | 7.00 | 5.55 | ||||||
| Second Quarter | 6.05 | 4.86 | ||||||
| Third Quarter | 5.82 | 4.42 | ||||||
| Fourth Quarter | 4.56 | 3.28 | ||||||
2014 | 8.83 | 6.12 | ||||||
2013 | 8.40 | 4.91 | ||||||
2012 | 5.01 | 4.00 | ||||||
April 2017 (through April 24, 2017) | 6.32 | 5.70 | ||||||
| March 2017 | 6.46 | 5.63 | ||||||
| February 2017 | 6.56 | 6.35 | ||||||
| January 2017 | 6.76 | 5.89 | ||||||
| December 2016 | 5.91 | 5.12 | ||||||
| November 2016 | 5.72 | 4.60 | ||||||
| October 2016 | 5.35 | 5.12 | ||||||
(*) Trading of the Company's ordinary shares was halted by Nasdaq from February 18, 2016 until April 7, 2016. For more information, see "Item 8. – Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information – Legal Proceedings".
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B.PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Not applicable.
| C. MARKETS |
In May 1997, our ordinary shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "WILCF". On March 15, 2005, the Company's Nasdaq ticker symbol was changed to "WILC".
Not applicable.
| E. DILUTION |
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
B.MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
Purposes and Objects of the Company
We are an Israeli public company registered under the Israeli Companies Law as G. Willi-Food International Ltd., registration number 52-004320-9.
On March 20, 2014, shareholders approved an amendment to Article 6 of our articles of association changing the objectives of the Company from engaging in importing, exporting and marketing of products and other commodities to engaging in any lawful activity. Our Board of Directors is empowered to embark on or withdraw from any business in which we deal. Under our articles of association, our Board of Directors is entitled to donate reasonable amounts to worthy causes, even if such donation is not within the framework of our business considerations.
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The Powers of Directors
The powers of a Director to vote on a proposal, arrangement or contract in which such Director is materially interested is limited by the relevant provisions of the Israeli Companies Law. In addition, the power of the Directors to vote compensation to themselves or any members of their body requires the approval of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors and, unless approved in accordance with the Relief Regulations, the shareholders at a general meeting. Compensation and indemnification of expenses of External Directors must be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Israeli Companies Law.
The Israeli Companies Law and our Articles of Association require that a Director or Office Holder promptly disclose, either at a board meeting or by way of a general notice, any personal interest that he or she may have and all related material information know to him or her in connection with any existing or proposed transaction by the Company. In addition, if the transaction is an extraordinary transaction (as defined in the Israeli Companies Law), the member of the Board of Directors or Office Holder, must also disclose any personal interest held by his or her spouse, siblings, parents, grandparents, descendants, spouse’s descendants and the spouses of any of the foregoing.
Once the Director or Office Holder complies with the above disclosure requirements, the Company may approve the transaction in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association. If the transaction is with a third party in which the member of the Board of Directors or Office Holder has a potential interest, the approval must confirm that the transaction is not adverse to the Company’s interest. Furthermore, if the transaction is an extraordinary transaction, then, in addition to any approval stipulated by the Articles of Association, it also must be approved by the Audit Committee and then by the Board of Directors, and, under certain circumstances, by a meeting of the shareholders of the Company. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees - C. Board Practices – Approval of Related Party Transactions under the Israeli Companies Law”.
Directors with respect to whom the foregoing matters are brought for Board of Directors or Audit Committee approval are not entitled to be present during discussions of, nor to participate in the vote for approval of, such matters at Board and/or Audit Committee meetings, unless a majority of Audit Committee or Board members, as the case may be, have a personal interest in such matter or the matter involves non-extraordinary transactions between the company and either a Director or a third party in which a Director has a personal interest. The Israeli Companies Law further provides that in the event that a majority of board members have a personal interest in such a matter, shareholder approval is also required.
The Articles of Association provide that the Board of Directors, subject to the Israeli Companies Law, may, at its discretion from time to time in accordance with the needs of the Company, make decisions to borrow and/or obtain credit facilities in any amount and to secure the repayment thereof either by mortgage, charge or other security on the Company’s undertakings or on its property, in whole or in part (both existing and future) including the share capital of the company which is, at the time, uncalled.
Subject to applicable provisions of the Israeli Companies Law regarding matters that the Board of Directors may not delegate to a committee, or matters for which a committee may only make recommendation to the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may delegate its powers to committees consisting of at least three (3) Directors, including at least one External Director. A resolution passed or an action taken by a directors’ committee has the same validity as a resolution passed or an action taken by the Board of Directors, unless otherwise specifically expressed in the resolution of the Board of Directors that established said committee.
Rights Attached to Shares
The Company is authorized to issue 49,893,520 Ordinary Shares, par value NIS 0.10 and 106,480 Preferred Shares, par value NIS 0.10, each ranking pari passu. The Company may alter the share capital of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the Israeli Companies Law and the Articles of Association. The rights attached to the Company’s Shares are as follows:
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Dividend Rights
Holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to participate pari passu with all other shareholders of the Company’s Ordinary Shares in any distribution of a dividend, whether in cash, assets, or in any other legal form, declared, as well as the right to participate pari passu with all other holders of our Ordinary Shares in the distribution of bonus shares resolved by the Company. The Articles of Association note that a shareholder shall not be entitled to receive a dividend or bonus shares as above, and shall not be entitled to exercise any right as a shareholder unless he has paid in full all notices of call delivered to him, together with linkage differences, interest and expenses owed, as applicable, on calls which have not been paid by him on time.
Voting Rights
Holders of Ordinary Shares of the Company have the right to receive notices of general meetings of the Company, to be present, and to participate and vote therein. Each holder of Ordinary Shares in the Company has the right to one vote per share in the general meetings of the Company on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. A shareholder may vote in person, via proxy, or by means of a written form (“Voting Instrument”) described in the Articles of Association. Any resolution of the Company in a general meeting shall be deemed duly passed if passed by a simple majority of registered shareholders present and voting, unless a different majority is required by the Israeli Companies Law or the Articles of Association.
Under the Articles of Association, the Directors (who are not External Directors) are elected annually by the registered shareholders at the annual meeting. Such directors hold office until the conclusion of the next annual meeting or until their earlier removal or resignation. In addition, at least two (2) External Directors who comply with the qualifications described in the Israeli Companies Law must serve on the Board of Directors. External Directors are appointed by a majority vote at a general meeting, provided that: (i) the majority vote includes at least a majority of the shares of non-controlling shareholders who do not have a personal interest in the appointment (excluding a personal interest not resulting from the shareholder's relation with the controlling shareholder), as described in the Israeli Companies Law, voted at the meeting, with abstentions not taken into consideration in calculating the total number of the non-controlling shareholders, and (ii) the total number of shares of such non-controlling shareholders referred to in clause (1) voting against the resolution appointing an External Director is not more than two percent (2%) of the overall voting rights in the Company. External Directors are appointed for a term of three (3) years and their office may be extended by a resolution of the general meeting for an additional two-three (3) years. An External Director may be removed from office only in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Israeli Companies Law.
If no Directors are elected at an annual meeting, then the persons who served as Directors immediately prior to the annual meeting will continue to serve as directors unless otherwise determined by the annual meeting or by the Board of Directors. A Director who has ceased to serve in office is eligible for reelection. The Board of Directors has the power to appoint additional Directors to fill a vacancy, so long as the number of directors will not exceed a number of Directors approved at a general meeting. Any Director so appointed will hold office until the conclusion of the next annual meeting unless he is removed or resigns earlier.
Rights in the Company’s Profits
The shareholders of the Company have the right to share in the Company’s profits distributed as a dividend and any other permitted distribution. See “Dividend“– Dividend Rights” above.
Rights in the Event of Liquidation
Holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to receive any return of capital, pari passu, with all other ordinary shareholders, upon the dissolution of the Company. Holders of Ordinary Shares are also entitled to participate, pari passu, with all other Ordinary Shareholders in the distribution of the surplus of the Company’s assets available for distribution in the event of dissolution of the Company which remain after the Company has paid the holders of Ordinary Shares all amounts payable as return of capital.
Liability to Further Capital Calls by the Company
If the terms of allotment of any shares of the Company do not specify a particular date for the payment of all of the consideration which is to be paid therefore, or any part thereof, our board of directors may, from time to time, as it deems fit, make calls on the shareholders in respect of the amounts not yet paid for their shares, whether on account of the par value of the shares or on the account of the premium, and each shareholder shall be obligated to pay the Company the amount so demanded from him not later than the date of payment set forth in the notice containing the call. Shareholders shall be given prior notice of at least fourteen (14) days in respect of any call. In the event that amounts set forth in the call have not been paid in whole or in part as of the date of payment set forth in the call, the shareholders shall be obligated to pay linkage differences or interest (or both) on the outstanding amounts, as determined by the Board of Directors.
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Changing Rights Attached to Shares
Under the Articles of Association, the Company may, by resolution of a general meeting, vary the rights attached to any class of shares on the Company’s stamp or its printed name (unless otherwise determined in the terms of issue of the shares of such class), after obtaining the written consent of the holders of the majority of the issued shares of said class or with the approval of a resolution duly passed at a class meeting of the holders of such class of shares.
Annual and Special Meetings
The Board of Directors must convene an annual meeting at least once every calendar year, within fifteen months of the preceding general meeting, at a place prescribed by the board so long as it is in the State of Israel. Per the Articles of Association and subject to the provisions of the Israeli Companies Law, notices to shareholders regarding the convocation of a general meeting are to be published in two daily Hebrew language newspapers circulated in Israel. Notice need not be served to our shareholders on an individual basis.
The Board of Directors will convene a special meeting upon receipt of a written request from either (i) two directors or 25% of the total number of directors; (ii) one or more shareholders holding at least 5% of the issued share capital and at least 1% of the shareholders’ voting power; or (iii) one or more shareholders holding no less than 5% of the Company’s issued voting shares. If the Board is required to convene a special meeting, it shall convene it at a time which is at least 21 days, but not longer than 35 days after the date of the notice of convening such meeting. In the event that the board of directors does not convene a special meeting within the timeframe set forth above, those that submitted the request for such meeting, or part of them representing more than one-half of the voting rights of all of them, may convene the special meeting themselves, provided that such meeting is held within three months of the time when the special meeting was requested.
Limitations on the Rights to Own Securities
The Articles of Association do not place limitations on the rights to own securities. Under the Articles no limitations apply to the transfer of shares in the Company and the number of shareholders is unlimited.
Changes in the Company’s Capital
Changes in the capital of the Company are subject to the approval by ordinary majority of the shareholders at a general meeting, Shareholders may resolve to increase the authorized share capital; consolidate our share capital and divide it into shares of greater value than existing shares; divide existing shares into shares of lesser value; cancel any authorized share capital which has not yet been allotted (provided there is no undertaking to allot such share capital); or reduce the capital by way of a distribution if such distribution has been approved by a court, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Israeli Companies Law. If the shareholders resolve to increase the share capital, the new shares will be subject to the same provisions applicable to the shares of the original capital.
Neither the Memorandum of Association nor Articles of Association of the Company nor the laws of the State of Israel restrict in any way the ownership or voting of ordinary shares by non-residents of Israel, except with respect to citizens of countries which are in a state of war with Israel.
C.MATERIAL CONTRACTS |
For information with respect to the Company’s material contracts, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders6. Directors, senior management and Related Party Transactionsemployees – B. Related Party Transactions.Compensation.
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D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS
There are currently no Israeli currency control restrictions on payments of dividends or other distributions with respect to our ordinary shares or the proceeds from the sale of our ordinary shares, except for the obligation of Israeli residents to file reports with the Bank of Israel regarding certain transactions. However, legislation remains in effect, pursuant to which currency controls can be imposed by administrative action at any time and from time to time.
E.TAXATION [Company to advise if the Israeli and U.S. tax sections have been reviewed]
The following is a discussion of certain material Israeli tax consequences to purchasers of our ordinary shares. The discussion also contains a description of certain relevant material provisions of the current Israeli income tax system applicable to companies in Israel, with special reference to its effect on us. To the extent that the discussion is based on new tax legislation that has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, we cannot assure you that the appropriate tax authorities or the courts will accept the views expressed in this discussion.
This discussion applies to shareholders that hold our ordinary shares as capital assets and does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to holders of our ordinary shares in light of their particular circumstances or certain types of holders of our ordinary shares subject to special tax treatment. Because individual circumstances may differ, shareholders should consult their tax advisor to determine the applicability of the rules discussed below to them, including the application of Israeli or other tax laws. The discussion below is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations.
Potential investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the Israeli or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Shares including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local taxes.
Taxation of Israeli Companies
General Corporate Tax Structure
Israeli companies are generally subject to corporate tax currentlyon their taxable income at the rate of 25% of their taxable income. The corporate tax rate24% for the 2017 tax years 2015 and 2014 was 26.5% and 25% for 2016 and for 2017 24% andyear (to be reduced to 23% forin 2018 and thereafterthereafter).Capital gains derived by an Israeli company are subject to the prevailing corporate tax rate.
Capital Gains Tax on Sales of Our Ordinary Shares
Israeli law generally imposes a capital gains tax on the sale of any capital assets by residents of Israel, as defined for Israeli tax purposes, and on the sale of assets located in Israel, including shares in Israeli resident companies, by non-residents of Israel, unless a specific exemption is available or unless a tax treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence provides otherwise. In calculating capital gain, the law distinguishes between real gain and inflationary surplus. The inflationary surplus is the portion of the total capital gain equal to the increase in the relevant asset’s value that is attributable to the increase in the Israeli CPI between the date of purchase and the date of sale. The real gain is the excess of the total capital gain over the inflationary surplus. A non-resident that invests in taxable assets with foreign currency, or any individual who holds securities the price of which is stated in foreign currency, may elect to calculate the amount of inflationary surplus in that foreign currency.
Taxation of Israeli Residents
An individual is subject to a tax at a rate of 25% on real capital gains derived from the sale of shares, as long as the individual is not a “substantial shareholder” (generally a shareholder with 10% or more of the right to profits, right to nominate a director or voting rights) in the company issuing the shares.
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An individual who is a substantial shareholder is subject to tax at a rate of 30% in respect of real capital gains derived from the sale of shares issued by the company in which he or she is a substantial shareholder. The determination of whether the individual is a substantial shareholder will be made on the date that the securities are sold. In addition, the individual will be deemed to be a substantial shareholder if at any time during the 12 months preceding this date he or she had been a substantial shareholder.
An additional income tax at a rate of 3% will be imposed on high earners individuals whose annual income or capital gain in 2017 exceeds NIS 640,000 (USD166,450).
Israeli companies are generally subject to the corporate tax rate (see above) on capital gains derived from the sale of shares listed on a stock market.
Different taxation rules may apply to shareholders who purchased the Shares prior to January 1, 2009 or prior to the listing on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Global Market. Such Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors for the tax consequences upon sale.
In general, a partnership will be a transparent entity for tax purposes and the investors will be subject to tax with respect to their share in accordance with the tax rate applies individually.
In general, under the Israel Tax Ordinance, public institutions are exempt from tax.
Taxation of Non-Israeli Residents
Non-Israeli residents are exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on any gains derived from the sale of shares in an Israeli corporation publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and/or on a foreign stock exchange, provided such gains do not derive from a permanent establishment of such shareholders in Israel and that such shareholders did not acquire their shares prior to the issuer’s initial public offering. However, non-Israeli corporations will not be entitled to such exemption if Israeli residents (i) have a controlling interest of more than 25% in such non-Israeli corporation, or (ii) are the beneficiaries of or isare entitled to 25% or more of the revenues or profits of such non-Israeli corporation, whether directly or indirectly. Such exemption would not be available to non-Israeli residents dealing in securities in Israel which would be subject to Israeli tax at the rates applicable to business income (at the corporate tax rate for a corporation (25%(24% in 20162017 and 26.5%23% in 2015)2018) and the marginal tax rate, of up to 48%50% for an individual in 2016)2017 and 47% for 2017.in 2018).
Additionally, a sale of securities by a non-Israeli resident may be exempt from Israeli capital gains tax under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty. For example, under the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the State of Israel with respect to Taxes on Income, as amended, or the United States-Israel Tax Treaty, the sale, exchange or other disposition of shares by a shareholder who (i) is a U.S. resident (for purposes of the treaty); (ii) holds the shares as a capital asset; and (iii) is entitled to claim the benefits afforded to such person by the treaty, is generally exempt from Israeli capital gains tax. Such exemption will not apply if, among other things: (i) the capital gain arising from such sale, exchange or other disposition is treated as industrial or commercial profits attributed to a permanent establishment in Israel, subject to certain conditions; (ii) the shareholder holds, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of the voting capital of the corporation during any part of the 12-month period preceding the disposition, subject to certain conditions; (iii) the capital gain arising from such sale, exchange or disposition is treated as royalties; or (iv) such U.S. resident is an individual and was present in Israel for 183 days or more during the relevant taxable year. In such case, the sale, exchange or disposition of our securities would be subject to Israeli tax, to the extent applicable; however, under the United States-Israel Tax Treaty, the taxpayer would be permitted to claim a credit for such taxes against the U.S. federal income tax imposed with respect to such sale, exchange or disposition, subject to the limitations under U.S. law applicable to foreign tax credits. The United States-Israel Tax Treaty does not relate to U.S. state or local taxes.
In some instances where our shareholders may be liable to Israeli tax on the sale of their ordinary shares, the payment of the consideration may be subject to Israeli withholding tax.
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Taxation of Dividends Paid on Our Ordinary Shares
Taxation of Israeli Residents
The following Israeli tax consequences shall apply in the event of actual payment of any dividends on the Shares.
As of January 1, 2012, dividends, other than bonus shares (stock dividends), paid to Israeli resident individuals who purchased our Shares will generally be subject to income tax at a rate of 25% for individuals, or 30% if the dividend recipient is a Significant Shareholder (as defined above) at any time during the 12-month period preceding such distribution. Dividends paid to Israeli resident companies will not be included in their tax liability computation.
Taxation of Non-Israeli Residents
Non-residents of Israel are generally subject to Israeli income tax on the receipt of dividends paid on our ordinary shares at the rate of 25% unless the recipient is a significant shareholder at any time during the 12-month period preceding the distribution in which case the applicable tax rate will be 30%. The company distributing the dividend is required to withhold tax at the source at the rate of 25%.
A non-resident of Israel who has dividend income derived from or accrued in Israel, from which tax was withheld at source, is generally exempt from the duty to file tax returns in Israel in respect of such income, provided such income was not derived from a business conducted in Israel by such non-Israeli resident.
Taxation of Residents of the United States under the US Treaty
Residents of the United States generally will be subject to withholding tax in Israel on dividends paid, if any, on Shares. Generally, under the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the State of Israel with Respect to Taxes on Income (the “US Treaty”), the maximum rate of withholding tax on dividends paid to a holder of Shares who is a resident of the United States (as defined in the US Treaty) will be 25%. Under the US Treaty, the withholding tax rate on dividends will be reduced to 12.5% if (i) the shareholder is a U.S. resident corporation which holds during the portion of the taxable year which precedes the date of payment of the dividend, and during the whole of its prior taxable year, at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the voting stock of the Israeli resident paying corporation and (ii) not more than 25% of the gross income of the Israeli resident paying corporation for such prior taxable year consists of certain types of interest or dividends.
The US Treaty exempts from taxation in Israel any capital gains realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of Shares provided that the following cumulative conditions are met: (a) the seller is a resident of the United States for purposes of the US Treaty; (b) the seller owns, directly or indirectly, less than 10% of our voting stock at all times during the 12-month period preceding such sale, exchange or other disposition; (c) the seller, being an individual, is present in Israel for a period or periods of less than 183 days during the taxable year; and (d) the capital gain from the sale was not generated through a permanent establishment of the seller in Israel.
Subject to the exemptions from capital gains prescribed in the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance (as described above), purchasers of Shares who are residents of the United States and who hold 10% or more of the outstanding ordinary shares at any time during such 12-month period will be subject to Israeli capital gains tax. However, under the US Treaty, residents of the United States (as defined in the US Treaty) generally would be permitted to claim a credit for this tax against US federal income tax imposed on the sale, exchange or other disposition, subject to the limitations in US laws applicable to the utilization of foreign tax credits generally.
The application of the US Treaty provisions to dividends and capital gains described above is conditioned upon the fact that such income is not effectively connected with a permanent establishment (as defined in the US Treaty) maintained by the non-Israeli resident in Israel.
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United States federal income taxation
The following is a description of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. This description addresses only the United States federal income tax consequences to holders of our ordinary shares and that will hold such ordinary shares as capital assets. This description does not address tax considerations applicable to holders that may be subject to special tax rules, including:
financial institutions or insurance companies;
real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies or grantor trusts;
dealers or traders in securities or currencies;
tax-exempt entities;
certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;
persons that received our shares as compensation for the performance of services;
persons that will hold our shares as part of a “hedging” or “conversion” transaction or as a position in a “straddle” for United States federal income tax purposes;
holders that will hold our shares through a partnership or other pass-through entity;
U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. Dollar; or
holders that own directly, indirectly or through attribution 10.0% or more, of the voting power or value, of our shares.
Moreover, this description does not address the United States federal estate and gift or alternative minimum tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares.
This description is based on the United States Internal Revenue Code, 1986, as amended (the “Code”) existing, proposed and temporary United States Treasury Regulations and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, in each case as in effect and available on the date hereof. All of the foregoing is subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below.
For purposes of this description, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is:
a citizen or resident of the United States;
a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, including the District of Columbia;
an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
a trust if such trust has validly elected to be treated as a United States person for United States federal income tax purposes or if (1) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and (2) one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of such trust.
A “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes).
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If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds our ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership should consult its tax advisor as to its tax consequences of acquiring, owing and disposing of our ordinary shares.
Distributions
Subject to the discussion below under “Passive foreign investment company considerations,” if you are a U.S. Holder, the gross amount of any distribution made to you with respect to your ordinary shares, before reduction for any Israeli taxes withheld therefrom, other than certain distributions, if any, of our ordinary shares distributed pro rata to all our shareholders, will be includible in your income as dividend income to the extent such distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Subject to the discussion below under “Passive foreign investment company considerations,” non-corporate U.S. Holders may qualify for the lower rates of taxation with respect to dividends on ordinary shares applicable to long-term capital gains (i.e., gains from the sale of capital assets held for more than one year), provided that certain conditions are met, including certain holding period requirements and the absence of certain risk reduction transactions. Moreover, such lower rate of taxation shall not apply if we are a PFIC for the taxable year in which we pay a dividend, or if we were a PFIC for the preceding taxable year. However, such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to corporate U.S. Holders. Subject to the discussion below under “Passive foreign investment company considerations,” to the extent, if any, that the amount of any distribution by us exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined under United States federal income tax principles, it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your adjusted tax basis in your ordinary shares and thereafter as capital gain. We do not expect to maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under United States federal income tax principles and, therefore, if you are a U.S. Holder you should expect that the entire amount of any distribution generally will be reported as dividend income to you.
If you are a U.S. Holder, Israeli tax withheld on dividends paid to you with respect to your ordinary shares may be deducted from your taxable income or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and you should consult your tax advisor to determine whether and to what extent you will be entitled to this credit. Subject to certain exceptions, dividends paid to you with respect to your ordinary shares will be treated as foreign source income, which may be relevant in calculating your foreign tax credit limitation. However, for periods in which we are a “United Stated-ownedStates-owned foreign corporation”, a portion of dividends paid by us may be treated as U.S. source solely for purposes of the foreign tax credit. We would be treated as a United States-owned foreign corporation if more than 50% or more of the total value or total voting power of our stock is owned, directly, indirectly or by attribution, by United States persons. To the extent any portion of our dividends is treated as U.S. source income pursuant to this rule, the ability of a U.S. Holder to claim a foreign tax credit for any Israeli withholding taxes payable in respect of our dividends may be limited. A U.S. Holder entitled to benefits under the United States-Israel Tax Treaty may, however, elect to treat any dividends as foreign source income for foreign tax credit purposes if the dividend income is separated from other income items for purposes of calculating the U.S. Holder’s foreign tax credit. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors about the impact of, and any exception available to, the special sourcing rule described in this paragraph, and the desirability of making, and the method of making, such an election.
The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends that we distribute generally should constitute “passive category income,” or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, “general category income.” A foreign tax credit for foreign taxes imposed on distributions may be denied if you do not satisfy certain minimum holding period requirements.
Subject to the discussion below under ��Backup“Backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements,” if you are a Non-U.S. Holder, you generally will not be subject to United States federal income (or withholding) tax on dividends received by you on your ordinary shares, unless you conduct a trade or business in the United States and such income is effectively connected with that trade or business (or, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the dividends are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States).
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Sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares
Subject to the discussion below under “Passive foreign investment company considerations,” if you are a U.S. Holder, you generally will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of your ordinary shares equal to the difference between the amount realized on such sale, exchange or other disposition and your adjusted tax basis in your ordinary shares. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. If Israeli tax is imposed on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder's amount realized will include the gross amount of the proceeds of the deposits before deduction of the Israeli tax. The adjusted tax basis in an ordinary share generally will be equal to the cost of such ordinary share. Except as discussed below with respect to foreign currency gain or loss, if you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, capital gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares is generally eligible for the preferential rate of taxation applicable to long-term capital gains if your holding period for such ordinary shares exceeds one year (i.e., such gain is long-term capital gain). The deductibility of capital losses for United States federal income tax purposes is subject to limitations.
Any such gain or loss that a U.S. Holder recognizes generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Because gain for the sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares will be so treated as U.S. source income; and you may use foreign tax credits to offset only the portion of U.S. federal income tax liability that is attributed to foreign source income; you may be unable to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to the Israeli tax, if any, on gains. You should consult your tax advisor as to whether the Israeli tax on gains may be creditable against your U.S. federal income tax on foreign-source income from other sources.
Subject to the discussion below under “Backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements,” if you are a Non-U.S. Holder, you generally will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on any gain realized on the sale or exchange of such ordinary shares unless:
| • | such gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States; or |
| • | you are an individual and have been present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of such sale or exchange and certain other conditions are met. |
Passive foreign investment company considerations
A non-United States corporation will be classified as a “passive foreign investment company,” or a PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which, after applying certain look-through rules, either
| • | at least 75% of its gross income is “passive income”; or |
| • | at least 50% of the average value of its gross assets (which may be determined, in part, by the market value of our ordinary shares, which is subject to change) is attributable to assets that produce “passive income” or are held for the production of passive income. |
Passive income for this purpose generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents, gains from commodities and securities transactions, the excess of gains over losses from the disposition of assets which produce passive income, and includes amounts derived by reason of the temporary investment of funds raised in offerings of our ordinary shares. If a non-United States corporation owns at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, the non-United States corporation is treated for purposes of the PFIC tests as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and as receiving directly its proportionate share of the other corporation’s income.
We believe that we were not classified as a PFIC for the taxable year ended on December 31, 2016. Because PFIC status is based on our income, assets and activities for the entire taxable year, it is not possible to determine whether we will be characterized as a PFIC for the 2017 taxable year until after the close of the year. Moreover, we must determine our PFIC status annually based on tests which are factual in nature, and our status in future years will depend on our income, assets and activities in those years. In addition, because the market price of our ordinary shares is likely to fluctuate and because that market price may affect the determination of whether we will be considered a PFIC, there can be no assurance that we will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year.
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If we were a PFIC, and you are a U.S. Holder, then unless you make one of the elections described below, a special tax regime will apply to both (a) any “excess distribution” by us to you (generally, your ratable portion of distributions in any year which are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by you in the shorter of the three preceding years or your holding period for our ordinary shares) and (b) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the ordinary shares. Under this regime, any excess distribution and realized gain will be treated as ordinary income and will be subject to tax as if (i) the excess distribution or gain had been realized ratably over your holding period, (ii) the amount deemed realized in each year had been subject to tax in each year of that holding period at the highest marginal rate for such year (other than income allocated to the current period or any taxable period before we became a PFIC, which would be subject to tax at the U.S. Holder’s regular ordinary income rate for the current year and would not be subject to the interest change discussed below), and (iii) the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax had been imposed on the taxes deemed to have been payable in those years. In addition, dividend distributions made to you will not qualify for the lower rates of taxation applicable to long-term capital gains discussed above under “— Distributions.”
Certain elections are available to U.S. Holders of shares that may serve to alleviate some of the adverse tax consequences of PFIC status described above. If we agreed to provide the necessary information, you could avoid the interest charge imposed by the PFIC rules by making a qualified electing fund (a “QEF”) election, in which case you generally would be required to include in income on a current basis your pro rata share of our ordinary earnings as ordinary income and your pro rata share of our net capital gains as long-term capital gain. We do not expect to provide to U.S. Holders the information needed to report income and gain pursuant to a QEF election, and we make no undertaking to provide such information in the event that we are a PFIC.
Under an alternative tax regime, you may also avoid certain adverse tax consequences relating to PFIC status discussed above by making a mark-to-market election with respect to your ordinary shares annually, provided that the shares are “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange. ” Shares will be marketable if they are regularly traded on certain United States stock exchanges (including Nasdaq) or on certain non-United States stock exchanges. For these purposes, the shares will generally be considered regularly traded during any calendar year during which they are traded, other than in negligible quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. U.S. Holders should be aware, however, that if we are determined to be a PFIC, the interest charge regime described above could be applied to indirect distributions or gains deemed to be attributable to U.S. Holders in respect of any of our subsidiaries that also may be determined to be a PFIC, and the mark-to-market election generally would not be effective for such subsidiaries.
If you choose to make a mark-to-market election, you would recognize as ordinary income or loss each year in which we are a PFIC an amount equal to the difference as of the close of the taxable year between the fair market value of your ordinary shares and your adjusted tax basis in your ordinary shares. Losses would be allowed only to the extent of net mark-to-market gain previously included by you under the election for prior taxable years. If the mark-to-market election were made, then the PFIC rules described above relating to excess distributions and realized gains would not apply for periods covered by the election. If you do not make a mark-to-market election for the first taxable year in which we are a PFIC during your holding period of our ordinary shares, you would be subject to interest charges with respect to the inclusion of ordinary income attributable to each taxable year in which we were a PFIC during your holding period before the effective date of such election.
If we were a PFIC, a holder of ordinary shares that is a U.S. Holder must file United States Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 with respect to the company for each tax year in which the U.S. Holder owns the ordinary shares, generally with such U.S. Holder’s federal income tax return for that year. If we were a PFIC for a given taxable year, then you should consult your tax adviser concerning your annual filing requirements.
Backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements
United States backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements generally apply to certain payments to certain non-corporate holders of stock. Information reporting generally will apply to payments of dividends on, and to proceeds from the sale or redemption of, our ordinary shares made within the United States, or by a United States payor or United States middleman, to a holder of our ordinary shares, other than an exempt recipient (including a corporation, a payee that is not a United States person that provides an appropriate certification and certain other persons). A payor will be required to withhold backup withholding tax from any payments of dividends on, or the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, ordinary shares within the United States, or by a United States payor or United States middleman, to a holder, other than an exempt recipient, if such holder fails to furnish its correct taxpayer identification number or otherwise fails to comply with, or establish an exemption from, such backup withholding tax requirements. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or credit against the beneficial owner’s United States federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
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Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals (or certain specified entities) are required to report information relating to an interest in our common shares by attaching a complete United States Internal Revenue Service Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, to their tax return for each year in which they hold our common shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for our common shares held in accounts maintained by financial institutions in which case the account may be reportable if maintained by a foreign financial institution). U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the effect, if any, of this legislation on their ownership and disposition of our common shares.
3.8% Medicare Tax On “Net Investment Income”
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals, estates or trusts are subject to the requirement to pay a 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of shares of common stock.
The following description is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all tax consequences relating to our prior units and our ordinary shares. You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the tax consequences of your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences that may arise under the laws of any state, local, foreign or other taxing jurisdiction.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
H.DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, applicable to foreign private issuers and fulfills the obligation with respect to such requirements by filing reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference room at 100 F Street Northeast Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such material may be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Branch of the Securities and Exchange Commission at such address, at prescribed rates. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at l-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, Directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission as frequently or as promptly as United States companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.
Not applicable.
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Exchange rate risk: The Company regularly assesses currency rate risks to minimize any adverse effects on the Company’s business as a result of currency fluctuations.
The Company's foreign currency exposure gives rise to market risk associated with exchange rate movements of the NIS, the Company functional and reporting currency, against the USD and Euros. Most of the Company’s purchases are denominated in USD and Euros, whereas its income and other expenses are denominated mostly in NIS. Consequently, devaluation of the NIS against the other currencies may cause a negative impact on the Company profit margins.
The Company strives to minimize market risks arising from exchange rates and the cost of imported goods, especially by opening wide documentary credits for suppliers abroad and holding foreign currency surpluses, initiates forward transactions and foreign currency options.
The table below details the sensitivity analysis in respect to exposure relating to exchange rate risk:
| Gain (loss) from exchange rate change NIS thousands | Fair net NIS thousands | Gain (loss) from exchange rate change NIS thousands | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in exchange rate USD | (10 | )% | (5 | )% | 5 | % | 10 | % | ||||||||||||
| (3,212 | ) | (1,606 | ) | 32,120 | 1,606 | 3,212 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in exchange rate EURO | (10 | )% | (5 | )% | 5 | % | 10 | % | ||||||||||||
| 227 | 113 | (2,269 | ) | (113 | ) | (227 | ) | |||||||||||||
Gain (loss) from exchange rate change NIS(000) | Fair net NIS(000) | Gain (loss) from exchange rate change NIS(000) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in exchange rate USD | (10 | )% | (5 | )% | 5 | % | 10 | % | ||||||||||||
| (4,188 | ) | (2,094 | ) | 41,875 | 2,094 | 4,188 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in exchange rate EURO | (10 | )% | (5 | )% | 5 | % | 10 | % | ||||||||||||
| (5,173 | ) | (2,587 | ) | 51,734 | 2,587 | 5,173 | ||||||||||||||
Credit risk: Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of trade receivables. Despite the Company's large number of clients (approximately 1,500 in Israel and around the world), a major and significant part of its sales are made to only a limited number of customers (mainly in the organized market)large retail supermarket chains). The Company generally does not require and does not receive collateral from those major customers. However, it does require and receive collateral from most of the remainder of its clients to insure security of collecting payments. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful debts, based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information which management believes adequately covers all anticipated losses in respect of trade receivables. There can be no assurance that this allowance will be adequate. In the event that any of the Company's major clients defaults on its payment obligations to us, the Company will not possess sufficient collateral to collect the entire debt. The Company strives to minimize the credit risks by constantly reviewing the credit it extends to customers versus the collateral it receives. As a result, the Company has ceased selling products to certain customers and considerably reduced sales to other customers, and may continue to do so in the future.
Interest rate risk: The Company invests part of its cash reserves in instruments that bear fixed interest rate. The Company, as part of its investing policy, invests part of its cash reserves in bonds and convertible debentures that bears fixed interest rate; as a result, the Company is espoused to changes in interest rates.
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The table below details the sensitivity analysis in respect to exposure relating to investments in instruments with fix interest rates:
| Gain (loss) from interest change $(000) | Fair value $(000) | Gain (loss) from interest change $(000) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Interest as % of interest rate | (10 | )% | (5 | )% | 5 | % | 10 | % | ||||||||||||
| Increase\decrease in financial Income | (3,252 | ) | (1,625 | ) | 32,514 | 1,626 | 3,252 | |||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) from interest change NIS thousands | Fair value NIS thousands | Gain (loss) from interest change NIS thousands | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Interest as % of interest rate | (10 | )% | (5 | )% | 5 | % | 10 | % | ||||||||||||
| Increase\decrease in financial Income | (5,773 | ) | (2,887 | ) | 57,734 | 2,887 | 5,773 | |||||||||||||
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, are responsible for establishing and maintaining our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). These controls and procedures were designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We evaluated these disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision of our CEO and CFO as of December 31, 2016.2017. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to meet these objectives.
(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial ReportingReporting..
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
| · | pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; |
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| · | provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and |
| · | provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
Our management recognizes that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation, and may not prevent or detect all misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management (with the participation of the CEO and CFO) assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016.2017. In conducting its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management used the criteria established in "Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Our management has concluded, based on its assessment, that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 20162017 based on these criteria.
(c) This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. reporting.
Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management's report in this Annual Report.
(d) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting..
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 20162017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that Sigal Grinboim, and Menashe Arnon, David Donin and Victor Bar are the “Audit Committee Financial Experts” for the Company, as such term is defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F. Mrs. Grinboim, Mr. Arnon, Mr. Donin and Mr. ArnonBar each serve on the Company’s Audit Committee and is an “Independent Directors” as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards applicable to us.
A copy of the Code of Ethics for the Company that applies to all directors, officers and other employees of the Company is available for review on the Company’s website at www.willi-food.com.
The following table presents the aggregate fees for professional services and other services rendered by Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co. in Israel, a member of firm of Deloitte Touche Tomhatsu, to the Company in 20162017 and 2015.2016.
| NIS 2016 | NIS 2015 | USD 2016 | USD 2015 | NIS 2017 | NIS 2016 | USD 2017 | USD 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audit Fees (1) | 330,000 | 310,000 | 85,825 | 79,446 | 345,000 | 330,000 | 99,509 | 95,183 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax Fees (2) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL | 330,000 | 310,000 | 85,825 | 79,446 | 345,000 | 330,000 | 99,509 | 95,183 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Audit Fees consist of fees billed for the annual audit services engagement and other audit services, which are those services that only the external auditor can reasonably provide, and include the company audit; statutory audits; comfort letters and consents; attest services; and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC.
(2) Tax Fees include fees billed for tax compliance services, including the preparation of original and amended tax returns and claims for refund; tax consultations, such as assistance and representation in connection with tax audits, tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions, transfer pricing, and requests for rulings or technical advice from taxing authority.
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Not applicable.
| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | ||||||||||||
| June 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016 | 18,100 | $ | 4.59 | 18,100 | $ | 5,828,983 | ||||||||||
| July 1, 2016 to July 31, 2016 | 1,889 | $ | 4.36 | 1,889 | $ | 5,827,094 | ||||||||||
| August 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016 | 3,100 | $ | 4.85 | 3,100 | $ | 5,823,994 | ||||||||||
Not applicable.applicable.
The following are the significant ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from those followed by domestic companies under the listing standards of the Nasdaq:
| · | Executive Sessions – Under Nasdaq rules, U.S. domestic listed companies, must have a regularly scheduled |
| · | Compensation of Officers - Under Nasdaq rules, the Company must adopt a formal written compensation committee charter addressing the scope of the compensation committee's responsibilities, including structure, processes and membership requirements, among others. We do not have such a formal written charter. |
| · | Nominations of Directors - Under Nasdaq rules, U.S. domestic listed companies, must have a nominations committee comprised solely of independent directors and must have director nominees selected or recommended by a majority of its independent directors. Our directors are not nominated in this manner. |
| · | Nominations Committee Charter or Board Resolution - Under Nasdaq rules, U.S. domestic listed companies, must adopt a formal written charter or board resolution, as applicable, addressing the nominations process and such related matters as may be required under the federal securities laws. We do not have such a formal written charter or board resolution. |
| · | Quorum - Under Nasdaq rules, U.S. domestic listed |
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| · | Review of Related Party Transactions: Under Nasdaq Listing Rules, domestic listed companies must conduct an appropriate review and oversight of all related party transactions for potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis by the company’s audit committee or another independent body of the board of directors. Although Israeli law requires us to conduct an appropriate review and maintain oversight of all related-party transactions similar to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, we follow the definitions and requirements of the Companies Law in determining the kind of approval required for a related-party transaction, which tend to be more rigorous than the Nasdaq Listing Rules. |
| · | Shareholder Approval of Certain Equity Compensation: Under Nasdaq Listing Rules, shareholder approval is required prior to an issuance of securities in connection with |
Not applicable.
We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of this Item.
The financial statements required by this item are found at the end of this annual report, beginning on page F-1.
Exhibit Number | Description |
| 1.2 | |
| 2.1 | Specimen of Certificate for ordinary shares (1) |
| † | English translations from Hebrew original. |
| (1) | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1, File No. 333-6314. |
| (2) | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, |
| (3) | |
| Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3, File No. 333-138200. | |
| Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. | |
| (*) | Filed Herewith |
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20162017
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20162017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | |
| Financial Statements: | |
| F - 3 - F - 4 | |
| F - 5 | |
| F - 6 | |
| F - 7 | |
| F - 8 - F - 9 | |
| F - 10 - F - | |
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
G. Willi-Food International Ltd.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statementsbalance sheets of financial position of G. Willi-Food International Ltd. ("the Company") and its subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 and the related consolidated Statementsstatements of Income,income, comprehensive Income,income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. These financial statements are2017, and the responsibility ofrelated notes (collectively referred to as the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated statements of financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015the results of its operations and the consolidated Statements of Income, comprehensive Income, changes in equity andits cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016,2017, in accordanceconformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).Board.
Without qualifying our opinion, we draw attention to Note 25(H)24(i) of the financial statements describing an investigation byindictment served against former controlling shareholders of the Israeli Securities Authority, which, as far as management is aware, relatesCompany. According to an investment made in January 2016 of approximatelythe indictment, the defendants fraudulently transferred USD 2.253 million which was previously held infrom a bank account of a subsidiary of the Company in favor of an investment in bonds of a European company, which allegedly served as collateral forwhile the investment was used to secure the repayment of a loan obtained byextended to companies affiliated with the controlling shareholder of the Company or another individual.
defendants. Similarly, we draw attention to Note 25(J)25(j) of the financial statements describing a motion to certify a derivative action which was filed in February 2016 against the Company's directors and officers.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co.
Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co.
Certified Public Accountants
Tel-Aviv, Israel
April 27, 201729, 2018
We have served as the Company's auditor since 1994
F - 2
(NIS in thousands)
| December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note | 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 1 5 | 2 0 1 6 (*) | Note | 2 0 1 7 | 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 1 7 (*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NIS | NIS | US Dollars | NIS | NIS | US Dollars | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 4a | 129,577 | 79,421 | 33,700 | 4a | 113,062 | 129,577 | 32,611 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | 4b | 104,921 | 145,007 | 27,288 | 4b | 143,514 | 104,921 | 41,394 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short term deposit | 4f | - | 20,288 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade receivables | 4c | 80,227 | 81,392 | 20,865 | 4c | 85,943 | 80,227 | 24,789 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other receivables and prepaid expenses | 4d | 4,795 | 8,451 | 1,247 | 4d | 5,996 | 4,795 | 1,729 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventories | 4e | 41,877 | 34,517 | 10,891 | 4e | 39,899 | 41,877 | 11,508 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current tax assets | 5,443 | 1,833 | 1,416 | 6,760 | 5,443 | 1,951 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | 366,840 | 370,909 | 95,407 | 395,174 | 366,840 | 113,982 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-current assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 77,204 | 76,041 | 20,079 | 78,598 | 77,204 | 22,670 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less -accumulated depreciation | 34,963 | 31,874 | 9,093 | 37,389 | 34,963 | 10,784 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 42,241 | 44,167 | 10,986 | 6 | 41,209 | 42,241 | 11,886 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | - | 137 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | 7 | 36 | 36 | 9 | 7 | 36 | 36 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred taxes | 12c | 2,354 | 3,614 | 613 | 11c | 503 | 2,354 | 145 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-current assets | 44,631 | 47,954 | 11,608 | 41,748 | 44,631 | 12,041 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 411,471 | 418,863 | 107,015 | 436,922 | 411,471 | 126,023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(*)Convenience Translation into US Dollars.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F - 3
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(NIS in thousands)
(Cont.)
| December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note | 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 1 5 | 2 0 1 6 (*) | Note | 2 0 1 7 | 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 1 7 (*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NIS | NIS | US Dollars | NIS | NIS | US Dollars | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity and liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term bank debt | 9 | - | 16 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade payables | 8a | 14,832 | 12,863 | 3,857 | 8a | 12,800 | 14,832 | 3,692 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employees Benefits | 11b | 2,253 | 1,940 | 586 | 10b | 2,147 | 2,253 | 619 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other payables and accrued expenses | 8b | 2,533 | 3,653 | 659 | 8b | 5,246 | 2,533 | 1,514 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 19,618 | 18,472 | 5,102 | 20,193 | 19,618 | 5,825 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retirement benefit obligation | 11b | 849 | 679 | 222 | 10b | 1,148 | 849 | 331 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-current liabilities | 849 | 679 | 222 | 1,148 | 849 | 331 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 14 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share capital | 1,425 | 1,425 | 370 | 1,425 | 1,425 | 411 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional paid in capital | 128,354 | 128,354 | 33,382 | 128,354 | 128,354 | 37,022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital fund | 247 | 247 | 64 | 247 | 247 | 71 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 261,486 | 269,883 | 68,007 | 286,509 | 261,486 | 82,639 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital Fund measurement of the net liability in respect of defined benefit | (508 | ) | (197 | ) | (132 | ) | (954 | ) | (508 | ) | (275 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity attributable to Shareholders' of the Company | 391,004 | 399,712 | 101,691 | 415,581 | 391,004 | 119,868 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total equity and liabilities | 411,471 | 418,863 | 107,015 | 436,922 | 411,471 | 126,024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(*)Convenience Translation into US Dollars.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors of the company on April 27, 2017.17, 2018.
F - 4
(NIS in thousands)
| Year ended December 31, | Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note | 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 1 5 | 2 0 1 4 | 2 0 1 6 (*) | Note | 2 0 1 7 | 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 1 5 | 2 0 1 7 (*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NIS | NIS | NIS | US Dollars | NIS | NIS | NIS | US Dollars | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | 16a | 294,202 | 312,514 | 328,741 | 76,516 | 15a | 311,978 | 294,202 | 312,514 | 89,985 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 16b | 217,585 | 237,452 | 249,136 | 56,590 | 15b | 237,645 | 217,585 | 237,452 | 68,545 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 76,617 | 75,062 | 79,605 | 19,926 | 74,333 | 76,617 | 75,062 | 21,440 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating costs and expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling expenses | 16c | 39,405 | 37,294 | 39,696 | 10,249 | 15c | 42,090 | 39,405 | 37,294 | 12,140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 16d | 14,577 | 32,926 | 19,231 | 3,791 | 15d | 15,839 | 14,577 | 32,925 | 4,569 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Income | 17 | (112 | ) | (2,182 | ) | (2,943 | ) | (30 | ) | 16 | (361 | ) | (112 | ) | (2,182 | ) | (104 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 53,870 | 68,038 | 55,984 | 14,010 | 57,568 | 53,870 | 68,037 | 16,605 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating profit | 22,747 | 7,025 | 23,621 | 5,916 | 16,765 | 22,747 | 7,025 | 4,835 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance Income | 18a | (3,425 | ) | 3,363 | 2,794 | (891 | ) | 17a | 17,937 | (3,425 | ) | 3,363 | 5,173 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance expense | 18b | 3,143 | 978 | 375 | 817 | 17b | 3,769 | 3,143 | 978 | 1,087 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance Income, net | (6,568 | ) | 2,385 | 2,419 | (1,708 | ) | 14,168 | (6,568 | ) | 2,385 | 4,086 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profit before taxes on Income | 16,179 | 9,410 | 26,040 | 4,208 | 30,933 | 16,179 | 9,410 | 8,921 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxes on Income | 12a | (5,327 | ) | (2,566 | ) | (7,186 | ) | (1,385 | ) | 11a | (5,910 | ) | (5,327 | ) | (2,566 | ) | (1,705 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | 10,852 | 6,844 | 18,854 | 2,823 | 25,023 | 10,852 | 6,844 | 7,216 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | 0.82 | 0.52 | 1.45 | 0.21 | 1.89 | 0.82 | 0.52 | 0.54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | 0.82 | 0.52 | 1.45 | 0.21 | 1.89 | 0.82 | 0.52 | 0.54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares used in computation of basic EPS | 13,107,579 | 13,090,729 | 12,974,245 | 13,107,579 | 13,240,913 | 13,240,913 | 13,090,729 | 13,240,913 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares used in computation of diluted EPS | 13,107,579 | 13,090,729 | 12,974,245 | 13,107,579 | 13,240,913 | 13,240,913 | 13,090,729 | 13,240,913 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(*)Convenience Translation into US Dollars.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F - 5
(NIS in thousands)
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 1 5 | 2 0 1 4 | 2 0 1 6 (*) | |||||||||||||
| NIS | NIS | NIS | US Dollars | |||||||||||||
| Net Income | 10,852 | 6,844 | 18,854 | 2,823 | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive Income (Expenses) | ||||||||||||||||
Re-measurement of net liabilities with respect to a defined benefit which will not be classified in the future as profit or loss, net of tax | (311 | ) | (139 | ) | 6 | (81 | ) | |||||||||
| Translation differentials with respect to foreign operations which were classified as profit or loss, net of tax | - | - | (786 | ) | - | |||||||||||
| Other comprehensive Income for the year | - | (139 | ) | (780 | ) | - | ||||||||||
| Total comprehensive Income for the year | 10,541 | 6,705 | 18,074 | 2,742 | ||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 0 1 7 | 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 1 5 | 2 0 1 7 (*) | |||||||||||||
| NIS | NIS | NIS | US Dollars | |||||||||||||
| Net Income | 25,023 | 10,852 | 6,844 | 7,216 | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive Income (Expenses) | ||||||||||||||||
| Re-measurement of net liabilities with respect to a defined benefit which will not be classified in the future as profit or loss, net of tax | (446 | ) | (311 | ) | (140 | ) | (129 | ) | ||||||||
| Other comprehensive Income for the year | (446 | ) | (311 | ) | (140 | ) | (129 | ) | ||||||||
| Total comprehensive Income for the year | 24,577 | 10,541 | 6,704 | 7,087 | ||||||||||||
(*)Convenience Translation into US Dollars.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F - 6
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(NIS in thousands)
| Share capital | Additional paid in capital | measurement of the net liability in respect of defined benefit | Capital fund | Foreign currency translation reserve | Retained earnings | Total shareholders' equity | Share capital | Additional paid in capital | Measurement of the net liability in respect of defined benefit | Capital fund | Retained earnings | Total shareholders' equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance - January 1, 2014 | 1,407 | 119,281 | (63 | ) | 247 | 786 | 244,185 | 365,843 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profit for the year | - | - | - | - | - | 18,854 | 18,854 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Currency translation differences | - | - | - | - | (786 | ) | - | (786 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Measurement of the net liability in respect of defined benefit | - | - | 6 | - | - | - | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive Income for the year | - | - | 6 | - | (786 | ) | 18,854 | 18,074 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee benefit | - | 2,149 | - | - | - | - | 2,149 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance - December 31, 2014 | 1,407 | 121,430 | (57 | ) | 247 | - | 263,039 | 386,066 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance - January 1, 2015 | 1,407 | 121,430 | (57 | ) | 247 | 263,039 | 386,066 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profit for the year | - | - | - | - | - | 6,844 | 6,844 | - | - | - | - | 6,844 | 6,844 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Measurement of the net liability in respect of defined benefit | - | - | (140 | ) | - | - | - | (140 | ) | - | - | (140 | ) | - | - | (140 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive Income for the year | - | - | (140 | ) | - | - | 6,844 | 6,704 | - | - | (140 | ) | - | 6,844 | 6,704 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of options | 18 | 6,772 | - | - | - | - | 6,790 | 18 | 6,772 | - | - | - | 6,790 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee benefit | - | 152 | - | - | - | - | 152 | - | 152 | - | - | - | 152 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance - December 31, 2015 | 1,425 | 128,354 | (197 | ) | 247 | - | 269,883 | 399,712 | 1,425 | 128,354 | (197 | ) | 247 | 269,883 | 399,712 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profit for the year | - | - | - | - | 10,852 | 10,852 | - | - | - | - | 10,852 | 10,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Measurement of the net liability in respect of defined benefit | - | - | (311 | ) | - | - | - | (311 | ) | - | - | (311 | ) | - | - | (311 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive Income for the year | - | - | (311 | ) | - | - | 10,852 | 10,541 | - | - | (311 | ) | - | 10,852 | 10,541 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend distribution | - | - | - | - | - | (19,249 | ) | (19,249 | ) | - | - | - | - | (19,249 | ) | (19,249 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance - December 31, 2016 | 1,425 | 128,354 | (508 | ) | 247 | - | 261,486 | 391,004 | 1,425 | 128,354 | (508 | ) | 247 | 261,486 | 391,004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profit for the year | - | - | - | - | 25,023 | 25,023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Measurement of the net liability in respect of defined benefit | - | - | (446 | ) | - | - | (446 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive Income for the year | - | - | (446 | ) | - | 25,023 | 24,577 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance - December 31, 2017 | 1,425 | 128,354 | (954 | ) | 247 | 286,509 | 415,581 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F - 7
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(NIS in thousands)
| Year ended December 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 1 5 | 2 0 1 4 | 2 0 1 6 (*) | 2 0 1 7 | 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 1 5 | 2 0 1 7 (*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NIS | NIS | �� | NIS | US Dollars | NIS | NIS | NIS | US Dollars | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flows - operating activities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profit from continuing operations | 10,852 | 6,844 | 18,854 | 2,822 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net profit to net cash from continuing operating activities (Appendix A) | 6,500 | 7,494 | 799 | 1,675 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profit from operations | 25,023 | 10,852 | 6,844 | 7,216 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net profit to net cash from operating activities (Appendix A) | (10,584 | ) | 6,500 | 7,494 | (3,052 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash from continuing operating activities | 17,352 | 14,338 | 19,653 | 4,497 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash from operating activities | 14,439 | 17,352 | 14,338 | 4,164 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flows - investing activities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of property plant and equipment | (1,915 | ) | (2,994 | ) | (8,077 | ) | (498 | ) | (2,650 | ) | (1,915 | ) | (2,994 | ) | (764 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of property plant and Equipment | 190 | 456 | 969 | 49 | 361 | 190 | 456 | 104 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of non-current financial assets | (8,504 | ) | - | - | (2,212 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redemption (acquisition) of non-current financial assets | 2,168 | (8,504 | ) | - | 625 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from short term deposit | 20,288 | - | - | 5,277 | - | 20,288 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from (used in) purchase of marketable securities, net | 42,010 | (22,087 | ) | (11,777 | ) | 10,942 | (30,833 | ) | 42,010 | (22,087 | ) | (8,892 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from purchase of loan carried at fair value through profit or loss | - | - | 65,400 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds used in purchase of Short term deposit | - | - | (19,445 | ) | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash from (used in) continuing investing activities | 52,069 | (24,625 | ) | 27,070 | 13,558 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash from (used in) investing activities | (30,954 | ) | 52,069 | (24,625 | ) | (8,927 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flows - financing activities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of options | - | 6,790 | - | - | - | - | 6,790 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividend distribution | (19,249 | ) | - | - | (5,006 | ) | - | (19,249 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term bank debt | (16 | ) | 16 | (18 | ) | (4 | ) | - | (16 | ) | 16 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash from (used in) continuing financing activities | (19,265 | ) | 6,806 | (18 | ) | (5,010 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash from (used in) financing activities | - | (19,265 | ) | 6,806 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 50,156 | (3,481 | ) | 46,705 | 13,045 | (16,515 | ) | 50,156 | (3,481 | ) | (4,763 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year | 79,421 | 82,902 | 36,197 | 20,656 | 129,577 | 79,421 | 82,902 | 37,374 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents of the end of the financial year | 129,577 | 79,421 | 82,902 | 33,701 | 113,062 | 129,577 | 79,421 | 32,611 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(*)Convenience Translation into US Dollars.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F - 8
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
APPENDICES TO CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(NIS in thousands)
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 1 5 | 2 0 1 4 | 2 0 1 6 (*) | |||||||||||||
| NIS | NIS | NIS | US Dollars | |||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||||||||||
| A. Adjustments to reconcile net profit to net cash from operating activities | ||||||||||||||||
| �� | ||||||||||||||||
| Decrease (Increase) in deferred income taxes | 1,260 | (3,109 | ) | (1,004 | ) | 328 | ||||||||||
| Unrealized loss (gain) on marketable securities | (1,924 | ) | (186 | ) | 1,910 | (590 | ) | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,762 | 3,723 | 3,634 | 978 | ||||||||||||
| Gain from short term deposit | - | (843 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||
| Capital gain on disposal of property plant and equipment | (112 | ) | (220 | ) | (188 | ) | (29 | ) | ||||||||
| Stock based compensation reserve | - | 152 | 2,124 | - | ||||||||||||
Loss from non - tradable financial assets (see note 25H) | 7,734 | - | - | 2,056 | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized Gain of loan carried at fair value through profit or loss | - | - | (100 | ) | - | |||||||||||
| Net foreign exchange gain | - | - | (786 | ) | - | |||||||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Increase (Decrease) in trade receivables and other receivables | 2,120 | 81 | (6,219 | ) | 580 | |||||||||||
| Decrease (Increase) in inventories | (7,360 | ) | 14,069 | 5,415 | (1,914 | ) | ||||||||||
| Decrease (Increase) in trade and other payables, and other current liabilities | 1,020 | (6,173 | ) | (3,987 | ) | 266 | ||||||||||
| 6,500 | 7,494 | 799 | 1,675 | |||||||||||||
| B. Significant non-cash transactions: | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | - | 115 | 611 | - | ||||||||||||
| Supplemental cash flow information: | ||||||||||||||||
| Income tax paid | 8,126 | 6,162 | 9,831 | 2,113 | ||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 0 1 7 | 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 1 5 | 2 0 1 7 (*) | |||||||||||||
| NIS | NIS | NIS | US Dollars | |||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||||||||||
| A. Adjustments to reconcile net profit to net cash from operating activities | ||||||||||||||||
| Decrease (Increase) in deferred income taxes | 1,851 | 1,260 | (3,110 | ) | 534 | |||||||||||
| Unrealized loss (gain) on marketable securities | (7,760 | ) | (1,924 | ) | (186 | ) | (2,238 | ) | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,682 | 3,762 | 3,723 | 1,062 | ||||||||||||
| Gain from short term deposit | - | (843 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Capital gain on disposal of property plant and equipment | (361 | ) | (112 | ) | (220 | ) | (104 | ) | ||||||||
| Stock based compensation reserve | - | 152 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss (gain) from non - tradable financial assets (see note 24i) | (5,368 | ) | 7,734 | - | (1,548 | ) | ||||||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Increase (Decrease) in trade receivables and other receivables | (5,034 | ) | 2,120 | 81 | (1,453 | ) | ||||||||||
| Decrease (Increase) in inventories | 1,978 | (7,360 | ) | 14,069 | 570 | |||||||||||
Decrease (Increase) in trade and other payables, and other current and non-current liabilities | 428 | 1,020 | (6,172 | ) | 125 | |||||||||||
| (10,584 | ) | 6,500 | 7,494 | (3,052 | ) | |||||||||||
| B. Significant non-cash transactions: | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | - | - | 115 | - | ||||||||||||
| �� | ||||||||||||||||
| Supplemental cash flow information: | ||||||||||||||||
| Income tax paid | 5,926 | 8,126 | 6,162 | 1,709 | ||||||||||||
(*)Convenience Translation into US Dollars.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F - 9
NOTE 1- DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND GENERAL
| A. | Description of Business: |
G. Willi-Food International Ltd. ("the Company") was incorporated in Israel in January 1994 and is engaged in the import, export, marketing and distribution of food products. Since May 1997, the Company's shares are registered for tradelisted on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
The Company is a subsidiary of Willi-Food Investments Ltd. ("the Parent Company"). The shares of the Parent Company are registered for trade on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange.
| B. | Definitions: |
| The Company-G. WILLI‑FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. |
| The Group | - | The Company and its Subsidiaries, a list of which is presented in Note 5. |
| Subsidiaries | - | Companies that are controlled by the Company (as defined in IAS 27) and whose accounts are consolidated with those of the Company. |
| Related Parties | - | As defined in IAS 24. |
| NIS | - | New Israeli Shekel. |
| CPI | - | The Israeli consumer price index. |
| US Dollars or $ | - | The U.S. dollar. |
| Euro | - | The United European currency. |
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
| A. | Applying international accounting standards (IFRS): |
Statement of compliance
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"(“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"(“IASB”).
The significant accounting policies detailed in the continuation were applied on a consistent basis for all reporting periods presented in the financial statements, except for changes in accounting policies that were due to the application of standards, amendments to standards and interpretations that took effect on the date of the financial statements, and the application of standards, amendments to standards and interpretations that are not in effect and were adopted in early adoption by the Group, as detailed in Note 2U below.
F - 10
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| B. | Format for presentation of Statement of Financial Position: |
The Group presents assets and liabilities in the Statement of Financial Position divided into current and non-current items.
| C. | Format for analysis recognized in Income Statement: |
| (1) | Format for analysis of expenses recognized in Income statement: |
The Group's expenses in the Income statement are presented based on the nature of the activity of the expenses in the entity.
| D. | Basis of preparation: |
| E. | Foreign currencies: |
| (1) | Translation of foreign currency transactions |
In preparing the financial statements of the individual entities, transactions in currencies other than the entity'sentity’s functional currency (New Israeli Shekel (NIS)) are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. (Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined). Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost
In a foreign currency are not retranslated.
F - 11
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| E. | Foreign currencies: (Cont.) |
| (2) | Recognition of exchange differences |
Exchange differences are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they a arise except for exchange differences on monetary items receivable from or payable to a foreign operation for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur (therefore forming part of the net investment in the foreign operation), which are recognized initially in other comprehensive Income and reclassified from equity to profit or loss on disposal of the net investment.
Items included in the financial statements of each of the group'sgroup’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates ('the(‘the functional, currency'currency’). The consolidated financial statements are presented in 'NIS'‘NIS’, which is the company'scompany’s functional and the group'sgroup’s reporting currency.
(3) Convenience translation
The balance sheet as of December 31, 20162017 and statement of Income, statement of other comprehensive Income and statement of cash flows for the year then ended have been translated into US Dollar using the representative exchange rate as of that date (US Dollar 1.0 = NIS 3.845)3.467). Such translation was made solely for the convenience of the U.S. readers. The dollar amounts so presented in these financial statements and in their accompanying notes should not be construed as representing amounts receivable or payable in US Dollars or convertible into US Dollars but only a convenience translation of reported NIS amounts into US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated. The convenience translation supplementary financial data is unaudited and is not presented in accordance with IFRSs.
| F. | Cash and cash equivalents: |
Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits and term deposits in banks that are not restricted as to usage, with an original period to maturity of not more than three months.
Deposits that are restricted as to usage are classified as pledged deposits.
Deposits with an original period to maturity exceeding three months, which as of the statement of financial position doesdo not exceed one year, are classified as short-term investments.
F - 12
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| G. | Basis of consolidation: |
(1) General
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries). Control is achieved where the Company has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive Income from the effective date of acquisition and up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate.
Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with those used by other members of the Group.
All intra-group transactions, balances, Income and expenses are eliminated in full on consolidation.
(2) Non-controlling Interest
Non-controlling interests in the net assets (excluding goodwill) of consolidated subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group'sGroup’s equity therein. Non-controlling interests consist of the amount of those interests at the date of the original business combination and the non-control ling'snon-controlling's share of changes in equity since the date of the combination. Losses attributable to non-controlling interestinterests in excess of itstheir share in the subsidiary's equity are charged commencing January 1, 2010 to non-controlling interestinterests in any case, while ignoring its obligations and ability to make additional investments in the subsidiary.
Commencing January 1, 2010, transactions with non-controlling interest shareholders, in the context of which the Company retains control before and after the transaction, are treated as capital transactions.
(3) Changes in the Group's ownership interests in existing subsidiaries
Changes in the Group's ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in the Group losing control over the subsidiaries are accounted for as equity transactions. The carrying amounts of the Group's interests and the non-controlling interests are adjusted to reflect the changes in their relative interests in the subsidiaries. Any difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid or received is recognised directly in equity and attributed to owners of the Company.
F - 13
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| G. | Basis of consolidation: (Cont.) |
(3) Changes in the Group's ownership interests in existing subsidiaries (Cont.)
When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, a gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss and is calculated as the difference between (i) the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any retained interest and (ii) the previous carrying amount of the assets (including goodwill), and liabilities of the subsidiary and any non-controlling interests. When assets of the subsidiary are carried at revalued amounts or fair values and the related cumulative gain or loss has been recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity, the amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity are accounted for as if the Group had directly disposed of the relevant assets (i.e. reclassified to profit or loss or transferred directly to retained earnings as specified by applicable IFRSs). The fair value of any investment retained in the former subsidiary at the date when control is lost is regarded as the fair value on initial recognition for subsequent accounting under IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or, when applicable, the cost on initial recognition of an investment in an associate or a jointly controlled entity.
| H. | Goodwill: |
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a subsidiary represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group's interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and Contingent liabilities of the subsidiary or jointly controlled entity recognized at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is initially recognized as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. |
F - 14
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| I. | Property, plant and equipment: |
Property, plant and equipment are tangible items, which are held for use in the manufacture or supply of goods or services, or leased to others, which are predicted to be used for more than one period. The Company presents its property, plant and equipment items according to the cost model.
Under the cost method - a property, plant and equipment are presented at the balance sheet at cost (net of any investment grants), less any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. The cost includes the cost of the assets acquisition as well as costs that can be directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.
Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method at rates considered adequate to depreciate the assets over their estimated useful lives. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed over the shorter of the term of the lease, including any extension period, where the Company intends to exercise such option, or their useful life.
The annual depreciation and amortization rates are:
| Years | % | |||
| Land | 50 | 2 | ||
| Construction | 25 | 4 | ||
| Motor vehicles | 5 | 15-20 | (Mainly 20%) | |
| Office furniture and equipment | 6 | 6-15 | (Mainly 15%) | |
| Computers | 3 | 20-33 | (Mainly 33%) | |
| Machinery and equipment | 10 | 10 |
The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an item of property, plant and equipment is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognized in the Income statement.
| J. | Inventories: |
Inventories are assets held for sale in the ordinary course of business, in the process of production for such sale or in the form of materials or supplies to be consumed in the production process or in the rendering of services.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost of inventories includes all the cost of purchase, direct labor, fixed and variable production over heads and other cost that are incurred, in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.
Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.
Cost determined as finished products, on the basis of standard cost which approximates actual production cost (materials, labor and indirect manufacturing costs).
F - 15
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| K. | Financial assets: |
(1) General
All financial assets are recognized and derecognized on trade date where the purchase or sale of a financial asset is under a contract whose terms require delivery of the financial asset within the timeframe established by the market concerned, and are initially measured at fair value, plus transaction costs, except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value.
Financial assets are classified into the following specified categories. The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the time of initial recognition:
| · | Financial assets |
| · | Loans and receivables |
(2) Financial assets at FVTPL
Financial assets are classified as at FVTPL where the financial asset is either held for trading or it is designated as at FVTPL.
A financial asset is classified as held for trading if:
| · | It has been acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the near future; orit is a part of an identified portfolio of financial instruments that the Group manages together and has a recent actual pattern of short-term profit-taking; or |
| · | It is a derivative that is not designated and effective as a hedging instrument. |
Financial assets at FVTPL are stated at fair value, with any resultant gain or loss recognized in profit or loss. The net gain or loss recognized in profit or loss incorporates any dividend or interest earned on the financial asset.
(3) Loans and receivables
Trade receivables, loans, and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market are classified as loans and receivables. Loans and receivables are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment. Interest Income is recognized by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the recognition of interest would be immaterial.
F - 16
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| K. | Financial assets: (Cont.) |
(4) Impairment of financial assets
Financial assets carried at amortized cost:
Objective evidence of impairment exists when one or more events that have occurred after the initial recognition of the asset have a negative impact on the estimated future cash flows. Evidence of impairment may include indications that the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties, including liquidity difficulty and default in interest or principal payments. The amount of the loss recorded in profit or loss is measured as the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not yet been incurred) discounted at the financial asset's original effective interest rate (the effective interest rate computed at initial recognition). If the financial asset has a variable interest rate, the discount rate is the current effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account (see allowance for doubtful accounts above). In a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss is reversed if the recovery of the asset can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized. The amount of the reversal, up to the amount of any previous impairment, is recorded in profit or loss.
| L. | Financial liabilities and equity instruments issued by the Group: |
Classification as debt or equity
Debt and equity instruments are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement.
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.
Financial liabilities are classified as either financial liabilities 'at FVTPL'‘at FVTPL’ or 'other‘other financial liabilities.
F - 17
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| M. | Revenue recognition: |
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Revenue is reduced for estimated customer returns, rebates and other similar allowances.
| (1) | Sale of goods |
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized when all the following conditions are satisfied:
| · | The Group has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods; |
| · | The Group retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold |
| · | The amount of revenue can be measured reliably; |
| · | It is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; and |
| · | The costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably. |
| (2) | Customer returns and rebates |
The customer returns, rebates and other credits are being deducted from revenues. Although, in general, the Group does not grant rights of return and rebates, its enable for certain customers from time to time to return products. The Group assesses the expected customer returns and rebates according to specific information in its possession and its past experience in similar cases. According to IAS 18, these provisions are reduced from the Company's revenues.
| (3) | Interest revenue |
Interest revenue is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset'sasset’s net carrying amount.
| (4) | Dividend revenue |
Dividend revenue from investments is recognized when the shareholder'sshareholder’s right to receive payment has been established.
F - 18
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| N. | Leasing: |
| (1) | General |
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.
| (2) | The Group as lessee |
Operating lease payments are recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In instance of operating lease agreements where lease payments are not paid at the beginning of the lease period, or where the lease payments are reduced, and the Group is getting additional benefits from the lesser, operating lease payments are recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
A lease agreement with the ILA with respect to a parcel of land is classified as finance leases. The prepaid lease payments are recognized on the balance sheet as "Property, plant and equipment", and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease period (2% per Year).
| O. | Provisions: |
Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation.
Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows.
When some or all of the economic benefits to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, the receivable is recognized as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.
| P. | Share-based payments: |
Equity-settled share-based payments to employees and others providing similar services are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date using the Black&Sholts model.
The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group'sGroup’s estimate of equity instruments that will eventually vest.
At each balance sheet date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognized in profit or loss over the remaining vesting period, with a corresponding adjustment to the equity-settled employee benefits reserve.
F - 19
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| P. | Share-based payments:(Cont.) |
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions with other parties are measured at the fair value of the goods or services received, except where the fair value cannot be estimated reliably, in which case they are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments granted, measured at the date the entity obtains the goods or the counterparty renders the service. The accounting for share-based compensation is as follows: The Parent Company initiated and approved the grant, and hence the Company has no obligation to settle the grant in accordance with IFRS 2.43B. This implies that the Company records an expense as if it were granting its own shares. The options fair value determined at the date of grant is recognized over the vesting period of each trench.
| Q. | Taxation: |
Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
| (1) | Current tax |
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the Income statement because it excludes items of Income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group'sGroup’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
| (2) | Deferred tax |
Deferred tax is recognized on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and are accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognized for all taxable temporary differences, and deferred tax assets are generally recognized for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which those deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognized if the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in which the liability is settled or the asset realised, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax
Consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Group expects, at the reporting date, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to Income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.
F - 20
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| R. | Employee benefits: |
| (1) | Post-Employment Benefits |
The Group's post-employment benefits include: benefits to retirees and liabilities for severance benefits. The Group's post-employment benefits are classified as Defined Benefit Plans.
Expenses in respect of a Defined Benefit Plan are carried to the Income statement in accordance with the Projected Unit Credit Method, while using actuarial estimates that are performed at each balance sheet date. The current value of the Group's obligation in respect of the defined benefit plan is determined by discounting the future projected cash flows from the plan by the market yields on high quality corporate bonds (see Accounting Staff Position number 21-1 of the Israeli Securities Authority: Maintaining a Deep Market in High Quality Corporate Bonds in Israel Including Accounting Treatment of the Transfer from a Capitalization Rate Appropriate for Government Bonds Market Yields to a Capitalization Rate Appropriate for Market Yields of High Quality Corporate Bonds as of December 31, 2014), denominated in the currency in which the benefits in respect of the plan will be paid, and whose redemption periods are approximately identical to the projected settlement dates of the plan.
Actuarial profits and losses are recognized in earning when incurred.
The Group's liability in respect of the Defined Benefit Plan which is presented in the Group's balance sheet includes the current value of the obligation in respect of the defined benefit, net of the fair value of the Defined Benefit Plan assets.
The amendments to IAS 19 clarify how an entity should account for contributions made by employees or third parties to defined benefit plans, based on whether those contributions are dependent on the number of years of service provided by the employee.
For contributions that are independent of the number of years of service, the entity may either recognize the contributions as a reduction in the service cost in the period in which the related service is rendered, or to attribute them to the employees'employees’ periods of service using the projected unit credit method; whereas for contributions that are dependent on the number of years of service, the entity is required to attribute them to the employees'employees’ periods of service.
The directors of the Company do not anticipate that the application of these amendments to IAS 19 will have a significant impact on the Group's consolidated financial statements.
| (2) | Short term employee benefits |
Short term employee benefits are benefits which it is anticipated will be utilized or which are to be paid during a period that does not exceed 12 months from the end of the period in which the service that creates entitlement to the benefit was provided.
Short term company benefits include the company'scompany’s liability for short term absences, payment of grants, bonuses and compensation. These benefits are recorded to the statement of operations when created. The benefits are measured on a non-capitalized basis. The difference between the amount of the short term benefits to which the employee is entitled and the amount paid is therefore recognized as an asset or liability.
F - 21
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| S. | Earnings (loss) per share: |
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed with regard to Income or loss attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders, and is calculated for Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the ordinary shareholders of the reported entity, should such be presented. Basic earnings per share is to be computed by dividing Income(loss) attributed to Owners of the Company (numerator), by the weighted average of the outstanding ordinary shares (denominator) during the period.
In the computation of diluted earnings per share, the Company adjusted its Income (loss) attributable to its ordinary shareholders by multiplying their diluted EPS and the weighted average of the outstanding shares for the effects of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares of the Company.
| T. | Exchange Rates and Linkage Basis |
| (1) | Balances in foreign currency or linked thereto are included in the financial statements based on the representative exchange rates, as published by the Bank of Israel,that were prevailing at the balance sheet date. |
| (2) | Following are the changes in the representative exchange rate of the US dollars vis-a-vis the NIS and in the Israeli CPI: |
Representative exchange rate of the Euro | Representative exchange rate of the dollar | CPI "in respect of" | ||||||||||
| (NIS per €1) | (NIS per $1) | (in points) | ||||||||||
| As of: | ||||||||||||
| December 31, 2016 | 4.04 | 3.84 | 112.59 | |||||||||
| December 31, 2015 | 4.25 | 3.90 | 112.82 | |||||||||
| December 31, 2014 | 4.72 | 3.89 | 113.96 | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) during the: | % | % | % | |||||||||
| Year ended: | ||||||||||||
| December 31, 2016 | (4.9 | ) | (1.5 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||||
| December 31, 2015 | (9.9 | ) | - | (1.0 | ) | |||||||
| December 31, 2014 | (1.26 | ) | (12.10 | ) | (0.19 | ) | ||||||
| Representative exchange rate | Representative exchange rate | CPI “in | ||||||||||
| of the Euro | of the dollar | respect of” | ||||||||||
| (NIS per €1) | (NIS per $1) | (in points) | ||||||||||
| As of: | ||||||||||||
| December 31, 2017 | 4.15 | 3.46 | 113.04 | |||||||||
| December 31, 2016 | 4.04 | 3.84 | 112.59 | |||||||||
| December 31, 2015 | 4.25 | 3.90 | 112.82 | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) during the: | % | % | % | |||||||||
| Year ended: | ||||||||||||
| December 31, 2017 | 2.7 | (9.9 | ) | 0.4 | ||||||||
| December 31, 2016 | (4.9 | ) | (1.5 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||||
| December 31, 2015 | (9.9 | ) | 0.51 | (1.0 | ) | |||||||
F - 22
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
New and revised Standards and Interpretations in issue but not yet effective, were not early adopted by the Group and are expected to affect or could affect future periods:
| IFRS 9 |
(a) General
The Company is evaluating the possible impact of IFRS 9 but is presently unable to assess its effect, if any, onStandard determines that the financial statements.assets be recognized and measured as follows:
| · | Debt instruments will be classified and measured after initial recognition under one of the following alternatives: at amortized cost, fair value through profit or loss or fair value through other comprehensive income. The measurement model will be determined based on the entity’s business model regarding the management of financial assets, and according to the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. |
| · | A debt instrument which, according to the tests, is measured at amortized cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income, may be designated at fair value through profit or loss only if such designation eliminates measurement or recognition inconsistency that would been created had the asset been measured at amortized cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income. |
| · | Equity instruments are required to be measured at fair value through profit or loss. |
| · | Upon initial recognition, equity instruments may be designated at fair value through other comprehensive income. Instruments so designated will no longer be subject to impairment tests, and profit or loss thereon will not be carried to profit and loss, including upon disposal. |
| · | Debt instruments will only be reclassified when the entity changes its business model for financial assets management. |
| · | Investments in equity instruments that do not have quoted prices in active markets, including derivatives of such instruments, will be measured at fair value. The option to measure equity instruments at cost under certain circumstances was eliminated. However, the Standard notes that under certain circumstances, cost may constitute a fair approximation of fair value. |
F - 2423
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NIS in thousands)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
| U. | Adoption of new and revised Standards and interpretations: New and revised Standards and Interpretations in issue but not yet effective, were not early adopted by the Group and are expected to affect or could affect future periods: (Cont.) 1. IFRS 9 – “Financial Instruments” (Cont.) (c) Financial liabilities The Standard also sets the following provisions regarding financial liabilities: The change in the fair value of a financial liability designated upon initial recognition to fair value through profit or loss and which arises from changes in the credit risk of the liability, shall be carried directly to other comprehensive income, unless doing so creates or increases an accounting mismatch. Once the financial liability is repaid or settled, amounts carried to other comprehensive income will not be classified to income or loss. All derivatives, regardless of whether they represent assets or liabilities, shall be measured at fair value through profit or loss, including a derivative financial instrument that constitutes a liability relating to an unquoted equity instrument, whose fair value cannot be measured reliably. (d) Impairment The new impairment model, which is based on expected credit losses, will be applied to debt instruments which are measured at amortized cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income, receivables in respect of lease, contract assets recognized according to IFRS 15 and written obligations to provide loans and financial guaranty contracts. The provision for impairment will be in respect of projected losses according to the probability of insolvency within the next 12 months (in the coming year), or according to the probability of insolvency over the lifetime of the instrument. Examination throughout the instrument’s lifetime is required if the credit risk has increased since the date of initial recognition of the asset. Another approach applies if the financial asset was created or purchased credit-impaired. (e) Effective date and early adoption The Standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The Company completed the assessment of the impact of the Standard on its financial statements and the standard is not expected to have a material effect on the financial statements. F - 24 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 2- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) New and revised Standards and Interpretations in issue but not yet effective, were not early adopted by the Group and are expected to affect or could affect future periods: (Cont.)
The new Standard sets a new and uniform mechanism that regulates the accounting treatment to be applied to revenue from contracts with customers. The standard revokes IAS 18 “Revenues” and IAS 11 “Construction Contracts” and their relating interpretations. The core principle of IFRS 15 is that revenue from contracts with customers should be recognized using the method that best reflects the transfer of control of goods and services to the customer, in an amount of consideration that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer. The standard determines a five-step model for application of this principle: 1. Identify the contract(s) with the customer. 2. Identify the performance obligations in the contract. 3. Determine the transaction price. 4. Allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation. 5. Recognize revenue when a performance obligation is satisfied. The application of the model is dependent on the facts and circumstances specific to the contract and sometimes requires the exercise of extensive discretion. Furthermore, the standard sets extensive disclosure requirements with regard to contracts with customers, the significant estimates and the changes thereto which were used at the time of application of the provisions of the standard, in order to enable users of the financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the contracts with the customers. Application of the standard is mandatory for annual reporting periods starting on January 1, 2018 or thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. As a rule, the standard will be applied retroactively, although entities will be entitled to elect certain adjustments in the framework of the standard’s transitional provisions regarding its application to previous reporting periods. The Company estimates that it will opt to apply the standard retrospectively to contracts that have not yet been completed as of January 1, 2018 and the cumulative effect of the initial application of the standard will be recognized as an adjustment of the retained earnings balance as of that date. The comparative figures relating to the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 will be presented in accordance with the provisions of IAS 18, which was in effect prior to the application of IFRS 15. The Company has completed its assessment of the implications of the standard’s application on its financial statements and is of the opinion that the standard will not have a material effect on the financial statements. F - 25 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 2- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
New and revised Standards and Interpretations in issue but not yet effective, were not early adopted by the Group and are expected to affect or could affect future periods: (Cont.)
The new standard, which was published in January 2016, The new The The IFRS 16 will be effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted, but only if IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” has also been applied. As a general rule, the standard will be applied retrospectively. However, entities may opt to apply certain adjustments specified in the transitional provisions of the standard with regard to its application to previous reporting periods. The F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 3-SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENT AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION
In the application of the Group's accounting policies, which are described in Note 2 above, the Group management is required, in certain cases, to make broad accounting judgments regarding estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on past experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management reviews the estimates and underlying assumptions on an ongoing basis. Changes in accounting estimates are only recognized in the period in which the estimate is changed if the change affects only that period or in the period of change and future periods if the change affects both current and future periods. The Company is a basic trader of goods, mostly in the Israeli food markets. All the sales are made in accordance with delivery notes, agreed price lists and invoices. The major assumptions are based on contractual commitments where sensitivity is insignificant. In addition, in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies, management makes various judgments, apart from those involving estimations, that can significantly affect the amounts recognized in the financial statements. Other estimates\assumptions used in our allowances are based on the Company's rich experience in the food market. Any sensitivity analysis of the effect of changes in critical estimates and assumptions would show negligible effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
The following are the significant judgments
F - 27 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands)
NOTE 4- CURRENT ASSETS
F - 28 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 4-CURRENT ASSETS (Cont.) (1) Composition
The average credit period on sales of goods is Before accepting any new customer, the Group assesses the potential customer's credit quality and defines credit limits by customer. Credit limits are examined periodically based on the Company's collection experience with each customer and additional external information. From total trade receivables balances as of December 31, (2) Changes in the allowance for doubtful debts:
(*)See Note
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 4-CURRENT ASSETS (Cont.)
The inventories are presented net of NOTE 5-INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the following Subsidiaries:
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 6 -PROPERTY PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
NOTE 7 -GOODWILL Annual test for By the end of the year F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 8 -DETAILS OF CURRENT LIABILITIES
The average credit period on purchases of certain goods is approximately
NOTE
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
According to labor laws and the Severance Pay Law in Israel, the Group is required to pay compensation to an employee upon dismissal or retirement (including employees who quit their job under other specific circumstances). The computation of the employee benefit liability is made according to the current employment contract based on the employee's latest salary which, in the opinion of management, establishes the entitlement to receive the compensation and considering the employment term. The Group accounts for that part of the payment of compensation that is not covered by contributions in defined contribution plans, as a defined benefit plan for which an employee benefit liability is recognized and for which the Group deposits amounts in qualifying insurance policies. The plan assets, once funded, are outside of the Company's management, which does not make any decisions regarding the composition of the assets nor the allocations to any investment alternatives. The present value of the defined benefit obligation and the related current service cost and past service cost were measured at present value (without deducting plan assets) of future payments expected to settle the obligation in consideration of employee's past and current services. The current value of the Group's post-employment benefits obligation is based on an actuarial estimation. The actuarial estimation was performed by
The principal assumptions used for the purposes of the actuarial valuations were as follows:
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
The assumptions regarding future mortality rates are based on mortality tables published and approved by the Ministry of Finance and updated as of December 31, 2001. The mortality rate of an active participant at retirement age (67 for men, 64 for women), is 0.6433% for men and 0.3574% for women. The provisions of Standard 19 stipulate that interest used to capitalize assets and liabilities should reflect risk free interest that is interest on highly rated corporate bonds with similar maturity periods and terms. Until November 2014, absent quality data and information about bonds of this type, what was utilized was the interest on long-term index linked government bonds (index linked Galil)/or long-term shackle government bonds (NIS Dawn -
Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation in the current period were as follows:
F - 34 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 10 - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Cont.)
Changes in the fair value of the defined benefit assets in the current period were as follows:
Adaption of the current value of defined benefit plan liability and the fair value of the plan's assets to the assets and liabilities recognized in the Balance Sheets:
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
Actual return on the plan's assets and compensation rights:
Sensitivity analyzes principal actuarial assumptions: The sensitivity analyzes below have been determined based on reasonably possible changes in actuarial assumptions at the end of the reporting period. Sensitivity analysis does not account for any existing interdependence between assumptions: If the discount rate If the rate hikes expected salaries would have increased (small) by 0.5%, the defined benefit obligation would have increased / decreased by NIS
(1) Paid Annual Leave In accordance with the Annual Leave Law, 1951, Company employees are entitled to several leave days per each working year. According to the above law (and addendums determined in personal contracts between the Company and several employees), the leave days due to an employee during the year is established based on the number of years of employment of that employee. The employee may use leave days based on the employee's needs and with the Company's consent and to accumulate the remaining unused leave days based on the employee's personal employment contract. The balance of the Group's vacation provision is in accordance with the leave entitlement of each individual employee, according to his individual agreement with the company to which the employee belongs and in accordance with the employee's salary. The balance of the (2) Paid Sick Leave In accordance with the Sick Pay Law, 1976, the Company's employees are entitled to 18 sick days per year (1.5 sick days per month). Sick days may be used only with a medical confirmation of an employee's illness. Employee who ceases employment before using the sick days due to the employee is not entitled to payment for the above balance of sick days and, therefore, such provision is not recorded in the Company's books. F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
F -
G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
(5) For more information regarding commitments and contingent liabilities please see note 24. NOTE 13- SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE In previous years, the parent Company adopted plans to award options to buy its own shares and shares of the Company to senior office holders and to Company’s employees. As from December 2015 and as of the date of reporting, the parent Company does not have any active options award plans and no options are exercisable into Company shares by any company officer or company employee. NOTE 15- SELECTED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA
F - 42 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 15- SELECTED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA (Cont.)
F - 43 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 16-OTHER INCOME Composition:
NOTE
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
NOTE Composition:
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement and the basis on which Income and expenses are recognized, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in note 2 to the financial statements.
The finance departments of the Group provide services to the business activity, enable access to local and international financial markets, supervise and manage the financial risks relating to the Group's activities using internal report that analyze the extent of the risk exposure according to degree and intensity. These risks include market risks (including currency risk, fair value risk in respect of the interest rates, price risk and cash flow risk in respect of the interest rates), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group reduces the impact of the aforesaid risks from time to time by using derivative financial instruments in order to hedge the risk The financial management departments of the Group report to the investment committee of the Group and to the board of directors of the Company about the risks and about implementation of the assimilated policy in order to minimize the risk exposures.
The Group's activity exposes it mainly to financial risks of fluctuations in the exchange rates of foreign currency and/or changes in the prices of the imported products and/or changes in the interest rates. The Group purchases forward foreign-currency swap contracts, as needed, opens documentary credit to suppliers, and carries out orders for imported goods. During the report period, no change occurred in the exposure to market risks or in the way by which the Group manages or measures the risk. F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
The Group is exposed to price risks of - shares, certificate of participation in mutual fund and bonds, which are classified as financial assets carried at fair value through profit or loss. The carrying amount of the investments exposed to price risks of shares, certificate of participation in mutual fund and bonds is NIS Sensitive analysis in respect to exposure relating to price risks of shares, certificate of participation in mutual fund and bonds. The sensitivity analysis includes only shares, certificate of participation in mutual fund and bonds at the period end for a 10% change in its prices. A positive number below indicates an increase in profit and other equity where the prices strengthen 10% against the actual prices. For a 10% weakening of the prices against the actual prices, there would be an equal and opposite impact on the profit and other equity, and the balances below would be negative.
Credit risk refers to the risk that counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. The Group has adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties and obtaining sufficient collateral, where appropriate, as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults. The Group only transacts with entities that are rated the equivalent of investment grade and above. This information is supplied by independent rating agencies where available and, if not available, the Group uses other publicly available financial information and its own trading records to rate its major customers. Trade receivables consist of a large number of customers, spread across diverse industries and geographical areas. Ongoing credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable and, where appropriate, credit guarantee insurance cover is purchased. Once a month the Group performs credit evaluation of the finance condition of its receivables. Aging of impaired trade receivables are
The following table presents the Group's outstanding contractual maturity profile for its non-derivative financial liabilities. The analysis presented is based on the undiscounted contractual maturities of the Group's financial liabilities, including any interest that will accrue. Non-interest bearing financial liabilities which are due to be settled in less than 12 months from maturity equal their carrying values since the impact of the time value of money is immaterial over such a short duration. F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
The following table presents the Group's maturity profile for its non-derivatives financial instruments based on their contractual maturity. These financial instruments include interest relating to these assets, except for cases when the Group anticipates that the cash flow will occur on a different period.
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
The Financial instruments in the non-derivatives financial instruments consist of:
The Group undertakes certain transactions denominated in foreign The carrying amounts of the Group's foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at reporting date are as follows:
The Group is mainly exposed to US Dollars and EUR. The following table details the Group's sensitivity to a 10% increase and decrease in the NIS against the relevant foreign currencies. 10% is the sensitivity rate used when reporting foreign currency risk internally to key management personnel and represents management's assessment of the reasonably possible change in foreign exchange rates. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation at the period end for a 10% change in foreign currency rates. A positive number below indicates an increase in profit and other equity where the NIS strengthens 10% against the relevant currency. For a 10% weakening of the NIS against the relevant currency, there would be an equal and opposite impact on the profit and other equity, and the balances below would be negative. F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
The increase in the Group's sensitivity to a 10% increase and decrease in the NIS against the relevant foreign currencies is mainly attributable to the decrease in balances with foreign customers relating to the disposal of the export operation, and to decrease in forward foreign exchange contracts.
The financial instruments of the Group consist of derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities. Non-derivative assets include cash and cash equivalents, receivables and other current assets. Non-derivative liabilities include short-term bank credit, trade payables, other current liabilities and long-term loans from banks and others. Derivative assets and liabilities include mainly foreign exchange forward contracts. Due to the nature of these financial instruments, their fair value, generally, is identical or close to the value at which they are presented in the financial statements, unless stated otherwise. The fair value of the long-term loans approximates their carrying value since they bear interest at rates close to the prevailing market rates. Quoted market prices The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities with standard terms and conditions and traded on active liquid markets are determined with reference to quoted market prices (includes listed redeemable notes, bills of exchange, debentures and perpetual notes). Derivatives Foreign currency forward contracts are measured using quoted forward exchange rates and yield curves derived from quoted interest rates matching maturities of the contracts. Fair value of financial instruments carried at amortized cost The management of the F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
Fair value measurements recognized in the statement of financial position The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE From time to time the Group takes action to hedge against changes in exchange rate. Below are the open positions as of December 31, Other financial assets and liabilities:
NOTE
The Group has adopted IFRS 8 Operating Segments with effect from January 1, 2009. IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources to the segments and to assess their performance. Since 2012, the Group's operating segment under IFRS 8 is only the import segment. The import segment earns its revenues from importing and marketing food products to retail chains and, supermarkets, F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE
The following is an analysis of the Group's customers who represent more than 10% of the total sales:
Revenues from major groups of products that contributed 10% or more to the Group's total revenues in
F - G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties of the Company, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note. Details of transactions between the
F - 54 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 23- GUARANTEES AND PLEDGES
Secured liabilities of the Group:
F - 55 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 24- SIAGNIFICANT EVENTS DURING AND AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD (Cont.)
The Defendants are accused of offenses of theft by manager, fraudulent receipt of goods or services under aggravated circumstances, fraud and breach of trust in a corporation, false registration in corporate documents, reporting offenses under the Securities Law, non-compliance with The said bonds were purchased by B.H.W.F.I Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the company (hereinafter - "BHWFI"), pursuant to subscription forms to purchase 300 bonds (225 actually purchased) of the issuer with a nominal value of US$ 10,000 each (hereinafter - the "Subscription Forms"). According to the terms of the purchase, the bonds bear annual interest of 6%, payable semi-annually on June 30 and December 31 of each year as of the issue date until the final maturity date of December 31 2018. The issuer has the right to repay the bonds prior to their repayment date by giving 30 days’ notice and without penalty. On June 30, 2016, the Issuer paid the first interest on account of the bond actually purchased by BHFWI in accordance with the terms thereof. On On March 21, 2017, a first payment of $ 200 thousand was received. In view of the uncertainty relating to the collection of the remaining balance of the debt, the Company recorded a loss of $1.6 million in the On July 6, 2017, a second payment in the amount of $ 400 thousand was received (hereinafter - the “Second Payment”), and therefore, the Company recorded in its financial statements a finance income at an amount equal to the amount of the Second Payment. On March 26, 2018, a third payment in the amount of USD 1,145 thousand was received. The Company
F - 56 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE On January 15, 2018, the Authority served indictments against Alexander Granovskyi, Gregory Gurtovoy and On February 18, 2018, some of the On February 26, 2018, the said respondents filed an application for deferral of the date of filing the In On March 4, On
F - 57 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE 24
On July 7, 2015, the Companies were served by post with judicial documents in the Spanish language. These judicial documents pertained to service of a legal procedure in the court of first instance in Valencia. A further service of process was carried out in December 2015. In this case as well the judicial documents were in the Spanish language. F - 58 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE On March 3, 2016, the court of first instance in Valencia, Spain, allowed the lawsuit against the Companies in an ex parte proceeding and ruled payment by the Companies of app. € 530 thousand (hereinafter – “Spanish Ruling”). In April 2016, the Companies received the Spanish Ruling in the Spanish language and also a translation of the Spanish Ruling into English. In December 2017, an enforcement order in the Spanish language was received at the Company’s offices. In the order, which was issued on November 22, 2017, the Companies are asked to provide details of assets and/or bank accounts for the purpose of enforcing the ruling in Spain. The Company and its legal advisors are of the opinion that the Companies have grounds to demand the cancellation of the Spanish Ruling because the judicial documents were served in the Spanish language, and because the Plaintiff did not pursue the procedure set in the agreement between the parties, whereby disputes will be resolved in accordance with international law by an arbitrator that will be agreed upon by both parties. In view of the above, Company’s management is of the opinion that recording and disclosure provided in the financial statements and in the notes to the financial statements in respect of the Spanish Ruling is sufficient.
Representatives of Gold Frost and
The recovery arrangement regulated, among other things, the On On May 10, 2016, the F - 59 G. WILLI-FOOD INTERNATIONAL LTD. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NIS in thousands) NOTE Pursuant to On February 13, 2017 the
F - Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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