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FORM 10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
ANNUAL REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 333-15789
CHEMFIRST INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
MISSISSIPPI 64-0679456
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
700 NORTH STREET, P. O. BOX 1249
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39215-1249
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (601) 948-7550
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
TITLE OF EACH CLASS NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
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Common Stock, Par Value $1 New York Stock Exchange
Common Stock, Purchase Rights
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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
Registrant as of March 5, 1998 is approximately $490,396,035.
The number of shares of the Registrant's Common Stock outstanding as of
March 5, 1998 is 19,909,594.
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CHEMFIRST INC.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FORM 10-K
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
Location in Annual Report to Stockholders and
Definitive Proxy Statement of Items of Form 10-K
ANNUAL DEFINITIVE
REPORT TO PROXY
FORM 10-K ITEM STOCKHOLDERS STATEMENT
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Part I.
1. Business........................ pp. 9-11; Notes 2 and 3
in Financial Review Insert
Part II.
5. Market for Registrant's Common
Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters........................... p. 18
6. Selected Financial Data......... p. 2
7. Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations......... Financial
Review
Insert
8. Financial Statements and Financial
Supplementary Data................ Review
Insert
Part III.
10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant........ pp. 4-8; 13-14
11. Executive Compensation.................................... pp. 15-18
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management................................................ pp. 1-2; 8-11
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions............ pp. 4-8; 18
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
The principal businesses of ChemFirst Inc. (the "Company") at December 31,
1997 involve the continuous production of aniline, nitrobenzene, nitrotoluene
and toluidines; custom production of fine chemicals for chemical, agricultural
and pharmaceutical companies; production of electronic and performance
chemicals for the semiconductor and related industries; and the design and
production of low-emission burners, flares, incinerators and thermal plasma
equipment for the refining, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, wood
products, steel and waste treatment industries. The Company also produces
steel ingots and billets from melted scrap.
At December 31, 1997, the Company had 1,175 employees, which includes
employees of the parent company and all wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Recent History
The Company was incorporated in Mississippi in 1983 under the name Omnirad,
Inc., as a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Mississippi Corporation ("First
Mississippi"). In November 1996, in anticipation of the Distribution (as
defined below), the Company's name was changed from Omnirad, Inc. to ChemFirst
Inc. On December 23, 1996 (the "Distribution Date"), First Mississippi
contributed all of its assets and subsidiaries, other than those relating to
its fertilizer business, to the Company, which at that time was a wholly-owned
subsidiary of First Mississippi and had engaged in no activities during the
previous five years. First Mississippi then spun-off the Company in a tax-free
distribution of the Company's common stock to First Mississippi shareholders
(the "Distribution") on the Distribution Date. The Distribution occurred
immediately prior to and in connection with the merger of First Mississippi
with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mississippi Chemical Corporation on December
24, 1996, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated
as of August 27, 1996. The Company has operated as a publicly-held entity
since the Distribution Date. Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company's
subsidiaries were subsidiaries of First Mississippi and the Company's
operations were conducted through subsidiaries of First Mississippi.
Recent Developments
On January 14, 1997, the Company sold its aluminum dross processing business
to a subsidiary of Philip Environmental Inc. ("Philip"). The assets acquired
by Philip included proprietary technology and licenses, the Millwood, West
Virginia plant and related equipment, and a 50% interest in the Newminco Joint
Venture. The assets acquired by Philip did not include inventories of
nonmetallic product; however, Philip is obligated to purchase from the Company
its requirements of nonmetallic product until the Company's supply of
nonmetallic product is exhausted. The purchase price for the assets acquired
by Philip was $4.1 million ($2.0 million of which is in the form of a 5-year
interest-bearing balloon note) plus an annual royalty equal to 10% of Philip's
share of the profit from sales of certain products by the Newminco Joint
Venture. In addition, Philip is obligated to make certain other payments in
the event it receives a payment in connection with the sale, transfer or
termination of the Newminco Joint Venture.
In November 1997, the Company sold its approximately 23% interest in
Melamine Chemicals, Inc. ("MCI"), consisting of 1,275,000 common shares, to
Borden Chemical, Inc. for approximately $26.1 million cash. This sale was
effected pursuant to Borden Chemical, Inc.'s $20.50 per share cash tender
offer for MCI shares. The Company no longer has an ownership interest in MCI.
On December 31, 1997, the Company acquired the acylation derivatives
business of Clariant Corporation. This business will be conducted through a
limited partnership of which the Company owns an 87.5% interest, with the
remaining 12.5% interest owned by former members of Clariant Corporation's
acylation derivatives management group who are also employees of this limited
partnership. This acylation derivatives business is
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involved in the development and marketing of derivatives of
4-hydroxyacetophenone for deep ultraviolet ("DUV") photoresist resin
applications for 248-nanometer geometry integrated circuits and for polymer
additives and specialty adhesives. Also on December 31, 1997, the Company
acquired certain chemical mechanical planarization ("CMP") assets of Baikowski
International Corporation ("BIC"), a subsidiary of Baikowski Chimie, SA, and
the CMP assets of Moyco Technologies, Inc. and its affiliate, Sweet Pea
Technologies, Inc. The acquisition of these CMP assets provides the Company
with an entrance into the CMP market, which includes mechanical polishing of
silicon wafers utilizing a slurry of abrasives and chemicals to produce a
flatter surface for shorter wavelength lithography along with other
electronics applications. Initial cash consideration plus acquisition-related
expenditures for these three transactions totaled $11.2 million, with
contingent consideration of approximately $3.7 million due in five years.
These acquisitions are included in the Chemicals segment.
On January 22, 1998, the Company sold its 50% interest in Power Sources,
Inc. ("PSI") to Trigen Energy Corporation ("Trigen") for approximately $20.0
million. In addition, there are contingencies specified in the purchase and
sale agreement with Trigen that could result in the Company refunding as much
as $3.0 million of the proceeds referenced above. The Company no longer has an
ownership interest in PSI. The Company's disposition of its interests in PSI
and MCI is in furtherance of the Company's strategy to focus on chemicals and
related products and services.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this Form 10-K contains "forward-
looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, as well as other forward-
looking statements made from time to time by the Company in the Company's
press releases, Annual Report to Stockholders and other filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, are based on certain underlying
assumptions and expectations of management. These forward-looking statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements.
Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic
conditions, availability and pricing of raw materials, supply/demand balance
for key products, new product development, manufacturing efficiencies,
condition of and product demand by key customers, the timely completion and
start-up of construction projects, including the nitrobenzene and aniline
facility at Bayer Corporation's Baytown, Texas chemical complex, and pricing
pressure and lower demand for Company products as a result of the recent
downturn in Asian financial markets.
The following contains further discussion of the Company's business and
properties as grouped by its segments: Chemicals, Engineered Products and
Services and Steel. Financial information regarding the Company's segments,
which includes sales, pretax operating results and identifiable assets, is
provided in Note 13 of the Consolidated Financial Statements incorporated by
reference in Part II of this Form 10-K. As used in this report, the term
"Company" includes subsidiaries of the registrant.
CHEMICALS
General
The Company's Chemical segment includes industrial chemical intermediates
and specialty chemicals and is operated through four subsidiaries: First
Chemical Corporation ("FCC"); Quality Chemicals, Inc. ("QCI"); EKC Technology,
Inc. ("EKC"); and TriQuest, L.P. ("TriQuest"). Industrial chemical
intermediates include aniline and nitrobenzene. The Company's specialty
chemicals include fine, performance and electronic chemicals for use by
companies for agricultural, pharmaceutical, polymer, electronic and
photosensitive applications and in the manufacture of integrated circuits. The
primary distinction between the two categories is that intermediates require
more processing to produce the end product used by consumers. Certain
specialty chemicals, such as performance chemicals, are not consumed into the
end product but are instead used during a manufacturing process for a specific
purpose.
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Of these two categories, industrial chemical intermediates are more affected
by changes in the business cycle and the cost of raw materials. These
chemicals are typically sold in large volumes to industrial customers that
purchase on the basis of the chemical's molecular content. The key to
successful production of these chemicals is efficient chemical conversion of
large quantities of raw materials and productive use of plant capacity.
Providing technical services to customers is generally less important.
Industrial Chemical Intermediates
Through its manufacturing facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the Company
is engaged in the continuous production of aniline and nitrobenzene. This
facility is supported by storage, rail, truck and barge distribution
facilities. This facility utilizes state-of-the-art technology for nitration
and a proprietary process for continuous hydrogenation.
The Company is among the largest merchant marketers of aniline in the United
States, and its Pascagoula complex is one of the largest aniline production
facilities in the United States. Aniline's primary end use is in rigid
polyurethane foam, an insulation material derived from MDI (methylene diphenyl
diisocyantate) that is widely used in residential and commercial construction.
Aniline is also used in the manufacture of impact-resistant plastic that is
used as a replacement for metal in automobile parts such as bumpers where
flexibility and impact resistance are important. Aniline's other primary
applications are in the production of an antioxidizing (anti-cracking) agent
used in the manufacture of synthetic rubber and in a widely used herbicide for
corn and soybeans. Aniline accounted for approximately 21%, 20% and 19% of the
Company's consolidated sales for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Most of
the Company's aniline production is sold under contracts containing price-
adjustment mechanisms that substantially protect the Company from fluctuations
in the prices of raw materials.
In 1996, the Company entered into a long-term agreement with Bayer
Corporation ("Bayer") to build, own and operate a world scale nitrobenzene and
aniline facility at Bayer's Baytown, Texas chemical complex to supply Bayer's
MDI manufacturing operations. Phase I of the facility is under construction
and is scheduled for completion in 1998. Phase II, which is estimated to cost
less than Phase I, may be completed later. A majority of the Company's current
aniline production from the Pascagoula facility is sold to Bayer under a long-
term contract. If a potential Phase II is completed, it is intended that this
aniline sales contract with Bayer will terminate and that future aniline
production for sale to Bayer will be produced at the Baytown facility. The
estimated cost to the Company of Phase I is in excess of $50.0 million.
Specialty Chemicals
The Company's specialty chemicals include fine, performance and electronic
chemicals for use by companies in agricultural, pharmaceutical, polymer and
photosensitive applications and in the manufacture of integrated circuits.
These chemicals are produced at the Pascagoula facility, the Company's custom
manufacturing facilities located in Tyrone, Pennsylvania and Dayton, Ohio, the
Company's electronic chemical production facilities in Hayward, California and
East Kilbride, Scotland, and through the use of toll manufacturers.
Fine chemicals are sold in relatively small volumes to a narrow base of
customers, which are either end-users or producers of performance chemicals.
Because of their specialized, complex molecular content, there are typically
few uses for fine chemicals and significantly more technical service is
expected from the customer. The key to successful production of fine chemicals
is identifying the markets for the product and developing a highly exacting
chemical synthesis for use in the production process. Profit margins typically
are higher than those associated with the production of industrial chemical
intermediates.
Purchasers of performance and electronic chemicals, who are end-users,
acquire the product to achieve a specific performance objective. As with fine
chemicals, these chemicals are typically sold in relatively small volumes and
have relatively few uses, although the customer base is often larger than that
for fine chemicals.
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The production and sale of these chemicals are labor intensive and are usually
dependent on a highly technical proprietary formulae and a sophisticated,
well-trained applications engineering staff. Profit margins are relatively
high and are usually not significantly affected by increases in the price of
raw materials.
In its custom manufacturing operation, the Company is a batch producer of
fine and performance chemicals manufactured to the specifications of its
customers. Facilities for this custom manufacturing include equipment for
multi-step batch processing to custom produce complex fine chemicals used by
chemical, agricultural, electronic, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies.
Although historically customers have purchased small quantities of custom
manufactured production capacity primarily for their new product development
and market testing, recently the amount of production capacity sold for the
production of commercially marketed products has increased significantly.
Companies involved in the mass production of chemically based consumer
products often find it expensive and inefficient to manufacture small
quantities of the complex chemicals required for new product development or
products with limited markets. By providing a versatile array of custom
services and capacity to a number of such companies, the Company achieves
economies of scale and is able to manufacture certain fine and performance
chemicals more economically and timely than they can be manufactured by its
customers. As a result, customers can reduce the time to market and capital
exposure associated with the manufacture and marketing of their products.
Current production is based on multi-step organic syntheses. The Company's
custom manufacturing facilities use numerous reactors capable of producing
custom fine chemicals in quantities ranging from the very small amounts needed
for initial product testing, through pilot plant production of developmental
quantities and continuing through commercial production.
A substantial portion of the Company's custom manufacturing revenue in 1997
was derived from sales of a herbicide ingredient to one manufacturer under an
agreement that will expire in 2002 with a substantial portion of the remaining
custom manufacturing revenue derived from a group of agricultural
intermediates and actives. In 1997, the largest growth in product mix was in
advanced pharmaceutical intermediates. Other significant products include
diphenyl isopthalate, an intermediate used in the production of fibers for
fire-retardant fabrics and in transparent, heat-resistant plastics; rubber
additives used in the manufacture of chemical-resistant rubber; and deep
ultraviolet photoresist for use in the semiconductor industry.
The Company also manufactures specialty chemicals used in high growth
markets such as radiation curing and polymer additives. Nitrotoluene
derivatives are used in herbicides, rubber processing chemicals, photographic
chemicals, optical brighteners, dyestuffs and pigments, and photoinitiators.
The Company is the second largest producer of nitrotoluenes in the world and
the only producer of nitrotoluenes in the United States. Other specialties are
used as intermediates in the production of pharmaceutical, personal care and
agricultural products. These specialty chemicals are manufactured in large
scale, integrated batch facilities using proprietary processes. During 1997,
the Company completed a 25% capacity expansion for batch specialty chemicals
at its Pascagoula facility. This additional specialty chemicals capacity will
enable the Company to expand production of new specialty chemicals used as
intermediates in pharmaceutical and agricultural chemicals and to meet
increasing demand for performance polymer products.
With the recent acquisition of Clariant Corporation's acylation derivatives
business, the Company is now a producer and marketer of products derived from
4-hydroxyacetophenone ("4HAP") and used in the semiconductor and specialty
polymer industries. Applications for these products include deep ultraviolet
photresist resins, coatings and polymer applications, antioxidants, surface
active materials, fuel and lubricant additives and new polymers for high
temperature performance. These products are currently produced by third party
custom manufacturers utilizing an extensive portfolio of intellectual
properties which includes over 35 patents. Out-sourcing the manufacture of
these products allows the Company to benefit from rapid time to market and
minimum capital exposure while capitalizing on the unique expertise of
individual contract manufacturers.
The Company also produces electronic and performance chemicals used in the
semiconductor and related industries. These chemicals include organic
photoresist removers, which are cleaning solutions that remove photoresist and
dry-etch residue during the manufacture of semiconductors. As a result of the
recent acquisition
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of CMP assets from BIC and Moyco Technologies, Inc., the Company is now
supplying slurries and oxidizer chemicals for use in the CMP process, which is
currently the fastest growing segment in semiconductor materials.
Approximately 6% of electronic and performance chemical sales for 1997 were
outside of the United States.
In conducting its electronic chemicals business, the Company owns and
operates manufacturing facilities in Hayward, California and East Kilbride,
Scotland. During 1997, the Company completed construction of a new research
and development laboratory at its 65,000 square-foot California facility and
made other improvements which allow for additional manufacturing and packaging
capabilities. The Company is also expanding and adding storage facilities at
its 26,300 square-foot Scotland facility with completion of this project
expected in 1998. The Company also leases office space in Tokyo, Japan to
provide marketing and technical support for the Japanese electronic chemical
markets and utilizes an applications laboratory in Phoenix, Arizona for the
development of CMP products.
Marketing and Sales
Chemicals are marketed globally. Approximately 7% of the Company's Chemical
sales in 1997 were exports from the United States. The Company has long-term
contracts with a number of its largest customers. A majority of chemicals
sales are made through the Company's internal sales force.
Products are sold in drums and in bulk as intermediates into construction,
transportation, semiconductor, agricultural chemical, pharmaceutical, pigment,
photographic, specialty polymer and ultra violet (U.V.) curing markets such as
powder coatings, printing inks and overprint varnishes. Exported product is
shipped in ocean-going tankers, iso-containers or drums to European, Japanese
and South American markets. Domestic shipments are by barge, rail or tank
trucks. As discussed above, a significant amount of the Company's aniline is
sold to a single customer under a long-term contract. See "Industrial Chemical
Intermediates."
Fine chemical products are sold into pharmaceutical, electronic chemical,
agricultural chemical, DUV resin and specialty polymer markets, both
domestically and in the Pacific Rim. A significant amount of custom
manufacturing sales are to three customers under long-term contracts.
Electronic and performance chemicals are marketed domestically and
internationally within Europe and the Pacific Rim. Approximately 56% of these
sales are outside the United States. The California facility services North
America and the Pacific Rim and the Scotland facility services the European
community. Approximately 40% of all international electronic and performance
chemical sales are into Europe and 60% of such sales are into the Pacific Rim.
These chemicals are distributed in gallon, liter, returnable drum or large
volume dedicated containers. In Japan, the Company's electronic chemicals are
repackaged from bulk containers into returnable containers by the Company's
Japanese distributor.
Raw Materials
Two of the principal raw materials for production at the Company's
Pascagoula facility, benzene and toluene, are readily available commodity by-
products of oil refining. Like most commodities, the prices of benzene and
toluene are subject to fluctuation. Benzene prices are affected by the demand
for a variety of products, principally including styrene and phenolic resins.
The price of toluene, an octane-enhancing additive for unleaded gasoline, is
directly affected by the demand for and price of unleaded gasoline. The
Company is protected from fluctuations in raw material prices in the contracts
under which most of its aniline production is sold. The remainder of its
production is sold under short-term contracts or purchase orders at prices
that generally reflect its actual raw material cost. Other significant raw
materials include ammonia, natural gas and ethanol. The Company purchases
ammonia and ethanol at market prices. The Company purchases natural gas in the
spot market for use in producing the hydrogen necessary for its manufacturing
processes. This gas is transported into the Pascagoula plant through an
interstate pipeline. Prices paid by the Company for natural gas are affected
by the degree of interruptibility of the gas supply.
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Fine chemicals primary raw materials include hydrogen, hydrogen peroxide,
o-aminophenol, o-nitrophenol, formaldehyde, butaldehyde and natural gas. These
raw materials are obtained from a number of different sources. The Company does
not believe that any one source of raw materials is material to the Company's
business. The Company currently has a ten (10) year contract in place to secure
supply of 4HAP, a primary raw material for the Company's acylation derivatives
business.
The primary raw materials for the manufacture of electronic and performance
chemicals include free-base hydroxylamine, diglycolamine, N-methylpyrro-lidone
and alumina powders. With the exception of hydroxlyamine, raw materials are
generally available in adequate quantities from several suppliers, subject to
market variation in price. Hydroxylamine is currently available from one
supplier, located in Japan. Two major manufacturers have announced plans to
construct facilities capable of manufacturing aqueous hydroxylamine with
production anticipated to begin within the next two years.
Research and Development
The Company conducts research and development to improve existing products
and to produce new specialty and performance chemicals. The Company spent
approximately $5.8 million, $6.9 million and $6.3 million on research and
development in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Research facilities include
laboratories, pilot plant and semi-works for process research and development
with gram to multi-pound sample production capabilities. The Company also
sponsors applied research at leading universities in the United States and the
U.K. and maintains a radiation curing applications laboratory in Pascagoula to
evaluate new products and provide customer technical support. These closely
directed programs have led to the development and introduction of proprietary
technology in fine chemicals and in the FirstCure(R) line of performance
polymer products. In addition, the Company has entered into a joint
development agreement with an industry consortium to develop advanced products
to meet future semiconductor manufacturing technology.
Competition
The Company is one of five major United States producers of aniline, with
approximately 16% of domestic capacity and an estimated 5% of world capacity
and is the only United States producer of nitrotoluenes, with an estimated 12%
of world capacity. Major competitors are large chemical companies. Competition
is based on price, service, quality, marketing and research and development
support capabilities.
Based on market share, the Company is among the top 10 custom chemical
manufacturing companies in the United States. Major competitors are both
smaller and larger companies. Competition is based on service, quality,
manufacturing expertise in batch chemical production, research and development
capabilities and price.
The Company is also one of the world's largest producers of post-metal
cleaning solutions for semiconductor production. Although there are
approximately 12 companies participating in this market worldwide, only the
Company and three others have significant market share for advanced and
postmetal cleaning solutions required by the current state of the art
semiconductor and related industries. Competition is based on service, product
performance, quality, product development capabilities and price. The Company
has entered into a licensing agreement with a major competitor whereby the
Company licenses its HDA(TM) (hydroxylamine) technology. The agreement results
from a patent infringement complaint brought by the Company against the
competitor in federal court. The agreement allows the competitor to continue
to market its products which utilize the Company's hydroxylamine technology,
but provides for the Company to receive a royalty and license fee. Within CMP,
the oxide slurry market is dominated by two companies, with the larger company
holding a 90% market share. In the tungsten slurry market, the Company is now
the third largest supplier for this application.
Seasonality of Business
Generally, chemical sales are not seasonal and working capital requirements
do not vary significantly from period to period.
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ENGINEERED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
General
The Engineered Products and Services segment principally includes the
development and marketing of proprietary equipment and systems for industrial
applications. These include design and production of low-emission burners,
flares, incinerators and thermal plasma equipment. Raw materials and
components for these operations are available from numerous vendors. The
businesses are not considered materially seasonal. This segment is operated
primarily through the Company's subsidiary, Callidus Technologies Inc.
Combustion Equipment and Services
Principal products and services are custom designed and fabricated
gas/liquid incinerators, flares, solid waste systems, vapor recovery units,
burners and predictive emissions monitoring and process optimization software
services. The Company also provides engineering and consulting services for
environmental and combustion applications.
The Company markets these products and services worldwide to refining,
petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, wood products and other industries
requiring disposal of gas, liquid and solid wastes. Marketing is primarily
through a combination of manufacturers' representatives and company personnel.
The market is well established but growing through advancements of existing
technology, driven primarily by increasingly strict environmental regulations
both in the United States and abroad. Approximately 25% of these sales during
1997 were made in the Pacific Rim. Competition is based on a wide variety of
factors, with the most prominent being price, technological innovation and
delivery schedule. The Company competes with the John Zink Company, which has
a significant share of the burner, flare and vapor recovery markets. Numerous
competitors exist in the gas and liquids incineration market. Primary
competition in the solid waste systems market comes from alternative
technologies. The Company offers predictive emissions monitoring and process
optimization software services utilizing products licensed by its customers.
The Company is affected by a variety of factors beyond its control, including
governmental control of environmental standards and compliance deadlines,
competitor pricing strategies and changing technology, any one of which could
impact operating results. In conducting this combustion equipment and services
business, the Company leases office space in Tulsa, Oklahoma, owns a
manufacturing and test facility in Beggs, Oklahoma and has leased foreign
offices in Belgium, England, Italy, France, Germany and Japan.
Thermal Plasma
The Company is a leading international supplier of plasma heating systems to
the metals and waste industries. Plasma heating systems instantly, and without
combustion, convert electrical energy into high temperature thermal energy.
The Company develops, manufactures, sells and services these systems for use
in steel manufacturing, specialty metals refinement and various environmental
waste recycling processes, including municipal solid waste ash vitrification.
The Company holds more than 20 patents in 10 countries, including several in
steel, vacuum melting and waste applications.
Domestic marketing is performed directly, with international sales supported
by overseas representatives. The Company owns a testing facility used for
system integration, system and process development and customer training. This
operation has two principal domestic competitors and four foreign competitors.
Price competition is intense and competitors' pricing strategies may impact
operating results. The thermal plasma operations, which have been conducted in
Raleigh, North Carolina, are being functionally and operationally merged with
the combustion equipment and services business by relocating Raleigh personnel
and operations to Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is anticipated that the thermal plasma
test facility will also be relocated to Oklahoma. The Company expects the
consolidation of these operations to result in a more efficient utilization of
Company personnel and other efficiencies.
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STEEL
The Company's Steel segment is operated through its subsidiary, FirstMiss
Steel, Inc. This segment's operations are conducted through a 400,000 square-
foot steel melting and production facility in Hollsopple, Pennsylvania, which
is approximately 100 miles east of Pittsburgh. The Company is actively seeking
a buyer for this facility. The Company leases the land on which the facility
is located, but has the right to purchase the land for a nominal price at the
conclusion of the lease. Following upgrades to one of two electric arc
furnaces in January 1995, annual capacity of the operation now includes
150,000 tons of carbon, alloy and specialty grade, bottom-poured ingots and
50,000 tons of high-grade steel billets through a horizontal continuous
caster. In January 1996, the second electric arc furnace was removed and a NOD
converter was constructed, which combined with the newly upgraded electric arc
furnace and the existing VOD units form the "Triplex" process for producing
stainless steel. The NOD converter, which was commissioned in July 1996, will
increase stainless steel capacity and lower stainless steel costs. The value-
added product line was introduced in 1992 and includes specialty stainless and
tool steel ingots or billets, which are converted into forged billets, bars
and plates by outside processors. Small quantities of cobalt, nickel, copper
and iron-based alloys in bars and wire are also produced from two small
horizontal continuous casters, small bottom-poured forging ingots and remelt
sand ingots. Raw materials consist of steel scrap and various alloys, of which
there is an adequate supply in the North American market.
Carbon and alloy steel ingots are sold directly to the forging industry,
ring rollers, extruders and integrated steel producers. The Company competes
primarily with three other steel companies in this market and, within the
group, ranks second in total steel production capacity. Specialty steel
products are primarily sold to steel service centers and forgers. Ten
customers account for approximately 60% of the Company's steel revenue. Alloy
products are sold as feedstock directly to forgers, extruders and investment
casters. There are numerous competitors, both domestic and foreign, that
compete with the Company in the specialty steel and ferrous and non-ferrous
metals markets. Competitive factors include price, quality and service. Carbon
steel ingots and billets are commodities and are extremely price competitive.
Stainless and tool steel long product pricing is currently being pressured by
strong import penetration.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Company operations are subject to a wide variety of environmental laws
and regulations governing emissions to the air, discharges to water sources,
and the handling, storage, treatment and disposal of waste materials, as well
as other laws and regulations concerning health and safety conditions. The
Company holds a number of environmental permits and licenses regulating air
emissions, water discharges and hazardous waste disposal and, to the best of
its knowledge, is in material compliance with such requirements at all
locations. The Company makes capital and other expenditures in a continuing
effort to comply with environmental laws and regulations, or changing
interpretations of existing laws and regulations. The Company's environmental
capital expenditures for 1997 were $2.3 million. Projected environmental
capital expenditures for 1998 and 1999 are $1.1 million and $1.5 million,
respectively. While these expenditures are necessary to comply with
environmental laws and regulations, they may also reduce operating expenses
and improve efficiencies.
The Company monitors and participates in the environmental regulatory
development process which assists it in evaluating new laws and regulations.
The Company does not anticipate a material increase in expenses related to
current environmental regulations, but because federal and state environmental
laws and regulations are constantly changing, the Company is unable to predict
their future impact.
The Company has received notices from the United States Environmental
Protection Agency or a similar state agency that it has been deemed a
potentially responsible party ("PRP") under Superfund or a comparable state
statute at several sites and, thus, may be liable for a share of the
associated remediation cost. The Company paid $183,000 as its full share of
the cost of cleanup of one of these sites during 1996. During 1997, the
Company did not contribute any funds toward cleanup of these sites but did
receive rebates relating to the cleanup of one site because actual cleanup
costs have been less than previously projected. It is difficult to
10
<PAGE>
estimate the Company's ultimate liability relating to the remaining sites due
to several uncertainties such as, but not limited to, the method and extent of
remediation, the percentage of material attributable to the Company at the
site relative to that attributable to other parties, and the financial
capabilities of the other PRPs. Based on currently available information,
however, the Company does not believe that its future liability at these sites
will be material to its financial condition, results of operations or cash
flow. The Company has been informed of another potential claim and is
evaluating the facts and circumstances relating to such claim in an effort to
ascertain the extent, if any, to which the Company might be liable for such
claim. However, preliminary information indicates that any future liability in
connection with this claim will not be material to the Company's financial
condition, results of operations or cash flow.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
A description of various properties and the segments to which they relate is
included in the Business discussion located on pages 3 through 11 of this Form
10-K. In addition to those described above, the Company owns or leases the
following properties:
The Company owns an approximately 26,000 square-foot office building in
Jackson, Mississippi, which is its corporate headquarters.
FCC leases 7 acres of waterfront property from the Jackson County Port
Authority. This property is used by FCC for loading and unloading ocean-going
vessels and barges. The lease expires in 2003.
FCC owns 70 acres of undeveloped industrial land within 2 miles of FCC's
Pascagoula plant and 23 acres directly adjacent to the Pascagoula plant. QCI
owns approximately 78 acres of undeveloped industrial land directly adjacent
to its Tyrone, Pennsylvania facility.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company has pending several claims incurred in the normal course of
business which, in the opinion of management and legal counsel, can be
disposed of without material effect on the Company's financial statements.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders of the Company,
through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter of
1997.
PART II
ITEMS 5-8. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS, SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA, MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The information called for by Part II, Items 5-8, has been included in the
Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1997 (or the Financial Review insert attached thereto), which has been
furnished to the Commission. See the Cross Reference Sheet on Page 2 hereof
for the locations of such information.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
11
<PAGE>
PART III
ITEMS 10-13. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT, EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION, SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT,
AND CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information called for by Part III, Items 10-13, has been included in
the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement, which will be mailed to the
Commission by March 30, 1998, pursuant to Regulation 14A, and is incorporated
herein by reference. See the Cross Reference Sheet on Page 2 hereof for the
location of such information.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES
(a)(1) Financial Statements Incorporated by Reference to the Financial Review
insert which is attached to the Registrant's Annual Report to
Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and
Supplementary Data
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGES IN FINANCIAL REVIEW
INSERT TO THE 1997
ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE
--------------------------------
<S> <C>
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December
31, 1997 and 1996........................... p. 4
Consolidated Statements of Operations, years
ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 ..... p. 5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders'
Equity, years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995.................................... p. 6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, years
ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995...... p. 7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements... pp. 8-24
Independent Auditors' Report................. p. 24
</TABLE>
(a)(2) Additional schedules are either not required under the applicable
instructions or are inapplicable and have therefore been omitted.
(a)(3) EXHIBITS
2(a) Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of August 27,
1996, among Mississippi Chemical Corporation, MISS SUB, INC. and First
Mississippi Corporation, was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Amendment No. 1 to
the Company's Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-15789) filed on November
18, 1996, and is incorporated herein by reference.
2(b) Agreement and Plan of Distribution between First Mississippi Corporation
and the Company dated December 18, 1996 was filed as Exhibit 2.2, Form
of Agreement and Plan of Distribution, to
12
<PAGE>
Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-15789)
filed on November 18, 1996, and is incorporated herein by reference.
The only modification to the text of the Form of Agreement and Plan of
Distribution which is incorporated herein by reference was the
substitution of "ChemFirst Inc." for "Newco" as a party to this
agreement and the dating of the agreement as of December 18, 1996.
2(c)Tax Disaffiliation Agreement between First Mississippi Corporation and
the Company dated December 18, 1996 was filed as Exhibit 2.3, Form of
Tax Disaffiliation Agreement, to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Form
S-1 (Registration No. 333-15789) filed on November 18, 1996, and is
incorporated herein by reference. The only modification to the text of
the Form of Tax Disaffiliation Agreement which is incorporated herein
by reference was the substitution of "ChemFirst Inc." for "Newco" as a
party to this Agreement and the dating of the agreement as of December
18, 1996.
2(d)Employee Benefits and Compensation Agreement between First Mississippi
Corporation and the Company dated December 18, 1996 was filed as
Exhibit 2.4, Form of Employee Benefits and Compensation Agreement, to
Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-15789)
filed on November 18, 1996, and is incorporated herein by reference.
The only modification to the text of the Form of Employee Benefits and
Compensation Agreement which is incorporated herein by reference was
the substitution of "ChemFirst Inc." for "Newco" as a party to this
Agreement and the dating of the agreement as of December 18, 1996.
3(a)Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company were
filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-15789) filed on November 18, 1996, and is
incorporated herein by reference.
3(b)Bylaws of the Company were filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 1 to
the Company's Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-15789) filed on November
18, 1996, and is incorporated herein by reference.
4(a)Articles III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX and X of the Company's Charter
of Incorporation and the Statements of Resolution establishing the
Company's 1987-A, 1988-A, 1988-1, 1989-A, 1989-1, 1989-2, 1990-1,
1990-2, 1991-1, 1991-2, and 1992-1 Series Convertible Preferred Stock
and the Company's Series X Junior Participating Preferred Stock are
included in Exhibit 3(a).
4(b)Articles II, IV, IX and XII of the Company's Bylaws are included in
Exhibit 3(b).
4(c)ChemFirst Inc. 401(K) Savings Plan was filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-
18691) filed on December 24, 1996 and is incorporated herein by
reference.
4(d)Rights Agreement, dated as of October 30, 1996, between the Company
and KeyCorp Shareholder Services, Inc., was filed as Exhibit 4 to
Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-15789)
filed on November 18, 1996 and is incorporated herein by reference.
4(e)Post Spin-Off Agreement between First Mississippi and FirstMiss Gold
Inc. dated as of September 24, 1995, which was assigned to the Company
in connection with the Distribution, was filed as Exhibit 99.1 to
First Mississippi's Form 8-K dated September 24, 1995, and is
incorporated herein by reference.
4(f)Tax Ruling Agreement between First Mississippi and FirstMiss Gold Inc.
dated as of September 24, 1995, which was assigned to the Company in
connection with the Distribution, was filed as Exhibit 99.2 to First
Mississippi's Form 8-K dated September 24, 1995, and is incorporated
herein by reference.
4(g)Loan Agreement between First Mississippi and FirstMiss Gold Inc.,
dated as of September 24, 1995, which was assigned to the Company in
connection with the Distribution, was filed as Exhibit 99.3 to First
Mississippi's Form 8-K dated September 24, 1995, and is incorporated
herein by reference.
13
<PAGE>
4(h)Amended Tax Sharing Agreement between First Mississippi and FirstMiss
Gold Inc. dated as of September 24, 1995, which was assinged to the
Company in connection with the Distribution, was filed as Exhibit 99.4
to First Mississippi's form 8-K dated September 24, 1995, and is
incorporated herein by reference.
10(a)*
Termination Agreement, dated May 29, 1996 and effective June 1, 1996,
between the Company and its Chief Executive Officer, which was
assigned to the Company in connection with the Distribution, was filed
as Exhibit 10(c) to First Mississippi's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, and is incorporated herein by
reference.
10(b)*
Form of Termination Agreement, dated May 29, 1996 and effective June
1, 1996, between the Company and each of the following executive
officers of the Company: Daniel P. Anderson, Robert P. Barker, William
P. Bartlett, Max P. Bowman, Troy B. Browning, J. Steven Chustz, Paul
J. Coder, Samir A. Hakooz, William B. Kemp, Scott A. Martin, James L.
McArthur, George M. Simmons, R. Michael Summerford and Thomas G.
Tepas, which was assigned to the Company in connection with the
Distribution, was filed as Exhibit 10(d) to First Mississippi's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, and is
incorporated herein by reference. (Company's Termination Agreement
with each such officer contains terms identical to those contained in
the form of Agreement filed.)
10(c)*
ChemFirst Inc. 1980 Long-Term Incentive Plan was filed as Exhibit 4.6
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.
333-18693) filed on December 24, 1996, and is incorporated herein by
reference.
10(d)*
ChemFirst Inc. 1988 Long-Term Incentive Plan was filed as Exhibit 4.5
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.
333-18693) filed on December 24, 1996, and is incorporated herein by
reference.
10(e)*
ChemFirst Inc. 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan was filed as Exhibit 4.4
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.
333-18693) filed on December 24, 1996, and is incorporated herein by
reference.
10(f)*
1991 Restatement of the First Mississippi Directors' Retirement Plan,
as revised and restated on May 14, 1991, which was assigned to and
assumed by the Company pursuant to the Benefits Agreement, was filed
as Exhibit 10(f) to First Mississippi's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1991, and is incorporated herein by
reference.
10(g)*
First Mississippi Corporation 1989 Deferred Compensation Plan for
Outside Directors, as amended on September 12, 1994, which was
assigned to and assumed by the Company pursuant to the Benefits
Agreement, was filed as Exhibit 10(g) to First Mississippi's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995, and is
incorporated herein by reference.
10(h)Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and the
following Directors or Officers of the Company, which was assigned to
and assumed by the Company in connection with the Distribution,
(Company's Indemnification Agreements with each such individual
contains substantially identical provisions to those contained in the
form): Richard P. Anderson, Paul A. Becker, James W. Crook, James E.
Fligg, Charles R. Gibson, Robert P. Guyton, Charles P. Moreton, Paul
W. Murrill, William A. Percy, II, Maurice T. Reed, Jr., Frank G.
Smith, Leland R. Speed, R. Gerald Turner, J. Kelley Williams, R.
Michael Summerford, O. E. Wall, Charles M. McAuley, J. Steve Chustz,
James L. McArthur, Danny P. Anderson and Thomas G. Tepas was filed as
Exhibit 10(t) to First Mississippi's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1988, and is incorporated herein by
reference.
10(i)ChemFirst Inc. 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was filed as Exhibit
4.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration
No. 333-35221) filed on September 9, 1997, and is incorporated herein
by reference.
14
<PAGE>
13 ChemFirst Inc. 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders and Financial Review
insert attached thereto (such Annual Report is not, except for those
portions thereof which are expressly incorporated by reference, to be
deemed "filed" as part of this Form 10-K).
21 List of the subsidiaries of the Company.
23 Consent regarding incorporation of auditor's report into Registration
Statement Nos. 333-18691, 333-18693 and 333-35221.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
27.2 Restated Financial Data Schedule.
- --------
*Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
Certain debt instruments have not been filed. The Company agrees to furnish
a copy of such agreement(s) to the Commission upon request.
(b)No Reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the fourth quarter
of 1997.
(c)Please see (a)(3) above.
The exhibits filed with the Commission are not included in the printed copy
of the Form 10-K. A copy of the exhibits will be provided upon payment of a
reasonable fee, to be specified at the time a request is made.
(d)Please see (a)(2) above.
15
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
CHEMFIRST INC.
Date: March 27, 1998 BY: /s/ J. Kelley Williams
__________________________________
J. Kelley Williams
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
/s/ J. Kelley Williams Chairman of the Board March 27, 1998
- ----------------------------------- of Directors, Chief
J. KELLEY WILLIAMS Executive Officer
(Principal Executive
Officer) and Director
/s/ Thomas G. Tepas President and Chief March 27, 1998
- ----------------------------------- Operating Officer
THOMAS G. TEPAS
/s/ R. Michael Summerford Vice President and March 27, 1998
- ----------------------------------- Chief Financial
R. MICHAEL SUMMERFORD Officer (Principal
Financial Officer)
/s/ Troy B. Browning Controller (Principal March 27, 1998
- ----------------------------------- Accounting Officer)
TROY B. BROWNING
/s/ Richard P. Anderson Director March 27, 1998
- -----------------------------------
RICHARD P. ANDERSON
/s/ Paul A. Becker Director March 27, 1998
- -----------------------------------
PAUL A. BECKER
/s/ James W. Crook Director March 27, 1998
- -----------------------------------
JAMES W. CROOK
/s/ Michael J. Ferris Director March 27, 1998
- -----------------------------------
MICHAEL J. FERRIS
/s/ James E. Fligg Director March 27, 1998
- -----------------------------------
JAMES E. FLIGG
/s/ Robert P. Guyton Director March 27, 1998
- -----------------------------------
ROBERT P. GUYTON
16
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
/s/ Paul W. Murrill Director March 27, 1998
- -----------------------------------
PAUL W. MURRILL
/s/ William A. Percy, II Director March 27, 1998
- -----------------------------------
WILLIAM A. PERCY, II
/s/ Dan F. Smith Director March 27, 1998
- -----------------------------------
DAN F. SMITH
/s/ Leland R. Speed Director March 27, 1998
- -----------------------------------
LELAND R. SPEED
/s/ R. Gerald Turner Director March 27, 1998
- -----------------------------------
R. GERALD TURNER
17
<PAGE>
EXHIBITS
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
-------
<C> <S>
13 ChemFirst Inc. 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders and Financial Review
insert attached thereto (such Annual Report is not, except for those
portions thereof which are expressly incorporated by reference, to be
deemed "filed" as part of this Form 10-K).
21 List of the subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23 Consent regarding incorporation of auditor's report into Registration
Statement Nos. 333-18691, 333-18693 and 333-35221.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule [For EDGAR filing only].
27.2 Restated Financial Data Schedule [For EDGAR filing only].
</TABLE>
- --------
(Note: The exhibits filed with the Commission are not included in this copy of
the Form 10-K. A copy of the exhibits will be provided upon payment of a
reasonable fee, to be specified at the time a request is made.)
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 13
[CHEMFIRST INC. LOGO APPEARS HERE]
ANNUAL REPORT
-------------
1997
Post Office Box 1249 Jackson, Mississippi 39215-1249
<PAGE>
[CHEMFIRST INC. LOGO APPEARS HERE]
CHEMFIRST
CHEMICALS
TECHNOLOGY
SERVICE
NYSE:CEM
Designed by GodwinGroup, Jackson, Mississippi
Printed by [Hederman Brothers, Ridgeland, Mississippi]
Inside pages printed on [50%] recycled paper.
<PAGE>
CORPORATE INFORMATION
- ---------------------
Transfer Agents for Common Stock
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
1-800-524-4458
Address shareholder inquiries to:
Shareholder Relations
Department - 11E
P. O. Box 11258
Church Street Station
New York, New York 10286
Send certificates for transfer
and address changes to:
Receive and Deliver
Department - 11W
P. O. Box 11002
Church Street Station
New York, New York 10286
e-mail:
[email protected]
Internet: http://stkxfer.bankofny.com
CHEMFIRST INC.
Shareholder Services Department
P. O. Box 1249
Jackson, Mississippi 39215-1249
(601) 948-7550
e-mail: [email protected]
Common Stock Registrars
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
Investor Relations Department
P. O. Box 11258
Church Street Station
New York, New York 10286
DEPOSIT GUARANTY NATIONAL BANK
One Deposit Guaranty Plaza
Jackson, Mississippi 39205-1200
Stock Listing
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
TRADING SYMBOL: CEM
Note: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL and many other major daily newspapers list the
stock as ChemFst.
Investor Relations
If you have questions concerning ChemFirst Inc. or your investment in the
Company, we will be pleased to assist you. Contact:
JAMES L. MCARTHUR
Secretary, Manager, Investor Relations
ChemFirst Inc.
P. O. Box 1249
Jackson, Mississippi 39215-1249
(601) 949-0285 or (601) 948-7550
e-mail: [email protected]
Independent Public Accountants
KPMG PEAT MARWICK, LLP
1100 One Jackson Place
Jackson, Mississippi 39201-9988
Stockholder Reports
Stockholders with stock in brokerage accounts who wish to receive quarterly
stockholder reports and other information directly from the Company, may do
so by contacting the Company's Investor Relations Department.
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held May 27, 1998, at 2 p.m. in the
Garden Room at Dennery's, 330 Greymont Avenue, Jackson, Mississippi.
Stockholders are cordially invited to attend and participate in the business
of the meeting. Those who are unable to attend are requested to return their
proxy cards to the Registrar in the envelope that accompanies the proxy.
Stock Market Information
The high and low recorded prices of the Company's common stock and cash
dividends declared during 1996 and 1997 are presented in the table below.
There were approximately 4,330 shareholders of record as of March 2, 1998.
1997 1996
-----------------------------------------------------
Dividend Dividend
High Low Rate High Low Rate
-----------------------------------------------------
1st Quarter 24 1/8 20 1/2 .10 27 1/4 20 1/4 .10
2nd Quarter 27 5/16 20 1/8 .10 25 1/4 21 .10
3rd Quarter 28 5/8 25 .10 28 1/4 21 1/8 .10
4th Quarter 28 5/8 24 1/4 .10 30 1/4 22 1/4* .10
For the Year 28 5/8 20 1/8 .40 30 1/4 20 1/4 .40
-----------------------------------------------------
*Stock price reflects December 1996 merger/disposition of Fertilizer
operations.
[Photo Appears Here]
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 1
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 2
DEAR FELLOW SHAREHOLDERS 3
CHEMICALS 6
ENGINEERED PRODUCTS & SERVICES 12
STEEL 14
HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT 15
CHEMFIRST COMPANIES 16
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 17
CORPORATE INFORMATION 18
FINANCIAL REVIEW INSERT
BATCH CAPACITY FOR SPECIALTY CHEMICALS AT PASCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI WAS EXPANDED
25%. KEY MARKETS INCLUDE PHARMACEUTICAL AND AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS AND
PERFORMANCE POLYMER PRODUCTS.
- ----------------------------
[Photo appears here]
<PAGE>
CHEMFIRST INC. MILESTONES
- -------------------------
ALL OF OUR BUSINESSES
ARE GROWING, AS ARE THE
MARKETS THEY SERVE.
[Logo appears here]
1957
Founded as First Mississippi Corporation with $5 million initial public
offering.
1958
Entered fertilizer business with 50% interest in 25,000-ton-per-year anhydrous
ammonia plant in Arizona.
1965
Pioneered the single train Kellogg ammonia plant technology in Donaldsonville,
Louisiana.
[Logo appears here]
1967
Started chemicals business with aniline production at First Chemical Corporation
in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
1973
Acquired Atlantic Richfield's fertilizer operations in Fort Madison, Iowa, which
tripled the size of the company. Earnings exploded from $3.2 million in FY73 to
$42.1 million in FY75.
1975
The first Mississippi-chartered company to be listed on the New York Stock
Exchange.
[Logo appears here]
Mid-1970s
Diversified into other commodities - oil & gas in 1974, coal in 1981 and gold in
1983 - to reduce dependence on fertilizer.
1980
Money magazine named the Company a stock "winner" for the decade of the
seventies, with the biggest 10-year gain (1,725%) among 2,200 stocks traded
on the New York and American exchanges and 830 major over-the-counter stocks.
[Logo appears here]
1981
Began internal research and development program for specialty chemicals.
1986
Purchased Quality Chemicals, Inc., a custom chemical manufacturer in Tyrone,
Pennsylvania.
1989
Entered the electronic chemicals business with the acquisition of EKC
Technology, Inc., with operations in Hayward, California, and East Kilbride,
Scotland.
1989
Founded Callidus Technologies Inc. to produce low emission burners, flares and
incinerators for environmental applications.
[Logo appears here]
1992
Acquired Monsanto's Dayton, Ohio, pilot plant and manufacturing facility to
expand custom manufacturing capability.
1992
Began a major restructuring effort to focus on chemicals and related businesses.
1993
Sold oil and gas assets and coal business.
1995
Spun off Getchell Gold Corporation (formerly FirstMiss Gold Inc.).
[CHEMFIRST INC. LOGO APPEARS HERE]
1996
Spun off chemicals and nonfertilizer businesses to shareholders as ChemFirst
Inc., a new debt-free, publicly traded company, and First Mississippi fertilizer
operations and debt were acquired by Mississippi Chemical Corporation in a
stock-for-stock merger.
1997
Acquired deep ultraviolet (DUV) resins and chemical mechanical planarization
(CMP) assets for semiconductor applications.
Achieved record sales and earnings for chemicals and engineered products and
services. Total return to shareholders for the five years ended December 31,
1997, was 631% versus 151% for the S&P 500.
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
- ----------------------
DIRECTORS
RICHARD P. ANDERSON /2, 3/
Maumee, Ohio
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer,
The Andersons Inc.
Agribusiness
PAUL A. BECKER /1/
New York, New York
Managing Director,
Mitchell Hutchins Asset
Management, Inc.
JAMES W. CROOK /3, 4/
Yazoo City, Mississippi
Former Chairman of the Board,
Melamine Chemicals, Inc.
MICHAEL J. FERRIS /2/
Houston, Texas
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Pioneer Companies, Inc.
JAMES E. FLIGG /2/
Chicago, Illinois
Senior Executive Vice President,
Strategic Planning and International Development
Amoco Corporation
ROBERT P. GUYTON /1/
St. Simon's Island, Georgia
Financial Consultant
DR. PAUL W. MURRILL /1/
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Professional Engineer
WILLIAM A. PERCY, II /2, 4/
Greenville, Mississippi
General Partner,
Trail Lake Enterprises
President & Chief Executive Officer,
Greenville Compress Company
Chairman of the Board,
Staple Cotton Cooperative
Association
DAN F. SMITH /1/
Houston, Texas
President and
Chief Executive Officer,
Lyondell Petrochemical Company
Chief Executive Officer
Equistar Chemicals, L.P.
LELAND R. SPEED /3/
Jackson, Mississippi
Chairman,
EastGroup Properties
Real Estate Investment Trust
The Parkway Company
Real Estate Company
DR. R. GERALD TURNER /3, 4/
Dallas, Texas
President,
Southern Methodist University
J. KELLEY WILLIAMS
Jackson, Mississippi
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer,
ChemFirst Inc.
OFFICERS
J. KELLEY WILLIAMS
Chairman
Chief Executive Officer
THOMAS G. TEPAS
President
Chief Operating Officer
R. MICHAEL SUMMERFORD
Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
DANIEL P. ANDERSON
Vice President
Health, Safety & Environmental Affairs
ROBERT B. BARKER
Vice President
Corporate Development and Acquisitions
WILLIAM B. KEMP
Vice President
Human Resources
J. STEVE CHUSTZ
General Counsel
MAX P. BOWMAN
Treasurer
Manager, Risk Management
TROY B. BROWNING
Controller
JAMES L. MCARTHUR
Secretary
Manager, Investor Relations
- -----------------
/1/ Audit Committee
/2/ Compensation and Human
Resources Committee
/3/ Committee on Director Affairs
/4/ ChemFirst Foundation Inc.
Board of Trustees
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
-----------------------
1997 /17/
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
Years ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------
1997 1996 Change
---------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:
Sales $ 445,821 $ 383,637 16%
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations/(a)/ $ 38,898 $ (10,441) /(b)/
Depreciation and amortization $ 20,642 $ 18,056 14%
Capital expenditures $ 95,570 $ 53,732 78%
FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total assets $ 459,346 $ 423,090 9%
Total debt $ 26,443 $ 3,095 /(b)/
Shareholders' equity $ 321,697 $ 308,486 4%
Total debt as percent of total capitalization 8% 1% /(b)/
PER COMMON SHARE:
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations/(a)/ $ 1.86 $ (.50) /(b)/
Cash dividends declared $ .40 $ .40 _
Book value $ 16.06 $ 14.92 8%
Closing market price at December 31 $ 28.250 $ 23.125 22%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/(a)/ Includes the after tax effect of the following items:
Aluminum Dross Processing (sold January 1997)
Provision for facility writedowns and other costs $ _ $ (12,971)
Operating losses $ _ $ (3,421)
Asset writedowns in Steel operations $ _ $ (6,075)
Changes in organizational structure $ _ $ (600)
Gain on Melamine technology sale $ 1,502 $ _
Gain on sale of Melamine $ 8,810 $ _
----------------------------
TOTAL $ 10,312 $ (23,067)
============================
Per common share: $ .50 $ (1.10)
============================
/(b)/ Computation not meaningful.
EARNINGS FROM CAPITAL
SALES CONTINUING OPERATIONS* EXPENDITURES
(MILLIONS OF DOLLARS) (MILLIONS OF DOLLARS) (MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE] [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
*Adjusted for Melamine gains in 1997,
special charges in 1996, and operating
losses of aluminum dross recovery
business for 1993 through 1996.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
-----------------------
1997 /1/
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
- -----------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31
(In Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
% % % % %
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales to unaffiliated customers:
Chemicals $ 297,822 64 246,014 63 214,234 59 186,890 64 151,341 65
Engineered Products and Services 72,712 16 64,538 17 65,926 18 42,299 14 29,365 13
Steel 75,287 15 73,085 18 72,839 20 59,941 20 47,272 20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total sales 445,821 95 383,637 98 352,999 97 289,130 98 227,978 98
Other revenues 22,233 5 6,571 2 7,403 3 4,043 2 4,010 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenues $ 468,054 100 390,208 100 360,402 100 293,173 100 231,988 100
============================================================================
Operating profit (loss) from continuing operations
before income taxes (benefit), investee earnings (loss)
and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle:
Chemicals $ 51,688 43,593 40,650 36,551 27,390
Engineered Products and Services 2,926 (31,897) (5,198) (9,297) (7,198)
Steel (1,003) (10,495) 856 (2,639) (3,960)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
53,611 1,201 36,308 24,615 16,232
Unallocated corporate expenses (11,347) (13,324) (16,242) (8,847) (6,857)
Interest income (expense), net 2,904 (5,055) (3,915) (7,070) (9,776)
Other income (expense), net 14,998 259 517 569 (300)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
60,166 (16,919) 16,668 9,267 (701)
Income taxes (benefit) 23,765 (5,632) 8,240 4,985 692
Equity in net earnings (loss) of equity investees 2,497 846 1,096 410 (531)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 38,898 (10,441) 9,524 4,692 (1,924)
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes - 36,562 47,943 37,066 8,328
Net gain (loss) on disposal of businesses, net of taxes - 223,739 - - (6,800)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - - - - 2,850
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 38,898 249,860 57,467 41,758 2,454
============================================================================
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations $ 1.91 (.50) .46 .23 (.10)
Discontinued operations - 1.77 2.34 1.85 .42
Gain (loss) on disposal of businesses - 10.85 - - (.34)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - - - - .14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 1.91 12.12 2.80 2.08 .12
============================================================================
Earnings (loss) per common share, assuming dilution:
Continuing operations $ 1.86 (.50) .46 .23 (.10)
Discontinued operations - 1.77 2.29 1.82 .42
Gain (loss) on disposal of businesses - 10.85 - - (.34)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - - - - .14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 1.86 12.12 2.75 2.05 .12
============================================================================
Net working capital $ 78,059 130,480 127,009 100,421 60,855
Long-term debt $ 4,865 2,122 82,871 97,687 112,168
Total assets $ 459,346 423,090 414,335 390,209 354,555
Stockholders' equity $ 321,697 308,486 226,759 204,709 165,953
Cash dividend payout rate 22 3 14 15 250
Return on average equity - continuing operations 12 (4) 4 3 (1)
Return on sales - continuing operations 9 (3) 3 2 (1)
Long-term debt/equity ratio .02 .01 .37 .48 .68
Current ratio 1.82 2.57 2.84 3.18 2.17
Cash dividends per share $ .40 .40 .39 .31 .30
Book value per share $ 16.06 14.92 11.02 10.07 8.30
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
DEAR FELLOW SHAREHOLDERS
- ------------------------
OUR BUSINESS MIX IS SIMPLER AND IS FOCUSED
ON CHEMICALS WITH HIGH MARGIN AND HIGH GROWTH
POTENTIAL AND EMPHASIS ON TECHNOLOGY.
Earnings from continuing operations excluding special items more than
doubled to $28.6 million on 16% higher sales in our first year as ChemFirst.
Continuing operations are comprised of the chemical and other nonfertilizer
businesses spun off to shareholders prior to the December 1996 merger of First
Mississippi Corporation's fertilizer operations into Mississippi Chemical
Corporation. The largest segment of continuing operations is Chemicals, which
had record sales and operating profits.
Except for the planned disposition of Steel, the merger completed a five-
year restructuring program that has transformed the company. Our business mix is
simpler and is focused on chemicals with high margin and high growth potential
and emphasis on technology. Our balance sheet is stronger. Earnings are less
cyclical and more predictable. Our price earnings multiple has increased,
reflecting investor recognition of these accomplishments.
Five-year total return to shareholders at year end was 631% versus 151% for
the S&P 500, driven by restructuring efforts and growth in chemicals and related
businesses. This year we made major capacity additions, technology investments,
and complementary product line acquisitions to drive future growth.
Financial Results
Earnings from continuing operations were $38.9 million, or $1.86 per share,
including special items of $10.3 million, or 50 cents per share, from the sale
of Melamine Chemicals, Inc. stock to Borden Chemical, Inc. and a gain on a
second quarter Melamine technology agreement. Sales increased 16% to $446
million.
Capital Expenditures
A $200 million expansion program begun in 1996 will double plant and
equipment investment by 1999 and will increase capacities of major product lines
from 40% to 100%. Capital expenditures for 1997 were $96 million versus $54
million in 1996. About 90% of 1997 expenditures were in Chemicals. Most of this
was for the world scale aniline facility at Bayer Corporation's Baytown, Texas,
chemical complex and for additional batch specialty chemicals capacity at
Pascagoula, Mississippi. The specialty expansion was completed mid-year 1997,
and the aniline plant was completed first quarter 1998.
Other 1997 capital projects included new laboratory facilities for custom
manufacturing and for electronic chemicals. These investments will support
process development for custom projects and research and development of new
chemicals for semiconductor manufacturing.
We plan to invest about $70 million in plant and equipment in 1998 to
complete the capital expenditure program begun in 1996.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
-----------------------
1997 /3/
<PAGE>
DEAR FELLOW SHAREHOLDERS
- ------------------------
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
SALES
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
EMPLOYEES
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
CHEMICALS [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] CORPORATE
EP&S [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] STEEL
Acquisitions
In December 1997, we completed three acquisitions that complement and
extend our successful electronic and performance chemicals business. Two of the
acquisitions are product lines of high purity, ultra fine abrasives for the
chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) step in the manufacture of integrated
circuits.
CMP is a fast growing technology, with the same customers and similar
requirements for service and technical support as electronic chemicals. We are
adding CMP to our electronic chemicals portfolio to strengthen our competitive
position and drive future growth.
The other acquisition is a business that manufactures and markets deep
ultraviolet (DUV) photoresist resins and other products. This business is the
largest supplier of resin components for the manufacture of DUV photoresist
products used in new "nanolithographic" technology for leading edge
semiconductor chip manufacture. Demand for DUV photoresist resins is growing
rapidly as the semiconductor industry applies the new DUV technology.
Financial Structure
Our balance sheet is strong despite record capital expenditures, recent
acquisitions, and stock repurchases. Debt is 8% of total capitalization. This is
below our long-term target of 35% and the 30% average of peer companies. We
expect debt to increase over time as we develop and implement other attractive
capital projects, find and make other acquisitions that fit, and repurchase
stock.
We spent nearly $20 million to repurchase just over 800,000 ChemFirst
shares in 1997 and are now working on an additional $40 million repurchase
authorization recently approved by the board. We believe stock repurchases are a
tax efficient way to return cash to shareholders when other attractive
investment opportunities are not available.
Chemicals
Chemicals had record sales and operating profits for the year as all
businesses improved. Pretax operating profits were up 19% to $51.7 million on a
21% increase in sales.
Electronic chemicals sales were up about 20%. We invested in manufacturing
capabilities and efficiencies to meet growing demand from new semiconductor
fabrication lines in the United States and the Far East.
Demand for aniline remained strong during the year due to continued growth
in isocyanate production. We are the industry's largest merchant producer of
aniline.
The 25% increase in batch specialty chemical capacity will enable us to
meet growing demand for specialty chemicals. We supply a key intermediate for
the leading AIDS protease inhibitor and expect to begin production of another
protease inhibitor intermediate in 1998. We are developing proprietary products
for fast growing ultraviolet curing applications.
Custom manufacturing had record operating profits from high utilization of
capacity expansions completed in December 1996. During the year the first bulk
active pharmaceutical product was produced in the new cGMP pilot plant at
Dayton, Ohio. We have begun a $4.5 million expansion at Dayton for
<PAGE>
production of DUV resins to meet growing demand.
Engineered Products
and Services
Pretax operating profits were a record $2.9 million on a 13% increase in
sales. Results improved significantly from a prior year loss due to better
project management. During the year combustion and thermal plasma operations
were combined to gain greater efficiencies.
In January 1998, we sold our 50% interest in Power Sources Inc. to Trigen
Energy Corporation (NYSE: TGN). Power Sources, which develops and operates
biomass-to-energy power plants, was jointly owned by ChemFirst and Canal
Industries. After tax gain on the sale was approximately $5 million, or 25 cents
per share. Net proceeds were approximately $11 million.
Outlook
We think 1998 continuing earnings will be up on a stronger second half.
However, first half results may be off due to some unusual events and lower
custom manufacturing sales. We also have some price pressure from Asian
semiconductor manufacturers and have seen a drop in Asian inquiries for
Engineered Products and Services. We expect improvement in the Asian market with
economic recovery there.
/s/ J. KELLEY WILLIAMS
J. Kelley Williams
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ THOMAS G. TEPAS
Thomas G. Tepas
President and Chief Operating Officer
SALES BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT
(MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
CHEMICALS [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
EP&S [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
STEEL [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
VALUE OF $100 INVESTED ON DECEMBER 31, 1992
(CUMULATIVE RETURN TO SHAREHOLDERS INCLUDING SHARE PRICE AND DIVIDENDS)
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
CHEMFIRST [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
S&P 500 [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
-----------------------
1997 /5/
<PAGE>
THIS WORLD SCALE ANILINE PLANT AT BAYER CORPORATION'S BAYTOWN, TEXAS,
CHEMICAL COMPLEX, SHOWN HERE UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WAS COMPLETED IN FIRST
QUARTER 1998. THE PLANT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF BAYER'S U.S. MDI
MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS. IT WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE THE COMPANY'S ANILINE
CAPACITY.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Photo Appears here]
<PAGE>
CHEMICALS
- ---------
CHEMFIRST MANUFACTURES SPECIALTY CHEMICALS
FOR USE IN AGRICULTURAL, PHARMACEUTICAL, POLYMER,
AND PHOTOSENSITIVE APPLICATIONS, AND IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS.
- ------------------------------------------------------
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In Thousands of Dollars
- ------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 Change
- ------------------------------------------------------
Sales $ 297,822 $ 246,014 21%
Pretax operating results 51,688 43,593 19%
Capital expenditures 84,602 48,670 74%
U.S. exports 11% 11%
- ------------------------------------------------------
Highlights
- ------------------------------------------------------
.. Record sales and operating profits
.. Construction of 250-million-pound per year aniline
facility at Baytown, Texas, on budget and on schedule
for completion first quarter 1998
.. Acquired chemical mechanical planarization assets
from Baikowski Chimie and Moyco Technologies
.. Acquired acylation derivatives business from
Clariant Corporation
Chemicals operations include the production and sale of specialty chemicals
and chemical intermediates, and research and development for new products and
production processes. Objectives are to develop and market proprietary, high-
value specialty chemicals, and to be a low-cost producer of intermediate
chemicals primarily sold under long-term contracts.
The company manufactures specialty chemicals for use in agricultural,
pharmaceutical, polymer, and photosensitive applications, and in the manufacture
of integrated circuits.
Aniline and nitrotoluene derivatives are produced in efficient, continuous
process facilities and are primarily sold to industrial customers for
automotive, agricultural, construction, pigment, pharmaceutical, and
photochemical applications.
Outlook
The outlook is good for Chemicals. Demand for aniline remains strong. The
new 250-million-pound aniline plant at Baytown, Texas, started up ahead of
schedule in March 1998. New batch specialty capacity was started up mid-1997 to
meet growing demand for agricultural chemical intermediates, pharmaceutical
chemicals, photoinitiators, and polymerization inhibitors. At Dayton, Ohio,
capability to produce deep ultraviolet (DUV) photoresist resins for manufacture
of integrated circuits is being expanded.
Electronic chemicals sales are at record levels and growing, and new and
improved products for leading edge sub-0.25-micron technology integrated
circuits are being developed. Rapid growth rates are expected from the recently
acquired chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) businesses, which are being
driven by the trend toward integrated circuits with more and thinner layers and
smaller feature geometries.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
-----------------------
1997 /7/
<PAGE>
CHEMICALS
- ---------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT
The company produces electronic and performance chemicals used in production
of integrated circuits (ICs). IC fabrication begins with silicon, a major
ingredient of common sand. Silicon wafers progress through a complex series
of steps to become ICs. Today's technology enables thinner layers and smaller
feature geometries to produce the complex ICs used in a wide variety of
consumer and business products such as wireless communications, multimedia
personal computers, and in many home and automotive applications.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ILLUSTRATION APPEARS HERE] IC Fabrication
1. Deposition
POLYMER REMOVERS AND WAFER CLEANING
The company's proprietary HDA(TM) 2. Photoresist
hydroxylamine products remove
residue formed by dry etching during 3. Masking
wafer fabrication. These critical cleaning
processes inhibit circuit-damaging 4. Patterning
corrosion by removing even the
smallest particles. 5. Developing
6. Etching
DEEP UV (DUV) RESINS POLYMER REMOVERS CMP SLURRIES
AND WAFER CLEANING 7. Polymer Removal and
Wafer Cleaning
8. Chemical Mechanical
DEEP UV (DUV) RESINS Planarization
A highly polished, ultra-pure silicon
wafer is coated with a thin film of 9. Electrical test
DUV photoresist solution containing
the company's proprietary resin. 10. Dicing
This film is then exposed to DUV light
through a pattern mask to create 11. Packaging
circuit tracings onto the wafer.
12. Final test
CMP SLURRIES
Chemical mechanical planarization
involves mechanical polishing of
wafers using a slurry of abrasives and
chemicals manufactured by the company,
enabling ultra-high resolution lithography.
Illustration by
The Loomis Group, Inc.
EKC4000(TM), A NEW PROPRIETARY PRODUCT USED IN SUBMICRON AND DEEP
SUBMICRON PROCESSING, REMOVES METAL ION CONTAMINATION AND ELIMINATES CORROSION
BETTER THAN CONVENTIONAL RINSES. BECAUSE IT IS WATER-BASED, EKC4000(TM)
ELIMINATES THE RISK OF FIRE, A MAJOR CONCERN WITH SOLVENT-BASED PRODUCTS.
ELECTRONIC AND PERFORMANCE CHEMICALS
The company produces organic photoresist removers, post-dry etch polymer
removers, and performance chemicals for cleaning and polishing silicon wafers in
semiconductor manufacturing. Products are sold on the basis of product function,
purity, and cleanness. The company's applications engineers work closely with
customers to develop unique chemical solutions to today's advanced semiconductor
manufacturing issues.
Since 1994, silicon acreage, a leading indicator of semiconductor
production, has grown a compounded average of 10.7% annually, and industry
forecasts indicate continued strong growth for the remainder of the decade. This
growth is being driven by the broad acceptance and proliferation of electronic
devices such as wireless communications, mass storage, network systems, and
multimedia personal computers. In addition, new electronic devices are being
developed and introduced routinely for an increasing
<PAGE>
[Photo Appears Here]
THE NEW LAB AT THE CUSTOM MANUFACTURING PLANT IN TYRONE, PENNSYLVANIA, FOR
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND QUALITY CONTROL ALSO PRODUCES
KILO QUANTITIES FOR CUSTOMER NEEDS. THE NEW FACILITY INCREASED LAB SPACE BY
200%.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
number of home and automotive applications. All of these devices require high
performance integrated circuits.
The company is the world's second largest supplier of photoresist removers
and the largest supplier of post-dry etch polymer removers. Approximately 40% of
the world's semiconductors are produced in the Far East and Pacific Rim, while
about 14% are produced in Europe. The company has offices in Asia and Europe to
support these markets.
Product performance, applications engineering support, and customer service
are key to customer satisfaction and competitive advantage. Patented
HDA(TM) polymer removers effectively remove residues formed during dry
etching of silicon wafers and continue to be the fastest-growing products in the
history of the company. They increase yields and improve chip performance, which
translates into lower costs and higher margins for chip manufacturers. This
technology has established the company as a leader in the electronic chemicals
industry.
During the year, the company acquired CMP technology and assets from
Baikowski Chimie and Moyco Technologies. The CMP process involves mechanical
polishing of silicon wafers using a slurry of abrasives and chemicals to produce
a flatter surface. This enables use of shorter wavelength lithography such as
the new deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography to create the smaller line-width
geometries needed for future generations of smaller, faster integrated circuits.
The company will develop, produce, and market these slurries. In addition, the
company and Baikowski will jointly develop new CMP applications through a
strategic alliance that utilizes Baikowski's broad expertise in precision
polishing materials.
The company also acquired Clariant Corporation's acylation derivatives
business, including a portfolio of 37 patents, through a newly created company
called TriQuest. This business develops, manu-
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
-----------------------
1997 /9/
<PAGE>
CHEMICALS
- ---------
[Photo Appears Here]
THE cGMP PILOT PLANT AT THE COMPANY'S DAYTON, OHIO, CUSTOM MANUFACTURING
FACILITY PRODUCES KILO TO CLINICAL TRIAL-SCALE PRODUCTION FOR CUSTOMER NEEDS.
THe cGMP DESIGNATION IS REQUIRED BY CUSTOMERS FOR PRODUCTION OF
PHARMACEUTICAL OR FOOD RELATED CHEMICALS.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
factures, and markets derivatives of 4-Hydroxyacetophenone (4HAP) for production
of DUV photoresists, which enable integrated circuit fabrication at or below
0.25-micron resolution. In addition, 4HAP derivatives are used in other high-
growth applications such as polymer additives and specialty adhesives.
Custom Manufacturing
The company manufactures fine chemicals using both proprietary and
customer-developed technology for agricultural, pharmaceutical, polymer,
personal care, and electronic chemical applications. Innovative process
development, broad technology platforms, efficient production in continuous and
batch processes, compliance excellence, and superior customer service give the
company a competitive advantage and have made the company a leader in the custom
manufacturing industry. Custom manufactured products are generally sold as fine
chemical intermediates in drums and in bulk for further processing.
Demand for custom manufacturing services is growing 10% - 15% per year and
is expected to continue as major chemical and pharmaceutical companies outsource
production to concentrate on research and marketing, cut costs, and speed
product introductions.
The utilization of capacity expansions completed in December 1996 produced
record profits in 1997. At Tyrone, Pennsylvania, reactor capacity of 55,000
gallons and a new laboratory facility together create one of the most versatile
custom manufacturing sites in North America.
The new cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) pilot plant at Dayton,
Ohio, produced its first bulk active pharmaceutical project during the year. In
addition, Dayton is expanding capability to produce ultra pure chemicals for the
electronics industry and will be producing DUV
<PAGE>
resins for the recently acquired TriQuest business.
Other Specialties
The company manufactures specialty chemicals for high growth markets such
as radiation curing and polymer additives and for use as intermediates in the
production of pharmaceutical, personal care, and agricultural products. These
products are manufactured using proprietary processes in large scale, integrated
batch facilities, which were expanded by 25% during the year. Nitrotoluene
derivatives are used in herbicides, rubber processing chemicals, photographic
chemicals, optical brighteners, dyestuffs and pigments, and photoinitiators.
Aniline and Nitrobenzene
The company is a major producer of aniline and nitrobenzene, with world
scale plants and long-term supply relationships with major chemical companies.
Primary markets for aniline include manufacture of MDI (methylene diphenyl
diisocyanate) used in polyurethane foam for insulation in refrigerators,
freezers and hot water heaters, commercial and residential construction, and in
urethane elastomers used in automobile body components. Other significant
markets for aniline include tire and agricultural chemicals and plastics for
consumer goods.
Aniline and nitrobenzene are sold in bulk and distributed by rail, truck,
barge, and ship depending on the size of the shipment or geographic location.
The company has completed construction of a world scale, 250-million-pound
per year aniline facility located at Bayer Corporation's Baytown, Texas,
chemical complex. The facility will be an integral part of Bayer's U.S. MDI
manufacturing operations and will more than double the company's current aniline
capacity. As demand grows, a planned second phase at Baytown will double aniline
capacity there and bring total aniline capacity to approximately 740 million
pounds.
Research and Development
R&D activities identify new markets and applications, new and improved
process technologies, and new products. Each business is responsible for its own
product and technology development. Applied research is sponsored at several
leading universities in the United States and Europe to complement in-house
efforts. University research programs have led to the successful development and
introduction of patented semiconductor wafer cleaners and performance polymers.
During the year a new laboratory was completed at the company's electronic
and performance chemicals facility in Hayward, California, which will facilitate
research and development on semiconductor cleaning products, and chemicals and
abrasives for chemical mechanical planarization. A new lab was also completed at
the company's custom manufacturing facility in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, increasing
lab space by 200%.
The company plans to increase chemicals R&D and technology spending 86% to
about $17 million in 1998, including expenses related to the recent CMP and
acylation derivatives acquisitions and for product testing and engineering
support in Hayward, California, and Kawasaki-City, Japan.
Compliance Excellence
All of the company's facilities have received certification for quality
management or environmental standards. Currently four facilities have
International Organization for Standardization ISO 9002 certification for high
standards of quality management systems. One plant is also certified for ISO
9001, which covers product design systems. The company's custom chemical
manufacturing plant in Tyrone has received ISO 14001 for environmental standards
systems and procedures, and electronic chemicals operations in Glascow,
Scotland, have received BS7750 certification, the British Standards equivalent.
The ISO9000 benchmarks have become a world standard and, in some cases, a
requirement for securing new business.
Custom manufacturing facilities at Dayton operate under cGMP (current Good
Manufacturing Practices) standards for production of pharmaceutical or food
related chemicals.
CHEMICAL SALES
(MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
-----------------------
1997 /11/
<PAGE>
[Photo Appears Here]
THE COMPANY'S IS/3/ FLARE SYSTEM (LEFT) EFFICIENTLY
BURNS WASTE GASES PRODUCED AT THIS ETHYLENE PLANT SITE.
THE 60-INCH FLARE TIP OPERATES QUIETLY AND
WITHOUT SMOKE, A KEY CHARACTERISTIC OF ITS DESIGN.
THE COMPANY CUSTOM BUILT THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE
BURNERS USED IN THE ETHYLENE CRACKER (FAR RIGHT).
THIS PLANT PRODUCES ETHYLENE AND PROPYLENE, BUILDING
BLOCKS OF POLYETHYLENE AND POLYPROPYLENE PLASTICS.
- -----------------------------
<PAGE>
ENGINEERED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
- --------------------------------
CHEMFIRST PROVIDES PROVEN DESIGN AND
ENGINEERING SKILLS AND INNOVATIVE HARDWARE AND
SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS TO CUSTOMERS' ENVIRONMENTAL
AND PROCESS REQUIREMENTS.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In Thousands of Dollars
- ------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 Change
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $ 72,712 $ 64,538 13%
Pretax operating results 2,926 (6,065)* **
Capital expenditures 1,787 1,822 (2)%
U.S. exports 35% 39%
*Excluding $25,832 in writedowns and losses related to
aluminum dross processing business sold in January 1997
** Computation not applicable due to loss in 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------
HIGHLIGHTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------
.. 13% sales increase in 1997
.. Five-year compound annual sales growth rate of 35%
.. Sold unprofitable aluminum dross processing business
in January 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------
The company provides proven design and engineering skills and innovative
hardware and software solutions to customers' environmental and process
requirements. Products include low-emission burners, flares, incinerators,
rotary kilns, thermal plasma equipment, and software for predictive emissions
monitoring and process optimization. Customers include refining, chemical,
petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and wood product companies; steel producers;
waste remediation companies; and engineering and construction contractors.
Objectives are to develop and market innovative, proprietary products for
industrial and environmental applications.
Outlook
Engineered Products and Services should continue to grow as the company
builds recognition in the global marketplace. Margins should improve through
more efficient product design and effective project management. Lower sales are
expected in Asia until economic conditions there improve. The company is
focusing on healthy markets in Europe, the Middle East, and the United States to
compensate for the anticipated shortfall.
Operations
Combustion equipment and services enable customers to comply with changing
emissions requirements and other environmental regulations. Proprietary low-
emission burners reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from process heaters in
refineries and petrochemical plants. Flare systems burn gaseous hydrocarbon
releases due to process imbalances and operational upsets in refining,
petrochemical, and chemical plants. Incinerators dispose of a variety of gas and
liquid wastes. Rotary kiln systems reduce the volume of solid wastes by 90% or
more, and recover heat to improve process economics. Vapor recovery systems
collect and recycle gasoline and petrochemical vapors released during bulk
transfer from truck loading terminals to tank trucks.
Thermal plasma torches convert electricity into thermal energy using an
ionized gas, or "plasma," to pro-
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
-----------------------
1997 /13/
<PAGE>
ENGINEERED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
- --------------------------------
duce much higher temperatures than fossil fuel combustion without combustion by-
products. Commercial applications include ladle and tundish heating for steel
production and waste treatment and reduction where landfill capacity is limited.
Potential commercial applications include low-level radioactive and hazardous
waste treatment and treatment of medical and chemical wastes.
Combustion and thermal plasma equipment and systems are custom engineered
for most applications. Engineers typically design the process, structures, and
sophisticated control systems to meet customer needs. Industrial-scale test
facilities simulate actual process conditions for customer demonstrations,
process development and engineering, equipment testing, and research and
development.
The company offers computer models and application services to optimize
plant processes and to measure, predict, and control emissions with minimal
additional plant equipment. The company's controls and process expertise
facilitate rapid implementation and attainment of performance targets.
Global marketing efforts are directed primarily toward end users and
engineering and construction firms for new plants or facility upgrades.
ENGINEERED PRODUCTS
AND SERVICES
(MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
STEEL
- -----
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In Thousands of Dollars
- ------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 Change
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $ 75,287 $ 73,085 3%
Pretax operating results (1,003) (370)* (171)%
Capital expenditures 2,341 3,021 (23)%
U.S. exports 8% 7%
*Excluding $10,125 in asset writedowns
- ------------------------------------------------------------
HIGHLIGHTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------
* Order backlog at December 31 up 63% versus last year
- ------------------------------------------------------------
The company operates a 400,000-square-foot steel melting and production
facility, which has the capability of producing 50,000 tons of cast high-grade
steel billets and 150,000 tons of carbon, alloy, and specialty grade bottom-
poured ingots. Some ingots are upgraded, using outside processors, for sale as
bar billet, plate, and wire rod.
Average price improved due to better product mix. Capital investments were
made to upgrade environmental systems.
Outlook
The U.S. steel market continues to benefit from high demand. However,
domestic pricing is under pressure from imports of specialty steel, which are at
historically high levels and may increase if Far East steel demand declines.
Productivity, quality, and mix improvements in 1998 should help results.
Because of the company's focus on chemicals and related products, efforts
continue to sell this business.
STEEL SALES
(MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
<PAGE>
HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENT
- -------------------------------
[LOGO APPEARS HERE](R)
The company endorses and is actively implementing the Chemical
Manufacturers Association's (CMA) Responsible Care(R) initiative in all
chemicals operations. Responsible Care(R) is a multi-step discipline to
continuously improve performance in health, safety, and environmental
protection. The Codes of Management Practices establish guidelines to assist
companies in meeting goals in the following areas:
.. Community awareness and emergency
response
.. Sale and distribution of products
.. Protection of employee health
and safety
.. Safety of manufacturing processes
.. Pollution prevention and
environmental protection
.. Product hazards
.. Risk characterization and management
While the public recognizes that chemicals contribute greatly to a high
standard of living, community concern for safety and environmental practices
will always exist. To address these concerns on a local level, the company,
through its custom manufacturing operations at Tyrone, Pennsylvania, voluntarily
participated in CMA's Management Systems Verification (MSV) process to assess
the company's practices against each of the Responsible Care(R) codes.
The three-day evaluation was performed by a team of experienced industry
professionals and two citizens selected by the local Community Advisory
Council and specifically addressed the following:
.. Product evaluation and testing
.. Evaluation and control of process
risks and hazards
.. Employee training
.. Protection of the environment
.. Product packaging and shipping
.. Anticipation and preparedness for
possible emergency situations
Results of the MSV evaluation concluded that the company has well-deve
loped management systems for the implementation of Responsible Care(R). The
company is dedicated to a continuous effort to attain the goals of each
Responsible Care(R) practice.
The company's commitment to improving health, safety, and environmental
practices is key to earning the trust of the communities where we operate.
Community trust enables the company to grow, create competitive advantage, and
deliver additional value to shareholders.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
-----------------------
1997 /15/
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
REVIEW
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
-----------------------
1997
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
As of January 1, 1997, the Company's fiscal year end was changed from June
30 to December 31. Previously reported amounts have been restated and/or
reclassified to conform with the 1997 presentation. The following discussion is
based upon and should be read in conjunction with the selected historical
financial information and the Company's financial statements, including the
notes thereto.
1997 VERSUS 1996
Consolidated Results
Income from continuing operations for 1997 was $38.9 million versus a loss
of $10.4 million for 1996. Results for 1997 include a $14.7 million gain ($8.8
million after tax) in the fourth quarter from the sale by the Company of its 23%
interest in Melamine Chemicals and $1.5 million after tax from Melamine
Chemical's gain from a technology exchange agreement in the second quarter,
which is included in equity in net earnings of affiliated companies (see note 4
to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Prior year results include $31.5
million in losses ($19.7 million after tax) due to restructuring costs and asset
writedowns, primarily related to aluminum recovery and steel, and $3.4 million
in after tax operating losses related to the aluminum recovery operations, which
were sold in January 1997 (see note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Excluding the Melamine gains, special charges and aluminum recovery operating
losses, earnings from continuing operations improved to $28.6 million in 1997
from $12.6 million in 1996, primarily due to higher sales and operating profits
from both Chemicals and Engineered Products and Services and lower interest
expense. Interest expense was down $7.3 million from the prior year due to the
extinguishment of most of the debt of the Company in conjunction with the
disposal of Fertilizer in December 1996 (see note 7 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements).
Segment Operations
Chemical sales for 1997 were up 21% over the prior year to $297.8 million.
Approximately 78% of the sales gain was due to increased volume, as intermediate
and electronic chemicals volumes rose 21% and 20%, respectively. The higher
intermediate volumes were due to increased nitrobenzene production and an
increase in aniline purchased for resale. Operating earnings were up 19% to
$51.7 million, primarily due to improved margins in custom manufacturing
operations and the increased intermediate sales.
Engineered Products and Services sales for 1997 were up 13% over the prior
year to $72.7 million. Operating results for 1997 were a profit of $2.9 million.
Results for the prior year, excluding $20.4 million in writedowns and $5.4
million in operating losses related to disposed aluminum recovery operations,
were a loss of $6.1 million. The approximately $9.0 million improvement was
primarily due to higher margins from better project management.
Steel sales for 1997 were $75.3 million, up 3% over the prior year due to
higher average sales prices. Operating results were a loss of $1.0 million
versus $10.5 million in the prior year, which included a $10.1 million writedown
to reflect the estimated net realizable value of the steel assets. The Company
is continuing its efforts to sell its steel assets, but does not have a formal
plan or timetable for disposal.
Unallocated corporate expenses for 1997 were $11.3 million, down 8% from
the prior year excluding approximately $1.0 million in 1996 expenses related to
the change in organizational structure. The Company had net interest income in
1997 versus net interest expense in 1996, primarily due to the assumption of
debt by Mississippi Chemical Corporation related to the disposal of Fertilizer
in December 1996 and higher interest income from the invested cash proceeds of
the transaction. Other income for 1997 included a $14.7 million gain related to
the sale of the Company's 23% interest in Melamine.
1996 VERSUS 1995
Consolidated Results
Results of continuing operations for 1996 were a loss of $10.4 million,
including $31.5 million ($19.7 million after tax) in restructuring costs and
asset writedowns, primarily related to aluminum dross processing and steel
operations. Excluding these charges, as well as the after tax operating losses
of aluminum recovery operations of $3.4 million in 1996 and $5.0 million in
1995, results of continuing operations in 1996 were a profit of $12.6 million
versus $14.5 million for 1995, as losses in Engineered Products and Services and
lower interest income more than offset higher Chemicals profits and lower
unallocated corporate expenses.
Segment Operations
Chemicals sales for 1996 were $246.0 million, up 15% over 1995 as higher
volume in all groups offset lower prices in custom manufacturing operations.
Operating profits were $43.6 million, up 7% on higher intermediate chemicals
volume due to increased production following capacity additions in the prior
year.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
----------------------- 1
1997
<PAGE>
Engineered Products and Services sales for 1996 were $64.5 million, down
slightly from 1995. Operating results were a loss in 1996 of $6.1 million versus
a profit of $3.0 million in 1995, excluding losses of $25.8 million and $8.2
million in 1996 and 1995, respectively, related to aluminum recovery operations.
The lower results were primarily due to cost overruns in several large projects
and $4.9 million in increased general, selling and administrative expenses due
to operations growth. The 1996 aluminum recovery losses included $20.4 million
in writedowns and accruals related to the shutdown and disposal of these
operations, which were sold in January 1997.
Steel operating results were a loss of $0.4 million in 1996, excluding a
$10.1 million provision to reflect the estimated net realizable value of the
Steel assets, versus a profit of $0.9 million in 1995. The profit in 1995 was
primarily due to insurance recoveries and gains related to asset sales.
Unallocated corporate expenses were $12.3 million in 1996, excluding
approximately $1.0 million in reorganization expenses, down 24% from 1995. The
higher expense in 1995 was primarily due to compensation expenses from
appreciation of stock options and debenture options. Net interest expense
increased 29% in 1996 as interest income decreased $2.9 million on lower average
investments.
Discontinued Operations
On December 24, 1996, First Mississippi Corporation completed the spinoff
of ChemFirst Inc. and the combination of its fertilizer operations with
Mississippi Chemical Corporation. On October 20, 1995, the Company completed the
spinoff of its 81% owned subsidiary, Getchell Gold Corporation, to shareholders.
The historical results of these businesses, and the gain on disposal of
fertilizer operations, are reflected in discontinued operations (see notes 1 and
2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Fertilizer net after tax income for 1996 was $36.6 million, down 34% from
1995. The decrease in income was due to lower average sales prices and higher
natural gas cost. In addition, 1995 results include $7.8 million in losses
related to gold operations. The gold losses included impairment and abandonment
charges of $11.5 million for an inactive silver exploration property and assets
associated with termination of mining in its main pit. Net gain on disposal of
businesses in 1996 includes $225.4 million in gain from the disposal of
fertilizer operations, net of $1.7 million in losses related to operations
discontinued in prior years.
Environmental Matters
The Company's operations are subject to a wide variety of constantly
changing environmental laws and regulations governing emissions to the air,
discharges to water sources, and the handling, storage, treatment and disposal
of waste materials, as well as other laws and regulations concerning health and
safety conditions, for which it must incur certain costs. The Company's capital
expenditures for environmental protection were $2.3 million in 1997. Capital
expenditures are projected to be $1.1 million and $1.5 million for 1998 and
1999, respectively. In addition, the Company accrues for anticipated costs
associated with investigatory and remediation efforts relating to the
environment. At December 31, 1997, the Company's accrued liability for these
matters totaled $1.4 million. Based on information presently available, the
Company believes any amounts paid in excess of the accrued liabilities will not
have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of
operations.
In October 1996, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
issued Statement of Position 96-1, "Environmental Remediation Liabilities." This
statement provides guidance in applying existing accounting literature to
calculating, recording and disclosing environmental remediation liabilities. The
adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's 1997
financial statements.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
The Company began the year with a $68.4 million cash and cash equivalents
balance, which was primarily due to the receipt of proceeds related to the
disposition of fertilizer operations in December 1996 (see notes 1,2 and 7 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements). Cash and cash equivalents decreased
$60.6 million in 1997, primarily due to increased investing activities,
repurchases of the Company's common stock and increased working capital.
Investing activities included $95.6 million in capital expenditures, primarily
for Chemicals expansion, $11.2 million in expenditures for three acquisitions
made in December 1997 and pretax proceeds of $26.1 million related to the sale
of the Company's 23% interest in Melamine Chemicals in November 1997. The higher
capital expenditures were primarily for a new aniline facility in Baytown,
Texas, and a specialty chemicals expansion in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Stock
repurchases of $19.3 million effectively completed the Company's $20.0 million
stock repurchase program announced in January 1997. Working capital, excluding
cash and cash equivalents, increased from the prior year end as trade
receivables rose 15% on a 16% increase in sales and 1996 accrued expenses
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
2 -----------------------
1997
<PAGE>
related to the disposition of fertilizer and aluminum recovery operations were
paid.
Projected 1998 capital expenditures are approximately $71.0 million,
primarily related to Chemicals operations. Also, an additional $40.0 million
stock repurchase plan was approved in November 1997. The Company believes that
its cash flow from operations, combined with access to existing or available
bank credit facilities adequately provide for its cash requirements. Cash flow
in 1998 will also include proceeds from the disposal of the Company's 50%
interest in Power Sources, Inc. in January 1998 (see note 4 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements).
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income," was issued June 1997 to be effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1997. The statement requires reporting
comprehensive income (components include net income plus all changes to equity
except those resulting from investments and distributions) directly in the
financial statements and deals only with reporting and display issues versus
recognition and measurement issues. Accordingly, there will be no effect on the
results of operations when adopted. Comparative financial statements for earlier
periods will be reclassified to reflect the provisions of this statement.
SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information," was also issued June 1997 to be effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1997. This statement uses a "management approach,"
based on the way that management organizes segments within a company for making
operating decisions and assessing performance, to provide selected reporting
information. Some additional elements of disclosure could be required based on
certain types of transactions at the segment level. Adoption of this statement
will have no effect on the statement of operations.
Far East Currencies
The Company's 1997 sales to the Far East were approximately $39.0 million,
or 9% of total sales, and were primarily in U.S. dollars. Recent devaluations of
certain Far East currencies will have an effect on future product sales into
these countries; however, the extent of such is presently unknown. Order
inquiries for Engineered Products and Services from the Far East have declined
and prices for electronic chemicals have come under pressure. To date, the
Company has not experienced collection problems on its Far East sales.
Year 2000
The advent of the Year 2000 poses significant risks to many companies
because of the calculation limitations imposed by software and databases limited
to storing a year as a two-digit field (e.g. 1997 as "97"), which leads to
computational errors when the years 2000 or later are used in calculations. In
its analysis, the Company determined that, while important, the cost to upgrade
systems to be Year 2000 compliant was not material. Separately, the Company has
elected to initiate installation of a company-wide Enterprise Resource Planning
("ERP") system to integrate all of the Company's information systems. This
system will be Year 2000 compliant. In 1997 the Company expended $3.0 million,
and is projecting to spend approximately $6.0 million in 1998 and $3.0 million
in 1999, with the material portion of the system planned for completion by mid-
1999. It is important that this project meet this timetable to avoid the risks
posed by the Year 2000.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements included in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations which relate to projected capital
expenditures and sources of cash, potential effect of devaluations of certain
Far East currencies and the projected completion date for the Company's ERP
system, as well as other statements in this Annual Report which are not
historical in nature, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements, as well as other forward-looking statements made from time to time
by the Comp any in the Company's press releases and filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, are based on certain underlying assumptions
and expectations of management.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in
such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are
not limited to, general economic conditions, availability and pricing of raw
materials, supply/demand balance for key products, new product development,
manufacturing efficiencies, condition of and product demand by key customers,
the timely completion and start-up of construction projects, including the
nitrobenzene and aniline facility at Bayer Corporation's Baytown, Texas,
chemical complex, and pricing pressure and lower demand for Company products as
a result of the recent downturn in Asian financial markets.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
----------------------- 3
1997
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
- ---------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In Thousands of Dollars)
December 31,
----------------------
1997 1996
----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,766 68,385
Receivables:
Trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $991 and $404, respectively 71,227 61,874
Affiliated companies (note 4) 303 216
Other (note 8) 5,996 2,555
----------------------
Total receivables 77,526 64,645
----------------------
Inventories:
Finished products 30,022 28,434
Work in process 21,768 22,772
Raw materials and supplies 23,592 18,815
----------------------
Total inventories 75,382 70,021
----------------------
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (notes 2 and 8) 12,741 10,786
----------------------
Total current assets 173,415 213,837
----------------------
Investments and other assets:
Investments in affiliated companies (note 4) 7,138 14,471
Other investments (note 4) 32,075 31,384
Intangible and other assets, at cost less amortization (note 5) 18,242 10,316
----------------------
Total investments and other assets 57,455 56,171
----------------------
Property, plant and equipment, net (notes 6 and 7) 228,476 153,082
----------------------
$459,346 423,090
======================
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Notes payable (note 7) $ 20,700 -
Current installments of long-term debt (note 7) 878 973
Deferred revenue 2,964 7,778
Accounts payable - trade (including book overdrafts of $10,793, and $6,798, respectively) 46,229 37,236
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 24,585 37,370
----------------------
Total current liabilities 95,356 83,357
----------------------
Long-term debt, excluding current installments (note 7) 4,865 2,122
Other long-term liabilities (note 9) 19,076 15,661
Deferred income taxes (note 8) 18,352 13,464
Stockholders' equity (notes 7, 9 and 10):
Serial preferred stock. Authorized 20,000,000 shares; none issued
Common stock of $1 par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares;
outstanding 20,030,939 and 20,672,778 shares, respectively 20,031 20,673
Additional paid-in capital 18,869 16,586
Retained earnings 282,797 271,227
----------------------
Total stockholders' equity 321,697 308,486
----------------------
Commitments and contingent liabilities (notes 8, 9 and 11) $459,346 423,090
======================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
4 -----------------------
1997
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
- -------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
Years ended December 31,
---------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Sales (note 13) $ 445,821 383,637 352,999
Interest and other income, net (notes 4 and 12) 22,233 6,571 7,403
---------------------------------
468,054 390,208 360,402
---------------------------------
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales 338,873 299,340 271,936
General, selling and administrative expenses 62,296 61,056 55,439
Other operating expenses 6,322 7,469 6,913
Restructuring costs and asset writedowns (note 3) - 31,527 -
Interest expense (note 7) 397 7,735 9,446
---------------------------------
407,888 407,127 343,734
---------------------------------
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
(benefit) and investee earnings 60,166 (16,919) 16,668
Income tax expense (benefit) (note 8) 23,765 (5,632) 8,240
---------------------------------
Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies (note 4) 2,497 846 1,096
---------------------------------
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 38,898 (10,441) 9,524
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes (note 2) - 36,562 47,943
Net gain on disposal of businesses, net of taxes (note 2) - 223,739 -
---------------------------------
Net earnings $ 38,898 249,860 57,467
=================================
Earnings (loss) per common share (note 10):
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations $ 1.91 (.50) .46
Discontinued operations - 1.77 2.34
Net gain on disposal of businesses - 10.85 -
---------------------------------
Net earnings $ 1.91 12.12 2.80
=================================
Earnings (loss) per common share, assuming dilution:
Continuing operations $ 1.86 (.50) .46
Discontinued operations - 1.77 2.29
Net gain on disposal of businesses - 10.85 -
---------------------------------
Net earnings $ 1.86 12.12 2.75
=================================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
----------------------- 5
1997
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- -----------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In Thousands of Dollars, Except Share Amounts)
Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
---------------------------------------------------
Common stock Additional
--------------------- paid-in Retained
Shares Amount capital earnings
---------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1994 20,338,108 $ 20,338 5,469 178,902
Net earnings - - - 57,467
Dividends declared - $.39 per share - - - (7,867)
Distribution of common stock of Getchell Gold Corp. (note 2) - - - (31,277)
Common stock issued:
Employee stock options 128,583 128 1,054 -
Convertible debentures 353,700 354 3,923 -
Purchase and retirement of common shares (235,400) (235) - (5,253)
Income tax benefit on exercise of stock options and convertible debentures - - 3,756 -
---------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1995 20,584,991 20,585 14,202 191,972
Net earnings - - - 249,860
Dividends declared - $.40 per share - - - (8,246)
Distribution of common stock of Mississippi Chemical Corp. (note 2) - - - (162,346)
Common stock issued:
Employee stock options 41,704 42 768 -
Convertible debentures 46,583 47 308 -
Purchase and retirement of common shares (500) (1) - (13)
Income tax benefit on exercise of stock options and convertible debentures - - 1,308 -
---------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 20,672,778 20,673 16,586 271,227
Net earnings - - - 38,898
Dividends declared - $.40 per share - - - (8,147)
Common stock issued:
Employee stock options 65,620 66 881 -
Convertible debentures 93,317 93 516 -
Purchase and retirement of common shares (800,776) (801) - (19,181)
Income tax benefit on exercise of stock options and convertible debentures - - 886 -
---------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997 20,030,939 $ 20,031 18,869 282,797
===================================================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
6 -----------------------
1997
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
- -------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In Thousands of Dollars)
Years ended December 31,
---------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 38,898 249,860 57,467
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 20,642 18,056 18,251
Restructuring costs and asset writedowns (note 3) - 31,527 -
Provision for losses on receivables 1,290 1,218 266
Deferred income taxes 4,212 (5,297) (1,606)
Net gain on disposal of businesses, net of tax benefit (note 2) - (223,739) -
Gain on sale of equity investee (note 4) (14,684) - -
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment - (515) (360)
Undistributed earnings of affiliates, net of taxes (2,497) (846) (1,096)
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions
and dispositions:
Receivables (10,807) 3,839 (15,398)
Inventories (573) (6,448) (13,564)
Prepaid expenses (1,188) (645) 253
Accounts payable 6,962 (1,695) 1,868
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (13,709) 7,588 5,609
Deferred revenue (1,381) 8,270 1,203
Other, net (3,670) (2,410) (1,055)
Net earnings from discontinued operations (note 2) - (36,562) (47,943)
---------------------------------
Net cash provided by continuing operations 23,495 42,201 3,895
Net cash provided by discontinued operations 41 38,700 64,256
---------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 23,536 80,901 68,151
---------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary 2,100 142,665 -
Capital expenditures (95,570) (53,732) (33,479)
Acquisitions of businesses (note 2) (11,166) - -
Collection of note receivable - - 15,000
Proceeds from sale of equity investee 26,138 - -
Other investing 1,094 971 (767)
---------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of continuing operations (77,404) 89,904 (19,246)
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations - (44,532) (24,143)
---------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (77,404) 45,372 (43,389)
---------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds of revolving credit agreement borrowings 20,000 11,000 -
Principal repayments of long-term debt (note 7) (769) (106,292) (1,035)
Dividends (note 9) (8,147) (8,246) (7,867)
Purchase of common stock (19,312) (12) (5,479)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 1,477 914 4,818
---------------------------------
Net cash used in financing activities (6,751) (102,636) (9,563)
---------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (60,619) 23,637 15,199
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 68,385 44,748 29,549
---------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 7,766 68,385 44,748
=================================
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized $ 402 8,370 9,620
=================================
Income taxes, net $ 20,832 11,132 32,424
=================================
</TABLE>
Material noncash investing and financing activities are disclosed
in notes 2 and 7.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
----------------------- 7
1997
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
(In Thousands of Dollars, Except Amounts Per Share)
1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Change in Organization
ChemFirst Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in Mississippi in 1983
under the name Omnirad, Inc., as a wholly owned subsidiary of First Mississippi
Corporation ("First Mississippi"). In November 1996, in anticipation of the
Distribution (as described below), the Company's name was changed from Omnirad,
Inc. to ChemFirst Inc.
Prior to December 23, 1996, the Company's subsidiaries were subsidiaries of
First Mississippi and the Company's operations were conducted through
subsidiaries of First Mississippi. On December 23, 1996 (the "Distribution
Date"), First Mississippi contributed all of its assets and subsidiaries, other
than those relating to its fertilizer business, to the Company, which at that
time was a wholly owned subsidiary of First Mississippi and which had engaged in
no operating activities during the previous five years. First Mississippi then
spun off the Company in a tax-free distribution of the Company's common stock to
First Mississippi shareholders (the "Distribution") on the Distribution Date.
The Distribution occurred immediately prior to and in connection with the merger
of First Mississippi with a wholly owned subsidiary of Mississippi Chemical
Corporation ("MCC"), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and
Reorganization dated as of August 27, 1996 (the "Merger"). The Company has
operated as a publicly held entity since the Distribution Date. For financial
reporting purposes, this transaction has been accounted for as a disposal of the
fertilizer business. Accordingly, the Company's financial statements prior to
the Distribution are the historical financial statements of First Mississippi
restated to present the fertilizer business as a discontinued operation. For
further information, see note 2.
Basis of Presentation
The Company produces specialty chemicals and chemical intermediates for
industry and agriculture, and provides engineered products and services to
chemical and other industries. Further descriptions of the Company's
products and the relative significance of its operations are included in the
industry segment information data in note 13.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fiscal Year Change
As of January 1, 1997, the Company's fiscal year end was changed from June
30 to December 31. Previously reported amounts have been restated and/or
reclassified to conform with the 1997 presentation.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation. Investments in joint ventures, partnerships and
other equity investments are accounted for by the equity method.
Recognition of Revenue
Revenues generally are recorded when title and risk of ownership pass,
except for long-term construction type contracts, which are accounted for under
the percentage of completion method.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined
using the first-in, first-out and weighted average methods.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation of plant and equipment and depreciable investments is based on
cost and the estimated useful lives (or term of lease, if shorter) of the
separate units of property. The straight-line and accelerated methods are
primarily used in determining the amount of depreciation charged to expense.
Goodwill of businesses acquired is generally amortized over 20 years using the
straight-line method. Other intangibles are amortized over their estimated
useful lives (5-17 years) using the straight-line method. Loan costs are
amortized over the terms of related loans using the interest method.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
8 -----------------------
1997
<PAGE>
Pension Plans
Pension cost is determined using the "projected unit credit" actuarial
method for financial reporting purposes. The Company's funding policy is to
contribute annually at amounts not less than the minimum requirements of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
Stock Options
All outstanding stock options are nonqualified and require no charges
against income upon grant or exercise. The tax benefit the Company receives
from dispositions that result in ordinary income to option recipients is
reflected in stockholders' equity.
Phantom Share Units
The discount resulting from participant conversions from certain
nonqualified compensation plans to phantom share units is amortized over a two-
year holding period. Phantom share units are credited with equivalent dividends
equal to cash dividends paid by the Company. Equivalent dividends and phantom
share market value changes are included in the statement of operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments with original maturities
of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Investments
Realized gains and losses on investments are determined on the basis of
specific costs and have been aggregated in net gain on disposition of other
noncurrent assets (see note 12).
Contingencies
Estimates of loss contingencies, including environmental liability costs
for remediation, are charged to expense when it is probable an asset has been
impaired or a liability incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If
a potentially material loss contingency is reasonably possible, or probable but
cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingency and an estimated range
of possible loss, if determinable and material, are disclosed.
Accounting Changes
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 115, "Accounting
for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," and SFAS No. 121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be
Disposed of," were adopted by the Company in 1995 and 1996, respectively, with
no material effect to the Company.
SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," was adopted by the
Company in 1996. In accounting for employee stock options and similar equity
instruments, companies are given the choice of either recognizing related
compensation cost by adopting the fair value method, or to continue using the
intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25
(APB No. 25), "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and supplementally
disclose the proforma effect on earnings and earnings per share using SFAS No.
123 measurement criteria. The Company elected to continue to follow the
requirements of APB No. 25, and accordingly, there is no effect on the results
of operations (see note 9).
SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," was adopted by the Company in 1997.
This Statement's objective is to simplify and standardize, relative to other
countries, the computation of earnings per share ("EPS") previously required by
APB Opinion No. 15, "Earnings per Share." It requires dual presentation of basic
and diluted EPS on the face of the income statement and a reconciliation of
basic and diluted EPS for continuing operations. Adoption of this Statement did
not have a material effect on the Company's EPS.
SFAS No. 129, "Disclosure of Information about Capital Structure," was
adopted by the Company in 1997 relative to descriptive disclosure of securities
outstanding. The Company's disclosure requirements are unchanged from previous
requirements.
2. Acquisitions and Disposals
Acquisitions
On December 31, 1997, the Company acquired an acylation derivatives
business involved in the applications development and marketing of products for
deep ultraviolet photoresist from Clariant Corporation as well as the chemical
mechanical planarization assets of Baikowski International Corporation and of
Moyco Technologies, Inc. The aggregate purchase price of these three businesses
was approximately $14,900, including $11,200 in cash and contingent
consideration of approximately $3,700 payable in five years (see note 7).
Goodwill is to be amortized on a straight-line basis over the period assigned to
each acquisition, ranging from five to 15 years.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
----------------------- 9
1997
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL NOTES
- ---------------
Disposals
As discussed in note 1, on December 23, 1996, First Mississippi completed
the spinoff of the Company and on December 24, 1996, First Mississippi and its
fertilizer operations ("Fertilizer") were merged with a wholly owned subsidiary
of MCC. Prior to the completion of the transaction, First Mississippi borrowed
$150,500, which was used to refinance First Mississippi's existing indebtedness
and pay certain transaction costs. This debt remained the obligation of First
Mississippi, which became a subsidiary of MCC as a result of the Merger. As part
of the transaction, for each share of First Mississippi common stock outstanding
at the close of trading on December 23, 1996, First Mississippi shareholders
received one share of ChemFirst Inc. common stock and approximately one-third
share of MCC common stock. The total value of the transaction was approximately
$313,000, based on the value of the assumed indebtedness of $150,500 and the
value, approximately $162,000, of the shares of MCC distributed to First
Mississippi shareholders. These total proceeds, less the net book value of the
Fertilizer assets and related transaction costs, resulted in a pretax gain of
approximately $222,000 and an after tax gain of approximately $225,000. The gain
on disposition of the Fertilizer assets is included in gain on disposal of
businesses in the December 31, 1996, consolidated statement of operations. The
tax benefit from the transaction was for certain tax deductible expenses
incurred by the Company. The distribution of MCC shares to First Mississippi
shareholders is reported as a reduction of stockholders' equity in the
accompanying December 31, 1996, financial statements.
On October 20, 1995, First Mississippi distributed to its shareholders its
entire ownership of Getchell Gold Corporation ("Getchell"), formerly known as
FirstMiss Gold Inc. Each First Mississippi shareholder received approximately
seven-tenths of a common share of Getchell for each share of First Mississippi
owned.
The net assets and liabilities of discontinued operations, which are
included in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" in the consolidated
financial statements, were $507 and $412, respectively, at December 31, 1997 and
1996, consisting of prepaid expenses and other current assets of $2,550 and
accrued expenses of $2,043; and prepaid expenses and other current assets of
$2,640, accounts payable of $38 and accrued expenses of $2,190, respectively.
The statements of operations have been reclassified to separate
discontinued and continued operations. Revenues and net earnings of the
discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, were as
follows:
December 31,
--------------------
1996 1995
--------------------
Fertilizer
Sales and revenues $231,195 235,328
====================
Income from operations before taxes $ 57,725 87,114
Income tax expense 21,356 31,425
Equity in net earnings of equity investees 193 74
--------------------
Earnings from discontinued operations, net $ 36,562 55,763
====================
Getchell
Sales and revenues $ - 49,720
====================
Loss from operations before taxes $ - (18,425)
Income tax benefit - (7,050)
Minority interests - 3,555
--------------------
Loss from discontinued operations, net $ - (7,820)
====================
Total operating results of
discontinued operations $ 36,562 47,943
====================
A pretax loss of $2,700 was also recorded during the year ended December
31, 1996, related to previously discontinued businesses and is included in gain
on disposal of businesses, net of applicable income tax benefit of $954, in the
consolidated statement of operations. Such loss resulted from revised estimates
of environmental remediation costs and settlements of operating costs related to
previously discontinued phosphate fertilizer (1982) and oil and gas (1993)
businesses.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
10 -----------------------
1997
<PAGE>
3. Restructuring Costs and Asset Writedowns
During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company recorded charges of
$31,527 related to the disposition of aluminum dross processing, asset
writedowns in steel operations and changes in organizational structure.
On January 14, 1997, the Company sold its aluminum dross processing
operations, which were included in the Engineered Products and Services segment,
for $4,100. The terms of the sale included a cash payment in the amount of
$2,100, and a note for $2,000. Interest on the note is calculated at prime and
is payable quarterly beginning April 1, 1997, with the entire principal balance
and any unpaid interest due and payable on January 13, 2002. In 1996, the
Company recorded pretax charges of $20,402, ($18,256 during the second quarter
and $2,146 during the fourth quarter) related to a plan adopted in May 1996, to
close and dispose of these operations. These charges included $13,941 in asset
writedowns and $6,461 in accruals. The accruals included $4,146 in estimated
costs in excess of market value to process inventory to meet contractual
obligations, $500 for disposal of marketable inventory, $525 for severance and
$1,290 for contract cancellations and other estimated costs. In 1997 and 1996,
the Company expended $2,305 and $3,293, respectively, in cash against these
accruals, primarily related to inventory processing and severance payments.
Although the Company does not have a formal plan or timetable for disposal,
it is seeking a buyer for its steel melting and production facility operated by
FirstMiss Steel, Inc. During the quarter ended December 31, 1996, the Company
reduced the carrying amount of its steel assets by $10,125 based on indications
of interest received in that quarter. The net book value of the steel assets was
$44,259 at December 31, 1997. The Company is continuing its efforts to sell this
operation, but is uncertain as to whether a sale can be completed on terms
acceptable to the Company. The Company does not believe it will incur a material
loss if a sale is closed.
Other charges during the quarter ended December 31, 1996, included $1,000
for estimated corporate expenses related to the change in organization, which
was mostly paid in 1997 (note 1).
4. Investments
In November 1997, the Company sold its 23% interest in Melamine Chemicals,
Inc. ("MCI") to Borden Chemical, Inc. for $26,138 in cash, recognizing a pretax
gain of $14,684. At December 31, 1996, the MCI investment had a quoted market
value of $10,519 and a carrying amount of $8,623.
On January 22, 1998, the Company sold its 50% interest in Power Sources,
Inc. to Trigen Energy Corporation for approximately $20,000 in cash. The Company
will recognize a pretax gain of approximately $8,500 in the first quarter of
1998 and defer recognition of approximately $3,000 in pretax gain, pending
resolution of contingencies related to the transaction.
Investments in affiliated companies accounted for by the equity method were
$7,138 and $14,471, respectively, at December 31, 1997 and 1996. Equity
earnings, net of taxes, were $2,497, $846 and $1,096, respectively, for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.
The following is a summary of financial information related to affiliated
companies:
December 31,
----------------------
1997 1996
----------------------
Current assets $ 2,300 30,021
Noncurrent assets 22,004 44,156
Current liabilities 1,900 7,491
Noncurrent liabilities 8,129 18,131
----------------------
Net equity $ 14,275 48,555
======================
At the date of the Getchell spinoff, the Company received a promissory note
in the amount of $52,507 from Getchell in settlement of all prior cash advances.
The note bears interest at a rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate
(6.6875% at December 31, 1997). Interest and principal are due in September
2000. Subsequent to the spinoff date, the note principal amount was reduced by a
cash repayment of $15,000 and an offset of $13,939 representing settlement of
tax attributes utilized by the Company during the time Getchell was included in
the Company's consolidated income tax returns. The aggregate unpaid principal
amount of the note (including accrued interest) was $27,138 and $25,446 at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and is included in other investments.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
----------------------- 11
1997
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL NOTES
- ---------------
5. Intangible and Other Assets
The major classes of intangible and other assets are summarized below:
December 31,
--------------------
1997 1996
--------------------
Goodwill $ 25,766 16,868
Other 3,013 10,001
--------------------
28,779 26,869
Less accumulated amortization 10,537 16,553
--------------------
$ 18,242 10,316
====================
The net carrying amount of goodwill at December 31, 1997 and 1996, was
$17,036 and $9,231, respectively, and is all related to the chemical segment.
Amortization expense related to the above amounted to $1,252 in 1997, $1,876 in
1996 and $2,207 in 1995.
6. Property, Plant and Equipment
A summary of property, plant and equipment follows:
December 31,
Estimated --------------------
useful lives 1997 1996
------------------------------------
Assets owned, at cost:
Land and land improvements 10-20 $ 7,319 8,561
Buildings 20-45 26,359 20,819
Plant facilities and equipment 5-20 196,782 168,643
Other facilities and equipment 5-12 54,537 69,468
Construction in progress 72,196 16,453
--------------------
Total assets owned 357,193 283,944
--------------------
Assets leased, at cost:
Land improvements 10-20 509 509
Buildings 10 216 216
Other facilities and equipment 20 8,958 8,958
--------------------
Total capital leases 9,683 9,683
--------------------
Total property, plant and equipment 366,876 293,627
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 138,400 140,545
--------------------
Net property, plant and equipment $228,476 153,082
====================
Depreciation and amortization expense related to the above was $19,390 in
1997, $16,180 in 1996 and $16,044 in 1995.
Interest capitalized amounted to $162 in 1997, $1,072 in 1996 and $135 in
1995.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
12 -----------------------
1997
<PAGE>
7. Long-Term Debt
A summary of long-term debt follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------
1997 1996
--------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unsecured notes (includes $3,693 noncash 6.25% note for 1997 acquisition, due 2002) $ 4,185 753
Secured:
Capital lease obligations, with interest rates at 4.0%,
due in monthly installments through May 2000 1,515 2,084
Other notes 43 258
--------------------
5,743 3,095
Less current installments of long-term debt 878 973
--------------------
Long-term debt, excluding current installments $ 4,865 2,122
====================
</TABLE>
Under loan agreements in effect at December 31, 1997, there were no
compensating balance requirements. The above obligations mature in various
amounts through 2002, including approximately $878 in 1998, $863 in 1999, $309
in 2000, $0 in 2001 and $3,693 in 2002.
At the close of the Merger with MCC described in notes 1 and 2, the debt of
First Mississippi was refinanced and increased to $150,500. This debt was
assumed by MCC as part of the merger transaction. Proceeds from the refinancing
were used to prepay the 9.42% senior notes of $79,714 and make-whole penalties
of $6,613. In addition, existing credit facility borrowings of $5,000 were
repaid.
The Company has a $100,000 bank revolving credit facility originating June
1997, that is committed until May 2002. At December 31, 1997, there was a
balance of $20,000 outstanding under the facility. Outstanding letters of credit
under the facility were $5,826, leaving $74,174 available for borrowings.
Interest rates are based on either the London Interbank Offered Rate or the
prime rate. A facility fee ranging from .125 to .150 of 1% per annum is charged
on the amount of each participating bank's commitment. The facility fee for the
$100,000 bank revolving credit facility was $80 for the period from May 1997, to
December 31, 1997. Prior to June 1997, the Company had a $65,000 bank revolving
credit facility. Interest rates were based on either the London Interbank
Offered Rate or the prime rate. A commitment fee ranging from .225 to .375 of 1%
per annum was charged on the daily average unused commitment under the facility.
Commitment fees for the period January 1997, through May 1997, were $45.
Commitment fees for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, were $133 and
$211, respectively.
The revolving credit agreement in affect at December 31, 1997, contains
certain convenants, the most significant of which require a specified ratio of
earnings before interest and taxes to cover fixed charges, and a specified
capitalization ratio to debt. At December 31, 1997, the Company was in
compliance with these covenants.
The Company also has access to an uncommitted facility for the issuance of
foreign currency letters of credit. The total outstanding at December 31, 1997,
was $1,219. The possibility of default is considered remote but would act to
trigger these letters of credit becoming due immediately. If this occurred,
payments would be made from available cash or borrowings under the revolving
credit facility.
Total interest costs incurred for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995, were $559, $8,807 and $9,581, respectively.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
----------------------- 13
1997
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL NOTES
- ---------------
8. Income Taxes
Total income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995, was allocated as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
--------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Continuing operations $ 23,765 (5,632) 8,240
Discontinued operations - 20,402 24,375
Fertilizer disposition - (2,975) -
Stockholders' equity related to compensation
expense for tax purposes in excess of amounts
recognized for financial reporting purposes (886) (1,308) (3,756)
--------------------------------
$ 22,879 10,487 28,859
================================
</TABLE>
Income tax expense (benefit) differs from the statutory federal rate of 35%
applied to earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
(benefit) and investee earnings for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995, as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
--------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Computed "expected" tax expense (benefit) $ 21,058 (5,921) 5,834
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 2,202 537 1,146
Amortization of goodwill 388 337 402
Exempt earnings of Foreign Sales Corporation (172) (153) (236)
Increase in net cash surrender value of life insurance (331) (318) (289)
Tax provision adjustments for pending Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) matters 400 150 1,275
Other, net 220 (264) 108
--------------------------------
Actual tax expense (benefit) - continuing operations $ 23,765 (5,632) 8,240
================================
Components of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:
December 31,
--------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
--------------------------------
Current:
Federal $ 14,814 (1,513) 8,625
State 3,489 1,335 1,345
Foreign 1,250 (157) (124)
--------------------------------
19,553 (335) 9,846
--------------------------------
Deferred:
Federal 4,297 (4,768) (2,016)
State (85) (508) 419
Foreign - (21) (9)
--------------------------------
4,212 (5,297) (1,606)
--------------------------------
Total:
Federal 19,111 (6,281) 6,609
State 3,404 827 1,764
Foreign 1,250 (178) (133)
--------------------------------
$ 23,765 (5,632) 8,240
================================
</TABLE>
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
14 -----------------------
1997
<PAGE>
The significant components of deferred income tax expense (benefit)
attributable to income (loss) from continuing operations are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
----------------------------
1997 1996 1995
----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Deferred tax expense (benefit) from changes in temporary
differences and the valuation allowance $ 4,212 (5,297) (1,606)
============================
</TABLE>
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and the deferred tax liabilities at December
31, 1997 and 1996, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
---------------------
1997 1996
---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable, principally due to allowance for doubtful accounts $ 529 288
Deferred compensation 4,003 3,275
Incentive compensation accrual 1,313 748
Inventory costs 2,803 1,502
State net operating loss carryforward 3,410 2,700
Accrued vacation costs 892 688
Accrued pension costs 2,399 2,123
Other, net 189 3,639
---------------------
Total gross deferred tax assets 15,538 14,963
Less: valuation allowance (3,197) (2,592)
---------------------
Net deferred tax assets 12,341 12,371
---------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation (16,023) (9,169)
Investment in affiliated companies, principally due to undistributed earnings (7,704) (10,160)
State income taxes (1,332) (1,548)
---------------------
Total gross deferred tax liabilities (25,059) (20,877)
---------------------
Net deferred tax liability $(12,718) (8,506)
=====================
</TABLE>
The net deferred tax liability at December 31, 1997 and 1996, consists of a
long-term deferred tax liability of $18,352 and $13,464, respectively, and a
current deferred tax asset of $5,634, and $4,958, respectively. The current
deferred tax asset is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in
the consolidated balance sheets.
The net change in the valuation allowance was an increase of $605 and $219
for the periods ending December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The valuation
allowance is related to certain state net operating losses which the Company
believes are less than likely to be recognized. Subsequently recognized tax
benefits relating to the allowance for deferred tax assets will be reported in
the consolidated statement of operations.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers
whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax
assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is
dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in
which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the
scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, recoverable taxes paid,
projected taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.
Based on the reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities and projections for
future taxable income over the periods which the deferred tax assets are
deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will
realize the benefit of these deductible differences, net of the existing
valuation allowance at December 31, 1997.
Refundable income taxes of $2,655 and $788 at December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively, are included in other current receivables in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
----------------------- 15
1997
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL NOTES
- ---------------
As a result of the Merger, the Company assumed liability for the prior tax
returns of First Mississippi. The federal income tax returns have been examined
through June 30, 1994, and all years prior to June 30, 1989, are closed. Issues
relating to the years ended June 30, 1989 through June 30, 1994, are being
contested through various stages of administrative appeal. The federal income
tax returns for the years ended June 30, 1995 and 1996, are currently under
examination. Management believes that adequate provision has been made for any
adjustments which might be assessed for open years through December 31, 1997.
Prior to the Getchell spinoff, First Mississippi filed a consolidated
federal income tax return that included Getchell. In accordance with a Tax
Sharing Agreement dated October 1, 1987 between First Mississippi and Getchell,
Getchell recomputed its income tax provision each year on a separate return
basis and paid to First Mississippi amounts approximating the federal income
taxes Getchell would have paid if Getchell filed an independent consolidated
return. The Tax Sharing Agreement also applied to certain state and franchise
tax returns which the Company filed on a combined or consolidated basis. Based
on the June 30, 1995, income tax returns, Getchell had approximately $19,472 of
unused tax assets which First Mississippi was required to reimburse under the
terms of the Tax Sharing Agreement. Prior to the distribution of Getchell shares
to First Mississippi shareholders, a negotiated settlement of $13,939 (note 4)
was made in cancellation of the Tax Sharing Agreement.
9. Employee Benefit and Incentive Plans
The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering
substantially all full-time, permanent employees. The benefits are based on
years of service and participants' compensation during the last five years of
employment. Net annual pension expense for this plan for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, included the following components:
December 31,
---------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---------------------------------
Service cost $ 2,376 2,290 2,021
Interest cost 2,158 1,944 1,752
Actual return on plan assets (7,310) (4,294) (3,898)
Net amortization and deferral 4,220 1,707 1,607
---------------------------------
$ 1,444 1,647 1,482
=================================
The assumptions used in calculating the expense for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, included a discount rate of 7.75%, a rate of
increase in compensation levels of 4% and a 9% expected long-term rate of return
on assets. Net annual pension expense allocated to discontinued operations was
$144 and $330 for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Plan
assets are invested primarily in equity securities and U. S. Government and
corporate bonds.
The following table sets forth the funded status of the plan at December
31, 1997 and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
----------------------
1997 1996
----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
Vested benefit obligations $ 26,347 18,806
======================
Accumulated benefit obligations $ 29,337 20,101
======================
Projected benefit obligations $ 37,494 27,035
Plan assets at fair value 36,207 29,619
----------------------
Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit obligations (1,287) 2,584
Unrecognized net gain from past experience (4,882) (7,356)
Unrecognized prior service cost 1,040 1,128
Unrecognized transition credit, net (2,177) (2,482)
----------------------
Pension liability $ (7,306) (6,126)
======================
</TABLE>
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
16 -----------------------
1997
<PAGE>
The Company has a contributory 401(k) savings plan and an employee stock
ownership plan, both of which cover substantially all eligible employees who
have completed six months of service. Total expense under the plans amounted to
approximately $1,517, $1,366 and $1,404 for the years ended December 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively. These plans and the pension plan invest in the
Company's stock. The approximate total number of shares held by the plans at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, was 463,903 and 377,000, respectively.
The Company has various nonqualified plans that act to restore earned
benefits reduced due to income tax regulations, or allow for other compensation
deferrals. In 1997, participants in certain of these plans were offered the
opportunity to convert existing balances and/or future deferrals into phantom
share units pegged to the performance of the Company's stock. Additionally, a
15% discount on the market value of the stock at the conversion date was given
to those participants making this election. The nonqualified supplemental
pension plan provides for incremental pension payments from the Company's funds.
The total accrual relating to this unfunded plan at December 31, 1997 and 1996,
was $1,378 and $1,305, respectively. Net annual pension expense for this plan
was $77, net of an actuarial adjustment of $233 in 1997, $250 and $216
(including expense allocated to discontinued operations of $73 and $49) for the
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The cost of the
nonqualified restorations of the 401(k) and ESOP plans was $622, $274 and $245
for the years ended December 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Individual life
insurance contracts were purchased, with the Company as beneficiary, to assist
in the funding of certain nonqualified deferred compensation plans covering
directors, officers and key employees. The expense for these plans was $795,
$802 and $641 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
Directors, officers and certain key employees of the Company participate in
the long-term incentive plans (the "Plans") under which the Company has reserved
shares of common stock for issuance. Awards under the Plans include stock
options, options to purchase debentures convertible into preferred stock and
then convertible into common stock of the Company, stock appreciation rights,
performance units, restricted stock, supplemental cash and such other forms as
the Board of Directors may direct. Options under all plans are granted at the
market price of the shares on the date of the grants, with vesting occurring no
earlier than six months after grant and expiring no later than 10 years after
grant. At December 31, 1997, options available for grant totaled 89,638 shares
of common stock. Additional information follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Stock options Debenture options
-------------------------------------------------------
Average Average
Number option price Number option price
of shares per share of shares per share
-------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1994 169,900 $ 11.81 518,000 $ 12.81
Options granted before spinoff 93,600 32.81 - -
Options exercised before spinoff (140,500) 11.49 (309,200) 11.76
Option conversion adjustment - Getchell* 75,034 - 127,368 -
Options granted after spinoff 119,200 23.13 - -
Options exercised after spinoff (483) 9.36 - -
Options forfeited (300) 23.13 - -
-------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1995 316,451 19.64 336,168 8.92
Options granted before spinoff 227,050 24.05 - -
Options exercised before spinoff (41,704) 19.42 (10,143) 10.12
Option conversion adjustment - MCC* 120,902 - 81,525 -
Options forfeited (18,251) 22.34 - -
-------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 604,448 17.30 407,550 7.10
Options granted 518,010 23.18 - -
Options exercised (65,620) 14.43 (78,492) 6.74
Options forfeited (6,800) 23.13 - -
-------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997 1,050,038 $ 20.34 329,058 $ 7.19
=======================================================
EXERCISABLE, DECEMBER 31, 1997 532,028 329,058
========= =======
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
----------------------- 17
1997
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL NOTES
- ---------------
*The number of shares of common stock underlying outstanding debentures,
debenture options and nonqualifying stock options, as well as stock option
prices, were adjusted to reflect the distribution values (note 2) of the MCC and
Getchell shares. These adjustments, which increased the number of shares
underlying the outstanding awards and reduced the exercise prices by factors of
1.25 and 1.61, respectively, are reflected in the total number of shares and
ending average option prices at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.
In accordance with SFAS No. 123, the following additional disclosures are
required related to options granted during the three-year period ended December
31, 1997:
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions used for grants made during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995, respectively: dividend yields of 1.7, 2.1 and 2.3 percent; expected
volatilities of 26, 25 and 25 percent; risk-free interest rates of 6.8, 6.9 and
6.7 percent; and expected option lives of four years for all periods presented.
A summary of the status of the Company's stock option plan at December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, and changes during the years ended on those dates is
presented below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 WEIGHTED-AVG. 1996 Weighted-avg. 1995 Weighted-avg.
Stock options Shares EXERCISE PRICE Shares exercise price Shares exercise price
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at
beginning of period 551,212 $ 18.33 269,598 $ 21.59 - -
Granted 518,010 23.18 227,050 24.05 212,800 $ 27.39
Exercised before spinoff - - (37,437) 20.56 - -
Spinoff conversion
adjustments - - 110,252 - 57,098 -
Exercised after spinoff (49,518) 16.98 - - - -
Forfeited (6,800) 23.13 (18,251) 22.34 (300) 23.13
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at
end of period 1,012,904 $ 20.84 551,212 $ 18.33 269,598 $ 21.59
=========================================================================================
Options exercisable at
end of period 501,694 283,773 -
========= ======= =======
Weighted-average fair
value of options
granted during
period $ 6.11 $ 4.93 $ 4.29
======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes information about fixed stock options for
the period ended December 31, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options outstanding Options exercisable
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted-avg.
Range of Number remaining Weighted-avg. Number Weighted-avg.
exercise prices outstanding contractual life exercise price exercisable exercise price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$16.30-$26.63 1,012,904 8.4 years $20.84 501,694 $18.46
==================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
18 -----------------------
1997
<PAGE>
The Company applies APB Opinion 25 and related interpretations in
accounting for its plans. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized
for its stock option plan. Had compensation cost been determined based on the
fair value at the grant dates for awards under the plan consistent with the
method prescribed by SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income, earnings per common
share and earnings per common share, assuming dilution, would have been reduced
to the pro forma amounts indicated below for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
--------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net earnings As reported $ 38,898 $ 249,860 $ 57,467
Pro forma $ 37,955 $ 248,902 $ 57,030
Earnings per common share As reported $ 1.91 $ 12.12 $ 2.80
Pro forma $ 1.86 $ 12.07 $ 2.78
Earnings per common share, assuming dilution As reported $ 1.86 $ 12.12 $ 2.75
Pro forma $ 1.82 $ 12.07 $ 2.73
</TABLE>
10. Stockholders' Equity
Earnings per common share calculations are based on the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding during each period; 20,395,060, 20,615,087,
and 20,515,058 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. Calculations for diluted earnings per common share are based on
the weighted average number of outstanding common shares and common share
equivalents during the periods; 20,887,752, 20,615,087 and 20,916,078 for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators for basic and diluted
per share computations from continuing operations for the years ended December
31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Income (loss) Shares Per share
(numerator) (denominator) amount
---------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
BASIC EPS
Earnings from continuing operations - 1997 $ 38,898 20,395,060 $ 1.91
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
Options - 195,867 -
Convertible debentures - 296,825 -
---------------------------------------------------
DILUTED EPS
Earnings from continuing operations - 1997 $ 38,898 20,887,752 $ 1.86
===================================================
BASIC EPS
Loss from continuing operations - 1996 $(10,441) 20,615,087 $ (.50)
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES (NOT APPLICABLE DUE TO LOSS) - - -
---------------------------------------------------
DILUTED EPS
Loss from continuing operations - 1996 $(10,441) 20,615,087 $ (.50)
===================================================
BASIC EPS
Earnings from continuing operations - 1995 $ 9,524 20,515,058 $ .46
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
Options - 76,816 -
Convertible debentures - 324,204 -
---------------------------------------------------
DILUTED EPS
Earnings from continuing operations - 1995 $ 9,524 20,916,078 $ .46
===================================================
</TABLE>
In connection with the Shareholder Rights Plan adopted by the Company on
October 30, 1996, preferred stock purchase rights were distributed to
stockholders and are deemed to be attached to the outstanding shares of common
stock of the Company. Under certain conditions, each right may be exercised to
purchase one one-hundredth (1/100) of a share of a new series of preferred
stock, at an exercise price of $100 (subject to adjustment). The rights, which
do not have voting rights, expire in 2006 and may be
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
----------------------- 19
1997
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL NOTES
- ---------------
redeemed by the Company at a price of $0.01 per right prior to a specified
period of time after the occurrence of certain events. In certain events, each
right (except certain rights beneficially owned by 10% or more owners, which
rights are voided) will entitle its holder to purchase shares of common stock
with a value of twice the then-current exercise price.
11. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
The Company has entered into various capital and operating leases for
transportation equipment (primarily railroad tank cars), chemical pipelines and
storage facilities, office buildings and land and other miscellaneous items of
equipment.
The following is a schedule by years of future minimum rental payments for
all capital leases and those operating leases with initial or remaining
noncancelable terms in excess of one year, as of December 31, 1997:
Years ending Operating Capital
December 31, leases leases
------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 $ 1,032 641
1999 933 641
2000 753 321
2001 693 -
2002 325 -
Later years 6 -
--------------------------
Total minimum payments required $ 3,742 1,603
Less imputed interest ======= 88
-------
$ 1,515
=======
Provisions applicable to certain transportation equipment leases provide
for mileage credits computed on the basis of usage. No recognition has been
given to the effect of such credits in the amounts presented above.
Rental expense, including short-term rentals (net of mileage credits and
short-term subleases of approximately $407, $306 and $387 for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively), was approximately $2,061,
$3,865 and $4,156 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. In most cases management expects that leases will be renewed or
replaced by other leases in the normal course of business.
Company operations are subject to a wide variety of environmental laws and
regulations governing emissions to the air, discharges to water sources, and the
handling, storage, treatment and disposal of waste materials, as well as other
laws and regulations concerning health and safety conditions. The Company
accrues for anticipated costs associated with investigatory and remediation
efforts relating to the environment. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the
Company's estimated liability for these matters totaled $1,399 and $1,575,
respectively.
The Company has several pending legal claims incurred in the normal course
of business which, in the opinion of management and legal counsel, can be
disposed of without material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial
statements.
12. Interest and Other Income
Interest and other income, net, items are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
---------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest income $ 3,301 2,642 5,531
Royalty, license, rental and fee income 3,896 2,733 1,233
Gain on sale of Melamine Chemicals, Inc. (note 4) 14,684 - -
Net gain on disposition of other noncurrent assets 158 555 360
Other 194 641 279
---------------------------------
$22,233 6,571 7,403
=================================
</TABLE>
CHEMMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
20 -----------------------
1997
<PAGE>
13. Industry Segment Information
The Company operates principally in the following industry segments:
Chemicals, Engineered Products and Services (formerly Combustion and Thermal
Plasma), and Steel. The chemicals segment includes operations in the production
and sale of specialty chemicals and organic chemical intermediates, research and
development for new products and production processes for specialty chemicals,
and production and sale of electronic performance chemicals and slurries used in
chemical mechanical planarization processes. The engineered products and
services segment develops and markets combustion and thermal plasma equipment
for manufacturing and environmental applications. The steel segment produces
steel ingots and billets from melted scrap.
The chemicals segment had unaffiliated major customer sales of $86,806,
$75,910 and $58,088 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
The following is a breakdown by industry segment of the Company's
consolidated financial statements at 1997, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the
years then ended:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
-----------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
-----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Sales to unaffiliated customers:
Chemicals $ 297,822 246,014 214,234
Engineered Products and Services 72,712 64,538 65,926
Steel 75,287 73,085 72,839
-----------------------------------------
Total $ 445,821 383,637 352,999
=========================================
Operating profit (loss) before income taxes (benefit)
and investee earnings:
Chemicals $ 51,688 43,593 40,650
Engineered Products and Services 2,926 (31,897) (5,198)
Steel (1,003) (10,495) 856
-----------------------------------------
53,611 1,201 36,308
Unallocated corporate expenses (11,347) (13,324) (16,242)
Interest income (expense), net 2,904 (5,055) (3,915)
Other income, net 14,998 259 517
-----------------------------------------
Total $ 60,166 (16,919) 16,668
=========================================
Depreciation and amortization:
Chemicals $ 16,888 13,646 12,336
Engineered Products and Services 835 1,637 2,723
Steel 2,547 2,330 2,555
Corporate 372 443 637
-----------------------------------------
Total $ 20,642 18,056 18,251
=========================================
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
----------------------- 21
1997
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL NOTES
- ---------------
December 31,
-----------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
-----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Identifiable assets:
Chemicals $ 306,623 208,181 157,556
Engineered Products and Services 30,533 37,708 53,907
Steel 58,674 55,194 62,736
------------------------------------------
395,830 301,083 274,199
Corporate assets and investments 63,009 121,595 103,902
Discontinued operations 507 412 36,234
------------------------------------------
Total $ 459,346 423,090 414,335
==========================================
Capital expenditures:
Chemicals $ 84,602 48,670 27,281
Engineered Products and Services 1,787 1,822 3,586
Steel 2,341 3,021 2,382
Corporate 6,840 219 230
------------------------------------------
Total $ 95,570 53,732 33,479
==========================================
Export sales to unaffiliated customers:
North, Central and South America $ 12,295 9,320 6,149
Europe and Asia 50,289 47,226 39,942
Africa and Australia 358 115 184
------------------------------------------
Total $ 62,942 56,661 46,275
==========================================
</TABLE>
Total segment research and development expenses were $5,825, $6,938 and
$6,347 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Certain corporate expenses,
primarily those related to the overall management of the Company, were not
allocated to the operating segments.
Identifiable assets by industry segment are those assets used in the
Company's operations in each industry and include investments in joint ventures.
Corporate assets and investments are principally cash and cash equivalents,
nontrade receivables and certain other investments.
The Company's trade receivables are primarily concentrated with the
chemicals segment. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its
customers and generally does not require collateral on trade receivables. The
Company believes that consolidated trade receivables are well diversified,
thereby reducing potential credit risk, and that adequate allowances are
maintained for any uncollectible trade receivables.
The Company has revenue-producing operations in foreign countries. These
operations and related foreign currency translation adjustments are not
material.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
22 -----------------------
1997
<PAGE>
14. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Selected quarterly financial data follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Quarters ended Year ended
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mar 31 Jun 30 Sep 30 Dec 31 Dec 31
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1997:
Sales $ 110,720 111,179 106,088 117,834 445,821
========================================================================
Gross profit $ 25,602 25,568 26,718 29,060 106,948
========================================================================
Earnings from continuing operations $ 8,119 7,875 6,800 16,104 38,898
========================================================================
Net earnings $ 8,119 7,875 6,800 16,104 38,898
========================================================================
Earnings per common share:
Continuing operations $ .39 .39 .33 .80 1.91
========================================================================
Net earnings $ .39 .39 .33 .80 1.91
========================================================================
Earnings per common share,
assuming dilution:
Continuing operations $ .39 .38 .33 .78 1.86
========================================================================
Net earnings $ .39 .38 .33 .78 1.86
========================================================================
</TABLE>
Net earnings increased during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1997,
due to the gain on the sale of Melamine Chemicals, Inc. (note 4).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Quarters ended Year ended
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mar 31 Jun 30 Sep 30 Dec 31 Dec 31
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1996:
Sales $ 97,137 98,068 95,432 93,000 383,637
========================================================================
Gross profit $ 20,425 20,621 22,892 20,359 84,297
========================================================================
Earnings (loss) from
continuing operations $ 2,384 (10,578) 4,090 (6,337) (10,441)
========================================================================
Net earnings (loss) $ 11,618 (4,036) 12,789 229,489 249,860
========================================================================
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations $ .12 (.51) .20 (.30) (.50)
========================================================================
Net earnings (loss) $ .56 (.20) .62 11.12 12.12
========================================================================
Earnings (loss) per common share,
assuming dilution:
Continuing operations $ .11 (.51) .20 (.30) (.50)
========================================================================
Net earnings (loss) $ .56 (.20) .61 11.12 12.12
========================================================================
</TABLE>
Net earnings increased during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1996,
due to the gain on the disposal of fertilizer operations (note 2). There were
losses reflected in the second quarter of 1996 due to charges related to the
shutdown of aluminum dross processing operations (note 3).
The above quarterly earnings (loss) per share calculations are based on the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each quarter for
earnings (loss) per common share and the weighted average number of outstanding
common shares and common share equivalents during each quarter for the earnings
(loss) per common share, assuming dilution. The annual earnings (loss) per share
calculations are based on the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during each year for earnings (loss) per common share and the
weighted average number of outstanding common shares and common share
equivalents during each year for earnings (loss) per common share, assuming
dilution.
CHEMFIRST ANNUAL REPORT
----------------------- 23
1997
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL NOTES
- ---------------
15. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Details regarding the allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Charged to Other
Beginning Costs and Additions Ending
Balance Expenses (Deductions)* Balance
----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 $ 404 1,290 (703) 991
Year ended December 31, 1996 $ 588 1,218 (1,402) 404
Year ended December 31, 1995 $ 517 266 (195) 588
*Accounts written off
</TABLE>
16. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments approximate
their fair values.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
- ----------------------------
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
ChemFirst Inc.:
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of ChemFirst Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997. These consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ChemFirst
Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Jackson, Mississippi KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
February 13, 1998
<PAGE>
CHEMFIRST INC. POST OFFICE BOX 1249 JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39215-1249
<PAGE>
CHEMFIRST COMPANIES
- -------------------
CHEMICALS
FIRST CHEMICAL CORPORATION
(Aniline, Intermediates & Specialties)
P.O. Box 7005 Pascagoula, Mississippi 39568-7005
-and-
FIRST CHEMICAL OF TEXAS, L.P.
(Aniline)
P.O. Box 1607 Baytown, Texas 77520
George M. Simmons, President
QUALITY CHEMICALS, INC.
(Fine Chemicals, Custom Manufacturing)
P.O. Box 216 Tyrone, Pennsylvania 16686-0216
-and-
1515 Nicholas Road Dayton, Ohio 45418
Scott A. Martin, President
EKC TECHNOLOGY, INC.
(Electronic Chemicals)
2520 Barrington Court Hayward, California 94545-3703
P. Jerry Coder, President
EKC TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
(Electronic Chemicals)
19 Law Place
Nerston, Industrial Estate
East Kilbride Glasgow G74 4QL Scotland
Connell Boyle, Managing Director
TRIQUEST, LP
(Specialty Performance Chemicals)
14785 Preston Road, Suite 480 Dallas, Texas 75240
Roger L. Van Duyne, President
ENGINEERED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
CALLIDUS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(Burners, Flares, Incinerators, and Thermal Plasma Equipment)
7130 South Lewis, Suite 635 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136-5488
William P. Bartlett, President
STEEL
FIRSTMISS STEEL, INC.
(Steel Melting and Casting)
P.O. Box 509 Hollsopple, Pennsylvania 15935-0509
Frank D. Winter, President
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 21
SUBSIDIARIES OF CHEMFIRST INC.
JURISDICTION OF
COMPANY NAME ORGANIZATION
- ------------ -------------------
Burmar Chemical, Inc.................................... California
Callidus Technologies Inc............................... Oklahoma
Callidus Technologies International, Inc................ Delaware
CEM Investment, Inc..................................... Mississippi
ChemFirst Foundation, Inc............................... Mississippi
ChemFirst Texas, Inc.................................... Texas
Dew Resources, Inc...................................... Mississippi
EKC Technology, Inc..................................... California
EKC Technology, Ltd..................................... Scotland
FCC Acquisition Corporation............................. California
FEC Marketing, Inc...................................... Texas
First Chemical Corporation.............................. Mississippi
First Chemical Holdings, Inc............................ Mississippi
First Chemical Texas, L.P............................... Delaware
First Energy Corporation................................ Mississippi
FirstMiss, Inc.......................................... Iowa
FirstMiss Steel, Inc.................................... Pennsylvania
FRM, Inc................................................ Mississippi
FRM Industries, Inc..................................... Delaware
FRM International, Inc.................................. U.S. Virgin Islands
FT Chemical, Inc........................................ Texas
Industrial Insulations of Texas, Inc.................... Texas
Maxadyne Corporation.................................... California
Maxadyne Corporation of Louisiana....................... Louisiana
Micropel, Inc........................................... California
Mycosil, Inc............................................ California
Plasma Energy Corporation............................... North Carolina
Plasma Energy Technologies Corporation.................. North Carolina
Quality Chemicals, Inc.................................. Pennsylvania
Star Corrosion & Refractory, Inc........................ Louisiana
SCE Technologies, Inc................................... Delaware
TriQuest, L.P........................................... Delaware
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
ChemFirst Inc.:
We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on
Form S-8 (Nos. 333-18691, 333-18693 and 333-35221) of our report dated
February 13, 1998 relating to the consolidated balance sheets of ChemFirst
Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997, which
report is incorporated by reference in the December 31, 1997 annual report on
Form 10-K of ChemFirst Inc.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Jackson, Mississippi
March 27, 1998
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997
<CASH> 7,766
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 78,517
<ALLOWANCES> 991
<INVENTORY> 75,382
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 173,415
<PP&E> 366,876
<DEPRECIATION> 138,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 459,346
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 95,356
<BONDS> 4,865
0
0
<COMMON> 20,031
<OTHER-SE> 301,666
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 459,346
<SALES> 445,821
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 0
<CGS> 338,873
<TOTAL-COSTS> 338,873
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 6,322
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,290
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 397
<INCOME-PRETAX> 60,166
<INCOME-TAX> 23,765
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 38,898
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 38,898
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.91
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.86
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<RESTATED>
<CIK> 0001026601
<NAME> CHEMFIRST INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1995
<CASH> 68,385 44,748
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 65,049 67,128
<ALLOWANCES> 404 305
<INVENTORY> 70,021 68,911
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 213,837 196,192
<PP&E> 293,627 250,316
<DEPRECIATION> 140,545 112,494
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 423,090 414,335
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 83,357 69,183
<BONDS> 2,122 82,871
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 20,673 20,585
<OTHER-SE> 287,813 206,172
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 423,090 414,335
<SALES> 383,637 352,999
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 0 0
<CGS> 299,340 271,936
<TOTAL-COSTS> 299,340 271,936
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 38,996 6,913
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,281 266
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,735 9,446
<INCOME-PRETAX> (16,919) 16,668
<INCOME-TAX> (5,632) 8,240
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (10,441) 9,524
<DISCONTINUED> 260,301 47,943
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 249,860 57,467
<EPS-PRIMARY> 12.12 2.80
<EPS-DILUTED> 12.12 2.75
</TABLE>
