<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-22-156742.txt : 20220523
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-22-156742.hdr.sgml : 20220523
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20220523061101
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-22-156742
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEFA14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		3
FILED AS OF DATE:		20220523
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20220523

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN VANGUARD CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000005981
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AGRICULTURE CHEMICALS [2870]
		IRS NUMBER:				952588080
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DEFA14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13795
		FILM NUMBER:		22949518

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4695 MACARTHUR COURT
		CITY:			NEWPORT BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92660
		BUSINESS PHONE:		949-260-1200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4695 MACARTHUR COURT
		CITY:			NEWPORT BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92660

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AEROCON INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19720620
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d355729ddefa14a.htm
<DESCRIPTION>DEFA14A
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<TITLE>DEFA14A</TITLE>
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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SCHEDULE 14A
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section&nbsp;14(a) of the </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Amendment No.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Filed by the
Registrant&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9746; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Filed by a Party other than the Registrant&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Preliminary Proxy Statement </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B></B>&#9744;<B></B><B></B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14a-6(e)(2))</FONT> </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Definitive Proxy Statement </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9746;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Definitive Additional Materials </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14a-11(c)</FONT> or Rule <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14a-12</FONT> </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply): </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9746;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">No fee required </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Fee paid previously with preliminary materials </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14a-6(i)(1)</FONT> and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">0-11</FONT> </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
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<IMG SRC="g355729g0523012217428.jpg" ALT="LOGO">
 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">May&nbsp;23, 2022 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dear
American Vanguard Stockholders, </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Our Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held next week. We are writing to encourage you to vote &#147;<B>FOR
ALL</B>&#148; the Company&#146;s nine highly qualified director nominees on the <B><U>WHITE</U></B> proxy card today. Your vote is critically important no matter how many shares you own and must be received by June&nbsp;1, 2022 at 11:00 am PT / 2:00
pm ET to count at the Annual Meeting. Please vote today to ensure your vote is counted at this critical election. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>A VOTE FOR AVD&#146;S
SLATE OF NOMINEES IS A VOTE TO CONTINUE </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>THE COMPANY&#146;S POSITIVE TRAJECTORY </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Your Board of Directors and management team are committed to driving long-term value creation for ALL American Vanguard stockholders.</B> Over the last
seven years, during a prolonged industry downturn, we have worked diligently to position AVD for near- and long-term performance. Our efforts, we believe, will create value for all stockholders, and they are producing results currently: </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">AVD is off to an extremely strong start in 2022, significantly exceeding our first quarter financial targets,
following a highly successful 2021. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">AVD has delivered significant stock appreciation
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">year-to-date</FONT></FONT> of 37%, dramatically outperforming the Russell 2000&#146;s loss of more than 19%
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">year-to-date.</FONT></FONT><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">1</SUP> </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">AVD has also eclipsed the Russell 2000 for the past <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">one-year</FONT> period with
AVD up 21% compared to Russell 2000 dropping 20%.<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">2</SUP> </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">AVD is on track to meet its 2025 targets, which we made public more than one year ago. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We are confident that the Company is <B>well positioned in both domestic and international markets to continue to drive operational and financial
performance</B> through 2025. And we believe that the investments made and strategic initiatives put in place by your Board and management will help AVD fare much better than our competitors in the next commodity down market. <B>Don&#146;t risk
disrupting this progress!</B> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company recommends that you vote for &#147;<B><U>FOR ALL</U></B>&#148; of the Company&#146;s highly qualified and
experienced director nominees using <B>the official </B><B><U>WHITE</U></B><B> American Vanguard proxy card enclosed</B>. </P> <P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:11%">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">1</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Returns as of close of business 5/20 </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">2</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Returns as of close of business 5/20 </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>AVD HAS PROVIDED DETAILS OF ITS BOARD REFRESHMENT PROCESS AND TIMELINE FOLLOWING </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CONTINUING POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH STOCKHOLDERS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">American Vanguard is <B>committed to a process to appoint at least two new independent directors</B>, including one audit committee financial expert, and the
Company is working with a nationally recognized search firm in this effort. This Board refreshment effort: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><B>Follows continuing engagement with stockholders</B> </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><B>Continues a refreshment effort begun in 2018</B> </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><B>Will result in new independent directors well suited to oversee the next stage of growth </B>
</P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">AVD is <B>encouraged by the feedback received from stockholders</B> to date and <B>looks forward to continued engagement and a
collaborative process</B>. As such, <B>one of the Company&#146;s existing directors will retire no later than the 2022 and another will retire no later than the end of 2023</B>. To provide for a smooth and effective transition, these retiring
incumbent directors will serve in an advisory capacity for a period of up to six months following their retirement dates. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>A CRITICAL
QUESTION: DO YOU REALLY WANT CRUISER&#146;S NOMINEES ON THE BOARD? </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">AVD stockholders have an important decision before them: <B>vote to <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">re-elect</FONT> the directors who are responsible for positioning the Company for its current success OR do you support Cruiser who <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">co-opted</FONT> AVD&#146;s plan, claimed our forecasts as
their own, and seeks to control our carefully assembled asset base &#151; and merely claim its nominees can deliver the results we are already set to achieve</B>. Despite multiple meetings with your Board and management team and public materials
criticizing American Vanguard, <B>Cruiser has yet to present a single specific action item to improve American Vanguard&#146;s performance or deliver results above and beyond the Company&#146;s current plan. They have no plan and appear to be
stepping in front of the efforts made by your Board just as they are bearing fruit.</B> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The <B>simple truth</B> is that <B>your Board managed the Company
through a seven-year downcycle and a thoughtful, well executed strategy has successfully positioned AVD to capitalize on the current upcycle and deliver sustainable, long-term outperformance</B> in the future that will yield outsized returns for all
stockholders. Cruiser has repeatedly failed to articulate a clear plan to improve on our already excellent positioning. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PROTECT YOUR
INVESTMENT IN AMERICAN VANGUARD BY SUPPORTING YOUR BOARD </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT! </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>VOTE THE <U>WHITE</U> PROXY CARD TODAY FOR ALL NINE OF AMERICAN VANGUARD&#146;S DIRECTORS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We strongly urge you to use the enclosed <B><U>WHITE</U></B> proxy card to vote today &#147;<B><U>FOR ALL</U></B>&#148; nine of American Vanguard&#146;s
highly qualified nominees: Marisol Angelini, Scott D. Baskin, Debra F. Edwards, Morton D. Erlich, Emer Gunter, Alfred F. Ingulli, John L. Killmer, Eric G. Wintemute and M. Esmail Zirakparvar. Simply follow the easy instructions to vote by telephone,
by Internet, or by signing, dating and returning the <B><U>WHITE</U></B> proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Please <B><U>DO NOT</U></B>
vote using any proxy card you may receive from Cruiser &#151; even as a &#147;protest vote.&#148; Any vote on the proxy card from Cruiser will revoke your prior vote on a <B><U>WHITE</U></B> proxy card, and only your latest-dated proxy will count
towards the election of your highly qualified and experienced Board of Directors. Your vote must be received by June&nbsp;1, 2022 at 11:00 am PT / 2:00 pm ET to count, so please vote today. </P>
</DIV></Center>


<p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always">
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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>Once you complete and return this official </U><B><U>WHITE</U></B><U> proxy card, no further action is
required, and you should ignore additional notifications by Cruiser &#151; and </U><B><U>DISCARD any other proxy cards you receive. </U></B>If you&#146;ve voted on Cruiser&#146;s card but wish to change your vote, please complete and return the
<B>WHITE</B> proxy card today. You can revoke your previously vote by following the instructions on the enclosed voting form. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We appreciate your
continued support. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Sincerely, </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Eric G. Wintemute, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">John L. Killmer, Lead Independent Director </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><I>If you have any questions or need assistance in </I></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><I>voting your shares please call: </I></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" ALIGN="center">


<IMG SRC="g355729g0523012217631.jpg" ALT="LOGO">
 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">1407 Broadway, 27<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">th</SUP> Floor </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">New York, New York 10018 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">(212) <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">929-5500</FONT> (Call Collect) </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">or </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Call Toll-Free (800) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">322-2885</FONT> </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Email: proxy@mackenziepartners.com </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>Important Additional Information and Where to Find It </U></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">American Vanguard has filed a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, and an accompanying <B><U>WHITE</U></B> proxy card, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (&#147;SEC&#148;) in connection with the solicitation of proxies for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. <B>STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO READ THE COMPANY&#146;S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR
SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION</B>. Stockholders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement and accompanying <B><U>WHITE</U></B>
proxy card, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement, and other documents that the Company files with the SEC, from the Company&#146;s website, https://www.american-vanguard.com, or from the SEC&#146;s website at http://www.sec.gov.
These will be available as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. </P>
</DIV></Center>


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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>Certain Information Regarding Participants to the Solicitation </U></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company and its directors, executive officers and certain employees and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from
the Company&#146;s stockholders in connection with the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders may obtain information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of the Company&#146;s directors and executive officers
included in or incorporated by reference into the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2021, which was filed with the SEC on March&nbsp;14, 2022, or from the
Company&#146;s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April&nbsp;29, 2022. To the extent the holdings of the Company&#146;s securities by the Company&#146;s directors and executive officers have changed since the numbers set forth in the
Company&#146;s definitive proxy statement, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>Forward-Looking Statements </U></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain information
set forth in this release and the accompanying letter may constitute &#147;forward looking statements&#148; within the meaning of federal and applicable state securities laws. All statements herein that are not statements of historical fact are
forward looking statements. These statements include statements regarding management&#146;s expectations for future performance, as well as descriptions of plans and strategies and the expected results thereof. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, statements about our expected ability to continue benefiting from the strategies developed and implemented by the Board and management, and statements about the anticipated outcomes of these strategies, are forward looking in nature and
should be interpreted accordingly. These statements reflect the current expectations of American Vanguard&#146;s management based on currently known facts and circumstances, and should not be construed as assurances of performance or as guaranties
of the actual outcomes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward looking statements include expectations about expected revenues, product margins, and net income, as well as factors relating to the effects on the Company&#146;s
earnings of the contested proxy solicitation currently underway. Actual results may differ from those expressed in forward looking statements, and those differences may be material and adverse. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from
expectations include the ongoing effects of the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">COVID-19</FONT> pandemic and government responses and economic conditions resulting therefrom; the effect of international exchange rates and other local, national and
foreign economic conditions; weather and climate conditions; changes in regulatory policy and in specific regulations and permitting processes that affect our products, and other risks as detailed from <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">time-to-time</FONT></FONT> in the Company&#146;s SEC reports and filings. The Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-Q</FONT> for the fiscal Quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2022, filed
with the SEC on May&nbsp;4, 2022, contains a list of risk factors that may cause results to differ from expectations. These risk factors will be updated from time to time in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the regulations thereunder (&#147;Exchange Act&#148;), or otherwise in our Exchange Act filings. The statements in this release speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such statements to reflect
future events or developments. </P>
</DIV></Center>


<p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always">
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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>About American Vanguard </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">American Vanguard Corporation is a diversified specialty and agricultural products company that develops and markets products for crop protection and
management, turf and ornamentals management and public and animal health. American Vanguard is included on the Russell 2000<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&reg;</SUP>&nbsp;and Russell
3000<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&reg;</SUP>&nbsp;Indexes and the Standard&nbsp;&amp; Poor&#146;s Small Cap 600 Index. To learn more about American Vanguard, please reference the Company&#146;s web site at
www.american-vanguard.com. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Contact </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Reevemark </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Paul Caminiti/Nicholas Leasure </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(212) <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">433-4600</FONT> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Paul.Caminiti@reevemark.com </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Nicholas.Leasure@reevemark.com </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">MacKenzie Partners, Inc. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Bob Marese </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(212)
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">929-5500</FONT> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">bmarese@mackenziepartners.com </P>
</DIV></Center>

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