Quarterly Report
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009

OR

 

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

for the transition period from              to             

 

 

Commission file number: 1-13888

 

 

LOGO

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   06-1385548
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

 

12900 Snow Road  
Parma, OH   44130
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (216) 676-2000

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer  x    Accelerated Filer  ¨    Non-Accelerated Filer  ¨    Smaller Reporting Company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of April 28, 2009, 120,257,860 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I.        FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

  
Item 1.   Financial Statements:   

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009 (unaudited)

   Page 3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months ended March 31, 2008 and 2009 (unaudited)

   Page 4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months ended March 31, 2008 and 2009 (unaudited)

   Page 5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

   Page 6
Introduction to Part I, Item 2, and Part II, Item 1    Page 28
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    Page 33
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    Page 45
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures    Page 47
PART II.      OTHER INFORMATION:   
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings    Page 48
Item 6.   Exhibits    Page 48
SIGNATURE    Page 49

EXHIBIT INDEX

   Page 50

 

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     At December 31,
2008
    At March 31,
2009
 
     (as adjusted—
see Note 4)
       
ASSETS     

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 11,664     $ 6,113  

Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,110 at December 31, 2008 and $5,274 at March 31, 2009

     146,986       91,452  

Inventories

     290,397       279,481  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     14,376       5,545  
                

Total current assets

     463,423       382,591  
                

Property, plant and equipment

     873,932       866,582  

Less: accumulated depreciation

     536,562       532,894  
                

Net property, plant and equipment

     337,370       333,688  

Deferred income taxes

     1,907       17,620  

Goodwill

     7,166       6,977  

Other assets

     12,887       12,236  

Investment in non-consolidated affiliate

     118,925       120,015  

Restricted cash

     1,451       1,391  
                

Total assets

   $ 943,129     $ 874,518  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 55,132     $ 32,255  

Interest payable

     953       470  

Short-term debt

     9,347       11,985  

Accrued income and other taxes

     34,861       39,818  

Other accrued liabilities

     140,330       86,336  
                

Total current liabilities

     240,623       170,864  
                

Long-term debt:

    

Principal value

     50,328       65,161  

Fair value adjustments for hedge instruments

     191       178  

Unamortized bond premium

     38       36  
                

Total long-term debt

     50,557       65,375  
                

Other long-term obligations

     118,272       114,752  

Deferred income taxes

     29,087       26,564  

(see Contingencies – Note 15)

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, par value $.01, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

     —         —    

Common stock, par value $.01, 150,000,000 shares authorized, 122,634,854 shares issued at December 31, 2008 and 123,132,983 shares issued at March 31, 2009

     1,226       1,231  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,290,381       1,291,141  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (355,960 )     (372,886 )

Accumulated deficit

     (317,752 )     (309,283 )

Less: cost of common stock held in treasury, 3,974,345 shares at December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009

     (112,511 )     (112,511 )

Less: common stock held in employee benefit and compensation trusts, 55,728 shares at December 31, 2008 and 51,206 shares at March 31, 2009.

     (794 )     (729 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     504,590       496,963  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 943,129     $ 874,518  
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2009  
    

(as adjusted—

see Note 4)

       

Net sales

   $ 290,002     $ 134,026  

Cost of sales

     181,901       101,932  
                

Gross profit

     108,101       32,094  

Research and development

     2,265       2,068  

Selling and administrative expenses

     22,591       21,635  

Restructuring charges

     152       (32 )
                

Operating income

     83,093       8,423  

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliate

     —         (1,212 )

Other expense (income), net

     21,035       (5,534 )

Interest expense

     7,650       1,647  

Interest income

     (372 )     (117 )
                

Income before provision for income taxes

     54,780       13,639  

Provision for income taxes

     18,096       5,170  
                

Net income

   $ 36,684     $ 8,469  
                

Basic income per common share:

    

Net income per share

   $ 0.36     $ 0.07  

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     102,274       118,956  

Diluted income per common share:

    

Net income per share

   $ 0.34     $ 0.07  

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     117,599       119,245  

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2009  
    

(as adjusted—

see Note 4)

       

Cash flow from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 36,684     $ 8,469  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     8,558       8,028  

Deferred income taxes

     887       1,686  

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliate

     —         (1,212 )

Currency losses (gains)

     16,235       (9,161 )

Post-retirement and pension plan changes

     453       1,415  

Stock based compensation

     1,161       517  

Interest expense

     3,034       329  

Other charges, net

     3,666       5,514  

Dividends from non-consolidated affiliate

     —         122  

(Increase) decrease in working capital *

     (5,723 )     1,608  

Decrease (increase) in long-term assets and liabilities

     2,223       (2,991 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     67,178       14,324  
                

Cash flow from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (9,389 )     (12,637 )

Gain (loss) from derivative instruments

     224       (419 )

Proceeds from sale of assets

     51       17  

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

     (176 )     60  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (9,290 )     (12,979 )
                

Cash flow from financing activities:

    

Short-term debt borrowings, net

     15,887       3,597  

Revolving Facility borrowings

     70,625       62,975  

Revolving Facility reductions

     (66,677 )     (48,000 )

Long-term debt reductions

     (124,663 )     (129 )

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     53       10  

Supply chain financing

     —         (24,696 )

Long-term financing obligations

     (31 )     (275 )

Purchase of treasury shares

     (1,003 )     (14 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     167       54  
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (105,642 )     (6,478 )
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (47,754 )     (5,133 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (13 )     (418 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     54,741       11,664  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 6,974     $ 6,113  
                

 

*  Net change in working capital due to the following components:

    

(Increase) decrease in current assets:

    

Accounts and notes receivable

   $ (25,953 )   $ 69,092  

Effect of factoring on accounts receivable

     30,618       (15,869 )

Inventories

     3,493       4,049  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     884       409  

Decrease in accounts payable and accruals

     (6,982 )     (55,584 )

Decrease in interest payable

     (7,650 )     (483 )

Restructuring payments

     (133 )     (6 )
                

Increase in working capital

   $ (5,723 )   $ 1,608  
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(1) Interim Financial Presentation

These interim Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, they have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted or condensed. These interim Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements, including the accompanying Notes, contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (the “Annual Report”). The year-end Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited Consolidated Financial Statements, and has been adjusted to reflect the change in accounting as described in Note 4.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (all of which are of a normal, recurring nature) which management considers necessary for a fair statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.

Certain amounts for 2008 were reclassified to conform to the 2009 presentation.

(2) New Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In January 2009, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position (“FSP”) APB 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement). FSP APB 14-1 applies to convertible debt instruments that, by their stated terms, may be settled in cash (or other assets) upon conversion, including partial cash settlement of the conversion option. Even though we extinguished our cash-settleable convertible debentures in June 2008, we were required to apply FSP APB 14-1 retrospectively to our previously issued financial statements for the periods in which the convertible debentures were outstanding. FSP APB 14-1 requires bifurcation of the instrument into a debt component that is initially recorded at fair value and an equity component. The difference between the fair value of the debt component and the initial proceeds from issuance of the instrument is recorded as a component of equity. The liability component of the debt instrument is accreted to par using the effective yield method; accretion is reported as a component of interest expense. The equity component is not subsequently re-valued as long as it continues to qualify for equity treatment. The effect and disclosures required by the adoption of FSP APB 14-1 are included in Note 4.

In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities”. Under this FSP, if our instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are determined to be participating securities prior to vesting, we are required to use the two-class method of calculating earnings per share as described in SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share, and to adjust our prior period earnings per share calculations. We adopted this FSP in 2009 and determined there was no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

In April 2008 the FASB approved FSP FAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets. FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years and should be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date. The FSP also requires expanded disclosure related to the determination of useful lives for intangible assets and should be applied to all intangible assets recognized as of, and subsequent to the effective date. The adoption of FSP FAS 142-3 did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The statement amends and expands the disclosure requirements of FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS No. 161 is effective for our fiscal and interim period financial statements beginning 2009. The disclosures required by this statement are included in Note 18.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations. The statement, which replaces Statement 141, Business Combinations, substantially changes the accounting for and reporting of business combinations including (i) expanding the definition of a business and a business combination; (ii) requiring all assets and liabilities of the acquired business, including goodwill, contingent assets and liabilities, and contingent consideration to be recorded at fair value on the acquisition date; (iii) requiring acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs to be expensed rather than accounted for as acquisition costs; and (iv) requiring reversal of valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets and changes to acquired income tax uncertainties to be recognized in earnings. We will apply this statement prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is after January 1, 2009.

As of January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB approved FSP FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, that permitted companies to partially defer the effective date of SFAS No. 157, until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis. FSP FAS 157-2 did not permit companies to defer recognition and disclosure requirements for financial assets and financial liabilities or for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are remeasured at least annually. We applied the provisions of Statement 157 to our nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on January 1, 2009. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The FASB recently announced that on July 1, 2009, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification is expected to become the single official source of authoritative, nongovernmental U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, superseding existing FASB, AICPA, EITF, and related literature. After July 1, 2009, only one level of authoritative GAAP will exist, excluding the guidance issued by the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Codification does not change GAAP; instead, it introduces a new structure – arranged within Topics, Subtopics, Sections, and Subsections.

In December 2008, the FASB approved FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets, which provides guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. These disclosures include how investment allocation decisions are made; information about major categories of plan assets, significant concentrations of risks within plan assets, and fair value measurements of plan assets. Our effective date is December 31, 2009; we are not required to present the disclosures for prior periods.

On April 1, 2009, the FASB approved FSP FAS 141(R)-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies, which amends Statement 141(R) and eliminates the distinction between contractual and non-contractual contingencies. Under FSP FAS 141(R), an acquirer is required to recognize at fair value an asset acquired or liability assumed in a business combination that arises from a contingency if the acquisition-date fair value of that asset or liability can be determined during the measurement period. If the acquisition-date fair value cannot be determined, the acquirer applies the recognition criteria in SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies and Interpretation 14, “Reasonable Estimation of the Amount of a Loss – and interpretation of FASB Statement No. 5,” to determine whether the contingency should be recognized as of the acquisition date or after it.

On April 9, 2009, the FASB approved FSP FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly and FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment.

FSP FAS 157-4 provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with Statement 157 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. FSP FAS 157-4 also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. We are required to adopt this FSP for our interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. This FSP does not require disclosures for periods presented for comparative purposes at initial adoption. This FSP requires comparative disclosures only for periods ending after initial adoption.

FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in U.S. GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. It did not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. We are required to adopt this FSP for our interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. This FSP does not require disclosures for periods presented for comparative purposes at initial adoption. This FSP requires comparative disclosures only for periods ending after initial adoption.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

On April 9, 2009, the FASB also approved FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim period financial statements of publicly traded companies and in summarized financial information required by APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting. We are required to adopt this FSP for our interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. This FSP does not require disclosures for periods presented for comparative purposes at initial adoption. This FSP requires comparative disclosures only for periods ending after initial adoption.

On April 13, 2009, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 111 that amends Topic 5.M. entitled Other Than Temporary Impairment of Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. This SAB maintains the SEC staff’s previous views related to equity securities and amends Topic 5.M. to exclude debt securities from its scope.

(3) Stock-Based Compensation

In the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2009, we recognized $1.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense. A majority of the expense, $1.1 million and $0.5 million respectively, was recorded as selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, with the remaining expense recorded as cost of sales and research and development.

As of March 31, 2009, the total compensation cost related to the non-vested restricted stock and stock options not yet recognized was $3.9 million and will be recognized over the weighted average life of 1.43 years.

During 2008, we approved an additional performance share award program under our long-term incentive plan. Under this program, a maximum of 597,000 shares of performance shares, which represent the right to receive shares contingent upon the achievement of one or more performance measures, will be issued to eligible employees. These new awards are both service and performance based. Eligible employees must remain employed with the company for a three year period, which began in the first quarter of 2009, and also meet specific performance targets established for each year for the awards to vest. If performance targets are not met at a minimum of a 50% level, the employees forfeit their awards for that specific annual grant. The maximum number of shares that can be earned, 597,000, is based on meeting the targets at a 150% of target level for all three years. The performance targets 2009 were established in February. We recognized expense of $0.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 related to these awards, which assumes the 2009 targets will be met at a 100% target level.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Restricted stock activity under the plans for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was as follows:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Outstanding unvested at January 1, 2009

   640,152     $ 9.05

Granted

   287,905       8.39

Vested

   (340,170 )     9.46

Forfeited

   (5,866 )     8.00
            

Outstanding unvested at March 31, 2009

   582,021     $ 8.50
            

Stock option activity under the plans for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was as follows:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

Outstanding at January 1, 2009

   1,359,238     $ 8.84

Granted

   —         —  

Vested

   —         —  

Exercised

   (10,000 )     5.35

Forfeited

   (5,000 )     17.81
            

Outstanding at March 31, 2009

   1,344,238     $ 8.83
            

(4) Adoption of FSP APB 14-1

On July 22, 2004, GTI issued $225.0 million aggregate principal amount of Debentures. The Debentures were scheduled to mature on January 15, 2024, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. On May 30, 2008, we called for the redemption of the $225.0 million outstanding principal amount of the Debentures.

On June 13, 2008, the redemption date, the Debenture holders who exercised their conversion rights received 60.3136 shares of our common stock for each $1,000 principal amount of Debentures on conversion, together with a make-whole payment totaling $9.0 million, which represented the present value of all remaining scheduled payments of interest on the redeemed Debentures from the date of conversion through January 15, 2011.

We also made payment of $0.2 million to the Debenture holders who did not exercise their conversion rights and opted to receive a redemption price in cash equal to 100% of the principal plus accrued but unpaid interest until the redemption date. These Debenture holders received the make-whole value in shares.

As mentioned in Note 2, we were required to retrospectively change our method of accounting for the Debentures during the period they were outstanding to comply with FSP APB 14-1. Under this FSP, we separated the Debentures into two accounting components:

 

  1. a debt component, representing the fair value of the Debentures if they had no conversion rights, and

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

  2. an equity component, representing the difference between the proceeds from the issuance of the Debentures and their fair value.

The amount allocated to the equity component was accounted for as debt discount. We also allocated the transaction costs to the liability and equity components in proportion to the allocation of proceeds and accounted for them as debt issuance costs and equity issuance costs, respectively.

Debt discount and debt issuance costs not allocated to equity were amortized over the period to the first conversion date (7 years) using the interest method and recorded as interest expense. Because the amounts allocated to equity were not deductible for income tax purposes we recorded the tax effects as adjustments to additional paid-in capital.

The effect of the adoption of the FSP on our balance sheet at December 31, 2008, and our statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Previously
reported
    Retrospectively
Adjusted
 

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008

    

Additional paid-in capital

   1,268,980     1,290,381  

Accumulated deficit

   (296,351 )   (317,752 )

Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008

    

Interest expense

   5,686     7,650  

Income from continuing operations

   56,744     54,780  

Net income

   38,648     36,684  

Basic income per common share

   0.38     0.36  

Diluted income per common share

   0.34     0.34  

There was no impact to provision for income taxes due to valuation allowances.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(5) Earnings Per Share

The following table shows the information used in the calculation of our basic and diluted earnings per share as of March 31:

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2008    2009
     (Dollars in thousands, except share data)

Net income, as reported

   $ 36,684    $ 8,469

Add: Interest on Debentures, net of tax benefit

     916      —  

Add: Amortization of Debentures discount and issuance costs, net of tax benefit

     2,395      —  
             

Net income, as adjusted

   $ 39,995    $ 8,469
             

Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic calculation

     102,274,038      118,955,516

Add: Effect of stock options and restricted stock

     1,754,328      289,057

Add: Effect of Debentures

     13,570,560      —  
             

Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted calculation

     117,598,926      119,244,573
             

The calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding for the diluted calculation excludes consideration of stock options covering 1,945,313 and 1,190,703 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively, because the exercise of these options would not have been dilutive for those periods due to the fact that the exercise prices were greater than the weighted average market price of our common stock for each of those periods.

(6) Segment Reporting

Our businesses are reported in the following reportable segments:

Industrial Materials. Our industrial materials segment manufactures and delivers high quality graphite electrodes and refractory products. Electrodes are key components of the conductive power systems used to produce steel and other non-ferrous metals. Refractory products are used in blast furnaces and submerged arc furnaces due to their high thermal conductivity and the ease with which they can be machined to large or complex shapes.

Engineered Solutions. Engineered solutions include advanced graphite materials products for the transportation, solar, and oil and gas exploration industries, as well as natural graphite products.

We evaluate the performance of our segments based on segment operating income. Intersegment sales and transfers are not material and the accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those for our Consolidated Financial Statements as a whole. Corporate expenses are allocated to segments based on each segment’s percentage of consolidated sales.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following tables summarize financial information concerning our reportable segments.

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2009  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net sales to external customers:

    

Industrial materials

   $ 248,289     $ 104,521  

Engineered solutions

     41,713       29,505  
                

Total net sales

   $ 290,002     $ 134,026  
                

Segment operating income:

    

Industrial materials

   $ 74,665     $ 6,788  

Engineered solutions

     8,428       1,635  
                

Total operating income

   $ 83,093     $ 8,423  
                

Reconciliation of operating income to income before provision for income taxes

    

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliate

     —         (1,212 )

Other expense (income), net

     21,035       (5,534 )

Interest expense

     7,650       1,647  

Interest income

     (372 )     (117 )
                

Income before provision for income taxes

   $ 54,780     $ 13,639  
                

(7) Investment in Non-Consolidated Affiliate

On June 30, 2008, we acquired 100% of the common stock of Falcon-Seadrift Holding Corp., now named GrafTech Seadrift Holding Corp. (“GTSD”). The principal asset of GTSD is limited partnership units constituting approximately 18.9% of the equity interests of Seadrift Coke L.P. (“Seadrift”); a privately-held producer of needle coke, the primary raw material used in the manufacture of graphite electrodes. The substance of the transaction was the acquisition of an asset, the limited partnership units. The cost of our acquisition was $136.5 million of which $135.0 million was paid in cash.

We perform an assessment of our investment in Seadrift for impairment whenever changes in the facts and circumstances indicate that a loss in value has occurred (a “triggering event”), which is other than temporary. Because Seadrift is privately-held, we determine the fair value based upon the present value of expected future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risks of the investment.

At December 31, 2008, we determined that the fair value of the investment was less than our carrying value and that the loss in value is not temporary. We recorded a $34.5 million noncash impairment to recognize this other than temporary loss in value. The fair value of Seadrift reflected reductions in the estimated future cash flows based on a lower expectation of tons shipped and reduced growth and profitability resulting primarily from the downturn in the economy.

Given the current economic environment and the uncertainties regarding the impact on steel producers and their suppliers, including Seadrift, there can be no assurances that our estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of Seadrift will prove to be accurate. If the assumptions regarding forecasted revenue, growth rates, and expected profitability are not achieved, we may be required to record additional impairment charges in future periods.

We determined that no triggering event occurred in the quarter ended March 31, 2009. It is not possible at this time to determine if a triggering event may occur in the future and if any such triggering event would result in a loss of value that is other than temporary.

Our equity earnings are based on Seadrift’s results of operations with a one-month lag because its accounting close cycle and preparation of financial statements occurs subsequent to our reporting deadline. We include an estimate for the effect of Seadrift’s LIFO inventory accounting on interim periods. Our statement of operations includes income of $1.2 million which represents our equity in the earnings of Seadrift for the first quarter, on a one-month lag, of $2.5 million income, as well as the amortization of the difference between our cost of the investment and the net assets of Seadrift assigned to the long-lived assets of $1.3 million.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(8) Other Expense (Income), Net

The following table presents an analysis of other expense (income), net:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2009  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Currency losses (gains)

   $ 15,464     $ (6,351 )

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     4,725       —    

Gain on the disposal of fixed assets

     (48 )     (17 )

Bank and other financing fees

     445       505  

Loss on the sale of accounts receivable

     340       78  

Other

     109       251  
                

Total other expense (income), net

   $ 21,035     $ (5,534 )
                

We have non-dollar-denominated intercompany loans between GrafTech Finance and certain of our foreign subsidiaries. At December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009, the aggregate principal amount of these loans was $558.4 million and $533.8 million, respectively (based on currency exchange rates in effect at such dates). These loans are subject to remeasurement gains and losses due to changes in currency exchange rates. Certain of these loans had been deemed to be essentially permanent prior to settlement and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans were recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The loans remaining are deemed to be temporary and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans are recorded as currency gains / losses in other income (expense), net, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2009, we had a net total of $15.5 million of currency losses and $6.4 million of currency gains, respectively, due to the remeasurement of intercompany loans and the effect of transaction gains and losses related to foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is the US dollar.

In connection with the redemption of $125 million of the outstanding principal of the Senior Notes in the three months ended March 31, 2008, we incurred a $4.7 million loss on the extinguishment of debt, which includes $4.3 million related to the call premium and $0.4 million of charges for the accelerated amortization of the debt issuance fees, terminated interest rate swaps and the premium related to the Senior Notes.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(9) Benefit Plans

The components of our consolidated net pension and postretirement cost are set forth in the following table:

 

     Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
     For the Three
Months Ended
March 31,
    For the Three
Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2009     2008     2009  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Service cost

   $ 246     $ 157     $ 120     $ 93  

Interest cost

     2,890       2,619       554       554  

Expected return on plan assets

     (3,254 )     (2,909 )     —         —    

Amortization of transition obligation

     (22 )     2       —         —    

Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)

     34       11       (332 )     (319 )

Amortization of unrecognized loss

     497       319       1,051       967  

Settlement

     171       41       —         —    
                                

Net cost

   $ 562     $ 240     $ 1,393     $ 1,295  
                                

(10) Long-Term Debt and Liquidity

The following table presents our long-term debt:

 

     At December 31,
2008
   At March 31,
2009
     (Dollars in thousands)

Revolving Facility

   $ 30,000    $ 44,975

Senior Notes:

     

Senior Notes due 2012

     19,906      19,906

Fair value adjustments for terminated hedge instruments*

     191      178

Unamortized bond premium

     38      36
             

Total Senior Notes

     20,135      20,120

Other European debt

     422      280
             

Total

   $ 50,557    $ 65,375
             

 

* Fair value adjustments for terminated hedge instruments will be amortized as a credit to interest expense over the remaining term of the Senior Notes.

In the three months ended March 31, 2008, we redeemed a total of $125 million of the outstanding principal amount of the 10 1/4% Senior Notes, due 2012, at 103.417% plus accrued interest. In connection with this redemption, we incurred a $4.7 million loss on the extinguishment of debt.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(11) Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following:

 

     At December 31,
2008
    At March 31,
2009
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Inventories:

    

Raw materials and supplies

   $ 130,615     $ 119,541  

Work in process

     111,995       110,617  

Finished goods

     49,895       51,110  
                
     292,505       281,268  

Excess and obsolete reserves

     (2,108 )     (1,787 )
                
   $ 290,397     $ 279,481  
                

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we recorded a $7.2 million charge to cost of goods sold under the provisions of SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs – an amendment of APB No. 43, Chapter 4. SFAS No. 151 requires abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted materials (spoilage) to be recognized as current period charges. It also requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on normal capacity of the production facilities. The $7.2 million impact was attributable to adjustments of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion based on normal capacity versus actual levels, due to production levels below normal capacity in the first quarter.

(12) Interest Expense

The following table presents an analysis of interest expense:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2009  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Interest incurred on debt

   $ 4,831     $ 1,264  

Amortization of fair value adjustments for terminated hedge instruments

     (71 )     (13 )

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     625       345  

Amortization of premium on Senior Notes

     (14 )     (3 )

Amortization of discount on Debentures

     2,205       —    

Interest incurred on other items

     74       54  
                

Total interest expense

   $ 7,650     $ 1,647  
                

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(13) Other Comprehensive Income

Other comprehensive income consisted of the following:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2009  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 36,684     $ 8,469  

Other comprehensive income:

    

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax

     (23,605 )     17,020  

Amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized gains and losses, net of tax

     (1,229 )     41  

Natural gas derivatives and other, net of tax

     (247 )     (135 )
                

Total comprehensive income

   $ 11,603     $ 25,395  
                

(14) Supply Chain Financing

During 2008, we entered into a supply chain financing arrangement with a financing party. Under this arrangement, we essentially assigned our rights to purchase needle coke from our supplier to the financing party. The financing party purchases the product from our supplier under standard payment terms and then immediately resells it to us under longer payment terms. The financing party pays the supplier the purchase price for the product and then we pay the financing party. In effect, we have a longer period of time to pay the financing party than by purchasing directly from the supplier. Our payment to the financing party for this needle coke includes a mark up (the “Mark Up”). The Mark Up is a premium expressed as a percentage of the purchase price, and is subject to quarterly reviews. This arrangement helps us to maintain a balanced cash conversion cycle between inventory payments and the collection of receivables. Based on the terms of the arrangement, the total amount that we owe to the financing party may not exceed $49.3 million at any point in time.

Based on the guidance of SFAS 49, Accounting for Product Financing Arrangements, we record the inventory once title and risk of loss transfers from the supplier to the financing party. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we purchased $5.4 million of inventory under this agreement, and made payments to the financing party of $50.6 million for purchases made during 2008, including $0.6 million related to the Mark Up.

(15) Contingencies

We are involved in various investigations, lawsuits, claims, demands, environmental compliance programs and other legal proceedings arising out of or incidental to the conduct of our business. While it is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of each of these matters, we do not believe that their ultimate disposition will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Product Warranties

We generally sell products with a limited warranty. We accrue for known warranty claims if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. We also accrue for estimated warranty claims incurred based on a historical claims charge analysis. Claims accrued but not yet paid amounted to $0.9 million at December 31, 2008 and $1.4 million at March 31, 2009. The following table presents the activity in this accrual for the three months ended March 31, 2009:

 

     (Dollars in Thousands)  

Balance at January 1, 2009

   $ 913  

Product warranty charges

     752  

Payments and settlements

     (221 )
        

Balance at March 31, 2009

   $ 1,444  
        

(16) Financial Information About the Issuer, the Guarantors of Our Debt Securities and Subsidiaries Whose Securities Secure the Senior Notes and Related Guarantees

On February 15, 2002, GrafTech Finance (“Finco”), a direct subsidiary of GTI (the “Parent”), issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes and, on May 6, 2002, $150 million aggregate principal amount of additional Senior Notes. All of the Senior Notes have been issued under a single Indenture and constitute a single class of debt securities. The Senior Notes mature on February 15, 2012. The Senior Notes have been guaranteed on a senior basis by the Parent and the following wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Parent: GrafTech Global, GrafTech International Holdings Inc., GrafTech International Trading Inc., and GrafTech Technology LLC. The Parent, Finco and these subsidiaries together hold a substantial majority of our U.S. assets.

On January 22, 2004, the Parent issued $225 million aggregate principal amount of Debentures. The guarantors of the Debentures were the same as the guarantors of the Senior Notes, except for Parent (which was the issuer of the Debentures but a guarantor of the Senior Notes) and Finco (which was a guarantor of the Debentures but the issuer of the Senior Notes). The Parent and Finco are both obligors on the Senior Notes and were both obligors in the Debentures, although in different capacities.

In June 2008 the entire outstanding principal amount of the Debentures were either converted into shares of common stock or redeemed and the obligations of the guarantors of the Debentures were released. The guarantees of the Senior Notes remain in full force and effect.

The guarantors of the Senior Notes, solely in their respective capacities as such, are collectively called the “U.S. Guarantors.” Our other subsidiaries, which are not guarantors of the Senior Notes, are called the “Non-Guarantors.”

All of the guarantees are unsecured. All of the guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several. Finco and each of the other U.S. Guarantors (other than the Parent) are 100% owned, directly or indirectly, by the Parent. All of the guarantees of the Senior Notes continue until the Senior Notes have been paid in full, and payment under such guarantees could be required immediately upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Senior Notes. If a guarantor makes a payment under its guarantee of the Senior Notes, it would have the right under certain circumstances to seek contribution from the other guarantors of the Senior Notes.

Provisions in the Revolving Facility restrict the payment of dividends by our subsidiaries to the Parent. At March 31, 2009, retained earnings of our subsidiaries subject to such restrictions were approximately $1,257 million. Investments in subsidiaries are recorded on the equity basis.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following tables set forth condensed consolidating balance sheets at December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009 and condensed consolidating statements of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2009 of the Parent, Finco, all other U.S. Guarantors and the Non-Guarantors.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

at December 31, 2008

 

     Parent
(Guarantor of
Senior Notes)
   Finco (Issuer
of Senior
Notes)
   All Other
U.S.
Guarantors
   Non-
Guarantors
   Consolidation/
Eliminations
    Consolidated
     (Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS                 

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 131    $ 713    $ 341    $ 10,479    $ —       $ 11,664

Intercompany loans

     —        244,463      —        684,297      (928,760 )     —  

Intercompany accounts receivable

     —        9,846      —        9,880      (19,726 )     —  

Accounts receivable - third party

     —        —        26,783      120,203      —         146,986
                                          

Accounts and notes receivable, net

     —        254,309      26,783      814,380      (948,486 )     146,986

Inventories

     —        —        56,091      234,306      —         290,397

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     —        13      9,040      5,323      —         14,376
                                          

Total current assets

     131      255,035      92,255      1,064,488      (948,486 )     463,423
                                          

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —        —        84,178      253,192      —         337,370

Deferred income taxes

     —        —        —        1,907      —         1,907

Intercompany loans

     —        558,433      —        —        (558,433 )     —  

Investments in affiliates

     504,459      —        512,097      —        (1,016,556 )     —  

Goodwill

     —        —        —        7,166      —         7,166

Other assets

     —        2,355      5,155      5,377      —         12,887

Investment in non-consolidated affiliate

     —        —        118,925      —        —         118,925

Restricted cash

     —        —        —        1,451      —         1,451
                                          

Total assets

   $ 504,590    $ 815,823    $ 812,610    $ 1,333,581    $ (2,523,475 )   $ 943,129
                                          
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ —      $ —      $ 9,032    $ 46,100    $ —       $ 55,132

Interest payable

     —        943      —        10      —         953

Intercompany loans

     —        694,177      237,645      16,664      (948,486 )     —  

Third party loans

     —        6,700      —        2,647      —         9,347
                                          

Short-term debt

     —        700,877      237,645      19,311      (948,486 )     9,347

Accrued income and other taxes

     —        —        4,838      30,023      —         34,861

Other accrued liabilities

     —        685      37,734      101,911      —         140,330
                                          

Total current liabilities

     —        702,505      289,249      197,355      (948,486 )     240,623
                                          

Long-term debt

     —        50,135      —        422      —         50,557

Intercompany loans

     —        —        —        558,433      (558,433 )     —  

Other long-term obligations

     —        —        75,945      42,327      —         118,272

Deferred income taxes

     —        —        6,140      22,947      —         29,087

Stockholders’ equity

     504,590      63,183      441,276      512,097      (1,016,556 )     504,590
                                          

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 504,590    $ 815,823    $ 812,610    $ 1,333,581    $ (2,523,475 )   $ 943,129
                                          

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

at March 31, 2009

 

     Parent
(Guarantor of
Senior Notes)
   Finco (Issuer
of Senior
Notes)
   All Other
U.S.
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
   Consolidation/
Eliminations
    Consolidated
     (Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS                

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 141    $ 814    $ (61 )   $ 5,219    $ —       $ 6,113

Intercompany loans

     —        230,806      7,413       633,058      (871,277 )     —  

Intercompany accounts receivable

     —        8,869      (612 )     10,877      (19,134 )     —  

Accounts receivable - third party

     —        —        24,954       66,498      —         91,452
                                           

Accounts and notes receivable, net

     —        239,675      31,755       710,433      (890,411 )     91,452

Inventories

     —        —        57,244       222,237      —         279,481

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     —        125      734       4,686      —         5,545
                                           

Total current assets

     141      240,614      89,672       942,575      (890,411 )     382,591
                                           

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —        —        84,495       249,193      —         333,688

Deferred income taxes

     —        —        10,662       6,958      —         17,620

Intercompany loans

     —        533,775      —         —        (533,775 )     —  

Investments in affiliates

     496,822      —        485,788       —        (982,610 )     —  

Goodwill

     —        —        —         6,977      —         6,977

Other assets

     —        2,009      5,004       5,223      —         12,236

Investment in non-consolidated affiliate

     —        —        120,015       —        —         120,015

Restricted cash

     —        —        —         1,391      —         1,391
                                           

Total assets

   $ 496,963    $ 776,398    $ 795,636     $ 1,212,317    $ (2,406,796 )   $ 874,518
                                           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable

   $ —      $ —      $ 6,446     $ 25,809    $ —       $ 32,255

Interest payable

     —        463      1       6      —         470

Intercompany loans

     —        642,761      226,432       20,044      (889,237 )     —  

Third party loans

     —        7,300      —         4,685      —         11,985
                                           

Short-term debt

     —        650,061      226,432       24,729      (889,237 )     11,985

Accrued income and other taxes

     —        —        16,849       24,181      (1,212 )     39,818

Other accrued liabilities

     —        600      34,233       51,503      —         86,336
                                           

Total current liabilities

     —        651,124      283,961       126,228      (890,449 )     170,864
                                           

Long-term debt

     —        65,095      —         280      —         65,375

Intercompany loans

     —        —        —         533,737      (533,737 )     —  

Other long-term obligations

     —        —        74,817       39,935      —         114,752

Deferred income taxes

     —        —        215       26,349      —         26,564

Stockholders’ equity

     496,963      60,179      436,643       485,788      (982,610 )     496,963
                                           

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 496,963    $ 776,398    $ 795,636     $ 1,212,317    $ (2,406,796 )   $ 874,518
                                           

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

 

     Parent
(Guarantor of
Senior Notes)
    Finco (Issuer
of Senior
Notes)
    All Other
U.S.
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
    Consolidation/
Eliminations
    Consolidated  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net sales

   $ —       $ —       $ 58,501     $ 231,501     $ —       $ 290,002  

Cost of sales

     —         —         66,862       115,039       —         181,901  
                                                

Gross profit

     —         —         (8,361 )     116,462       —         108,101  

Research and development

     —         —         2,266       (1 )     —         2,265  

Selling, administrative, and other expenses

     —         —         14,271       8,320       —         22,591  

Restructuring charges

     —         —         (2 )     154       —         152  
                                                

Operating income

     —         —         (24,896 )     107,989       —         83,093  

Other (income) expense, net

     —         7,782       3,174       (12,054 )     22,133       21,035  

Interest expense

     3,316       12,385       3,882       10,200       (22,133 )     7,650  

Interest income

     —         (199 )     —         (173 )     —         (372 )
                                                

Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     (3,316 )     (19,968 )     (31,952 )     110,016       —         54,780  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

           280       2,968       14,848       —         18,096  
                                                

Income (loss)

     (3,316 )     (20,248 )     (34,920 )     95,168       —         36,684  

Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries

     40,000       —         95,168       —         (135,168 )     —    
                                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 36,684     $ (20,248 )   $ 60,248     $ 95,168     $ (135,168 )   $ 36,684  
                                                

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

 

     Parent
(Guarantor of
Senior Notes)
   Finco (Issuer
of Senior
Notes)
    All Other
U.S.
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
    Consolidation/
Eliminations
    Consolidated  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net sales

   $ —      $ —       $ 49,050     $ 84,976     $ —       $ 134,026  

Cost of sales

     —        —         40,384       61,548       —         101,932  
                                               

Gross profit

     —        —         8,666       23,428       —         32,094  

Research and development

     —        —         2,054       14       —         2,068  

Selling, administrative, and other expenses

     —        —         12,402       9,233       —         21,635  

Restructuring charges

     —        —         —         (32 )     —         (32 )
                                               

Operating income

     —        —         (5,790 )     14,213       —         8,423  

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliate

     —        —         (1,212 )     —         —         (1,212 )

Other (income) expense, net

     —        (7,617 )     (8,021 )     (8,934 )     19,038       (5,534 )

Interest expense

     —        10,705       1,328       8,652       (19,038 )     1,647  

Interest income

     —        —         —         (117 )     —         (117 )
                                               

Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     —        (3,088 )     2,115       14,612       —         13,639  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     —        —         2,396       2,774       —         5,170  
                                               

Income (loss)

     —        (3,088 )     (281 )     11,838       —         8,469  

Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries

     8,469      —         11,838       —         (20,307 )     —    
                                               

Net income (loss)

   $ 8,469    $ (3,088 )   $ 11,557     $ 11,838     $ (20,307 )   $ 8,469  
                                               

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

 

     Parent
(Guarantor of
Senior Notes)
    Finco (Issuer
of Senior
Notes)
    All Other
U.S.
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
    Consolidation/
Eliminations
    Consolidated  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Cash flow from operating activities:

            

Net income (loss)

   $ 36,684     $ (20,248 )   $ 60,248     $ 95,168     $ (135,168 )   $ 36,684  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operations:

            

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         1,524       7,034       —         8,558  

Deferred income taxes

     —         —         1,918       (1,031 )     —         887  

Currency losses

     —         16,235       —         —         —         16,235  

Post-retirement and pension plan changes

     —         —         —         453       —         453  

Interest expense

     1,922       1,112       —         —         —         3,034  

Stock-based compensation

     1,161       —         —         —         —         1,161  

Other (credits) charges, net

     86,622       (513,178 )     (58,010 )     385,658       102,574       3,666  

(Increase) decrease in working capital

     (914 )     (4,402 )     (7,396 )     (137,723 )     144,712       (5,723 )

Long-term assets and liabilities

     —         —         3,382       (1,159 )     —         2,223  
                                                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     125,475       (520,481 )     1,666       348,400       112,118       67,178  

Cash flow from investing activities:

            

Inter-company loans receivable/payable/debt

     —         485,780       —         (373,637 )     (112,143 )     —    

Capital expenditures

     —         —         (1,697 )     (7,692 )     —         (9,389 )

Proceeds from sale of assets

     —         —         31       20       —         51  

Increase in restricted cash

     —         —         —         (176 )     —         (176 )

Proceeds from derivative instruments

     —         224       —         —         —         224  
                                                

Net cash used in investing activities

     —         486,004       (1,666 )     (381,485 )     (112,143 )     (9,290 )

Cash flow from financing activities:

            

Short-term debt borrowings (reductions), net

     —         —         —         15,887       —         15,887  

Revolving Facility borrowings

     —         70,625       —         —         —         70,625  

Revolving Facility reductions

     —         (66,677 )     —         —         —         (66,677 )

Long term debt reductions

     (124,663 )     —         —         —         —         (124,663 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     167       —         —         —         —         167  

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     53       —         —         —         —         53  

Long-term financing obligations

     —         —         —         (31 )     —         (31 )

Purchase of treasury shares

     (1,003 )     —         —         —         —         (1,003 )
                                                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     (125,446 )     3,948       —         15,856       —         (105,642 )

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     29       (30,529 )     —         (17,229 )     (25 )     (47,754 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —         —         —         (13 )     —         (13 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     168       31,021       —         23,670       (118 )     54,741  
                                                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 197     $ 492     $ —       $ 6,428     $ (143 )   $ 6,974  
                                                

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

 

     Parent
(Guarantor of
Senior Notes)
    Finco (Issuer
of Senior
Notes)
    All Other
U.S.
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
    Consolidation/
Eliminations
    Consolidated  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Cash flow from operating activities:

            

Net income (loss)

   $ 8,469     $ (3,088 )   $ 11,557     $ 11,838     $ (20,307 )   $ 8,469  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operations:

            

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         1,638       6,390       —         8,028  

Deferred income taxes

     —         —         2,256       (570 )     —         1,686  

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliate

     —         —         (1,212 )     —         —         (1,212 )

Currency losses

     —         —         —         (9,161 )     —         (9,161 )

Post-retirement and pension plan changes

     —         —         954       461       —         1,415  

Stock-based compensation

     517       —         —         —         —         517  

Interest expense

     —         342       (13 )     —         —         329  

Other (credits) charges, net

     (9,026 )     (12,718 )     9,574       (61,348 )     79,032       5,514  

Dividends from non-consolidated affiliate

     —         —         122       —         —         122  

(Increase) decrease in working capital

     —         13,954       (12,383 )     58,762       (58,725 )     1,608  

Long-term assets and liabilities

     —         —         (1,470 )     (1,521 )     —         (2,991 )
                                                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     (40 )     (1,510 )     11,023       4,851       —         14,324  

Cash flow from investing activities:

            

Inter-company loans receivable/payable/debt

     —         (12,945 )     (10,325 )     23,270       —         —    

Capital expenditures

     —         —         (2,142 )     (10,495 )     —         (12,637 )

Natural gas derivatives

     —         (419 )     —         —         —         (419 )

Proceeds from the sale of assets

     —         —         10       7       —         17  

Change in restricted cash

     —         —         —         60       —         60  
                                                

Net cash used in investing activities

     —         (13,364 )     (12,457 )     12,842       —         (12,979 )

Cash flow from financing activities:

            

Short-term debt borrowings (reductions), net

     —         —         1,032       2,565       —         3,597  

Revolving Facility borrowings

     —         62,975       —         —         —         62,975  

Revolving Facility reductions

     —         (48,000 )     —         —         —         (48,000 )

Long-term debt reductions

     —         —         —         (129 )     —         (129 )

Excess tax benefit

     10       —         —         —         —         10  

Supply chain financing

     —         —         —         (24,696 )     —         (24,696 )

Long term financing obligations

     —         —         —         (275 )     —         (275 )

Purchase of treasury shares

     (14 )     —         —         —         —         (14 )

Purchase of treasury shares

     54       —         —         —         —         54  
                                                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     50       14,975       1,032       (22,535 )     —         (6,478 )

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     10       101       (402 )     (4,842 )     —         (5,133 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —         —         —         (418 )     —         (418 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     131       713       341       10,479       —         11,664  
                                                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 141     $ 814     $ (61 )   $ 5,219     $ —       $ 6,113  
                                                

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(17) Income Taxes

Under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting, we compute on a quarterly basis an estimated annual effective tax rate considering ordinary income and related income tax expense. Ordinary income refers to income (loss) before income tax expense excluding significant, unusual, or infrequently occurring items. The tax effect of an unusual or infrequently occurring item is recorded in the interim period in which it occurs. To the extent we cannot reliably estimate annual projected taxes for a taxing jurisdiction, taxes on ordinary income for such a jurisdiction are reported in the period in which they are incurred. Other items included in income tax expense in the periods in which they occur include the cumulative effect of changes in tax laws or rates, foreign exchange gains and losses, adjustments to prior period uncertain tax positions, and adjustments to our valuation allowance due to changes in judgment of the realizability of deferred tax assets.

Provision for income taxes was a charge of $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and $18.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The effective tax rates were 37.9% and 31.9% for the 3 months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate is due primarily due to jurisdictional shifts of income, and changes in the utilization of attributes and related valuation allowances.

Our cumulative year-to-date unrecognized tax benefits have increased by $1.6 million, primarily as a result of tax positions taken in a prior period. This would have an unfavorable impact on our effective rate, except for the fact that we are able to utilize attributes and release related valuations allowances against the majority of this amount. As of March 31, 2009, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $12.4 million, of which $12.4 million would have a favorable impact on our effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that a reduction in a range of $5.0 million to $6.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits may occur within 12 months as a result of the expiration of statutes of limitation.

The company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. We are currently under federal audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax year 2004. All U.S. tax years prior to 2004 are closed by statute or have been audited and settled with the domestic tax authorities. We are also currently under audit for tax years 2005-2007 by the French tax authorities. Generally, all tax years beginning after 2003 are still open to examination in our other foreign taxing jurisdictions.

Our tax provisions for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were primarily for taxes on our international income. We continue to adjust the tax provision rate through the establishment, or release, of non-cash valuation allowances attributable to the U.S. and certain foreign taxing jurisdictions, including foreign tax credit utilization. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” requires us to weigh both positive and negative evidence in determining whether a valuation allowance is required. Examples of positive evidence would include a strong earnings history, an event or events that would increase the Company’s taxable income through a continued reduction of expenses, and tax planning strategies that would indicate an ability to realize deferred tax assets. While the performance of these tax jurisdictions has improved significantly in recent quarters,

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

and our interest expense has been significantly reduced through debt repayments during 2009 and 2008, we have determined that the valuation allowances relating to these jurisdictions’ deferred tax assets should continue to be maintained. The balance of significant positive evidence does not yet outweigh the negative evidence in regards to whether or not a valuation allowance is required.

(18) Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments as part of our overall foreign currency and commodity risk management strategies to manage the risk of exchange rate movements that would reduce the value of our foreign cash flows and to minimize commodity price volatility. Foreign currency exchange rate movements create a degree of risk by affecting the value of sales made and costs incurred in currencies other than the US Dollar. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes and did not during the three months ended March 31, 2009 or 2008.

None of our derivative contracts contain provisions that would require us to provide collateral. Derivative contracts that we may enter into in the future may contain such provisions. We do not anticipate nonperformance by any or the counter-parties to our instruments.

The fair value of all derivatives is recorded as assets or liabilities on a gross basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the fair values of our derivatives and their respective balance sheet locations are presented in the following table:

 

     Asset Derivatives    Liability Derivatives
     Location    Fair Value    Location    Fair Value
     (Dollars in thousands)

As of March 31, 2009

           

Foreign currency contracts

   Other current assets    $ 218    —      $ —  

Commodity contracts

   —        —      Other current liabilities      1,362
                   

Total fair value

      $ 218       $ 1,362

As of December 31, 2008

           

Foreign currency contracts

   Other current assets    $ 203    —      $ —  

Commodity contracts

   —        —      Other current liabilities      1,511
                   

Total fair value

      $ 203       $ 1,511

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The location and amount of realized (gains) losses recognized in income on derivatives are as follows for the periods ended March 31:

 

          Amount of (Gain) Loss
Recognized
 
          (Dollars in thousands)  

Three months ended March 31,

  

Location

   2009     2008  

Foreign currency contracts

   Cost of goods sold/Other
(income) expense
   $ (540 )   $ —    

Commodity contracts

   Cost of goods sold      958       (109 )

Foreign Currency Contracts

In 2008 and 2009, we entered into foreign exchange contracts as economic hedges of anticipated cash flows denominated in the Mexican peso and Brazilian real. These contracts were entered into to protect the risk that the eventual cash flows resulting from such transactions will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates between the US Dollar and either the Mexican peso or Brazilian real. As of March 31, 2009, we had outstanding Mexican peso and Brazilian real forward exchange contracts, with aggregate notional amounts of $10.0 million. The forward exchange contracts outstanding as of March 31, 2009 mature in June 2009. For the period ended March 31, 2009, gains related to these contracts were $0.5 million.

Commodity Forward Contracts

In 2008 and 2009, we entered into commodity forward contracts as economic hedges of exposure to variability of commodity prices for natural gas. These contracts were entered into to protect against the risk that the eventual cash flows related to purchases of natural gas will be adversely affected by future changes in prices. As of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, we had outstanding natural gas commodity forward contracts with aggregate notional amounts of $2.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively. The commodity forward contracts outstanding as of March 31, 2009 have several maturity dates ranging from April to September 2009. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 losses related to these contracts were $1.0 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, gains related to these contracts were $0.1 million.

Both our foreign currency contract and our commodity contracts are treated as hedges under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. With respect to the inputs used to determine the fair value, we use observable, quoted rates that are determined by active markets and therefore, classify the contracts as “Level 2” in accordance with the definition in SFAS No. 157.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Introduction to Part I, Item 2, and Part II, Item 1

Important Terms. We define various terms to simplify the presentation of information in this Report. These terms, which definitions are incorporated herein by reference, are defined in “Part I – Preliminary Notes – Important Terms” the Annual Report.

Presentation of Financial, Market and Legal Data. We present our financial information on a consolidated basis.

Unless otherwise noted, when we refer to dollars, we mean U.S. dollars.

Unless otherwise specifically noted, market and market share data in this Report are our own estimates or derived from sources described in “Part I – Preliminary Notes – Presentation of Financial, Market and Legal Data” in the Annual Report, which description is incorporated herein by reference. Our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under “Forward Looking Statements and Risks” in this Report and “Forward Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this market and market share data and have not independently verified it. None of the sources has consented to the disclosure or use of data in this Report.

Reference is made to the Annual Report for background information on various risks and contingencies and other matters related to circumstances affecting us and our industry.

Neither any statement made in this Report nor any charge taken by us relating to any legal proceedings constitutes an admission as to any wrongdoing.

Forward Looking Statements and Risks. This Report contains forward looking statements. In addition, we or our representatives have made or may make forward looking statements on telephone or conference calls, by webcasts or emails, in person, in presentations or written materials, or otherwise. These include statements about such matters as: expected future or targeted operational and financial performance; growth rates and future production and sales of products that incorporate or that are produced using our products; changes in production capacity in our operations and our competitors’ or customers’ operations and the utilization rates of that capacity; growth rates for, future prices and sales of, and demand for our products and our customers products; costs of materials and production, including anticipated increases or decreases therein, our ability to pass on any such increases in our product prices or surcharges thereon, or customer or market demand to reduce our prices due to such decreases; changes in customer order patterns due to changes in economic conditions; productivity, business process and operational initiatives, and their impact on us; our position in markets we serve; investments and acquisitions that we have made or may make in the future and the performance of the businesses underlying such acquisitions and investments; employment and contributions of key personnel; employee relations and collective bargaining agreements covering many of our operations; tax rates; capital expenditures and their impact on us; nature and timing of restructuring charges and payments; strategic plans and business projects; regional and global economic and industry market conditions, changes in such conditions and the impact thereof; interest rate management activities; currency rate management activities; deleveraging activities; rationalization, restructuring, realignment, strategic alliance, raw material and supply chain, technology development and collaboration, investment, acquisition, venture, operational, tax, financial and capital projects; legal proceedings, contingencies, and environmental compliance; consulting projects;

 

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potential offerings, sales and other actions regarding debt or equity securities of us or our subsidiaries; and costs, working capital, revenues, business opportunities, debt levels, cash flows, cost savings and reductions, margins, earnings and growth. The words “will,” “may,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “target,” “goal,” “continue to” and similar expressions, or the negatives thereof, identify some of these statements.

Our expectations and targets are not predictors of actual performance and historically our performance has deviated, often significantly, from our expectations and targets. Actual future events and circumstances (including future results and trends) could differ materially, positively or negatively, from those set forth in these statements due to various factors. These factors include:

 

   

the possibility that the challenging global economic conditions which continue to prevail may continue to depress or further decrease the demand for electric arc furnace (“EAF”) steel which may, in turn, decrease demand for our graphite electrodes;

 

   

the possibility that additions to capacity for producing EAF steel, increases in overall EAF steel production capacity, and increases or other changes in steel production may not occur or may not occur at the rates that we anticipate or may not be as geographically disbursed as we anticipate;

 

   

the possibility that increases or decreases in graphite electrode manufacturing capacity (including growth by producers in developing countries), competitive pressures (including changes in and the mix, distribution, and pricing of their products), reduction in specific consumption rates, increases or decreases in customer inventory levels, or other changes in the graphite electrode markets may occur, which may impact demand for, prices or unit and dollar volume sales of graphite electrodes and growth or profitability of our graphite electrodes business;

 

   

the possible failure of changes in EAF steel production or graphite electrode production to result in stable or increased, or offset decreases in, graphite electrode demand, prices, or sales volume;

 

   

the possibility that increases or decreases in manufacturing capacity (including growth by producers in developing countries) for our engineered solutions segment’s products, competitive pressures (including changes in and the mix, distribution, and pricing of competitive products), technological development and changes in performance characteristics, increases or decreases in customer inventory levels, or other changes in the markets may occur, which may impact demand for, prices or unit and dollar volume sales of our engineered solutions products and growth or profitability of our engineered solutions business;

 

   

the possibility that, for all of our product lines, capital improvement and expansion in our customers’ operations and increases in demand for their products may not occur or may not occur at the rates that we anticipate or the demand for their products may decline;

 

   

the possibility that continued global consolidation of the world’s largest steel producers could impact our business or industry;

 

   

the possibility that average graphite electrode revenue per metric ton in the future may be different than current spot or market prices due to changes in product mix, changes in currency exchange rates, changes in competitive market conditions or other factors;

 

   

the possibility that price increases, adjustments or surcharges may not be realized or that price decreases may occur;

 

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the possibility that current challenging economic conditions and economic demand reduction may continue impact our revenues and costs;

 

   

the possibility that decreases on prices for energy and raw materials may lead to downward pressure on prices for our products and delays in customer orders for our products as customers anticipate possible future prices;

 

   

the possibility that increases in prices for our raw materials and the magnitude of such increases, global events that influence energy pricing and availability, increases in our energy needs, or other developments may adversely impact or offset our productivity and cost containment initiatives;

 

   

the possibility that current economic disruptions may result in idling of blast furnace capacity or delay of blast furnace capacity additions which may affect demand and prices for our refractory products;

 

   

the possibility that reductions in customers’ production, increases in competitors’ capacity, competitive pressures, or other changes in other markets we serve may occur, which may impact demand for, prices of or unit and dollar volume sales of, our other products, or growth or profitability of our other product lines, or change our position in such markets;

 

   

the possibility that we will not be able to hire and retain key personnel or to renew or extend our collective bargaining or similar agreements on reasonable terms as they expire or to do so without a work stoppage or strike;

 

   

the possibility of delays in or failure to achieve successful development and commercialization of new or improved engineered solutions or that such solutions could be subsequently displaced by other products or technologies;

 

   

the possibility that we will fail to develop new customers or applications for our engineered solutions products;

 

   

the possibility that our manufacturing capabilities may not be sufficient or that we may experience delays in expanding or fail to expand our manufacturing capacity to meet demand for existing, new or improved products;

 

   

the possibility that the investments and acquisitions that we make or may make in the future may not be successfully integrated into our business or provide the performance or returns expected; the possibility that current global economic conditions and changes in the economy may materially impact the businesses underlying our acquisitions and investments, including their cash flow, liquidity, and sources of financing; that our investments and reported results may be materially impacted by the effect of such events on our acquisitions and investments; and that there may be further impairment of our investments;

 

   

the possibility that challenging conditions or changes in the capital markets will limit our ability to obtain financing for growth and other initiatives, on acceptable terms or at all;

 

   

the possibility that conditions or changes in the global equity markets may have a material impact on our future pension funding obligations and liabilities on our balance sheet;

 

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the possibility that the amount or timing of our anticipated capital expenditures may be limited by our financial resources or financing arrangements or that our ability to complete capital projects may not occur timely enough to adapt to changes in market conditions or changes in regulatory requirements;

 

   

the possibility that we may be unable to protect our intellectual property or may infringe the intellectual property rights of others, resulting in damages, limitations on our ability to produce or sell products or limitations on our ability to prevent others from using that intellectual property to produce or sell products;

 

   

the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances or changing interpretations and enforcement agendas relating to legal proceedings or compliance programs;

 

   

the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances or changing interpretations and enforcement agendas relating to health, safety or environmental compliance or remediation obligations or liabilities to third parties or relating to labor relations;

 

   

the possibility that our provision for income taxes and effective income tax rate or cash tax rate may fluctuate significantly due to changes in applicable tax rates or laws, changes in the sources of our income, changes in tax planning, new or changing interpretations of applicable regulations, or changes in profitability, estimates of future ability to use foreign tax credits, and other factors;

 

   

the possibility of changes in interest or currency exchange rates, in competitive conditions, or in inflation or deflation;

 

   

the possibility that our outlook could be significantly impacted by, among other things, changes in United States or other monetary or fiscal policies or regulations in response to the capital markets crisis and its impact on global economic conditions, developments in the Middle East, North Korea, and other areas of concern, the occurrence of further terrorist acts and developments (including increases in security, insurance, data back-up, energy and transportation and other costs, transportation delays and continuing or increased economic uncertainty and weakness) resulting from terrorist acts and the war on terrorism;

 

   

the possibility that our outlook could be significantly impacted by changes in demand as a result of the effect on customers of the volatility in global credit and equity markets;

 

   

the possibility that interruption in our major raw material, energy or utility supplies due to, among other things, natural disasters, process interruptions, actions by producers and capacity limitations, may adversely affect our ability to manufacture and supply our products or result in higher costs;

 

   

the possibility of interruptions in production at our facilities due to, among other things, critical equipment failure, which may adversely affect our ability to manufacture and supply our products or result in higher costs;

 

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the possibility that we may not achieve the earnings or other financial or operational metrics that we provide as guidance from time to time;

 

   

the possibility that the anticipated benefits from organizational and work process redesign, changes in our information systems, or other system changes, including operating efficiencies, production cost savings and improved operational performance, including leveraging infrastructure for greater productivity and contributions to our continued growth, may be delayed or may not occur or may result in unanticipated disruption;

 

   

the possibility that our disclosure or internal controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or personnel, that the degree of compliance with our policies and procedures related to those controls may deteriorate or that those controls may not operate effectively and may not prevent or detect misstatements or errors;

 

   

the possibility that delays may occur in the financial statement closing process due to a change in our internal control environment or personnel;

 

   

the possibility of changes in performance that may affect financial covenant compliance or funds available for borrowing; and

 

   

other risks and uncertainties, including those described elsewhere in this Report or our other SEC filings, as well as future decisions by us.

Occurrence of any of the events or circumstances described above could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or the market price of our common stock or the Senior Notes.

No assurance can be given that any future transaction about which forward looking statements may be made will be completed or as to the timing or terms of any such transaction.

All subsequent written and oral forward looking statements by or attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Except as otherwise required to be disclosed in periodic reports required to be filed by public companies with the SEC pursuant to the SEC’s rules, we have no duty to update these statements.

For a more complete discussion of these and other factors, see “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Global Economic Conditions

We are impacted in varying degrees, both positively and negatively, by fluctuations in global, regional and country economic conditions.

Global and regional economic conditions remained relatively stable in the first half of 2008. In September 2008 it became apparent that the global economy was entering into difficult times due to the financial industry crisis, which have continued into 2009. Credit markets became frozen, liquidity diminished, business activity slowed at an extreme pace leading the global economy into its worst crisis in 60 years.

Due to the negative global economic situation and falling steel demand from key steel end-markets, such as automotive, construction, and appliances, we continue to see low global steel operating rates in the first quarter of 2009. According to published reports, the United States steel industry is currently operating at approximately 42% capacity utilization compared to 89% utilization for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008.

Industrial materials demand is primarily linked with the global production of steel in an electric arc furnace and, to a lesser extent, with the total production of steel and certain other metals. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, global steel production and operating rates, excluding China, have decreased by 37% compared to the same period last year. China’s steel production increased by 1% during the three months ended March 31, 2009, contributing to a global steel production decrease of 23%.

EAF steel production has followed a similar trend as overall steel production. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, EAF steel production and operating rates, excluding China, have decreased by 33% compared to the same period last year. China’s EAF steel production increased by 1% during the three months ended March 31, 2009, contributing to an EAF steel production decrease of 29%.

Generally, changes in graphite electrode demand have tracked changes in EAF steel production. Because there has been significant inventory destocking by EAF steel manufacturers, the recent reduction in graphite electrode demand has generally preceded the EAF steel production cuts. As a result, we believe that graphite electrode industry operating rates will be significantly lower than EAF steel industry operating rates during periods of inventory destocking. We expect EAF steel customers will delay making new purchases until they significantly work down existing inventory levels, which we expect to happen sometime during the second half of 2009.

 

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Outlook

Consensus among economists is that the global economic crisis is deepening, with slowdowns in major advanced economies has spread into major emerging markets. A contraction in growth rates is expected for advanced economies such as the United States and Europe. While in emerging countries such as China, India, and Brazil, economists expect very low growth compared with recent historical trends.

The challenging environment of the first quarter for our Industrial Materials business segment continues and we expect a similar scenario for at least the second quarter of 2009.

It is expected due to the financial crisis and global economic slowdown that much of the new EAF capacity projected to be started or completed in the 2009-2011 timeframe will be postponed. However, due to economic stimulus plans and infrastructure spending announcements around the world, we believe that there may be some benefit to the steel industry.

Because our engineered solutions business crosses many markets, the negative global economy impacts each market in varying degrees. We believe our engineered solutions products will be faced with reduced demand throughout 2009.

Economic conditions and the market environment continue to be extremely volatile and uncertain. As a result, we are not able to predict at this time an outlook for the full year 2009. However, we do expect:

 

   

Capital expenditures to be approximately $50 - $55 million; and

 

   

Depreciation expense of approximately $35 million

Our outlook could be significantly impacted by, among other things, factors described under “Preliminary Notes – Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors” in this Report. For a more complete discussion of these and other factors, see “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report.

Results of Operations

Consolidated. Net sales of $134.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 represented a $156.0 million or 53.8% decrease from net sales of $290.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008. Net sales for both of our operating segments decreased significantly, primarily due to lower demand resulting in lower volumes across all of our product lines. Volume decreases for our industrial materials segment accounted for $153.4 million of this decrease, caused by the drastic declines in demand for steel in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008, due in part to inventory destocking by our steel customers. Our engineered solutions segment also had significant volume decreases, which totaled $12.8 million. The strengthening of the US dollar compared to the Euro caused a further decrease in sales of $6.1 million across both segments. These decreases were slightly offset by a favorable price/mix increase of $17.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008.

 

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Cost of sales of $101.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 represented an $80.0 million, or 44.0%, decrease from cost of sales of $181.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008. Lower sales volumes drove $85.3 million of this decrease across both of our segments, while currency impacts decreased cost of sales by $8.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008. These cost of sales decreases were offset by a $7.2 million charge recorded under the provisions of SFAS No. 151, which was attributable to adjustments of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion based on normal capacity versus actual levels, due to production levels below normal capacity in the first quarter. Further, higher raw material and production costs, including utilities, coupled with changes in product mix, increased operating expenses $6.7 million for the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008.

Gross profit of $32.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 represented a $76.0 million, or 70.3%, decrease from gross profit of $108.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008. Gross margin decreased to 24.0% of net sales, from 37.3% in the three months ended March 31, 2008.

Research and development expenses decreased $0.2 million, or 8.7%, to $2.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to $2.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008.

Selling and administrative expenses was $21.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to $22.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. This decrease was caused by lower sales commissions as a result of lower sales and the impact of cost-saving measures enacted by the company, offset slightly by higher bad debt costs.

Other (income) expense, net was income of $5.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to expense of $21.0 million in three months ended March 31, 2008. The primary driver of this change related to currency gains and losses. Currency gains in the three months ended March 31, 2009 were $6.4 million, compared to a loss of $15.5 million in the same period in 2008. These currency gains are primarily the result of our euro-denominated inter-company loans between GrafTech Finance and some of our foreign subsidiaries, caused by the strengthening of the US dollar compared to the Euro during the quarter. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we incurred expenses of $4.7 million for the loss from the extinguishment of debt related to the redemption of $125 million of our Senior Notes. We did not have any such losses for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

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The following table presents an analysis of interest expense:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2008     2009  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Interest incurred on debt

   $ 4,831     $ 1,264  

Amortization of fair value adjustments for terminated

hedge instruments

     (71 )     (13 )

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     625       345  

Amortization of premium on Senior Notes

     (14 )     (3 )

Amortization of discount on Debentures

     2,205       —    

Interest incurred on other items

     74       54  
                

Total interest expense

   $ 7,650     $ 1,647  
                

Average total debt outstanding (long-term debt and the outstanding Revolver) was $65.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $381.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008. The average annual interest rate for these instruments, excluding amortization of issue costs and other similar non-cash items, was 5.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to 4.6% in the three months ended March 31, 2008.

Provision for income taxes was a charge of $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and $18.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The effective tax rates were 37.9% and 31.9% for the 3 months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate is due primarily due to jurisdictional shifts of income, and changes in the utilization of attributes and related changes to valuation allowances.

As a result of the matters described above, net income was $8.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $36.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008.

Segment net sales. The following table represents our net sales by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2009:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
     2008    2009
     (Dollars in thousands)

Industrial materials

   $ 248,289    $ 104,521

Engineered solutions

     41,713      29,505
             

Total net sales

   $ 290,002    $ 134,026
             

Our analysis of the percentage change in net sales for industrial materials and engineered solutions is set forth in the following table:

 

     Volume     Price/Mix     Currency     Net Change  

Industrial materials

   (62 %)   6 %   (2 %)   (58 %)

Engineered solutions

   (31 %)   5 %   (3 %)   (29 %)

 

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Net sales for the industrial materials segment decreased significantly in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, due to the sharp fall in demand for steel resulting from the global economic crisis and destocking of inventories by our steel customers. Currency rate fluctuations also had a negative impact on sales, driven by the strengthening of the US dollar compared to the Euro. These decreases were offset slightly by an increase in price/mix.

Net sales for engineered solutions decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, due to lower volumes across virtually all of our engineered solutions products. Currency rate fluctuations also had a negative impact on sales, driven by the strengthening of the US dollar compared to the Euro. These decreases were offset slightly by an increase in price/mix, primarily related to our advanced graphite materials products.

Segment operating net income. The following table represents our operating income by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2009:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
     2008    2009
     (Dollars in thousands)

Industrial materials

   $ 74,665    $ 6,788

Engineered solutions

     8,428      1,635
             

Total operating income

   $ 83,093    $ 8,423
             

Our analysis of the percentage change in segment operating costs and expenses for industrial materials and engineered solutions is set forth in the following table:

 

     Operating Expenses
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     (Percentage of sales)  
     2008     2009     Change  

Industrial materials

   70 %   94 %   24 %

Engineered solutions

   80 %   95 %   15 %

Industrial materials segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for increased 24 percentage points in the three months ended March 31, 2009. However, total operating costs and expenses for this segment decreased $75.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008. Operating expenses for this segment declined primarily due to lower sales volumes, which decreased costs by $77.3 million for the entire segment. The strengthening of the US Dollar across certain currencies, decreased costs an additional $7.6 million. Selling, general, administrative and other overhead costs, including corporate expenses, decreased by $2.8 million, driven primarily by lower sales commissions as a result of decreased sales during the three months ended March 31, 2009. These cost decreases were partially offset by a $7.2 million charge related to SFAS No. 151. Increased raw material and production costs, coupled with product mix changes, resulted in an additional $4.6 million increase to operating expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008.

 

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Engineered solutions segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales increased by 15 percentage points to 95%. However, total segment operating costs and expenses decreased by $5.4 million. This decline was primarily the result of lower sales volumes, which decreased operating costs by $8.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008. The strengthening of the US Dollar across certain currencies, primarily the Euro, decreased costs by an additional $1.0 million. These decreases in costs were partially offset by raw material and production costs increases, coupled with product mix changes, which resulted in a $3.0 million increase to operating expenses. Other production costs, including selling, general, administrative and corporate expenses, increased by $0.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008.

Effects of Changes in Currency Exchange Rates

We incur costs in dollars and in the currency of each of the six non-U.S. countries in which we have a manufacturing facility, and we sell our products in multiple currencies. In general, our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition are affected by changes in currency exchange rates affecting these currencies relative to the dollar and, to a limited extent, each other.

Many of the non-U.S. countries in which we have a manufacturing facility have been subject to significant economic changes, which have significantly impacted currency exchange rates. We cannot predict changes in currency exchange rates in the future or whether those changes will have net positive or negative impacts on our net sales, cost of sales or net income. We cannot assure you that we would be able to mitigate any adverse effects of such changes.

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the average exchange rate of the Brazilian Real, the Euro, Mexican Peso and the South African Rand weakened compared to the US dollar approximately 25%, 13%, 25% and 24%, respectively, as compared to the same period in 2008.

In the case of net sales of industrial materials, the impact of these events was a decrease of about $4.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to an increase of $10.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008. In the case of cost of sales of industrial materials the impact of these events was a decrease of $10.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to an increase of $9.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008.

We have non-dollar-denominated intercompany loans between GrafTech Finance and certain of our foreign subsidiaries. At December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009, the aggregate principal amount of these loans was $558.4 million and $533.8 million, respectively (based on currency exchange rates in effect at such dates). These loans are subject to remeasurement gains and losses due to changes in currency exchange rates. Certain of these loans had been deemed to be essentially permanent prior to settlement and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans were recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The loans remaining are deemed to be temporary and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans are recorded as currency gains / losses in other income (expense), net, on the

 

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Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2009, we had a net total of $15.5 million of currency losses and $6.4 million of currency gains, respectively, due to the remeasurement of intercompany loans and the effect of transaction gains and losses related to foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is the US dollar. To manage certain exposures to specific financial market risks caused by changes in currency exchange rates, we may use various financial instruments as described under “Item 3–Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Global capital markets have been, and continue to be, disrupted and volatile. The cost and availability of funding has been and may continue to be adversely affected by illiquid credit markets. We believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet all of our present needs. Continued turbulence in the United States and international financial markets, however, could adversely affect the cost and availability of financing to us in the future.

Our sources of funds have consisted principally of cash flow from operations and debt and equity financings. Our uses of those funds (other than for operations) have consisted principally of capital expenditures, our equity investment in a non-consolidated subsidiary, payment of restructuring costs, pension and post-retirement contributions, debt reduction payments and payments of other obligations. As of March 31, 2009, we have several obligations accrued that will utilize a material amount of such funds. These obligations include our employee incentive compensation payout of approximately $22.1 million, which has been paid during the second quarter of 2009 ($3.8 million of which was paid in stock).

At March 31, 2009, we had total long-term debt of $65.4 million, cash and cash equivalents of $6.1 million and a stockholders’ equity of $497.0 million.

As part of our cash management activities, we manage accounts receivable credit risk, collections, and accounts payable vendor terms to maximize our free cash at any given time and minimize accounts receivable losses. During three months ended March 31 2009 certain subsidiaries sold receivables totaling $13.8 million. Proceeds of the sale of receivables were used to reduce debt and fund operations. If we had not sold such receivables, our accounts receivable would have been about $25.4 million higher at December 31, 2008 and about $9.5 million higher at March 31, 2009. All such receivables sold during 2008 and 2009 were sold without recourse, and no amount of accounts receivable sold remained on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2009.

Lower sales volumes for our products and reduced credit quality of our customers may limit the amount of receivables that we sell in the future. We expect a negative cash impact of approximately $15 - $20 million as we sell fewer receivables during the first half of 2009. Our current receivable sales facility automatically renews for one year periods on June 30, 2009 and each year thereafter unless a termination notice is sent by either party 30 days prior to this date.

During the second half of 2008, we entered into a supply chain financing arrangement with a financing party. Under this arrangement, we essentially assigned our rights to purchase needle coke from our supplier to the financing party. The financing party purchases the product from our supplier under the standard payment terms and then immediately resells it to us under longer payment

 

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(Unaudited)

 

terms. The financing party pays the supplier the purchase price for the product and then we pay the financing party. Our payment for this needle coke will include a mark up (the “Mark-Up”). The Mark-Up is subject to quarterly reviews. In effect, we have a longer period of time to pay the financing party than by purchasing directly from the supplier which helps us maintain a balanced cash conversion cycle between inventory payments and the collection of receivables. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we purchased $5.4 million of needle coke under this arrangement, and made payments of $50.6 million related to purchases in 2008, including $0.6 million related to the Mark-Up.

Lower demand for our products may continue to diminish our need for needle coke. As such, we may not utilize this financing arrangement to the full extent allowed under the agreement. This agreement is subject to termination 90 days after notice is sent by either party.

In the event that operating cash flow, the sales of receivables and the financing of needle coke purchases fail to provide sufficient liquidity to meet our business needs, including capital expenditures, we anticipate that any such shortfall would be made up by increased borrowings available under our Revolving Facility.

We use cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations, funds from receivable factoring arrangements and funds available under the Revolving Facility (subject to continued compliance with the financial covenants and representations under the Revolving Facility) as well as cash on hand as our primary sources of liquidity. The Revolving Facility is secured and provides—subject to certain conditions (including a maximum senior secured leverage ratio test)—for maximum borrowings of up to $215.0 million. Additionally, the facility has an accordion feature that permits GrafTech Finance to establish incremental credit facilities thereunder in an aggregate amount, together with the Revolving Facility, of up to $425 million, if certain additional conditions are met (including a maximum senior secured leverage ratio test). Although we are currently in compliance with such additional conditions, given the current economic environment, we are uncertain if we would be able to fully utilize this feature. Eleven banks are participants in our credit facility. All of these eleven banks currently have S&P ratings of A- or better. Based on these ratings, we do not foresee a significant risk that our availability under this current facility may be reduced due to the financial positions of the lenders. Also, our Revolving Facility will mature in July 2010. We believe that our credit and economic conditions will reasonably allow us to extend or refinance the Revolving Facility before such date. However, we cannot assure that we will be able to do so, or that the conditions of such refinancing will be comparable to current conditions, especially if financial markets conditions will deteriorate further.

At March 31, 2009, $45.0 million was drawn from the facility, and $153.8 million was available (after consideration of outstanding revolving and swingline loans of $7.3 million and letters of credit of $8.9 million). It is possible that our future ability to borrow under the Revolving Facility may effectively be less because of the impact of additional borrowings upon our compliance with the maximum net senior secured debt leverage ratio permitted or minimum interest coverage ratio required under the Revolving Facility.

We also have approximately $100 million of working capital liquidity available to us through our factoring and supply chain financing arrangements currently in place. However, we may be unable to fully utilize this amount due to lower accounts receivable balances, reduce credit ratings of our customers, or decreased inventory purchases.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

As of March 31, 2009, we had a corporate S&P rating of BB- and a Moody’s rating of Ba2. However, continued deterioration of the current economic environment, the termination of our accounts receivable factoring program or the termination of our supply chain financing agreement may result in higher borrowings on our Revolving Facility, which could negatively impact our rating.

At March 31, 2009, we were in compliance with all applicable financial and other covenants contained in the Senior Notes and the Revolving Facility. These covenants include maintaining an interest coverage ratio of at least 1.75 and a maximum senior secured leverage ratio of 2.25 based on a rolling average of the prior four quarters. Based on expected operating results and expected cash flows, we expect to be in compliance with these covenants over the next twelve months. If we were to believe that we would not continue to comply with these covenants, we would seek an appropriate waiver or amendment from the lenders thereunder. We cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain such waiver or amendment on acceptable terms or at all.

At March 31, 2009, the Revolving Facility had an effective interest rate of 2.7% and our $19.9 million principal amount of Senior Notes had a fixed rate of 10.25%. At March 31, 2009, 74% (or $57.3 million) of our total debt consists of variable rate obligations.

At December 31, 2008, the Revolving Facility had an effective interest rate of 2.9% and our $19.9 million principal amount of Senior Notes had a fixed rate of 10.25%.

We may in the future implement interest rate management initiatives to seek to minimize interest expense and optimize the risk in our portfolio of fixed and variable interest rate obligations as described under “Item 3–Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in this Report.

Cash Flow and Plans to Manage Liquidity. Our business strategies include efforts to enhance our capital structure by further reducing our gross obligations. Further, we have placed a high priority on accelerating the amount and speed of cash generated every day. Our efforts include leveraging our global manufacturing network by driving higher productivity from our existing assets, accelerating commercialization initiatives across all of our businesses and realizing other global efficiencies. In addition, we may continue to redeem, exchange or repurchase Senior Notes as described below.

Typically, our cash flow from operations fluctuates significantly between quarters due to various factors. These factors include customer order patterns, fluctuations in working capital requirements, and other factors, including our incentive compensation program payout in the second quarter of 2009.

We expect cash flow from operations to be positively impacted by reduced cash interest payments of about $14 million, on an annual basis compared to 2008, related to our reduced Senior Note obligations and the retirement during 2008 of the Debentures, lower inventory and accounts receivable balances, and decreases in cash outlays for restructuring activities. We expect our cash flow from operations to be negatively impacted by lower sales, increased interest expense related to higher Revolving Facility draws, higher raw material prices, the payment of certain international deferred taxes, post retirement contributions, and severance payments.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Our debt and other obligations could have a material impact on our liquidity. Cash flow from operations and borrowings under our Revolving Facility services payment of our debt and other obligations, including our incentive compensation program payout in the second quarter of 2009, thereby reducing funds available to us for other purposes. Although our current debt level is relatively low, continued or further downturns in the global economy may require increased borrowings under our Revolving Facility, particularly if our accounts receivable and supply chain financing arrangements are terminated or the level of our receivables or purchases do not result in borrowing capacity under such arrangements. Such downturns could significantly negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows, which, coupled with increased borrowings, could negatively impact our credit ratings, our ability to comply with debt covenants, our ability to secure additional financing and the cost of such financing, if available.

Based on expected operating results and expected cash flows, we expect to be in compliance with applicable financial covenants in 2009.

In order to seek to minimize our credit risks, we reduced our sales of, or refused to sell (except for cash on delivery), our products to some customers and potential customers. In the current economic environment, our customers may experience liquidity shortages or difficulties in obtaining credit, including letters of credit. Our unrecovered trade receivables worldwide have not been material during the last 3 years individually or in the aggregate. We cannot assure you that we will not be materially adversely affected by accounts receivable losses in the future. In addition, we have historically factored a portion of our accounts receivable and used the proceeds to reduce debt. Our ability to factor accounts receivable in the future may be limited by lower receivables balances as a result of decreased sales or by reduced credit ratings of customers.

We may continue from time to time and at any time to redeem or to repurchase Senior Notes in open market or privately negotiated transactions, opportunistically on terms that we believe to be favorable. We did not repurchase any Senior Notes during the three months ended March 31, 2009. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we redeemed a total of $125 million of our Senior Notes. These purchases were, and any future purchases may be, effected for cash (from cash and cash equivalents, borrowings under the Revolving Facility or new credit facilities, or proceeds from sale of debt or equity securities or assets), in exchange for common stock or other equity or debt securities, or a combination thereof. We will evaluate any such transaction in light of then prevailing market conditions and our then current and prospective liquidity and capital resources, including projected and potential needs and prospects for access to capital markets. Any such transactions may, individually or in the aggregate, be material.

We occasionally enter into natural gas derivative contracts and short duration fixed rate purchase contracts to effectively fix some or all of our natural gas cost exposure, as described under “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risks” in this Report. At March 31, 2009, these contracts represented a liability of $1.4 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we entered into foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge our exposure against the Mexican Peso and the Brazilian Real. At March 31, 2009, there contracts represented an asset of $0.2 million.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Cash Flow Provided by Operating Activities. Cash flow provided by operating activities was $14.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $67.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008, a decrease of $52.9 million.

Cash provided by net income, after adding back the effect of non-cash items, was $15.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Non-cash charges included $8.0 million of depreciation and amortization, $1.4 million related to post-retirement and pension changes, $0.3 million on non-cash interest expense, $1.7 million of deferred income taxes and stock based compensation of $0.5 million. Non-cash income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 included $1.2 million of equity in earnings of our
non-consolidated affiliate and $5.5 million of other charges. Currency gains, driven by the strengthening US Dollar, represented
non-cash income of $9.2 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we received $0.1 million in dividends from our non-consolidated affiliate, and had a net increase in long term assets and liabilities of $3.0 million.

Changes in working capital provided cash of $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. This source of cash was primarily related to a $53.2 million decrease in accounts receivable, net of factoring of $15.9 million, a decrease in inventory of $4.0 million and a $0.4 million decrease in prepaid and other assets. These sources of cash were offset by a $55.6 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses and a $0.5 million decrease in interest payable.

Cash provided by net income, after adding back the effect of non-cash items, was $70.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Non-cash charges included $8.6 million of depreciation and amortization, $16.2 million of foreign currency losses from inter-company loans, $3.0 million in interest expense, $1.2 million of stock based compensation expense, $4.1 million net of other items, and a $0.9 million change in deferred income taxes. Changes in working capital used cash flow of $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, due primarily to a $4.7 million decrease in accounts receivable, including the effects of factoring, a $3.5 million decrease in inventories, a $0.9 million decrease in prepaid assets, and a $7.0 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses. Restructuring payments used cash of $0.1 million, and a decrease in interest payable represented a $7.7 million use of cash.

Cash Flow Used in Investing Activities. Cash flow used in investing activities was $13.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 and $9.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008. Capital expenditures amounted to $12.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and related primarily to industrial materials productivity and production stability initiatives and other essential capital maintenance. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we spent $0.4 million related to derivative instruments, compared to a source of cash of $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008.

Cash Flow Used in Financing Activities. Cash flow used in financing activities was $6.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to $105.6 million during three months ended March 31, 2008. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we borrowed a net $15.0 million under the Revolving Facility. We used these borrowings primarily to fund increases in working capital and capital expenditures. Cash from other short-term borrowings, which related primarily to bank overdrafts at our international locations and amounts owed to our factoring principal related to collections from customers that were not yet remitted at March 31, 2009 under our current accounts receivable factoring arrangement, totaled $3.6 million for the three months ended

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

March 31, 2009. These cash inflows were offset by net payments made under our supply chain financing arrangement of $24.7 million, and $0.3 million of payments which reduced our long-term financing obligation related to the sale of our Vyazma, Russia facility during 2007.

During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we redeemed $125 million of our Senior Notes, and borrowed net $3.9 million under the Revolving Facility. Other short-term borrowings, totaled $15.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation was $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. We also purchased $1.0 million of treasury shares during the three months ended March 31, 2008.

Restrictions on Dividends and Stock Repurchases

A description of the restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and our ability to repurchase common stock is set forth under “Item 5 – Dividend Policies and Restrictions” in the Annual Report and such description is incorporated herein by reference. Such description contains all of the information required with respect thereto.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

A description of recent accounting pronouncements is set forth under “New Accounting Standards” in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Report, and such description is incorporated herein by reference. Such description contains all of the information required with respect thereto.

Description of Our Financing Structure

A description of the Revolving Facility, the Senior Notes and the Debentures is set forth under Note 7 in the Annual Report, and such description is incorporated herein by reference.

Proceedings Against Us

We are involved in various investigations, lawsuits, claims demands, environmental compliance programs and other legal proceedings arising out of or incidental to the conduct of our business. While it is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of each of them, we do not believe that their ultimate disposition will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risks primarily from changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates and commercial energy rates. We, from time to time, routinely enter into various transactions that have been authorized according to documented policies and procedures to manage these well-defined risks. These transactions relate primarily to financial instruments described below. Since the counterparties, if any, to these financial instruments are large commercial banks and similar financial institutions, we do not believe that we are exposed to material counterparty credit risk, despite the current worldwide economic situation. We do not use financial instruments for trading purposes.

Our exposure to changes in interest rates results primarily from floating rate long-term debt tied to LIBOR or Euro LIBOR. Our exposure to changes in currency exchange rates results primarily from:

 

   

sales made by our subsidiaries in currencies other than local currencies;

 

   

raw material purchases made by our foreign subsidiaries in currencies other than local currencies; and

 

   

investments in and intercompany loans to our foreign subsidiaries and our share of the earnings of those subsidiaries, to the extent denominated in currencies other than the dollar.

Our exposure to changes in energy costs results primarily from the purchase of natural gas and electricity for use in our manufacturing operations.

Interest Rate Risk Management. We periodically implement interest rate management initiatives to seek to minimize our interest expense and the risk in our portfolio of fixed and variable interest rate obligations.

When we sell a fair value swap, the gain or loss is amortized as a credit or charge to interest expense over the remaining term of the Senior Notes. When we effectively reduce the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes (through debt-for-equity exchanges, repurchases or otherwise), the related portion of such credit or charge is accelerated and recorded in the period in which such reduction occurs.

We periodically enter into agreements with financial institutions that are intended to limit, or cap, our exposure to incurrence of additional interest expense due to increases in variable interest rates. These instruments effectively cap our interest rate exposure.

Currency Rate Management. We enter into foreign currency instruments from time to time to attempt to manage exposure to changes in currency exchange rates. These foreign currency instruments, which include, but are not limited to, forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options, attempt to hedge global currency exposures, net, relating to non-dollar denominated debt and identifiable foreign currency receivables, payables and commitments held by our foreign and domestic subsidiaries. Forward exchange contracts are agreements to exchange different currencies at a specified future date and at a specified rate. Purchased foreign currency options are instruments, which give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to exchange different currencies at a specified rate at a specified date or over a range of specified dates. The result is the creation of a range in which a best and worst price is defined, while minimizing option cost. Forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options are carried at market value. The outstanding contracts at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 represented an unrealized gain of $0.2 million.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Commercial Energy Rate Management. We periodically enter into natural gas derivative contracts and short duration fixed rate purchase contracts to effectively fix some or all of our natural gas cost exposure. The outstanding contracts at December 31, 2008 represented an unrealized loss of $1.5 million. The outstanding contracts at March 31, 2009 represented an unrealized loss of $1.4 million.

Sensitivity Analysis. We used a sensitivity analysis to assess the potential effect of changes in currency exchange rates on gross margin and changes in interest rates on interest expense. Based on this analysis, a hypothetical 10% weakening or strengthening in the dollar across all other currencies would have changed our reported gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2009 by about $2.7 million. Based on this analysis, a hypothetical increase in interest rates of 100 basis points would have increased our interest expense by $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate disclosure controls and procedures at the reasonable assurance level. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a reporting company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2009. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level as of March 31, 2009.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2009 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

This information required in response to this Item is set forth under “Contingencies” in Note 15 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Report, and such description is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 6. Exhibits

The exhibits listed in the following table have been filed as part of this Report.

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description of Exhibit

10.1    Form of Performance Share Award Agreement
31.1    Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act by Craig S. Shular, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board.
31.2    Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act by Mark R. Widmar, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
32.1    Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Craig S. Shular, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board.
32.2    Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Mark R. Widmar, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Date: April 30, 2009     By:   /s/ Mark R. Widmar
        Mark R. Widmar
       

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description of Exhibit

10.1    Form of Performance Share Award Agreement
31.1    Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act by Craig S. Shular, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board.
31.2    Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act by Mark R. Widmar, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
32.1    Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Craig S. Shular, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board.
32.2    Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Mark R. Widmar, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

 

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