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Equity Method Investments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]  
Equity Method Investments

(14) Equity Method Investments

The Company utilizes the equity method of accounting with respect to its investment in TyraTech Inc. (“TyraTech”), a Delaware corporation that specializes in developing, marketing and selling pesticide products containing essential oils and other natural ingredients. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized losses of $177, $353, and $636, respectively on its equity method investment. In November 2015, TyraTech issued 105,333,333 shares and raised approximately £3,200 ($4,800, based on the exchange rate at the time). Due to the share issuance, the Company recognized a loss of $7 (for 2015) from the dilution of the Company’s ownership position, as required by ASC 323. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s ownership position in TyraTech was approximately 15.11%. As a result of the reduced equity share, the Company re-assessed its choice of equity method accounting for the investment and determined that it retains significant influence by retaining one out of five board seats and accordingly, this method of accounting continues to be appropriate. At December 31, 2017, the carrying value of the Company’s investment in TyraTech was $2,006 and the quoted market value based on TyraTech’s share price (Level 1 input) was $1,970.

At December 31, 2017, the Company performed an impairment review of its investment in TyraTech and concluded that the current condition was temporary and consequently determined that no impairment charge was appropriate. TyraTech’s shares trade on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the trading symbol ‘TYR’. The Company’s equity investment is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

At a special meeting conducted on December 27, 2017, TyraTech shareholders approved the sale of its Vamouse product line to Alliance Pharmaceuticals, Ltd and the use of some of the proceeds from such sale for a tender offer for TyraTech shares.  That tender offer was concluded in January 2018.  AMVAC elected not to exercise its right to sell into such tender offer and, as a result, the Company’s ownership interest in TyraTech increased to approximately 35% at the conclusion of that transaction.  

On August 2, 2016, AMVAC BV entered into a joint venture with Huifeng. The new entity, Hong Kong JV, is intended to focus on activities such as market access and technology transfer between the two members. AMVAC BV is a 50% owner of the new entity. No material contributions were made to this joint venture in 2016.

On June 27, 2017, both AMVAC BV and Huifeng (Hong Kong) Ltd. made individual capital contributions of $950 to the Hong Kong JV. As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s ownership position in the Hong Kong JV was 50%. The Company utilizes the equity method of accounting with respect to this investment. On July 7, 2017, the Hong Kong JV purchased the shares of Profeng Australia, Pty Ltd.(“Profeng”), for a total consideration of $1,900. The purchase consists of Profeng Australia, Pty Ltd Trustee and Profeng Australia Unit Trust. Both Trust and Trustee were previously owned by Huifeng via its wholly owned subsidiary Huifeng (Hong Kong) Ltd.  For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized income of $128 as a result of the Company’s ownership position in the Hong Kong JV. There were no losses recognized in the prior year.