SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(mark one)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____________ to _____________
Commission file No. 000-22029
SPECIAL METALS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 25-1445468
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
4317 Middlesettlement Road
New Hartford, NY 13413
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(315) 798-2900
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common stock, $0.01
par value per share
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 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 Registration 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 an amendment to this
Form. 10-K. [X]
At March 1, 1999, the aggregate market value of the publicly traded voting stock
held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $28,371,625 based upon the closing
price of the Registrant's common stock on that date as reported by the Nasdaq
National Market. At March 1, 1999 the Registrant had 15,479,000 shares of common
stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Portions of the proxy statement for the 1999 annual shareholders meeting are
incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.
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Special Metals Corporation
Form 10-K
Table Of Contents
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Item Page
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Part I
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1 Business 1
2 Operating Facilities 14
3 Legal Proceedings 14
4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 17
Part II
5 Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 17
6 Selected Financial Data 18
7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 19
7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 28
8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 30
9 Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 63
Part III
10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 64
11 Executive Compensation 64
12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 64
13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 64
Part IV
14 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K 65
Signatures 69
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Special Metals Corporation (The "Company" or "Special Metals") is the
world's largest and most diversified producer of high-performance nickel-based
alloys and superalloys. These highly engineered materials are produced to
exacting customer specifications for technically demanding applications and are
designed to withstand environmental extremes of heat, stress and corrosion.
Special Metals offers a number of alloy materials in a broad range of product
forms, including sheet, strip, foil, plate, tubing, billet, bar, rod, extruded
shapes, rod-in-coil, wire and welding consumables. The Company serves a diverse
group of worldwide end-user markets, including aerospace, land based gas turbine
power generation, environmental control, marine engineering, fossil-fuel power
generation, thermal processing, electronics, chemical and petrochemical
processing, petroleum refining and exploration, automotive and consumer
products.
The Company has earned a reputation for consistent product quality and
service. Substantially all of the Company's facilities have attained
certification under the ISO international quality standards and other domestic
and international quality programs.
On October 28, 1998, the Company acquired the stock of the companies
which comprised the Inco Alloys International high performance nickel alloys
business unit ("IAI") of Inco Limited ("Inco") and entered into a
non-competition agreement with Inco (the "Acquisition"). The purchase price was
$328 million cash (subject to a purchase price adjustment). The purchase price
of the non-competition agreement was $37 million, consisting of $20 million cash
and $17 million fair value Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (340,000
shares). The Company financed the cash portion of the aggregate purchase price
with funds drawn under a new $375 million bank credit facility and with proceeds
from the issuance of $80 million fair value Series A Senior Convertible
Preferred Stock (1,600,000 shares) to TIMET Finance Management Company
("TIMET"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Titanium Metals Corporation ("TMC"). In
connection with the preferred stock sale, Special Metals and TMC signed an
agreement in principle to form a strategic alliance with respect to
manufacturing, marketing, and product development in titanium and
high-performance nickel-based alloys. The Acquisition has been accounted for
under the purchase method of accounting, and the results of operations of IAI
have been included in the consolidated statements of income since the date of
acquisition.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
The high-performance nickel-based alloy industry emerged out of the
requirement for materials with unique characteristics and physical properties
such as high temperature strength, corrosion resistance in very caustic
environments, electrical properties, controlled thermal expansion or a
combination of these characteristics. In the 1970's and 1980's, many established
U.S. and European based specialty stainless metals companies were attracted by
the opportunities available in the high-performance nickel-based alloy industry.
Evolutionary advances in processing procedures and metallurgy expanded
the range of high-performance nickel-based alloys in terms of their obtainable
characteristics, physical properties and the range of product forms and sizes
available. Current industry participants offer several products to the
marketplace for a variety of applications. The relationship between the customer
and the alloy manufacturer is significant as new alloys are often developed in
close collaboration between the manufacturer and the customer.
Since high-performance nickel-based alloy production utilizes many of
the same processes as stainless steel manufacturing, several large industry
participants are principally diversified stainless steel enterprises. The
balance of the industry is comprised of a number of smaller manufacturers which
specialize in specific alloy types and/or product forms. Special Metals is
unique in that it is the only company that specializes in both the production of
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high-performance nickel-based alloys and superalloys and downstream value-added
products. Special Metals offers a full range of products, properties, forms and
sizes across the entire spectrum of end-user industries.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company's principal objective is to strengthen its position in the
superalloy and special alloy industry and to enhance its ability to anticipate
and adapt to customer demands and market opportunities. The Company intends to
achieve its goals through the following initiatives:
Capitalize on leading position in the aerospace market. The largest
market segment served by the Company is the aerospace market. The Company
intends to strengthen and maintain its position in the aerospace market and
diversify into new markets by leveraging its manufacturing capabilities and
expertise in high-performance materials. The Company seeks to achieve its goals
through providing higher value-added products and product offerings to its
customers.
Continue long-term capital improvement initiatives. Capital
expenditures in 1998 totaled $20 million. During the 1999 through 2002 time
period, the Company plans to invest $124 million in capital expenditures needed
to: expand and modernize its melting, forging, and finishing capabilities;
install new, or upgrade existing, business information systems and other
investments to maintain its technological leadership position.
Develop New Products and Enter New Markets. The Company believes that
its expertise in the manufacture of high-performance nickel-based alloys and
superalloys affords it the ability to design new products and applications and
to enter new markets. The Company actively pursues internal development programs
which build on core strengths and may be applied to new market segments. Over
90% of the Company's current nickel alloy and superalloy production is comprised
of alloys developed by the Company. The Company maintains a research and
development activity to continue product development for the core businesses.
Continue Performance Improvements and Cost Reductions. The Company has
realized significant productivity increases in recent years and is committed to
continued improvements in its operations and cost structure. Various initiatives
have been undertaken by the Company to reduce production and operating costs,
shorten manufacturing cycle times and improve quality. Organizational teams
employ Statistical Process Control and Six Sigma methodologies to increase
utilization rates, optimize existing processes and reduce inventory
requirements, process variability, and operating expenses.
Pursue Acquisitions or Joint Ventures. The Company intends to pursue
selective acquisitions and joint ventures that will enable the Company to
leverage its manufacturing expertise and metallurgical skills. Potential
acquisitions or joint ventures may include investments in companies,
technologies, products, or related assets which complement the Company's
business or products.
Increase Product and Geographic Diversification. The Company is a
global enterprise with three principal manufacturing facilities in
geographically diverse locations that markets high-performance nickel-based
alloys and special alloys to a broad range of end customers. The Company's
facilities include downstream operations, such as tubemaking and wire drawing,
which increase its sales of value-added products. The Company seeks to continue
to expand its customer base and its product mix, and believes that such market
and product diversification allows it to mitigate the impact of cyclical
downturns in both geographical markets and markets for particular products.
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OPERATING SEGMENTS
The Company conducts its business through three principal operating
segments on two continents. These segments are: (i) the SMC Premium Alloys
Division; (ii) the Inco Alloys North American Division; and (iii) the Inco
Alloys European Division. In 1998, the SMC Premium Alloys Division, the Inco
Alloys North American Division, and the Inco Alloys European Division accounted
for 69%, 20%, and 11% respectively, of the Company's net sales of $253.2 million
(23%, 51%, and 26%, respectively on a pro forma basis as if the Acquisition had
occurred on January 1, 1998).
SMC PREMIUM ALLOYS DIVISION
The SMC Premium Alloys Division is primarily engaged in the
manufacture, fabrication and distribution of wrought superalloy, superalloy
powder, special alloys, and shape memory alloy products. The principal
manufacturing facilities of the SMC Premium Alloys Division are located in New
Hartford, New York; Princeton, Kentucky; and Ann Arbor, Michigan.
New Hartford, New York. This facility produces a broad range of premium
grade, nickel-based and cobalt-based wrought superalloy and special alloy long
products in billet and bar forms. These products are engineered to meet the high
performance requirements and stress applications of aircraft engine rotating
components and land-based steam and gas turbine generators. Principal
manufacturing operations at this facility include melting, remelting, forging,
bar rolling, and billet and bar cold finishing.
This facility also produces a class of nickel/titanium shape memory
alloys (known as Nitinol) which exhibit unique memory and flexibility
properties. Nitinol's major uses include medical applications such as
orthodontic wire, stents, catheter guide wires and eye glass frames. Industrial
applications for Nitinol include cellular telephone antennas, temperature
control and clamping devices.
Princeton, Kentucky. The Company's powder metal facility in Princeton,
Kentucky has the capability to atomize and process alloy metal powders for use
in aerospace applications. Powder metallurgy superalloy products are used in
military jet engines and the latest generation of large commercial jet engines.
The Company is the world's largest independent manufacturer of superalloy powder
products.
Ann Arbor, Michigan. This facility designs, manufacturers, and markets
silver-based amalgamable dental alloys. Dental products are produced in the form
of very fine powder by melting, alloying and atomizing alloys of silver, copper,
tin, palladium, and other elements. A number of the division's dental products
are protected by patents extending to 2000 and beyond. The Company is the
leading North American producer of amalgamable dental alloys.
INCO ALLOYS NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION
The Inco Alloys North American Division is primarily engaged in the
manufacture and sale of nickel-based alloys in a range of product forms,
including, billet, bar, rod, sheet, strip, plate, tubing and rod-in-coil. The
division also manufactures and sells nickel-based welding consumables and
high-performance nickel-based alloy and stainless steel wire. The primary
manufacturing facilities of the Inco Alloys North American Division are located
in Huntington, West Virginia; Burnaugh, Kentucky; and Elkhart, Indiana. The
division also operates three specialty products subsidiaries.
The Huntington, West Virginia facility is the largest of its type in
the world devoted exclusively to the development, production, marketing and
sales of nickel-based alloys. Operations include melting, remelting, forging,
hot rolling, and the finishing of rod, sheet/strip, plate, and tubular products.
The Huntington facility serves as the principal production, management and
marketing headquarters for the Inco Alloys North American
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Division's activities. Production in Huntington is supported by melting,
remelting, extrusion, large diameter tube reduction, and powder manufacture in
Burnaugh, Kentucky and by cold strip finishing in Elkhart, Indiana.
In addition, the Division's operations include the following ancillary
businesses and operations, which specialize in unique product lines
complementing the core business:
Welding Products Company, Newton, North Carolina. This operation
manufacturers nickel-based welding consumables for joining high-nickel alloys,
high-performance steels, and other materials. The Company's Newton operation
supplies products to the North American marketplace via direct sales and through
inventory-holding distributors. Specialized production processes include wire
drawing, annealing, straightening, cutting, and the production of
flux-containing electrodes and wires.
A-1 Wire Tech, Inc., Rockford, Illinois. This operation converts,
markets, and distributes specialty high-performance nickel alloy and stainless
steel wire, bar and shaped products for use in a broad range of applications.
Mechanically Alloyed Products, Huntington, West Virginia. This
operation supplies oxide dispersion strengthened alloys produced by the
mechanical alloying powder metallurgy process for high temperature aerospace and
industrial applications. Similar equipment and capabilities are possessed by the
Company's Hereford, England production facility.
INCO ALLOYS EUROPEAN DIVISION
The Inco Alloys European Division is primarily engaged in the
manufacture and sale of nickel-based alloys including billet, bar, rod, extruded
section, narrow strip, rod-in-coil, and tubular product forms. Wide sheet and
plate products are provided for distribution in Europe through the Company's
Inco Alloys North American Division. The primary manufacturing facility of the
Inco Alloys European Division is located in Hereford, England. A European
subsidiary affiliated with this division produces cold-drawn nickel-based alloy
wire and electrical resistance alloy wire and ribbon products.
Operations of the Company's Hereford, England integrated production
facility include the melting, remelting, forging, extrusion, hot rolling and
finishing of rod, strip, foil, wire, and tubular products. In addition to these
manufacturing operations, the Hereford site is the management center for
marketing and sales to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India. This
organization also includes a network of distribution facilities in key locations
throughout Europe.
The Inco Alloys European Division also includes the following subsidiaries:
Rescal, S.A., Epone, France. Rescal is a major international supplier
of electrical resistance alloy wire and ribbon products for use primarily in
domestic appliances and heating furnaces. Rescal also specializes in the design
and production of high temperature electric annealing furnaces and industrial
furnace components.
Welding Products Company, Stratford-on-Avon, United Kingdom. The
facility performs service center operations for the sale and distribution of
welding consumables in England, continental western Europe, Africa, India and
the Middle East. This distribution effort is coordinated by the Welding Products
Company in North America.
Inco Alloys Services. This network of distribution operations supports
the marketing and distribution of nickel-based alloy, welding, electrical
resistance alloy, titanium, and cobalt-based hard facing alloy products
throughout Europe. Sales offices and service/distribution centers are located in
St. Priest (Lyon), France; Milan, Italy; and Rotterdam, Netherlands.
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PRODUCTS
Special Metals produces a comprehensive product range of high-quality
alloys which enables it to be a significant supplier to most end-market
industries from consumer products to aerospace. A substantial portion of the
Company's products are used where corrosion resistance and/or strength at high
temperatures is required. Others are specified for physical properties such as
electrical resistance, controlled thermal expansion or magnetic characteristics.
Unique alloys, form combinations and innovative processing techniques
have been developed by the Company over the years to serve increasingly
demanding customer applications and specifications.
The Company's fully integrated manufacturing facilities and broad range
of metallurgical skills allows it to effectively serve its customers and lead
the development of new metal technologies. The Company's alloys are classified
into distinct families recognized worldwide by the trademarked designations
listed below:
FAMILY ALLOY TYPE (PRIMARY ELEMENTS)
INCONEL Nickel-Chromium
INCOLOY Nickel-Iron-Chromium
NIMONIC Nickel-Chromium & Nickel-Chromium-Cobalt
UDIMET Nickel-Chromium-Cobalt
MONEL Nickel-Copper
BRIGHTRAY Nickel-Chromium & Nickel-Iron-Chromium
NILO Nickel-Iron
The principal nickel and superalloy product forms produced by the Company
include:
o Long Products (Ingot, Billet, Bar, and Cold Drawn Bar)
o Flat Products (Plate, Sheet, and Strip)
o Pipe, Tube, and Extruded Shapes
o Wire and Wire Rod
o Welding Products
o Niche and Other Products
The Company's product strategy includes maintaining a strong portfolio
of proprietary products. These products include highly specialized formulations,
newly developed or improved from existing materials resulting from the joint
efforts of the research and development, technical services, and applications
engineering groups.
Long Products
The Company is one of the world's leading producers of superalloy and
special alloy long products. This product group is comprised of various alloy
and form combinations which include ingot, billet, bar, and cold drawn bar. Long
products are produced utilizing ingots manufactured in the Company's New
Hartford, Huntington, and Hereford facilities and forging them to a smaller
size. The forging process consists of heating an ingot to a precisely controlled
temperature and reducing its diameter through pressing or extrusion, thereby
producing a billet. The Company's billet products include rounds or squares
ranging from 5 to 18 inches in diameter, in lengths up to
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thirty feet. End market applications of billet products include forged turbine
aircraft engine disks, rings, spacers, shafts and casings. The billet may be
processed further into bar by rolling it to a smaller cross section. The rolling
process entails heating the billet to a precisely controlled temperature and
reducing its diameter by passing it between shaped rolls. The Company produces
bar products in rounds, squares and rectangles ranging from 0.375 to 5 inches in
diameter, in common lengths from twenty to thirty feet. Bar products are sold
primarily to machine shops, forgers and distributors. Cold drawn bar products
are available in diameters less than 4 inches and include cold drawing in the
final fabrication process.
Flat Products
Flat products are manufactured in numerous sizes, widths and lengths to
meet the specialized requirements of the customer. Plate products are produced
in gauges ranging from 0.187 to 4 inches and maximum width of 96 inches. Sheet
products are produced in gauges ranging from 0.020 to 0.250 inches and maximum
width of 48 inches. Strip products are produced in gauges ranging from 0.008 to
0.250 inches and maximum width of 36 inches. Customers use these materials to
fabricate a variety of products ranging from industrial to consumer
applications.
Pipe, Tube, and Extruded Shapes
The Company produces extruded and cold-worked seamless pipe and tubular
products used for critical piping systems in domestic and international fossil
fuel and commercial power facilities. The Company extrudes pipe from 0.5 to 10
inches in diameter. Wall thicknesses are contingent upon product or application
requirements and may vary from 0.5 to 2 inches. Pipe and tubular products are
produced in lengths up to 40 feet. Extruded shapes may include a broad range of
sectional shapes and dimensions and are commonly produced in 20 foot lengths.
Wire and Wire Rod
Special Metals manufactures specialty wire products at its A-1 Wire
Tech operations in Rockford, Illinois, at its Rescal operations in Epone, France
and through its wire mill in Hereford, England. Each of these operations draws
wire from high-performance nickel-based alloys supplied by other Company
facilities in the United States and England, purchased stainless steel and other
specialty alloy wire rod. Both Rescal and A-1 Wire Tech market and distribute
these products globally. In addition to consuming output of the Company's
primary operations, these wire products allow Special Metals to proceed
downstream to higher value-added products.
Both A-1 Wire Tech and the Hereford, England wire mill manufacture
products for cold heading, spring wire, weaving wire and other industrial
applications. The products are produced as coil, shaped wire or as straightened
and cut bar. Finishes include cold drawn, electropolish quality or centerless
ground. Rescal produces fine wire and ribbon from electrical resistance alloys
for markets in Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim. In addition, Rescal also
produces electric annealing furnaces and components for industrial furnaces.
The Company also manufactures wire rod products in its Huntington and
Hereford facilities. Wire rod products are supplied to customers for further
fabrication or for further cold working to smaller diameters.
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Welding Products
The Company produces approximately 50 distinct welding electrodes, bare
filler wires and flux products. The Company's aggregation of welding products
supports the sale of primary mill products, which require welding, and markets
high-value added welding products. The Company manufactures numerous types of
filler metals, flux-coated electrodes, flux-cored wires, and fluxes, which may
be used to join the high-performance nickel-based alloys it produces. Additional
welding product applications include: i) the welding or repair-welding of cast
irons, ii) welding dissimilar metal combinations, iii) welding copper-nickel
alloys, and iv) overlaying corrosion-resisting layers on steels using welding
techniques. Flux coated electrodes (for shielded-metal-arc welding), flux-cored
wires (for flux-cored arc welding) and fluxes are produced in the Company's
Newton, North Carolina facility. Bare filler wires (for gas-tungsten-arc,
gas-metal-arc and submerged arc welding) are manufactured in both the Company's
Newton, North Carolina and Hereford, England facilities. Other product offerings
include thermal spray wire, flux core wire and weld strip which are produced in
a variety of alloy and chemical compositions.
Niche and Other Products
Powder Metallurgy. In the most advanced jet engines, the requirements
for strength, high temperature corrosion resistance and toughness exceed the
capabilities of conventional cast/wrought alloys. Powder metallurgy alloys
produced using techniques utilized by Special Metals are designed to perform in
these extreme environments. Superalloys produced in the Company's Princeton,
Kentucky facility are supplied as powder or as consolidated powder billet.
Dental Products. The Company's Ann Arbor, Michigan facility designs,
manufactures and markets silver-based amalgamable alloys used principally for
conventional tooth restoration.
Shape Memory Alloys (Nitinol). Nitinol is a family of specialty
nickel/titanium alloys which exhibit unique shape memory and super-elastic
characteristics. This class of materials can be formed into a product, bent or
twisted into a different shape, and then be easily returned to their original
shape. Principal applications include medical devices, orthodontic wire,
eyeglass frames, temperature control devices and clamping devices. A business
product line has been built around this technology and a newly dedicated
manufacturing facility supports its unique production requirements.
Mechanically Alloyed Products. Special Metals produces Oxide Dispersion
Strengthened (ODS) materials in diverse alloys and forms by applying a
Mechanical Alloying (MA) powder metallurgy process. The manufacturing activities
in support of this business are fully integrated into the operations of the
Company. Mechanically Alloyed powders produced in Company facilities are
consolidated using conventional extrusion or hot isostatic pressing processes,
and the resulting consolidated materials are processed into finished product
using standard hot and cold working processes and equipment. Extensive product
and market development efforts are being undertaken to expand the use of
Mechanically Alloyed products to a broad range of industrial applications that
require performance beyond conventional materials. Current applications for
mechanically alloyed products include the aerospace, glassmaking and thermal
processing industries.
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MARKETS
The Company markets and distributes its products to various defined
industrial markets which include the following:
Aerospace Marine
Chemical Thermal Processing
Power / Pollution Control Automotive
Oil / Petrochemical Electrical / Heating Elements
Electronics Welding
The key product requirements of each industrial market are as follows:
Aerospace - The aerospace market utilizes high performance superalloys
for service in both the static and rotating components of turbine aircraft
engines. Jet engines may produce in excess of 100,000 pounds of thrust and may
subject parts to temperatures reaching 2,100(degrees) Fahrenheit. Components for
these extreme conditions require high-performance nickel-based alloys. Aerospace
applications include disks, casings, blades, vanes, rings, ducting, thermal
protection and fasteners. Primary product forms include ingot, billet, rod, bar,
plate, extruded shapes and sheet. The aerospace market is the single largest
market for the Company's products.
Chemical - The Chemical industry requires high temperature strength and
corrosion resistant nickel-based alloys for process containment and material
transfer of corrosive gas and fluids. Product forms include tube, plate, sheet
and welding products.
Power/Pollution Control - Applications in this market include hardware
for land based turbines and a range of materials used in scrubber systems for
flue gas desulfurization. Common product forms are ingot, plate, sheet and
welding products.
Oil/Petrochemical - Nickel-based applications in this industry are
dominated by projects such as downhole tubing for gas wells, transfer piping and
process furnaces used in hydrocarbon cracking. Tubing and plate are the major
product forms consumed by this industry.
Electronics - The Company's participation in this industry is primarily
in lighting. The Company supplies wire and wire rod products to the industry.
Marine - Nickel-based alloys possess reliable resistance in seawater
environments. Marine applications include critical components aboard
nuclear-powered submarines and shipboard systems required to resist sea water
corrosion.
Thermal Processing - The high temperature strength and corrosion
resistance of the Company's portfolio of alloys is well-suited for service in
industrial processing furnaces used for diverse applications from heat treatment
to glassmaking. Rod, bar, wire rod, wire, sheet and plate are common thermal
processing forms.
Automotive - The requirement for cleaner burning, extended warranty,
fuel efficient engines has created global opportunities for nickel-based alloys
in automobile exhaust valves, exhaust system bellows, oxygen sensors, catalytic
converters, and high-temperature fasteners. Rod and strip are the primary
product forms supplied to this industry.
Electrical/Heating Elements - Nickel-based alloys are used in this
industry for a wide variety of applications in connectors, leads, resistors,
magnetostrictive devices, battery cases, semiconductor packaging, and sheathing
for heating elements. The predominant product forms supplied to this industry
include thin strip and
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small diameter wire. Wire products are also used in electrical applications as
resistance elements and thermocouples.
Welding - Nickel-based welding materials are a requisite for the
manufacture of fabrications of nickel alloys and other materials. The primary
applications include: joining similar or dissimilar nickel-based materials,
joining or repairing cast irons, and overlaying nickel-based alloys on
dissimilar base materials.
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
The Company serves a diversified global marketplace through a number of
strategic marketing channels. These routes to market are structured to be the
most effective and efficient for both Special Metals and the customer, and
represent the products of the mills in Huntington, New Hartford and Hereford.
The Company's other businesses control their individual routes-to-market using a
similar mix of channels as appropriate.
The Company's global sales and marketing organization identifies
potential markets and growth opportunities for its products and determines
effective strategies to service those markets and to sustain a position as a
preferred supplier. The critical elements of this strategy include:
o Maintaining an appropriate presence in emerging market countries
o Participating in appropriate route-to-market development
o Developing partnerships with leading industry customers and
suppliers
The Company continually evaluates and modifies its routes-to-market,
thereby increasing customer awareness of Special Metals' products and providing
end-market visibility for the sales and marketing groups.
The Company's marketing representatives build collaborative
relationships with end-market customers in order to manufacture and sell
products which meet their specific technical requirements and applications. The
Company's marketing efforts also provide the highest level of quality customer
technical/engineering support and product planning.
The Company maintains a global presence in all major geographic regions
through the following types of outlets:
o Direct Sales Representatives
o Wholly or jointly owned sales and distribution operations such as
Inco Alloy Services (IAS) in Europe, Inco Alloys Services
(Pacific) Pte. Ltd. (IASPPL) in the Pacific Rim and Daido Inco
Alloys Co., Ltd. (DIAL) in Japan
o Distributors and Agents
o Value-added business units of the Company such as A-1 Wire Tech,
Rescal, and the Welding Products Company
The Company distributes alloy products principally through its own
direct sales organization to markets in North America, Europe, portions of
Central and South America, and the Middle East.
The Company maintains a strong presence in the continental United
States through field sales personnel located in three geographic regions, each
of which is administered by a regional sales manager. Regional focus has allowed
the Company to achieve operating efficiencies between its manufacturing,
distribution, and marketing operations. Field sales personnel utilize
computerized information systems which enable them to coordinate efforts
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with the manufacturing facilities and order entry personnel. The principal sales
efforts of the Company in Canada are managed directly through Inco Alloys Canada
Ltd. (IACL), located in Toronto, Ontario.
The Company's direct sales efforts in Europe are coordinated through
its principal marketing and sales offices headquartered in Hereford, England.
Field sales offices are also located in Paris, Dusseldorf, and Berlin. The
coverage of this organization also includes emerging Eastern European nations
and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The Company operates a sales office in Bangalore, India which services
the Indian sub-continent with wrought nickel-based alloy products manufactured
by Company facilities in the United States and England.
In addition to these direct sales organizations, the Company operates a
Singapore based trading company, Inco Alloys Services (Pacific) Pte. Ltd., which
also has an office in Hong Kong. This organization serves the Pacific Rim with
products of the Company and trades in other appropriate, complementary metal
products.
The Company and Daido Steel Co., Ltd. of Japan participate in a
joint-venture marketing and sales organization referred to as Daido Inco Alloys
Co., Ltd. This organization, in cooperation with Inco Alloys Services (Pacific)
Pte. Ltd., markets an extensive range of superalloys and high-performance alloys
produced by Special Metals and Daido Steel Co., Ltd. in Japan. This affiliation
has led to a strong relationship between the two companies and has promoted
joint efforts in product and process development. Marketing efforts of the joint
venture are conducted through sales offices in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka and a
service/distribution center and sales office in Nagoya.
The sale of Special Metals products through distribution channels
complements the direct sales efforts of the Company. The Company's distribution
network has evolved over a period of years and is continuously improved to
ensure the most efficient structure for timely response to customer
requirements. The Company continually seeks to refine its distribution base by:
i) offering effective market and product support to existing distributors; ii)
selectively expanding wholly-owned Company distribution center locations; and
iii) increasing the number of customer supply partnerships with exclusive
distributors in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Company also has formed long established relationships with agents
and distributors worldwide. These distributors generally sell a comprehensive
range of products offered exclusively by the Huntington and Hereford facilities.
The Company maintains distribution operations in France, Italy and the
Netherlands under the name Inco Alloys Services. Inco Alloys Services sales
offices and service/distribution centers are located in St. Priest (Lyon),
France; Milan, Italy; and Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The Company's other businesses, which include the Welding Products
Company, A-1 Wire Tech, Rescal, powder products, shape memory alloy products and
dental products, have developed their own sales channels to suit their specific
businesses.
PRICING
Pricing of nickel-based alloys can be volatile and is influenced by key
raw materials, such as nickel and cobalt. Sales of the Company's products are
made under conventional purchase orders, one year supply contracts and long term
firm price or index price contracts. Firm price contracts will continue to be a
significant part of the superalloy industry because the end users of superalloy
products, primarily jet engine manufacturers, require the ability to quote firm
prices on products deliverable in the future. The Company will continue to
attempt to minimize raw material price risks in connection with firm price
contracts by hedging prices of certain raw materials, purchasing raw materials
under fixed price arrangements and entering into scrap purchase arrangements
with customers.
-10-
<PAGE>
SUPPLY AND COST OF RAW MATERIALS
Raw material costs constitute a substantial portion of the Company's
cash cost of production. The major raw materials utilized in the manufacture of
superalloys and special alloys include scrap and various virgin materials such
as nickel, chromium, cobalt, columbium, molybdenum, titanium and aluminum. Over
half of the raw materials used in superalloy production is scrap, either
internal scrap reclamation from the Company's own production process, or scrap
purchased on the open market or from customers. The Company has entered into a
long-term supply arrangement with Inco, whereby Inco will supply all of the
virgin nickel requirements of the Inco Alloys North American and Inco Alloys
European Divisions. Although there can be no assurances, the Company believes
that a number of suppliers can produce sufficient quantities of either scrap or
virgin raw materials and that it is not dependent on any one supplier for any of
the raw materials used to manufacture its products.
Commercial deposits of certain raw materials used by the Company are
found in only a few parts of the world. The availability and prices of these
materials may be influenced by cartels, changes in world politics, unstable
governments in exporting nations and inflation. Although the Company believes
that raw materials are available in adequate quantities at market prices, and
that it has not experienced any interruption in the supply of such raw
materials, the availability and prices of raw materials may be subject to
curtailment or to change due to, among other things, interruptions in production
by suppliers, worldwide price levels and allocations to other purchasers.
Any protracted interruption in the supply of raw materials or
substantial increases in their costs could have a material adverse effect on the
business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the
Company.
CYCLICALITY OF AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
The aerospace industry is one of the largest end-user markets of the
Company's products and has historically been characterized by severe cyclicality
which has had a significant impact on the sales and profitability of superalloy
producers, including Special Metals. In 1995, the commercial aircraft industry
began recovering from the recession of the early 1990's. Rollouts of large
commercial aircraft have increased by more than 47% from 1995 to 1997 and 42%
from 1997 to 1998. Boeing's production rate increased to over 50 aircraft per
month by the end of 1998 with Airbus Industrie, S.A. ("Airbus") producing over
19 airplanes per month. The Company believes the demand of commercial aircraft
and the jet engines to power them will remain strong through 1999 or beyond due
to projected increases in revenue passenger miles and the imposition of federal
Stage 3 noise regulations which require airlines to replace existing Stage 2
engines or retrofit such engines with hush kits. The superalloy industry is also
benefiting from a significant increase in demand for jet engine spare parts.
Substantially all of the revenues of the Company are derived from the
sale of superalloy, special alloy and related products. Accordingly, any
significant decrease in demand or decline in prices for such products could have
a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of
operations or prospects of the Company.
COMPETITION
Several of the Company's production capabilities are possessed in
varying degrees by other companies in the industry, including both domestic and
foreign manufacturers. The global industry is highly competitive and dominated
by a few major producers. The Company's largest competitors include Allegheny
Teledyne, Inc., Carpenter Corporation, Haynes International, Inc., Krupp
Vereinigt Deutsche Metallwerke AG, and Sumitomo (Japan).
-11-
<PAGE>
In the future, the Company may face increased competition from
companies that currently have the required manufacturing equipment, but lack
sufficient technological or financial resources. Factors which affect the
Company's competitive posture include the quality of its products, service and
delivery capabilities, pricing, and engineering/production expertise. Although
the Company believes that it exhibits strength in these areas and is well
positioned to compete in the markets in which it operates, the competitive
nature of the industry has had, and in the future could have, an adverse effect
on the business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the
Company.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Special Metals Corporation is an industry leader in research and
technology development. The Company's research and development efforts are
closely aligned with its key business objectives - to reduce the cost of
producing its core business products, developing and improving proprietary
alloys and metallurgical processes, and applying its technology to the
manufacture of specialty alloys and materials for new market sectors. The
Company's applied research, technical, development and metallurgical production
efforts are staffed by approximately 75 individuals with engineering and science
degrees. The Company conducts research and development activities at its New
Hartford, Princeton, Ann Arbor and Huntington facilities. In addition to
complete metal analysis and testing capabilities to support the Company's
production and testing of nickel alloys, the New Hartford and Huntington
facilities have dedicated research laboratories for physical and mechanical
metallurgical analyses and process laboratories for pilot scale processing of
new alloys. The research and development staffs collaborate with the Company's
production staffs and sales and marketing forces to help identify and develop
new products as well as to improve existing products and processes.
The Company is presently an active participant in several industrial
consortia including the U.S. Department of Energy sponsored Specialty Metals
Processing Consortium ("SMPC") which includes other U.S. superalloy producers
and the EU THERMIE program which has members from the European metal alloy
producers and power industry equipment designer, fabricator, and utility
companies. The SMPC's purpose is to pursue melting and solidification technology
and to better understand the very complex nature of alloy melting and
solidification. SMPC's research is conducted at the Sandia National Laboratory
and also includes industrial experiments conducted at the member companies.
Funding for the consortium is generated through membership fees, matching
support from the U.S. Department of Energy and other sources. The THERMIE
program involves developing and qualifying critical component materials,
including nickel alloys, that can withstand the high operating temperatures in
the combustion and steam handling areas and designing an advanced 700(degrees)C
steam, pulverized fuel (PF) power plant with 10+% higher operating efficiency
than present coal fired power plant systems. The THERMIE program is funded by
members of the European Union.
The Company is a world leader in the development, invention, and
production of high-performance nickel-based alloys. Research programs undertaken
in laboratories in the New Hartford and Huntington facilities are aimed at
creating new proprietary, value-added products, evaluating alloy performance in
simulated process environments, improving the technology of Company owned
manufacturing facilities, and supporting the daily quality assurance systems and
procedures which are an integral part of all production activities. Over 90% of
all alloys sold by the Company were invented in its laboratories.
Non-aerospace special alloys under development include products in the
Company's shape memory alloys product line. These products, as with Nitinol,
utilize precise chemistries and thermomechanical processing and are being
designed for use in medical, industrial and consumer products applications.
Additional non-aerospace products under development include dental alloys, such
as a recently patented restoration alloy system which offers a unique
combination of properties and handling characteristics during application. The
Company spent approximately $1.6 million, $1.9 million and $2.9 during 1996,
1997, and 1998, respectively, for research and development activities.
-12-
<PAGE>
The Company has also developed research and development initiatives
with a number of customers in several industries and with several major
universities in North America, Europe and Asia.
The Company owns over 144 United States patents (with approximately 300
foreign equivalent patents) which protect its proprietary technology and
processes, many of which are also filed under the patent laws of other nations.
Although these patents, as well as the Company's numerous trademarks, technical
information license agreements, and other intellectual property, have been and
are expected to be of value, management believes that the loss or termination of
any single such item or technically related group would not materially affect
the conduct of its overall business.
CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION
There are a small number of large consumers of high-performance
nickel-based alloys in the world, and Special Metals believes it enjoys good
relations with them. A substantial portion of the Company's business is
conducted with a relatively small number of large customers. The Company's top
ten customers accounted for over 50% of the Company's net sales in 1998. In
1998, Wyman Gordon Forgings, Inc. accounted for approximately 16% of the
Company's net sales. In 1997, the Company's three largest customers accounted
for approximately 21%, 11%, and 10%, respectively, of the Company's net sales.
In 1996, the Company's three largest customers accounted for approximately 18%,
13%, and 11%, respectively, of the Company's net sales.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1998, the Company had approximately 3,484 employees,
approximately 64% of whom are represented by labor unions. The Company has
entered into collective bargaining agreements with these union employees as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Employees Covered
By Bargaining
Location Agreements Effective Date Expiration Date
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
New Hartford, New York:
Production 338 September 1997 August 2003
Support Technicians 20 April 1996 April 1999
Princeton, Kentucky 53 August 1997 August 2000
Dunkirk, New York 49 August 1996 August 1999
Huntington, West Virginia 830 February 1999 February 2002
Burnaugh, Kentucky 162 March 1996 April 1999
Hereford, England:
Production 550 November 1998 November 1999
Craft 130 November 1998 November 1999
Staff (Junior) 40 November 1998 October 1999
Staff (Senior) 66 January 1999 December 1999
</TABLE>
The Company encountered a strike at the Huntington facility which began
on December 11, 1998. The strike ended on February 24, 1999 with labor and
management agreeing to a three year contract. The Company believes it has good
relations with its employees, but there can be no assurances that the Company
will not
-13-
<PAGE>
experience a strike or other work stoppage or that acceptable collective
bargaining agreements can be negotiated when the existing collective bargaining
agreements expire.
ITEM 2. OPERATING FACILITIES
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
Company's principal operating facilities. The Company believes that its
operating facilities are well maintained, are suitable to support the Company's
business and are adequate for the Company's present and anticipated needs.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Facility Approximate Nature of
Location Size (Square Feet) Occupancy Product/Function
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Huntington, WV 1,755,000 Owned Melting & Finishing Plant
Research & Development
Hereford, UK 1,102,000 Owned Melting & Finishing Plant
Burnaugh, KY 400,000 Owned Melting & Finishing Plant
New Hartford, NY 358,000 Leased Melting & Finishing Plant
Research & Development
Corporate Headquarters
Elkhart, IN 160,000 Owned Cold Strip Finishing and Conversion
Epone, FR 150,000 Leased Wire Products
Rockford, IL 115,000 Leased Wire Products
Newton, NC 100,000 Owned Welding Products
Dunkirk, NY 98,000 Leased Forging Plant
Princeton, KY 70,000 Leased Powder Products
Research & Development
Ann Arbor, MI 9,000 Owned Dental Products
Research & Development
</TABLE>
The facilities in New Hartford, Dunkirk and Princeton are leased from
government agencies under arrangements in which it pays rent in lieu of taxes
and has options to purchase such facilities at a nominal purchase price. These
arrangements for the New Hartford, Dunkirk and Princeton facilities expire in
2007, 2001, and 2000 respectively. The Princeton facility lease is subject to
extensions for an additional 15 years beyond the current term.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
The Company's facilities are engaged in activities regulated by
extensive federal, state, local and foreign environmental and worker safety and
health laws and regulations, including those relating to air emissions,
wastewater discharges, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes
and the release of hazardous substances (collectively, "Environmental Laws"). In
the United States, for example, such laws include the Federal Clean Air Act,
Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA"), Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), and analogous
state laws. The Company uses substantial quantities of substances that are
considered hazardous or toxic under Environmental Laws. The Company's operations
pose a continuing risk of accidental releases of, and worker exposure to,
hazardous or toxic substances. There is also a risk that Environmental Laws, or
the enforcement thereof, may become more stringent
-14-
<PAGE>
in the future and that the Company may be subject to legal proceedings brought
by private parties or government agencies with respect to environmental matters.
Although the Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with
applicable requirements of Environmental Laws, there can be no assurance that
some, or all, of the risks discussed under this heading will not result in
liabilities that are material to the Company's business, results of operations,
financial condition or cash flows.
The Company's facilities have been used for industrial purposes for a
substantial period and, over such time, these facilities have used substances or
generated and disposed of wastes which are hazardous. The Company currently
faces potential material environmental remediation liabilities in connection
with certain sites at which the Company's wastes have been allegedly released or
otherwise come to be located. At December 31, 1998, the Company had total
reserves of approximately $9.5 million to cover future costs arising from known
environmental liabilities for investigation, remediation and operation and
maintenance of remediation systems, including costs relating to its own
properties and to certain sites at which the Company's wastes have allegedly
been identified. Of this, $5.5 million in reserves is attributable to the
operations of IAI. However, the Company's actual future expenditures for
remediation of environmental conditions existing at its properties and at
offsite waste-disposal locations cannot be conclusively determined at this time.
Furthermore, additional locations at which wastes generated by the Company may
have been released or disposed, and of which the Company is currently unaware,
may in the future become the subject of remediation for which the Company may be
liable, in whole or in part. Accordingly, it is possible that the Company could
become subject to environmental liabilities in the future that could result in a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations,
financial condition or cash flows.
The Company's policy is to continually strive to improve environmental
performance. From time to time, the Company may be subject to regulatory
enforcement under various Environmental Laws, resolution of which typically
involves the establishment of compliance programs and may involve the payment of
penalties. To date, the Company has incurred no material penalties pursuant to
Environmental Laws. The Company incurred average annual capital expenditures for
environmental matters of $.2 million during 1996 and 1997 and $1.4 million
during 1998. The Company's 1999 capital budget provides $3.6 million for
environmental protection and compliance matters. This increase is primarily
attributable to the acquisition of the IAI business. The Company does not expect
future costs of compliance with currently enacted and proposed Environmental
Laws to have a material impact on its liquidity and capital resources. However,
changes in Environmental Laws which result in the imposition of stricter
standards or requirements or more rigorous enforcement of existing Environmental
Laws could result in expenditures in excess of amounts estimated to be required
for such matters.
The following is a summary of the more significant environmental
matters or proceedings in which the Company is currently involved:
Asbestos Exposure Actions. The Company's domestic IAI subsidiary (Inco
Alloys International, Inc., "IAII") is a co-defendant in various consolidated
and unconsolidated actions by plaintiffs, including former employees of IAII and
former employees of contractors to IAII, alleging exposure to asbestos at IAII's
Huntington, West Virginia facility. Plaintiffs' counsel have also informed IAII
that they intend to add similar claims by additional plaintiffs. Insurance
coverage is available for some of these proceedings. The damages sought by
plaintiffs in these actions, if IAII were required to pay them, could have a
material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of
operations or cash flow of the Company.
Manganese Exposure Actions. IAII is a defendant in seven actions (one
not served) by plaintiffs seeking damages for alleged health problems resulting
from exposure to manganese in welding products and one action in which the
plaintiff alleges exposure, to manganese originating in wastewater from IAII's
Huntington, West Virginia facility, while an employee of the Huntington Sanitary
Board. One case is scheduled for trial in May 1999; the other cases are at
various stages of pleading and discovery. The Company does not believe that
these proceedings
-15-
<PAGE>
are likely to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial
condition, results of operations or cash flow of the Company, but there can be
no assurance that this will be the case.
Ludlow Landfill. The Company has been identified as a potentially
responsible party ("PRP") under CERCLA at the Ludlow Landfill, Clayville, New
York, due to the Company's alleged generation of certain industrial wastes,
including wastes contaminated by polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs"), which were
disposed at the landfill (the "Ludlow Site"). CERCLA imposes strict, joint and
several liability upon, inter alia, generators of wastes disposed at a
contaminated site, for investigation and remedial costs.
The Company assumed responsibility for remediation of the Ludlow Site
and has completed remediation except for that of an adjoining property known as
the "North Gravel Pit." The discovery of PCB contamination in the North Gravel
Pit has required further investigation and remediation. The Company's engineers
have submitted to the DEC a report detailing their investigation pursuant to the
work plan and recommending a remedial alternative. The Company has established a
reserve based on the recommended remedial alternative. However, the DEC has
notified the Company that it did not find the recommended remedial alternative
acceptable. The Company hopes to reach agreement with the DEC on the final
remedial alternative, which may include removal of additional PCB-impacted
soils, in 1999. The additional costs, if any, associated with the modified final
remedial alternative can not be determined until the areas of dispute with the
DEC are resolved. Furthermore, if the EPA, which also has jurisdiction over the
Ludlow Site, disagrees with the final remedial alternative, it may seek to
require implementation of a different remedial alternative.
The Company is also responsible for post-closure operations and
maintenance at the remainder of the Ludlow Site, including groundwater
monitoring, through 2027. These operations and maintenance costs are estimated
at approximately $90,000 per year for a total of approximately $2.6 million. At
December 31, 1998, the Company's reserve in respect of these expenses, based on
a present value calculation using a discount rate of 4%, was $1.4 million. In
addition, the Company may be required to conduct certain post-closure
activities.
The Company and the DEC also disagree concerning the DEC's outstanding
natural resources damage claim. The DEC has requested additional annual biota
sampling for a period in excess of the post-closure operations and maintenance
period, to be incorporated in a revised post-closure operations and maintenance
plan. The Company has disputed this request. The Company cannot determine at
this time whether it will have to undertake this long-term biota sampling.
Though the Company does not believe it likely that liabilities at the
Ludlow Site will have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
results of operations, financial condition or cash flow, this possibility cannot
be excluded.
Universal Waste Site. The owners and operators of the Universal Waste
Site, Utica, New York, conducted a preliminary site assessment pursuant to a
consent order with the DEC, which also conducted a separate preliminary site
assessment. The Company believes that at least four other potentially
responsible parties have been identified with respect to the contamination at
the site. The Company has not been obligated to become involved in the
investigation. Based upon the limited information available to it, the Company
has established a reserve of $575,000. However, because of the preliminary
nature of the investigation, it is not possible at this time to provide a
reasonable estimate of the ultimate cost of any investigative or remedial work
which will be required, or the Company's share, if any, of such costs.
Therefore, it is possible that liabilities could arise in respect of this site
that could have a material adverse effect on the business, results of
operations, financial condition or cash flows of the Company.
Huntington and Burnaugh RCRA Facility Assessments. The Huntington, West
Virginia, and Burnaugh, Kentucky facilities of IAII have been subject to site
inspections pursuant to RCRA. Draft reports issued by the respective inspecting
agencies recommended environmental investigation at Huntington and Burnaugh.
However,
-16-
<PAGE>
neither report was ever issued in final form, and no action has been taken by
the inspecting agency since January 1996 in the case of Huntington and April
1992 in the case of Burnaugh. If such investigation is ultimately required, the
Company could also be required to undertake significant remediation, the cost of
which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition,
results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INVESTIGATION
In March 1999, the Company received a subpoena from a federal grand
jury investigating possible violations of the federal antitrust laws in the
nickel industry. The Company intends to respond to the subpoena but cannot at
this time determine what further action may be taken by the grand jury or the
United States Justice Department's Antitrust Division, which is submitting
evidence to the grand jury.
OTHER MATTERS
From time to time, the Company is involved in legal proceedings
relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of
business. Except as discussed above, the Company does not believe that it is
presently a party to any proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operation or
cash flows.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market
under the symbol "SMCX." As of March 1, 1999 there were approximately 60
shareholders of record (including holders who are nominees for an undetermined
number of beneficial owners) of the Company's common stock. The quarterly common
stock ranges for the previous two fiscal years are indicated below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
Quarter Ended High Low High Low
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
March 31 $ 18.00 $ 15.50 $ 18.00 $ 14.75
June 30 18.81 14.00 20.00 13.38
September 30 16.50 10.00 19.75 17.38
December 31 10.44 7.00 23.13 16.75
</TABLE>
The Company has not paid dividends on its common stock during 1998 or
1997 and does not currently pay dividends on its common stock. Future decisions
as to the payment of dividends will be at the discretion of the Company's Board
of Directors, subject to applicable law. The Company's ability to pay dividends
is also subject to the covenants contained in the credit agreements. As a result
of the restrictive covenants in the Company's credit agreements, the Company is
effectively precluded from paying dividends for the foreseeable future. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources."
-17-
<PAGE>
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected historical financial data of
the Company as of, and for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997,
and 1998. The financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with
the information under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" included in Item 7 of this Form 10-K and
the Financial Statements of the Company and the notes thereto included in Item 8
of this Form 10-K.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net Sales $ 95,510 $ 132,245 $ 162,300 $ 186,071 $ 253,226
Cost of goods sold 93,625 114,752 133,828 142,029 219,110
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit 1,885 17,493 28,472 44,042 34,116
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 4,313 5,207 5,408 6,958 16,063
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (loss) (2,428) 12,286 23,064 37,084 18,053
Interest expense 4,361 4,727 4,079 670 4,109
Other income - - - (107) (914)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes (6,789) 7,559 18,985 36,521 14,858
Income tax expense (benefit) (1) 99 354 (96) 13,519 5,018
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ (6,888) $ 7,205 $ 19,081 $ 23,002 $ 9,840
===================================================================================
Net income (loss) attributable to
common shareholders $ (6,888) $ 7,205 $ 19,081 $ 23,002 $ 8,769
===================================================================================
Net income (loss) per share -
Basic and assuming dilution $ (.56) $ .58 $ 1.54 $ 1.53 $ .57
Weighted average shares outstanding 12,400 12,400 12,400 15,004 15,479
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END):
Working capital $ 29,287 $ 35,779 $ 47,450 $ 68,825 $ 323,764
Total assets 91,901 106,945 116,492 141,750 840,154
Current portion of long-term debt
and capital lease obligations 4,233 5,270 4,296 316 13,155
Long-term debt and capital lease
obligations (excluding current
maturities) 46,465 41,587 42,522 174 282,792
Subordinated notes payable to
affiliates 8,500 8,500 1,500 - -
Stockholders' equity 8,987 15,666 34,775 103,971 111,359
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------
(1) Income tax expense for 1995 and 1996 differs from the amount which is
derived by applying the combined statutory income tax rates due to the
utilization of previously unrecognized net operating loss and other tax
carryforwards in 1995 and 1996 and the recognition of previously
unrecognized deferred income tax assets in 1996.
18
<PAGE>
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements included in this Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this document that do not
relate to present or historical conditions are "forward looking statements"
within the meaning of that term in Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. Additional oral or written statements may be made from time to
time, and such statements may be included in documents filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different
from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors
include economic slowdowns and recessions (especially in the aerospace industry,
in which a significant portion of the Company's customers are concentrated); the
availability and pricing of raw materials used in the manufacture of the
Company's products; the reliable operation of the Company's manufacturing
facilities and equipment; the Company's ability to evaluate, finance and
integrate acquired businesses, products and companies into the Company's
existing business and operations; the Company's ability to effectively compete
in the industries in which it does business; the Company's ability to
successfully negotiate new labor agreements and otherwise maintain favorable
relations with its employees, a majority of whom are unionized; the Company's
ability to comply with existing and future environmental laws and regulations,
the accuracy of its current estimates of existing environmental liabilities and
the possibility that currently unknown environmental liabilities may be
discovered.
OVERVIEW
IAI ACQUISITION
On October 28, 1998, the Company acquired the stock of the companies
which comprised the Inco Alloys International high performance nickel alloys
business unit ("IAI") of Inco Limited ("Inco") and entered into a
non-competition agreement with Inco (the "Acquisition"). The purchase price was
$328 million cash (subject to a purchase price adjustment). The purchase price
of the non-competition agreement was $37 million, consisting of $20 million cash
and $17 million fair value Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (340,000
shares). The Company financed the cash portion of the aggregate purchase price
with funds drawn under a new $375 million bank credit facility and with proceeds
from the issuance of $80 million fair value Series A Senior Convertible
Preferred Stock (1,600,000 shares) to TIMET Finance Management Company
("TIMET"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Titanium Metals Corporation ("TMC"). In
connection with the Acquisition and related financing, the Company also incurred
fees totaling approximately $11.3 million. The acquisition has been accounted
for under the purchase method of accounting, and the results of operations of
IAI have been included in the consolidated statements of income since October
28, 1998, the date of acquisition. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
GENERAL
The Company manufactures high-performance nickel-based alloys and
superalloys, which are highly engineered metal alloys designed to withstand
extremes of heat, stress, and corrosion. The Company conducts its business
through three principal operating segments. The SMC Premium Alloys Division
manufactures a comprehensive range of premium grade, nickel-based and
cobalt-based wrought superalloy and special alloy long products in billet and
bar forms, which are used primarily in jet engines. This division also produces
shape memory alloys, known as Nitinol, which is used primarily in medical and
dental applications; powder metallurgy superalloy products used principally in
military and the latest generation of large commercial jet engines; and
silver-based amalgamable dental alloys. The Inco Alloys North American Division
manufactures nickel-based alloys in a broad
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<PAGE>
range of product forms, including billet, bar, rod, sheet, strip, plate, tubing,
and rod-in-coil. The division also manufactures and sells nickel-based welding
consumables and high-performance nickel-based alloy and stainless steel wire
products. The Inco Alloys European Division manufactures nickel-based alloys in
billet, bar, rod, extruded section, narrow strip, rod-in-coil, and tubular
product forms. The organization also includes a network of distribution
facilities and service centers throughout Europe. In 1998, the SMC Premium
Alloys Division, the Inco Alloys North American Division, and the Inco Alloys
European Division accounted for 69%, 20%, and 11% respectively, of the Company's
net sales of $253.2 million.
Net Sales. Net sales include sales of the Company's high-performance
nickel-based alloy, superalloy, and special alloy products, as well as revenue
earned from toll conversion. Sales of the Company's products are made under
conventional purchase orders, one-year supply contracts, long-term firm price
contracts and indexed price contracts. Long-term firm price and indexed price
contracts have become more prevalent in the superalloy industry because jet
engine manufacturers are required to provide firm price quotations to airlines
for jet engines to be delivered several years into the future. To the extent
that it has entered into long-term agreements, the Company has sought pricing
terms which are either indexed or otherwise accommodate changes in product and
raw material markets.
Export sales represent a significant portion of the Company's business.
In 1996, 1997 and 1998, sales to purchasers outside of the United States totaled
28%, 31% and 24% of the Company's net sales, respectively.
Cost of Goods Sold. The high-performance nickel-based alloy and
superalloy industry is characterized by high capital investment and high fixed
costs, and therefore profitability is significantly affected by changes in
volume. Variable costs such as raw materials, labor, supplies and energy
(primarily electricity) generally account for more than 70 percent of the
Company's cost of goods sold. Fixed costs, such as indirect overhead and
depreciation, constitute the remainder of the Company's cost of goods sold. The
Company has undertaken various initiatives to maintain and improve its
efficiency and cost position over the last few years.
A substantial portion of the Company's raw material used in production
consists of commodities, such as nickel, which are subject to wide price
fluctuations. The price the Company pays for nickel is usually based upon quoted
prices on the London Metals Exchange (the "LME") plus a premium due to quality,
location, and volume purchased. Although the Company's long-term agreements
provide for certain price adjustments to reflect changes in the price of raw
materials, once a customer places an order, the price is generally fixed and not
subject to further adjustment. In an attempt to mitigate the risks associated
with raw material price fluctuations and to match raw material purchases with
firm price product orders, the Company often enters into forward contracts to
manage its exposure to changes in nickel prices and also enters into contracts
for the purchase of scrap with customers. A substantial majority of the nickel
forward contracts result in the Company taking possession of the inventory;
however, certain of these contracts are settled in cash. For the nickel forward
contracts settled in cash, the Company makes or receives payment equal to the
net change in value of the contract at its maturity. Substantially all contracts
are designated as hedges of the Company's firm sales commitments, are timed to
correspond to the commitment period, and are effective in hedging the Company's
exposure to changes in nickel prices during that cycle. At December 31, 1998,
the Company had open purchase contracts with a notional principal value of
approximately $30.9 million. The fair value of the material covered by these
contracts, based on the December 31, 1998 price quoted on the LME, was
approximately $28.4 million. Unrealized gains and losses on the contracts which
have been designated, and are effective, as hedges for firm sales commitments
have been deferred. Unrealized losses on forward contracts not designated or
effective as hedges, totaling approximately $0.5 million, have been recognized
in income currently.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses represent costs associated with sales and marketing,
research and development, legal expenses, and the office of the president.
-20-
<PAGE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, statements
of income data as a percentage of net sales.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Costs of goods sold 82.5 76.3 86.5
----------------------------------------------
Gross profit 17.5 23.7 13.5
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 3.3 3.7 6.3
----------------------------------------------
Operating income 14.2 20.0 7.2
Interest expense 2.5 .4 1.6
Abandoned acquisition costs - .3 -
Other income - (.4) (.3)
-----------------------------------------------
2.5 0.3 1.3
----------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 11.7 19.7 5.9
Income taxes expense (benefit) (.1) 7.3 2.0
----------------------------------------------
Net income 11.8% 12.4% 3.9%
===============================================
</TABLE>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
Net Sales. Net sales increased $67.1 million, or 36.1%, from $186.1
million in 1997 to $253.2 million in 1998. This increase is the result of
including two months' sales of IAI, offset in part by reduced sales of the SMC
Premium Alloys Division as a consequence of global economic pressures which have
resulted in reduced volumes and increased pressure on prices, and customer
inventory adjustments in response to earlier order patterns which led to
overstocking in customer plants.
Export sales decreased from 31% of the Company's net sales for 1997 to
24% of the Company's net sales for 1998. This decrease is a result of the
Acquisition.
Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold increased $77.1 million, or
54.3%, from $142.0 million in 1997 to $219.1 million in 1998. As a percentage of
net sales, cost of goods sold increased from 76.3% in 1997 to 86.5% in 1998.
This increase is the result of including IAI's results of operations for the two
months subsequent to its acquisition. For SMC Premium Alloys Division, cost of
goods sold, as a percentage of net sales, increased from 76.3% in 1997 to 81.3%
in 1998. This increase is due primarily to the decrease in net sales of the
division.
Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased $10.0 million, or 22.5% from $44.1
million in 1997 to $34.1 million in 1998, as a consequence of global economic
pressures and customer inventory adjustments in response to earlier order
patterns which led to overstocking in customer plants.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $9.1 million, or 130.9% from $7.0 million in
1997 to $16.1 million in 1998. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a
percentage of net sales increased from 3.7% in 1997 to 6.3% in 1998. The
increase was due to including IAI's results of operations for the two months
subsequent to the Acquisition.
Operating Income. Operating income decreased $19.0 million, or 51.3%
from $37.1 million in 1997 to $18.1 million in 1998. Operating income as a
percentage of net sales decreased from 20.0% in 1997 to 7.2% in 1998.
-21-
<PAGE>
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $3.4 million from $.7
million in 1997 to $4.1 million in 1998, primarily due to the increase in
indebtedness in connection with the Acquisition.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense decreased $8.5 million from $13.5 in
1997 to $5.0 million in 1998, primarily due to the decrease in operating income
and the increase in interest expense. The effective tax rate was 37.0% in 1997
and 33.8% in 1998.
Net Income. Net income decreased $13.2 million, or 57.2% from $23.0
million in 1997 to $9.8 million in 1998. Net income as a percentage of net sales
decreased from 12.4% for 1997 to 3.9% for 1998.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
Net Sales. Net sales increased $23.8 million, or 14.6%, from $162.3
million in 1996 to $186.1 million in 1997. This increase was principally due to
a shift in the Company's product mix toward higher value-added products and
improved pricing, offset somewhat by a slight decrease in pounds shipped.
Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold increased $8.2 million, or 6.1%,
from $133.8 million in 1996 to $142.0 million in 1997, primarily as a result of
increased sales and increased costs associated with implementing the new
management information systems, offset, in part, by cost reduction programs. In
addition, depreciation and amortization expense decreased from $4.4 million in
1996 to $3.6 million in 1997 as a result of various fixed and intangible assets
becoming fully depreciated or amortized, as applicable. As a percentage of net
sales, cost of goods sold decreased from 82.5% in 1996 to 76.3% in 1997
primarily due to the allocation of the fixed portion of overhead included in
cost of goods sold to a larger sales base.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $15.6 million, or 54.7% from $28.5
million in 1996 to $44.1 million in 1997. This increase was due primarily to
increased sales and cost reduction programs.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $1.6 million, or 28.7% from $5.4 million in
1996 to $7.0 million in 1997. The increase was due primarily to the increase in
net sales, an increase in the Company's research and development activities, and
increased expenses associated with the Board of Directors and the managerial
assistance agreement with one of its principal stockholders. Selling, general
and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased from 3.3% in
1996 to 3.7% in 1997.
Operating Income. Operating income increased $14.0 million, or 60.8%
from $23.1 million in 1996 to $37.1 million in 1997. Operating income as a
percentage of net sales increased from 14.2% in 1996 to 20.0% in 1997 as a
result of increased net sales offset in part by increased expenses.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $3.4 million, or 83.6%,
from $4.1 million in 1996 to $.7 million in 1997. This decrease was due
primarily to the repayment of debt outstanding with the proceeds from the
Company's initial public offering during the first quarter of 1997.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense increased $13.6 million from a benefit
of $(.1) in 1996 to an expense of $13.5 million in 1997. The Company's effective
income tax rate for 1996 varied from the U.S. statutory rate due to utilization
of net operating losses and alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards and
also due to the recognition of previously unrecognized deferred tax assets of
$3.7 million.
Net Income. Net income increased 20.5% from $19.1 million in 1996 to
$23.0 million in 1997. Net income as a percentage of net sales increased from
11.8% for 1996 to 12.4% for 1997 primarily as a result of stronger demand for
the Company's products in the aerospace industry and cost reduction programs.
-22-
<PAGE>
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
On October 28, 1998, the Company completed the acquisition of IAI and
entered into a non-competition agreement with Inco. See "- Overview - IAI
Acquisition."
The Company's liquidity needs arise primarily from capital investments,
working capital requirements, and principal and interest payments on
indebtedness. The Company has historically met these liquidity requirements with
funds generated from operations and from short-term and long-term debt financing
(including borrowings from its principal stockholders). The Company's business
is capital intensive and requires substantial expenditures for, among other
things, the purchase and maintenance of equipment used in the manufacturing
process and compliance with environmental laws.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $10.9 million, $22.1
million and $21.3 million for 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
Capital expenditures were $2.8 million, $9.9 million and $20.3 million
for 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The increase in capital expenditures from
1997 to 1998 was principally due to the Acquisition.
The Company's principal sources of funds are (i) funds generated from
operations and (ii) borrowings under the Company's Senior Secured Credit
Agreement with Credit Lyonnais, as agent, and other financial institutions (the
"Credit Agreement"), which the Company entered into in connection with the
Acquisition. The Credit Agreement provides for a $125 term loan (the "Tranche A
Term Loan"), a $100 million term loan (the "Tranche B Term Loan," and, together
with the Tranche A Term Loan, the "Term Loans") and a $150 million revolving
credit and letter of credit facility. (the "Revolving Credit Facility").
Proceeds from the Term Loans were used to finance a portion of the purchase
price of the Acquisition.
Under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company can borrow, repay and
re-borrow from time to time up to $150 million in the aggregate. The Revolving
Credit Facility terminates on October 28, 2003. The amount the Company may
borrow under the Credit Agreement is reduced by the aggregate amount of any
letters of credit issued for the account of the Company. Interest on the Tranche
A Term Loan and amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility bear
interest at the Company's option at (i) a base rate, which is the higher of the
bank's short-term commercial reference rate or the Federal Funds rate plus .50%,
plus a margin of zero to 1.50% depending on the Company's leverage ratio or (ii)
the Eurodollar rate, which is the reserve adjusted New York interbank offered
rate, plus a margin of 0.75% to 2.75% depending on the Company's leverage ratio.
The applicable margins for amounts outstanding on the Tranche B Term Loan are
(i) for base rate loans, either 1.50% or 2.00% depending on the Company's
leverage ratio and (ii) for Eurodollar rate loans, 2.75% or 3.25% depending on
the Company's leverage ratio. A commitment fee of .375% to .50% per annum,
depending on the Company's leverage ratio, on the unused portion of the
Revolving Credit Facility is due quarterly.
-23-
<PAGE>
The Tranche A Term loan is scheduled to be repaid in quarterly
installments over five years and the Tranche B Term loan is scheduled to be
repaid in quarterly installments over seven years as follows (in thousands):
Tranche A Tranche B
Year Term Loan Term Loan Total
---- --------- --------- -----
1999 $ 11,250 $ 1,000 $ 12,250
2000 17,500 1,000 18,500
2001 27,500 1,000 28,500
2002 36,250 1,000 37,250
2003 30,000 12,625 42,625
2004 - 47,500 47,500
2005 - 35,625 35,625
The Company is required to prepay amounts outstanding under the Credit
Agreement out of the excess cash flow of the Company. Prepayments will be
applied first to the Term Loans, pro rata, then to amounts outstanding under the
Revolving Credit Facility and finally as cash collateral against outstanding
letters of credit. So long as any amounts remain outstanding under the Tranche A
Term Loan, lenders under the Tranche B Term Loan may elect not to have their
portion of the Tranche B Term Loan prepaid until the Tranche A Term Loan is paid
in full.
The Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by all
of the assets of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries and by a pledge of
the capital stock of certain subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement also contains
covenants restricting the ability of the Company to, among other things, make
certain restricted payments, create liens, guarantee indebtedness or enter into
transactions with affiliates. The Company is also subject to certain financial
tests relating to, among other things, its minimum consolidated earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"); consolidated leverage
ratio; interest coverage ratio and fixed charge coverage ratio. At December 31,
1998, the Company was in violation of the minimum EBITDA financial test.
Subsequent to December 31, 1998, the Company entered into the First
Amendment to Credit Agreement and Limited Waiver (the "Amendment") which, among
other things, waived the event of default which resulted from the Company not
complying with the minimum EBITDA financial test, revised the financial tests
for 1999 and subsequent periods, adjusted the applicable margins to those
indicated above, and will restrict payments of dividends on the Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock for a period through at least the first quarter of
2000, as specified in the Amendment.
In connection with the IAI acquisition, the Company issued an aggregate
of $97 million liquidation value Series A Senior Convertible Preferred Stock.
See "- Overview - IAI Acquisition" and Footnotes 2 and 18 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Over the next four years, the Company plans to invest up to $124
million in capital expenditures to expand and modernize its melting, forging and
finishing equipment, install new or upgrade existing business information
systems and make other investments to maintain its position as a technical
leader. Certain covenants in the Credit Agreement limit the annual amount of
capital expenditures. In addition to planned capital expenditures, the Company
expects to evaluate, from time to time, potential acquisitions. Potential
acquisitions may include investments in companies, technologies or products
which complement the Company's business or products. Sources of funds for such
acquisitions could include funds generated from operations or alternative
sources of debt or equity capital. Certain covenants in the Credit Agreement may
restrict or limit the Company's ability to enter into or complete an
acquisition. Under such circumstances, the Company would need to amend, obtain a
waiver of, or refinance the Credit Agreement. See " - Forward Looking
Statements."
-24-
<PAGE>
The Company does not expect the future costs of compliance with
currently enacted environmental laws and adopted or proposed regulations to have
a material impact on its liquidity and capital resources. However, the
imposition of more strict standards or requirements under environmental laws and
the possibility of increased enforcement could result in expenditures in excess
of amounts estimated to be required for such matters. See " - Forward Looking
Statements."
The Company expects that cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash flow
from operations and borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement will be
adequate to meet its anticipated operating requirements, and planned capital
expenditures over the next 12 months. See " - Forward Looking Statements."
BACKLOG
As of December 31, 1998, the Company's backlog orders aggregated
approximately $298.1 million, compared to $155.5 million at December 31, 1997.
The increase in backlog orders is primarily due to the IAI acquisition. The
Company defines backlog as firm orders, which are generally subject to
cancellation by the customer. Substantially all orders in the backlog at
December 31, 1998 are expected to be shipped within the 12 months beginning
January 1, 1999. Due to the cyclical nature of order entry experienced by the
Company and its dependence on the aerospace industry, there can be no assurance
that order entry will continue at current levels or that current firm price
orders will not be canceled or delayed.
INFLATION
Although the Company's sales and results of operations are affected by
the prices of raw materials used to make its products and the cyclicality of the
aerospace industry, the Company does not believe that general economic inflation
has had a material effect on its results of operation for the periods presented.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Reference is made to the information included in Item 3 - "Legal
Proceedings" of this Form 10-K, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
IMPACT OF YEAR 2000
The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs being written
using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. Computer
programs in the Company's computer systems and plant equipment systems which
contain time-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900
rather than the year 2000. This could result in system failures or
miscalculations resulting in disruptions in manufacturing operations or other
normal business activities.
The Company has undertaken multiple projects aimed at replacing its
current management information systems and information technology
infrastructure. However, the Company also believes that modifications to certain
of its process control computers will be required so that they will function
properly with respect to dates in the year 2000 and thereafter. The Company
presently believes that with modifications to existing software and conversions
to new software, the year 2000 issue will not pose significant operational
problems for its information technology systems and process control systems.
However, if such modifications and conversions are not made, or are not
completed timely, a material impact on the operations of the Company could
result.
-25-
<PAGE>
The Company's plan to resolve the Year 2000 issues in each of its three
principal operating segments is as follows:
SMC Premium Alloys Division
The SMC Premium Alloys Division has undertaken a formal program which
encompasses replacing its current management systems with an enterprise-wide
business information system, related upgrades to its information technology
infrastructure and modifications to its manufacturing process control systems.
The division's plan to resolve the Year 2000 issue includes the following four
phases: assessment, remediation, testing, and implementation. To date, the
division has fully completed its assessment of all computer systems and programs
which could be significantly affected by the Year 2000. Appraisal costs were
expensed prior to the division initiating a formal Year 2000 program. Systems
and programs which require modification have been identified and such
modifications and related testing is expected to be completed by August 1, 1999.
In addition to assessing its Year 2000 readiness, the division has
initiated formal communications with its significant suppliers and customers to
determine the extent to which the division is vulnerable to those third parties'
failure to remediate their own Year 2000 issues. Although less than 50% of the
division's suppliers and customers have responded, no respondent indicated that
they would not be Year 2000 compliant prior to December 31, 1999. A second
appraisal of significant suppliers and customers is scheduled for the first
quarter of 1999.
Inco Alloys North American Division
The Inco Alloys North American Division has established a formal
program which encompasses replacing its current management systems with an
enterprise-wide business information system, related replacements and upgrades
to its information technology infrastructure and modifications to manufacturing
process control systems. The division's plan to resolve the Year 2000 issue
involves the following four phases: assessment, remediation, testing, and
implementation. To date, the division has fully completed its assessment of all
computer systems and programs which could be significantly affected by the Year
2000. The division has also identified all software supplied by outside vendors
which is not currently Year 2000 compliant. With respect to such non-compliant
software, the division has acquired the most recent release and is currently
testing such versions for Year 2000 compliance. Systems and programs which
require modification or replacement have been identified and such modifications
and related testing is expected to be completed by June 30, 1999.
In addition to assessing its Year 2000 readiness, the division has
initiated formal communications with its significant suppliers to determine the
extent to which the division is vulnerable to those third parties' failure to
remediate their own Year 2000 issues. Although less than 50% of the division's
suppliers have responded, no respondent indicated that they would not be Year
2000 compliant prior to December 31, 1999. The division has not initiated formal
communications with its large customers to determine the extent to which the
division is vulnerable to those third parties' failure to remediate their Year
2000 issues.
Inco Alloys European Division
The Inco Alloys European Division has established a formal program for
monitoring and measuring Year 2000 readiness which encompasses replacement,
upgrades and modifications to management information systems, information
technology infrastructure, and manufacturing process control systems. The
division's resolution phases include assessment, remediation, testing and
implementation. The division has established a comprehensive inventory and risk
assessment of computing platforms and programs which require Year 2000
resolution. All hardware required for stand alone testing of systems has been
installed in order to provide an off-line production testing environment for
Year 2000 program compliance. The division has also identified all software
supplied by outside vendors which is not currently Year 2000 compliant. With
respect to such non-compliant software, the division has acquired the most
recent release and is currently testing such versions for Year 2000 compliance.
Systems and programs which require modification or replacement have been
<PAGE>
identified and such modifications and related testing is expected to be
completed by April 30, 1999.
-26-
<PAGE>
In addition to assessing its Year 2000 readiness, the division has
initiated formal communications with its significant suppliers and large
customers to determine the extent to which the division is vulnerable to those
third parties' failure to remediate their own Year 2000 issues. Several of the
division's significant suppliers and customers have responded and believe they
will be Year 2000 compliant prior to December 31, 1999. Although less than 75%
of the division's suppliers and customers have responded, no respondent
indicated that they would not be Year 2000 compliant prior to December 31, 1999.
The Company's overall Year 2000 project approach and status for each of
the respective divisions is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
($ millions)
Stage Estimated Timetable Total Costs Incurred
Description of Approach of Completion For Completion Budget To Date
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
COMPUTER SYSTEMS:
Assess systems for possible Year 2000
impact:
SMC Premium Alloys 100% Completed -- --
Inco Alloys North American 100% Completed -- --
Inco Alloys European 100% Completed -- --
Modify or replace non-compliant
systems and test systems with system
clocks set at current date:
SMC Premium Alloys 65% August 1, 1999 $ 6.5 $ 4.3
Inco Alloys North American 50% June 30, 1999 14.0 3.5
Inco Alloys European 90% April 30, 1999 .4 .2
PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS:
Computer-dependent process control
systems assessment and compliance
procedures
SMC Premium Alloys 60% June 30, 1999 $ .5 $ .1
Inco Alloys North American 90% July 31, 1999 .1 --
Inco Alloys European 80% August 31, 1999 .4 .1
</TABLE>
The Company has determined it expects to have no exposure to
contingencies related to the year 2000 issue for the products it has sold. The
Company expects to utilize both internal and external resources to reprogram, or
replace, and test the software for year 2000 modifications. The Company at this
time has no plan to utilize independent verification and validation processes to
assure reliability of risk and cost estimates, nor does the Company plan to
utilize independent third party verification to test computer systems for Year
2000 compliance. The Company anticipates completing the year 2000 project in
1999, prior to any anticipated impact on its operating systems. Maintenance or
modification costs will be expensed as incurred, while the costs of new
information technology will be capitalized and amortized in accordance with
Company policy.
The time frame during which the Company believes it will complete the
year 2000 modifications is based on management's best estimates, which were
derived utilizing numerous assumptions of future events, including the
-27-
<PAGE>
continued availability of certain resources, third party modification plans and
other factors. However, there can be no guarantee that the estimated time of
completion will be achieved and actual results could differ materially from
those anticipated. Specific factors that might cause such material differences
include, but are not limited to, the availability and cost of personnel trained
in this area, the ability to locate and correct all relevant computer codes, and
similar uncertainties.
The Company believes it has an effective program in place to resolve
the Year 2000 issue in a timely manner. As noted above, the Company has not yet
completed all necessary phases of the Year 2000 program. In the event that the
Company does not complete any additional phases, the Company's ability to take
customer orders, manufacture and ship products, invoice customers or collect
payments could be impaired. In addition, disruptions caused by third-parties or
disruptions in the economy generally resulting from Year 2000 issues could also
materially adversely affect the Company. The amount of potential liability and
lost revenue cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."
SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other
contracts, and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all
derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial
position and measure those instruments at fair value. The intended use of the
derivative and its designation as either (1) a hedge of the exposure to changes
in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or a firm commitment (a
fair value hedge), (2) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a
forecasted transaction (a cash flow hedge), or (3) a hedge of the foreign
currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation (a foreign currency
hedge), will determine when the gains or losses on the derivatives are to be
reported in earnings and when they are to be reported as a component of other
comprehensive income. The new standard must be adopted for year 2000 financial
reporting. The impact of compliance with SFAS No. 133 has not yet been
determined by the Company.
In March 1998, the AICPA issued SOP 98-1, "Accounting For the Costs of
Computer Software Developed For or Obtained For Internal Use." The Company plans
to adopt the SOP on January 1, 1999. The SOP requires the capitalization of
certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for
internal use. The Company does not expect that the effect of adopting the new
SOP will be material.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in
market rates and prices, such as commodity prices, foreign currency exchange and
interest rates. The Company is exposed to various market risks, including
changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.
The Company has entered into financial instrument transactions which attempt to
manage and reduce the impact of changes in commodity prices, foreign currency
exchange rates, and interest rates. The Company does not enter into derivatives
or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
The Company is exposed to risk from changes in the price of commodities
used in production between the date of a firm sales commitment and the date of
delivery. The Company purchases forward commodity contracts to manage its
exposure to changes in commodity prices, primarily nickel. The forward contracts
result in the Company making or receiving payments equal to the net change in
the value of the contract, which fluctuates with the price of the commodity. A
10% fluctuation in the price of the underlying commodities would change the fair
value of the contracts by approximately $250,000. However, since these contracts
hedge the Company's firm sales
-28-
<PAGE>
commitments, any change in the fair value of the contracts would be offset by
changes in the underlying value of the transaction being hedged.
A portion of the Company's operations consists of manufacturing and
sales activities in foreign jurisdictions, principally in Europe. As a result,
the Company's financial results could be significantly affected by factors such
as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the
foreign markets in which the Company distributes its products. The Company
enters into forward currency and currency option contracts to mitigate the
effect of currency transaction exposures. An overall 10% fluctuation in exchange
rates would change the fair value of these contracts by approximately $550,000.
However, since these contracts hedge foreign currency denominated transactions,
any change in the fair value of the contracts would be offset by changes in the
underlying value of the transaction being hedged.
At December 31, 1998, the Company has approximately $293 million of
variable rate long-term debt. The Company enters into interest swap agreements
to manage a portion of its exposure to interest rate changes. At December 31,
1998, the Company had outstanding interest rate swap agreements with a notional
value of approximately $137 million, maturing in September 2003, which
effectively fix the interest rates on the underlying debt at a weighted average
5.86% plus the applicable margins based on the Company's leverage ratio. Under
these agreements, the Company makes or receives payments equal to the difference
between fixed and variable interest rate payments on the notional amount. A 1%
fluctuation in interest rates would change future interest expense on the $156
million of debt that is not covered by the swap agreements by approximately
$1,600,000.
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<PAGE>
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page in
Form 10-K
---------
Report of Independent Auditors 31
Consolidated Balance Sheets 32
Consolidated Statements of Income 33
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity 34
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 35
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 36
-30-
<PAGE>
Report of Independent Auditors
Board of Directors
Special Metals Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Special Metals
Corporation as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1998. Our audits also included the
financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14(a). These financial
statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and
schedule 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 financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Special Metals
Corporation at December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the consolidated results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered
in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly
in all material respects the information set forth therein.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
- ---------------------
Buffalo, New York
February 22, 1999,
except for Note 6, as to which the date is
March 31, 1999
-31-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31
1997 1998
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,237 $ 39,622
Restricted deposits 1,161 352
Accounts receivable - trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
$168 and $3,179, respectively 25,427 130,696
Accounts receivable - affiliates 4,785 6,938
Inventories 50,580 271,812
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,591 16,991
-------------------------------------
Total current assets 96,781 466,411
Property, plant and equipment 39,727 309,025
Non-competition agreement, net of accumulated amortization of $617
in 1998 - 36,383
Other assets 5,242 28,335
-------------------------------------
Total assets $ 141,750 $ 840,154
=====================================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities:
Accounts payable - trade $ 15,688 $ 46,753
Accrued liabilities 11,952 79,576
Notes payable - 3,163
Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases 316 13,155
-------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 27,956 142,647
Long-term debt and capital leases 174 282,792
Postretirement benefits obligation 2,471 188,748
Other long-term liabilities 7,178 16,537
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable, convertible preferred stock, Series A, nonvoting, $0.01
par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 1,940,000 issued and
outstanding at December 31, 1998 - 98,071
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 35,000,000 shares authorized,
15,477,000 and 15,479,000 shares issued and outstanding,
respectively 155 155
Paid-in surplus 75,678 75,712
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (496) (1,911)
Retained earnings 28,634 37,403
-------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity 103,971 111,359
-------------------------------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 141,750 $ 840,154
=====================================
</TABLE>
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
-32-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
1996 1997 1998
---------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales to non-affiliates $ 155,322 $ 175,570 $ 243,457
Net sales to affiliates 6,978 10,501 9,769
-----------------------------------------------
162,300 186,071 253,226
Cost of goods sold 133,828 142,029 219,110
-----------------------------------------------
28,472 44,042 34,116
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 5,408 6,958 16,063
-----------------------------------------------
Operating income 23,064 37,084 18,053
Other expense (income):
Interest expense 4,079 670 4,109
Abandoned acquisition costs - 554 -
Other - (661) (914)
-----------------------------------------------
4,079 563 3,195
-----------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 18,985 36,521 14,858
Income tax (benefit) expense (96) 13,519 5,018
-----------------------------------------------
Net income 19,081 23,002 9,840
Accumulated preferred stock dividends - - 1,071
-----------------------------------------------
Net income available to common shareholders $ 19,081 $ 23,002 $ 8,769
===============================================
Earnings per common share, basic and assuming
dilution $ 1.54 $ 1.53 $ 0.57
===============================================
</TABLE>
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
-33-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK ACCUMULATED RETAINED
OTHER EARNINGS
PAID-IN COMPREHENSIVE (ACCUMULATED
SHARES PAR SURPLUS LOSS DEFICIT) TOTAL
------ --- ------- ---- -------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance - December 31, 1995 12,400 $ 124 $ 29,716 $ (725) $ (13,449) $ 15,666
Comprehensive income:
Net income - - - - 19,081 19,081
Minimum pension liability adjustment,
net of tax of ($465) - - - 28 - 28
-----------
Comprehensive income 19,109
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - December 31, 1996 12,400 124 29,716 (697) 5,632 34,775
Sale of common stock 3,075 31 45,926 - - 45,957
Common stock grants 2 - 36 - - 36
Comprehensive income:
Net income - - - - 23,002 23,002
Minimum pension liability
adjustment, net of tax of $161 - - - 201 - 201
-----------
Comprehensive income 23,203
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - December 31, 1997 15,477 155 75,678 (496) 28,634 103,971
Common stock grants 2 - 34 - - 34
Comprehensive income:
Net income - - - - 9,840 9,840
Minimum pension liability
adjustment, net of tax of ($659) - - - (1,075) - (1,075)
Foreign currency translation
adjustment - - - (340) - (340)
-----------
Comprehensive income 8,425
Accumulated preferred stock dividends - - - - (1,071) (1,071)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - December 31, 1998 15,479 $ 155 $ 75,712 $ (1,911) $ 37,403 $ 111,359
</TABLE>
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
-34-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
1996 1997 1998
-------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 19,081 $ 23,002 $ 9,840
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 4,440 3,612 8,222
Loss on sale of fixed assets 1 2 -
Provision for deferred income taxes (4,071) 584 570
Incentive stock compensation - 36 34
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from
businesses acquired:
Accounts receivable (1,759) (1,583) 25,739
Inventories (3,683) (7,841) 9,756
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (122) 166 446
Income taxes (262) 306 (5,653)
Accounts payable - trade (1,972) 2,832 (11,883)
Accrued liabilities (1,311) (108) (13,216)
Postretirement benefits obligation 567 567 (418)
Other long-term liabilities 27 508 (2,105)
---------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 10,936 22,083 21,332
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash acquired - - (320,010)
Payment for covenant not to compete - - (20,000)
Capital expenditures (2,805) (9,935) (20,264)
Net change in restricted deposits - (1,161) 809
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets - 8 -
---------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (2,805) (11,088) (359,465)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock - - 80,000
Proceeds from sale of common stock - 45,957 -
Proceeds from term loans 20,000 - 225,000
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities 37,300 - 70,000
Repayment of revolving credit facilities (39,100) (26,000) -
Repayment of subordinated notes payable to affiliates (7,000) (1,500) -
Repayment of term loans and other long-term debt (18,287) (20,319) (2,910)
Financing and other deferred costs (321) (232) (6,462)
---------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (7,408) (2,094) 365,628
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash - - (110)
---------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in cash 723 8,901 27,385
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 2,613 3,336 12,237
---------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 3,336 $ 12,237 $ 39,622
=========================================================
</TABLE>
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
-35-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Special Metals Corporation (the Company) is a manufacturer of high-performance,
nickel-based alloys and superalloys. The Company sells its products world-wide,
with a substantial portion being sold to customers in the aerospace industry.
The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers' financial
condition and generally does not require collateral. An allowance for doubtful
accounts is maintained at a level which management believes is sufficient to
cover potential credit losses.
CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATIONS
The financial statements of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are translated
into U.S. dollars in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation," with the functional currency of the
foreign subsidiaries being the applicable local currency. Accordingly, all items
of income and expense are translated at average exchange rates for the year and
all assets and liabilities are translated at the year-end exchange rate. Gains
or losses on translations are accumulated in other comprehensive income in the
shareholders' equity section of the balance sheet.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company recognizes revenue at the time of shipment to the customer. The
Company periodically enters into long-term sales contracts, the terms of which
may include firm prices. The Company recognizes revenues on those sales
contracts as the related product is shipped. Depending upon market conditions at
the time the contracts are entered into and upon anticipated changes in raw
material costs, these sales contracts could result in losses. The Company
regularly monitors these contracts and provides for any losses at the time the
loss is known.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.
-36-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
RESTRICTED DEPOSITS
The Company is required to maintain on deposit with a broker, a margin account
to cover unrealized losses on its forward purchase contracts in excess of
$750,000. Such amounts have been recorded on the Company's balance sheet as
restricted deposits.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The cost of approximately
48% of 1998 inventories were valued using the LIFO (last-in, first-out) method.
All remaining inventories are accounted for under the FIFO (first-in, first-out)
or average methods of accounting.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, principally
10 - 40 years for buildings and improvements, 5-20 years for machinery and
equipment, 3 years for data processing equipment, and 5-20 years for furniture
and fixtures. The cost of property, plant and equipment held under capital
leases is equal to the lower of the net present value of the minimum lease
payments, using interest rates appropriate at the inception of the lease, or the
fair value of the leased property, plant and equipment at the inception of the
lease. Depreciation expense includes the amortization of property, plant and
equipment recorded under capital leases.
EXCESS OF PURCHASE PRICE OVER NET ASSETS ACQUIRED
The excess of purchase price over net assets acquired is being amortized on the
straight-line basis over 40 years. The Company periodically reviews this asset
to assess recoverability. Impairments would be recognized in operating results
if a permanent reduction in value were to occur.
INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURE
The Company's investment in joint venture represents its 50% investment in Daido
Inco Alloys Co., Ltd. ("DIAL"). DIAL is a Japanese marketer of an extensive
range of superalloys and high-performance alloys produced by the Company and
Daido Steel Co., Ltd. in Japan. The Company accounts for its investment using
the equity method.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
The Company reviews asset carrying amounts whenever events or circumstances
indicate that such carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When considered
impaired, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced, by a charge to income, to
its current fair value.
-37-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES
Environmental expenditures that relate to current or future revenues are
expensed or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing
condition caused by past operations and that are not allocable to current or
future earnings are expensed. Liabilities for environmental costs are recognized
when environmental assessments or clean-ups are probable and the associated
costs can be reasonably estimated.
PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
Effective January 1, 1998, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards
No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement
Benefits" ("SFAS 132"). The provisions of SFAS 132 revise employers' disclosures
about pension and other postretirement benefit plans and standardize the
disclosure requirements for pensions and other postretirement benefits to the
extent practicable. SFAS 132 does not change the measurement or recognition of
these plans.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company accounts for stock options granted under its stock-based
compensation plan in accordance with the intrinsic value based method of
accounting as prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25"), as allowed under
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation" ("SFAS 123"). Accordingly, compensation expense for stock options
is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Company's
stock at the date of grant over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the
stock.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS
Product research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Research and development expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and
1998 was $1,649,000, $1,906,000 and $2,920,000, respectively.
-38-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
As part of its risk management strategy, the Company purchases forward contracts
to manage its exposure to changes in commodity prices, primarily nickel. The
Company makes or receives payment equal to the net change in value of the
contract at its maturity. Substantially all contracts are designated as hedges
of the Company's firm sales commitments, are short-term in nature to correspond
to the commitment period, and are effective in hedging the Company's exposure to
changes in nickel prices during that cycle.
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into forward currency and
currency option contracts to mitigate the effect of currency transaction
exposures on its operations. The Company does not engage in any foreign currency
activities which have not been specifically designated as hedges.
Forward contracts are marked to market with unrealized gains and losses deferred
and recognized in earnings when realized as an adjustment to cost of goods sold
(the deferral accounting method). Unrealized changes in fair value of contracts
not effective as hedges are recognized in income. Historically, the Company has
not closed any contracts prior to the execution of the underlying sale
transaction, nor have any of the underlying sales transactions failed to occur.
The Company also enters into interest rate swap agreements to manage its
exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Net payments or receipts under the swap
agreements are recorded as adjustments to interest expense.
START-UP COSTS
In April 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position 98-5, Reporting the Costs of Start-Up Activities, which
requires that costs related to start-up activities be expensed as incurred. The
Company adopted the provisions of the SOP in its financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 1998. The adoption of SOP 98-5 had no effect on the
Company's reported earnings.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
-39-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
2. INCO ALLOYS ACQUISITION
On October 28, 1998, the Company acquired the stock of the companies which
comprised the Inco Alloys International high performance nickel alloys business
unit ("IAI") of Inco Limited ("Inco") and entered into a non-competition
agreement with Inco (the "Acquisition"). IAI produces high-performance
nickel-based alloys in various forms, including sheet, strip, foil, plate,
tubing, billet, bar, rod, extruded shapes, wire rod and welding products. IAI's
products are used in the aerospace, chemical process, environmental, off-shore
drilling, industrial gas turbine, and automotive markets. The purchase price was
$328 million cash (subject to a purchase price adjustment). The purchase price
of the non-competition agreement was $37 million, consisting of $20 million cash
and $17 million fair value Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (340,000
shares). The Company financed the cash portion of the aggregate purchase price
with funds drawn under a new $375 million bank credit facility and with the
proceeds from the issuance of $80 million fair value Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock (1,600,000 shares) to TIMET Finance Management Company, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Titanium Metals Corporation. In connection with the
Acquisition and the related financing, the Company also incurred fees totaling
approximately $11.3 million.
The Acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting,
and the results of operations of IAI have been included in the consolidated
statements of income since the date of acquisition. The initial $328 million
purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
based upon their estimated fair values. This allocation, however, is subject to
adjustment based upon the final purchase price adjustment, which is pending. The
non-competition agreement is being amortized on the straight line basis over its
contractual life of ten years.
The following unaudited pro forma information presents the results of operations
of the Company as if the Acquisition had taken place at the beginning of the
respective periods. These pro forma results of operations have been prepared for
comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the results of
operations which actually would have resulted had the Acquisition occurred on
the date indicated, or which may result in the future.
DECEMBER 31
1997 1998
---- ----
(In thousands, except per share
amounts)
Net sales $ 854,541 $ 761,095
Net income 41,349 13,802
Net income available to common shareholders 34,923 7,376
Net income per share:
Basic 2.33 0.48
Diluted 1.98 0.48
-40-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3. INVENTORIES
Inventories consist of the following:
DECEMBER 31
1997 1998
---------------------------
(In thousands)
Raw materials and supplies $ 13,007 $ 67,198
Work-in-process 37,573 151,136
Finished goods - 57,478
---------------------------
50,580 275,812
Adjustment to LIFO cost - (4,000)
---------------------------
$ 50,580 $ 271,812
===========================
4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
DECEMBER 31
1997 1998
---------------------------
(In thousands)
Land $ 1,272 $ 7,379
Buildings and improvements 19,509 78,665
Machinery and equipment 51,381 230,148
Furniture and fixtures 431 2,798
Construction-in-progress 7,649 37,022
---------------------------
80,242 356,012
Less accumulated depreciation 40,515 46,987
---------------------------
$ 39,727 $309,025
===========================
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 was
$3,180,000, $3,429,000 and $6,500,000, respectively.
-41-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
5. ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accrued liabilities consist of the following:
DECEMBER 31
1997 1998
-------------------
(In thousands)
Accrued payroll and employee benefits $ 6,940 $34,077
Amounts due to former affiliates - 15,706
Other 5,012 29,793
---------------------
$11,952 $79,576
=====================
6. LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASES
Long-term debt at December 31 consists of the following:
DECEMBER 31
1997 1998
---------------------
(In thousands)
Credit Agreement:
Term Loans $ - $222,250
Revolving Credit Facility - 70,000
Capital leases 490 2,188
Other - 1,509
---------------------
490 295,947
Current portion 316 13,155
---------------------
$174 $282,792
=====================
During 1998, in connection with the Acquisition, the Company entered into a new
Senior Secured Credit Agreement with Credit Lyonnais, as agent, and other
financial institutions (the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement provides
for a $125 million term loan (the "Tranche A Term Loan"), a $100 million term
loan (the "Tranche B Term Loan," and, together with the Tranche A Term Loan, the
"Term Loans") and a $150 million revolving credit and letter of credit facility
(the "Revolving Credit Facility"). Proceeds from the Term Loans and Revolving
Credit Facility were used to finance a portion of the purchase price of the
Acquisition.
-42-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
6. LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASES (CONTINUED)
Under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company can borrow, repay and re-borrow
from time to time up to $150 million in the aggregate. The Revolving Credit
Facility matures on October 28, 2003. The amount the Company may borrow under
the Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by the aggregate amount of any letters
of credit issued for the account of the Company. Amounts outstanding on the
Tranche A Term Loan and under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at the
Company's option at (i) a base rate, as defined, plus a margin of zero to 1.50%
depending on the Company's leverage ratio or (ii) a Eurodollar rate, which is
the reserve-adjusted New York interbank offered rate, plus a margin of 0.75% to
2.75% depending on the Company's leverage ratio. The applicable margins for
amounts outstanding on the Tranche B Term Loan are (i) for base rate loans,
either 1.50% or 2.00% depending on the Company's leverage ratio and (ii) for
Eurodollar rate loans, 2.75% or 3.25% depending on the Company's leverage ratio.
The weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 1998 was 7.07%. A commitment
fee of .375% to .50% per annum, depending on the Company's leverage ratio, on
the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility is due quarterly.
The Tranche A Term loan is scheduled to be repaid in quarterly installments over
five years and the Tranche B Term loan is scheduled to be repaid in quarterly
installments over seven years. The Company is required to prepay amounts
outstanding under the Credit Agreement out of the excess cash flow of the
Company. Prepayments will be applied first to the Term Loans, pro rata, then to
amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and finally as cash
collateral against outstanding letters of credit. So long as any amounts remain
outstanding under the Tranche A Term Loan, lenders under the Tranche B Term Loan
may elect not to have their portion of the Tranche B Term Loan prepaid until the
Tranche A Term Loan is paid in full.
The Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by all of the
assets of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries and by a pledge of the
capital stock of certain subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement also contains
covenants restricting the ability of the Company to, among other things, make
certain restricted payments, including dividends, create liens, guarantee
indebtedness or enter into transactions with affiliates. The Company is also
subject to certain financial tests relating to, among other things, its minimum
consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
("EBITDA"); consolidated leverage ratio; interest coverage ratio and fixed
charge coverage ratio. At December 31, 1998, the Company was in violation of the
minimum EBITDA financial test.
Subsequent to December 31, 1998, the Company entered into the First Amendment to
Credit Agreement and Limited Waiver (the "Amendment") which, among other things,
waived the event of default which resulted from the Company not complying with
the minimum EBITDA financial test, revised the financial tests for 1999 and
subsequent periods, adjusted the applicable margins to those indicated above,
and will restrict payments of dividends on the Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock for a period through at least the first quarter of 2000, as specified in
the Amendment.
-43-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
6. LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASES (CONTINUED)
Scheduled principal repayments on long-term debt for the next five years and
thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
1999 $ 13,155
2000 19,268
2001 29,173
2002 37,514
2003 112,912
Thereafter 83,925
---------------
$ 295,947
===============
7. OPERATING LEASES
The Company leases certain equipment under operating leases which contain
renewal options and escalation clauses in some cases. Rental expense under these
leases amounted to approximately $460,000, $460,000 and $1,290,000 for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The following amounts
represent future minimum payments under operating leases with initial or
remaining noncancelable terms extending beyond one year (in thousands):
1999 $ 3,930
2000 2,832
2001 1,348
2002 575
2003 147
-44-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
8. RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company provides defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans to
employees. The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan
assets, and funded status of the plans:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OTHER
PENSION BENEFITS POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
1997 1998 1997 1998
---------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION
Benefit obligation at beginning
of year $ 35,203 $ 41,174 $ 5,494 $ 5,506
Benefit obligations of businesses acquired -- 291,026 -- 191,825
Service cost 1,459 3,179 65 491
Interest cost 2,577 6,107 365 2,383
Plan participants' contributions -- -- 115 129
Effect of amendments -- -- -- (663)
Actuarial loss (gain) 4,082 3,238 (214) 53
Benefits paid (2,054) (5,901) (319) (1,844)
Currency translation -- (634) -- --
Amendments (93) 337 -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------
Benefit obligation at end of year 41,174 338,526 5,506 197,880
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of
year 30,910 39,475 -- --
Assets of businesses acquired -- 296,453 -- --
Actual return on plan assets 8,837 25,432 -- --
Employer contribution 1,782 918 -- --
Benefits paid (2,054) (5,901) -- --
Currency translation -- (683) -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 39,475 355,694 -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status (1,699) 17,168 (5,506) (197,880)
Unrecognized transition obligation -- -- 3,343 2,554
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain) 769 (13,226) (441) (484)
Unrecognized prior service cost (1,254) (764) 133 62
---------------------------------------------------------------
Net amount recognized $ (2,184) $ 3,178 $ (2,471) $(195,748)
================================================================
</TABLE>
-45-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
8. RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OTHER
PENSION BENEFITS POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
1997 1998 1997 1998
-----------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
AMOUNTS RECOGNIZED IN THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL
POSITION CONSIST OF:
Accrued benefit liability:
Other assets $ - $ 5,469 $ - $ -
Accrued liabilities (76) (4,969) - (7,000)
Postretirement benefits obligation - - (2,471) (188,748)
Other long-term liabilities (3,073) - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------
(3,149) 500 (2,471) (195,748)
Intangible asset 165 144 - -
Accumulated other comprehensive income 496 1,571 - -
Deferred tax effect of equity charge 304 963 - -
-----------------------------------------------------------
Net amount recognized $ (2,184) $ 3,178 $ (2,471) $(195,748)
===========================================================
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS AS OF DECEMBER 31
Discount rate 7.5% 6.5% 7.0% 6.5%
Expected return on plan assets 9.0% 9.0% n/a n/a
Rate of compensation increase 5.0% 3.5% - 5.5% n/a n/a
</TABLE>
The aggregate accumulated benefit obligation and aggregate fair value of plan
assets for the pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of
plan assets were $52,808,000 and $37,839,000, respectively, as of December 31,
1998, and $20,377,000 and $18,871,000, respectively, as of December 31, 1997.
The aggregate projected benefit obligation and aggregate fair value of plan
assets for the pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of
plan assets were $58,260,000 and $41,564,000, respectively, as of December 31,
1998. As of December 1997, all plans had projected benefit obligations in excess
of plan assets.
The unrecognized transition obligation is being amortized on a straight-line
basis over 20 years. Unrecognized gains and losses are amortized on a
straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of active
participants.
-46-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
8. RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)
Net periodic benefit cost included the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
1996 1997 1998
---------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
PENSION BENEFITS:
Service cost - benefits earned
during the period $ 1,193 $ 1,459 $ 3,179
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 2,406 2,577 6,107
Expected return on plan assets (2,395) (2,749) (7,947)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost (99) (181) (152)
---------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 1,105 $ 1,106 $ 1,187
=========================================================
OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS:
Service cost - benefits earned
during the period $ 67 $ 65 $ 491
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 387 365 2,383
Amortization of unrecognized portion of net obligation at
transition 228 223 183
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost 65 20 15
Recognized actuarial loss (2) (25) (23)
---------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost $ 745 $ 648 $ 3,049
=========================================================
</TABLE>
For measuring the postretirement benefit obligation, a 9.0% annual rate of
increase in the net medical claims cost was assumed. The rate was assumed to
decrease gradually to 5.5% in 2005 and remain at that level thereafter. Assumed
medical claims cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts
reported for the health care plans. A one percentage point change in assumed
health care cost trend rates would have the following effect:
ONE PERCENTAGE ONE PERCENTAGE
POINT INCREASE POINT DECREASE
-------------- --------------
(In thousands)
Effect on total of service and
interest cost components $ 290 $ (283)
Effect on postretirement
benefit obligation 19,105 (18,471)
-47-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
8. RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)
The Company also sponsors a number of defined contribution plans covering
substantially all employees. Participants may elect to contribute basic
contributions. The Company may make discretionary matching contributions, as
well as additional discretionary contributions. The Company recorded a charge
for such contributions of approximately $220,000, $290,000 and $760,000 in 1996,
1997 and 1998, respectively.
9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company and an affiliate share common insurance coverage for product
liability related to the aircraft and space industries, contingent liabilities
and excess liabilities greater than $10 million but less than $50 million. The
Company is charged a pro rata premium based on the net sales of the covered
parties. The Company was charged $212,000, $200,000 and $204,000 for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
During 1997, the Company and one of its shareholders entered into a Managerial
Assistance Agreement, whereby the shareholder provides the Company with
information and advice regarding the management of its existing business and the
expansion of the Company's business into new products and markets. Under the
agreement, which is cancellable upon 30 days written notice, the Company is
required to pay the shareholder a pre-established monthly fee and to reimburse
the shareholder for expenses. The Company was charged $360,000 in connection
with this agreement during both 1997 and 1998.
10. INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases
of existing assets and liabilities by applying enacted statutory rates
applicable to future years to the differences. The effect of a change in tax
rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company
has not recognized a deferred tax liability for the undistributed earnings of
its foreign subsidiaries and affiliated joint venture as the Company does not
currently expect those unremitted earnings to reverse and become taxable in the
foreseeable future. A deferred tax liability will be recognized when the Company
expects that it will recover those undistributed earnings in a taxable manner.
As of December 31, 1998, the undistributed earnings of the foreign subsidiaries
and affiliated joint venture were approximately $900,000, all of which were
generated during 1998.
-48-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
10. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The components of income before income taxes are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
1996 1997 1998
--------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Domestic $ 18,985 $ 36,521 $ 13,967
Foreign - - 891
--------------------------------------------------
$ 18,985 $ 36,521 $ 14,858
==================================================
Income tax (benefit) expense consists of the following:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
1996 1997 1998
----------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Current:
Federal $ 3,793 $ 11,665 $ 4,856
State 182 1,270 271
Foreign - - 784
--------------------------------------------------
3,975 12,935 5,911
Deferred:
Domestic $ (4,071) $ 584 $ (845)
Foreign - - (48)
--------------------------------------------------
Deferred (4,071) 584 (893)
--------------------------------------------------
$ (96) $ 13,519 $5,018
==================================================
</TABLE>
-49-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
10. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
Income tax (benefit) expense differs from the amount computed by applying the
statutory income tax rate as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
1996 1997 1998
--------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income before income taxes at 35% $ 6,645 $ 12,782 $ 5,200
Permanent income tax disallowances 59 64 116
State taxes, net of federal effect 118 1,321 197
Benefit of foreign sales corporation - (700) (653)
Taxes on foreign income in excess of Federal rate - - 62
Benefit of net operating loss carryforwards previously
reserved (1,122) - -
Benefit of Federal AMT and other credit carryforwards
previously reserved (1,997) - -
Elimination of valuation allowance (3,735) - -
Other (64) 52 96
--------------------------------------------------
$ (96) $ 13,519 $ 5,018
==================================================
</TABLE>
Deferred tax liabilities and assets recorded in the Company's balance sheets
consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31
1997 1998
----------------------------------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment $ (1,743) $ (70,852)
Inventory - (7,360)
Other (64) (4,084)
---------------------------------------
Gross deferred tax liabilities (1,807) (82,296)
Deferred tax assets:
Employee retirement plans $ 1,896 $ 75,447
Accrued liabilities 3,087 18,454
New York State investment tax credit carryforward 365 1,016
Other 452 2,883
---------------------------------------
Gross deferred tax assets 5,800 97,800
---------------------------------------
Net deferred taxes $ 3,993 $ 15,504
=======================================
</TABLE>
-50-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
10. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recorded in the Company's balance sheets
as follows:
DECEMBER 31
1997 1998
--------------------------------
(In thousands)
Current deferred tax assets $ 2,375 $ 12,382
Long-term deferred tax assets 1,618 3,122
------------------------------
Net deferred taxes $ 3,993 $ 15,504
==============================
11. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FORWARD PURCHASE CONTRACTS
As part of its risk management strategy, the Company purchases forward contracts
to manage its exposure to changes in commodity prices, primarily nickel. The
contracts mature principally in 1999. At December 31, 1998, the Company had open
purchase contracts with a notional principal value of approximately $30,918,000.
The fair value of the material covered by these contracts, based on the December
31, 1998 price quoted on the London Metal Exchange, was approximately
$28,423,000. At December 31, 1998, substantially all of the forward contracts
were designated and were effective as hedges for firm price sales agreements the
Company had entered into. Unrealized gains and losses on these forward contracts
have been deferred. Unrealized losses on forward contracts not designated or
effective as hedges, totaling approximately $493,000, have been recognized in
income currently.
FORWARD CURRENCY AND CURRENCY OPTION CONTRACTS
Certain of the Company's purchase and sales are denominated in foreign
currencies. As part of its risk management strategy, the Company periodically
enters into forward currency and currency option contracts to manage its
exposure to changes in exchange rates. At December 31, 1998, the Company had the
following outstanding forward contracts to buy or sell currencies at the
following rates:
o Buy $4,056,000 at an average rate to pounds sterling of $1.67
o Buy $3,360,000 at an average rate to FF of $0.18
o Buy DM 10,200,000 at an average rate to pounds sterling of DM 2.82
o Buy JPY 81,292,000 at an average rate to USD of JPY 119.93
o Sell DM 11,128,000 at an average rate to pounds sterling of DM 2.88
o Sell DM 893,000 at an average rate to USD of DM 1.80
o Sell ITL 731,000,000 at an average rate to pounds sterling of ITL
2,736
o Sell $890,000 at an average rate to pounds sterling of $1.68
-51-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
11. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
FORWARD CURRENCY AND CURRENCY OPTION CONTRACTS (CONTINUED)
In addition, the Company had outstanding written call options, giving the buyer
the right, but not the obligation to purchase from the Company, the following:
o DM 11,400,000 at an average rate to pounds sterling of DM 2.73
o FF 3,600,000 at an average rate to pounds sterling of FF 9.81
o ITL 960,000,000 at an average rate to pounds sterling of ITL 2,898
Also, the Company had outstanding put options, giving it the right, but not the
obligation, to sell the following:
o DM 15,000,000 at an average rate to pounds sterling of DM 2.81
o FF 9,000,000 at an average rate to pounds sterling of FF 9.81
o ITL 2.4 billion at an average rate to pounds sterling of ITL 2,898
The fair value of forward currency and currency option contracts for any
individual currency and in the aggregate is not significant.
INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS
To manage its exposure to interest rate fluctuations, the Company has interest
rate swap agreements with a notional amount of $68,062,500 through September 15,
2003 based on LIBOR at 5.95% and $68,062,500 through September 15, 2003 based on
LIBOR at 5.76%. Under these agreements, the Company pays interest at fixed rates
based upon the established LIBOR rates plus the applicable margins set forth in
the Credit Agreement, and receives payments based upon the variable rates. Net
payments or receipts under the swap agreements are recorded as adjustments to
interest expense. The fair value of the swap agreements is a net liability of
approximately $1,300,000.
FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURE
The carrying amounts reported in the Company's balance sheets for cash and cash
equivalents approximate fair value. The carrying amounts reported in the
Company's balance sheets for long-term debt, including current portion,
approximate fair value, as the underlying long-term debt instrument is comprised
of notes that are repriced on a short-term basis. The fair values of the
Company's off-balance-sheet instruments are based on the settlement of the
agreements.
-52-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
12. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
In June 1997, SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information," was issued effective for fiscal years ended after December
15, 1998. The Company has adopted the statement for the year ended December 31,
1998.
The Company has identified three reportable business segments. The SMC Premium
Alloys segment consists of the pre-acquisition company, which manufactures and
distributes superalloy and other high-performance nickel-based alloy products,
principally to the aerospace industry. The Inco Alloys segments (North America
and Europe) consist of the recently acquired businesses, which manufacture and
distribute high-performance nickel-based alloy products to a wide range of
industries.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the
summary of significant accounting policies. All intersegment sales prices are
market based. The Company evaluates performance based on operating earnings of
the respective business units.
Segment information as of and for the year ended December 31, 1998 is as
follows. For 1996 and 1997, the Company consisted solely of the SMC Premium
Alloys segment.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCO
SMC ALLOYS INCO
PREMIUM NORTH ALLOYS
ALLOYS AMERICA EUROPE CORPORATE TOTAL
------ ------- ------ --------- -----
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1998
Sales to external customers $ 174,997 $ 50,253 $ 27,976 $ - $ 253,226
Intersegment sales 220 8,287 3,140 - 11,647
Operating income (loss) 26,346 (8,662) 1,428 (1,059) 18,053
Depreciation and amortization 4,562 2,233 541 886 8,222
Total assets 146,961 470,094 175,748 47,351 840,154
Capital expenditures 9,061 5,620 5,583 - 20,264
</TABLE>
-53-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
12. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
Financial information relating to the Company's operations by geographic area is
as follows:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
1996 1997 1998
-----------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
NET SALES
United States $ 117,463 $ 128,247 $ 165,457
France 20,851 29,902 23,788
Other 23,986 27,922 63,981
---------------------------------------------
$ 162,300 $ 186,071 $ 253,226
=============================================
LONG-LIVED ASSETS
United States $ 33,231 $ 39,727 $ 271,525
United Kingdom - - 33,587
Other - - 3,913
---------------------------------------------
$ 33,231 $ 39,727 $ 309,025
=============================================
13. STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES
Selected cash payments and noncash activities were as follows:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
1996 1997 1998
----------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest $ 5,616 $ 750 $ 1,166
Income taxes 4,198 12,570 11,483
Non-cash activities:
Intangible pension asset $ (10) $ 138 $ (21)
Accumulated pension adjustment (28) (201) 1,075
Deferred taxes 465 (161) 659
----------------------------------------------
Net accrued pension
liability $ 427 $ (224) $ 1,713
==============================================
During 1998, the Company financed $17,000,000 of the non-competition agreement
with the issuance of 340,000 shares of non-voting Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock.
-54-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
ENVIRONMENTAL
The Company is subject to loss contingencies pursuant to various federal, state
and local environmental laws, and is currently involved in several actions
regarding the clean-up of disposal sites alleged to contain hazardous and/or
toxic wastes generated over a number of years including the following.
The Company, with contribution from other parties, performed remedial actions at
a site in Clayville, New York (the "Ludlow Landfill"). Except for investigation
and remediation at an adjoining property known as the "North Gravel Pit," the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ("DEC") has advised the
Company that all work performed to date is acceptable. The Company is
responsible for operation and maintenance costs through 2027. The costs for this
are estimated to be approximately $90,000 per year. The total estimated costs of
approximately $2.6 million have been discounted at an annual rate of 4% in the
accompanying financial statements. The DEC may also seek post-excavation biota
monitoring, a procedure to assess the toxicity of water contamination. This
claim is not expected to be material. The Company may also be required to
perform contingent post-closure activities. It is not possible to determine
which, if any, of the contingent activities the Company will need to perform.
Contamination has also been discovered at the North Gravel Pit site. A study was
completed in 1997 to determine the extent of the contamination and to select an
appropriate remedial alternative. Based on this study, the Company has developed
a remediation plan for the site and is currently negotiating the plan with the
DEC. The Company anticipates that it will be responsible for operation and
maintenance costs for an extended period following the remediation. Based upon
information available, the Company estimates the total cost of remediation to be
$1.6 million. The Company has reserved a total of approximately $3.0 million
with respect to the Ludlow Landfill and North Gravel Pit.
The Company has also been identified as potentially responsible for
investigation and remediation of the Universal Waste Site, an allegedly
contaminated site in Utica, New York. The owners and operators of the Universal
Waste Site conducted a preliminary site assessment pursuant to a consent order
with the DEC, which also conducted a separate preliminary site assessment. The
Company believes that at least four other potentially responsible parties have
been identified with respect to the contamination at the site. The Company has
not been obligated to become involved in the investigation. Based upon the
limited information available to its environmental engineers, the Company has
established a reserve of $575,000. However, because of the preliminary nature of
the investigation, it is not possible, at this time, to provide a reasonable
estimate as to the ultimate cost of any investigative or remedial work which
will be required, or the Company's share, if any, of such costs.
-55-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
ENVIRONMENTAL (CONTINUED)
The Company's domestic IAI subsidiary (Inco Alloys International Inc., "IAII")
is a co-defendant in various consolidated and unconsolidated actions by
plaintiffs, including former employees of IAII and former employees of
contractors to IAII, alleging exposure to asbestos at the Company's Huntington,
West Virginia facility. Plaintiffs' counsel have also informed IAII that they
intend to add similar claims by additional plaintiffs. Insurance coverage may be
available for some of these proceedings. It is not possible at this time to
reasonably estimate the damages, if any, that the Company may be required to pay
with respect to these claims.
IAII is also a defendant in several actions by plaintiffs seeking damages for
alleged health problems resulting from exposure to manganese in welding
products, and one action in which the plaintiff alleges exposure to manganese
originating in wastewater from the Company's Huntington, West Virginia facility.
One case is scheduled for trial in May 1999 and the other cases are at various
stages of pleading and discovery. The Company does not believe that these
proceedings are likely to have a material adverse effect on the business,
financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company, but
there can be no assurance that this will be the case.
The Company is on notice of, and involved in, certain other environmental
matters which have been settled or are at various stages of discussion,
negotiation or settlement which the Company does not believe to be material.
Although the Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with
applicable requirements of environmental laws, there can be no assurance that
some, or all, of the risks noted previously will not result in liabilities that
are material to the Company's business, results of operations, financial
position, or cash flows.
OTHER
In March 1999, the Company received a subpoena from a federal grand jury
investigating possible violations of the federal antitrust laws in the nickel
industry. The Company intends to respond to the subpoena but cannot at this time
determine what further action may be taken by the grand jury or the United
States Justice Department's Antitrust Division, which is submitting evidence to
the grand jury.
From time to time, the Company is involved in legal proceedings relating to
claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. The
Company does not believe that it is a party to any proceedings at the present
time that could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial
condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
-56-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
15. CONCENTRATIONS
For the year ended December 31, 1996, sales made to the Company's three largest
customers represented approximately 18%, 13% and 11%, respectively, of the
Company's total sales. For the year ended December 31, 1997, sales made to the
Company's three largest customers represented approximately 21%, 11% and 10%,
respectively, of the Company's total sales. For the year ended December 31,
1998, sales made to the Company's largest customer represented approximately
16%, of the Company's total sales. These customers are principally from the SMC
Premium Alloys business segment. No other customers, in any year, represented
over 10% of the Company's total sales.
At December 31, 1997, accounts receivable from three customers represented
approximately 37% of total accounts receivable. No other customers accounted for
over 10% of the Company's total accounts receivable at December 31, 1997 and
1998.
Approximately 64% of the Company's employees are represented by nine separate
domestic and international collective bargaining agreements which terminate at
various times between April 1999 and February 2002. Approximately 29% of the
labor force is covered by collective bargaining agreements that will expire
within one year.
16. EQUITY APPRECIATION RIGHTS PLAN
The Company has an Equity Appreciation Rights Plan ("Rights Plan") which
provides for the grant of rights to receive cash payments based on the
appreciation of the book value of the Company, as defined ("Rights"). Rights may
generally be exercised from the fifth anniversary of the date of grant through
the tenth anniversary of the date of grant, or earlier in the event of a change
in control, termination without cause, retirement, death or disability. Rights
are forfeited in the event the holder is terminated by the Company for cause, as
defined. Each Right is based on the total book value of the Company at the date
of grant, divided by 10,000,000 and appreciation is calculated using aggregate
after tax profits after the date of grant. At December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998,
50,000 Rights were outstanding, of which 20,000, 30,000 and 50,000,
respectively, were currently exercisable. As of December 31, 1998, the Company
had accrued $250,000 for amounts earned under the Rights Plan.
-57-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
17. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per
share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
---- ---- ----
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Numerator:
Net income $ 19,081 $ 23,002 9,840
Preferred stock dividends - - 1,071
---------------------------------------------------------
Numerator for basic earnings per share - income
available to common shareholders 19,081 23,002 8,769
Effect of dilutive securities - preferred stock
dividends - - -
---------------------------------------------------------
Numerator for diluted earnings per share - income
available to common shareholders after assumed
conversions $ 19,081 $ 23,002 $ 9,840
=========================================================
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share -
weighted-average shares outstanding 12,400 15,004 15,479
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options - 12 -
Preferred stock - - -
---------------------------------------------------------
Denominator for diluted earnings per
share - adjusted weighted-average shares 12,400 15,016 15,479
=========================================================
Basic earnings per share $ 1.54 $ 1.53 $ 0.57
=========================================================
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.54 $ 1.53 $ 0.57
=========================================================
</TABLE>
Potential common shares resulting from stock options and convertible preferred
stock at December 31, 1998 were excluded from the calculation of diluted
earnings per share for 1998 because their inclusion would have had an
antidilutive effect on earnings per share.
-58-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
18. PREFERRED STOCK
In connection with the Acquisition, the Company issued non-voting Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock with an aggregate fair value of $97 million
(1,940,000 shares). The Company received cash proceeds of $80 million, which
were used to finance a portion of the Acquisition, and the remaining $17 million
fair value was issued as partial consideration for the non-competition
agreement. The Series A Preferred Stock has a par value of $0.01 per share and a
liquidation preference of $50 per share. The preferred stock accrues cumulative
dividends at the rate of 6.625% per annum, payable quarterly, and is convertible
into common stock at a conversion price of $16.50 per share. A total of
5,878,788 shares of common stock have been reserved for future issuance upon
conversion of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. The preferred stock is
mandatorily redeemable after seven and one-half years and is subject to optional
redemption by the Company commencing October 28, 2001 at a redemption price of
103.975% of the liquidation amount plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. The
redemption price declines incrementally on each subsequent October 28 until
October 28, 2006 after which the redemption price is 100% of the liquidation
amount plus accumulated and unpaid dividends.
19. CAPITAL STOCK
Effective February 26, 1997, the Company sold 3,075,000 shares of its common
stock at $16.50 per share in an initial public offering. Proceeds from the
offering, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other related
expenses totaling approximately $4.8 million, were approximately $46.0 million.
The proceeds were used primarily to reduce the Company's outstanding
indebtedness.
20. STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK
During the quarter ended March 31, 1997, the Company adopted the Special Metals
Corporation 1997 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (the "Stock Incentive Plan"). In
connection with the Stock Incentive Plan, 800,000 shares of the Company's common
stock were reserved for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock, performance awards, and other stock-based awards to certain
key employees and certain directors. During 1997 and 1998, the Company granted
options at an exercise price equal to the market value on the respective grant
date. The 1997 options become exercisable at a rate of 50% on the second
anniversary of the date of grant, 25% on the third anniversary of the date of
grant, and 25% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. The 1998 options
become exercisable ratably over a 3 year period. The options expire 10 years
from the date of grant. No awards shall be granted under the Stock Incentive
Plan after December 31, 2007.
-59-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
20. STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK (CONTINUED)
A summary of stock option activity and related information for the years ended
December 31, 1997 and 1998 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted- Weighted-
Average Average
Exercise Exercise
Options Price Options Price
------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding - beginning of year - $ - 295,500 $ 16.50
Granted 295,500 16.50 117,500 15.74
------------- -------------
Outstanding - end of year 295,500 $ 16.50 413,000 $ 16.28
============= =============
Exercisable at end of year - -
============= =============
Weighted-average fair value of options
granted during the year $ 7.62 $ 9.15
============= =============
</TABLE>
The range of exercise prices at December 31, 1998 is $8.25 - $16.75. The
weighted-average remaining contractual life of the options at December 31, 1998
is 8.5 years.
The Company has chosen to continue to account for stock-based compensation using
the intrinsic value based method of accounting as prescribed by APB 25. Under
APB 25, because the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options
equals the market price of the underlying stock on the grant date, no
compensation cost is recognized. SFAS 123 requires companies that do not adopt
the new fair value accounting rules to disclose pro forma net income and
earnings per share under the new method. The fair value of each option on the
date of grant was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option
pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for 1998: risk
free interest rate of 6%, dividend yield of 0%, volatility factor of the
expected market price of the Company's common stock of 0.544, and a
weighted-average expected life of the option of 6 years. If the fair value based
method accounting provisions of SFAS 123 had been adopted at the beginning of
1997, net income and earnings per share (both basic and diluted) would have been
$22,697,000 and $1.51, respectively for 1997 and $9,345,000 and $0.53,
respectively, for 1998. The effects of applying SFAS 123 for providing pro forma
disclosures are not likely to be representative of the effects on reported net
income for future years.
During 1997, the Company awarded 4,000 shares of restricted stock to two
executive officers under the Stock Incentive Plan. A total of 2,000 shares
vested immediately at the date of grant, and the remaining 2,000 shares vested
during 1998. The weighted-average fair value of the shares that vested during
1998 was $16.75 per share. The weighted-average fair value of the shares that
vested during 1997 was $18.00 per share.
-60-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
21. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related tax, is
as follows:
DECEMBER 31
1997 1998
--------------------------------
(In thousands)
Minimum pension liability adjustment $ (496) $ (1,571)
Currency translation adjustment - (340)
--------------------------------
$ (496) $ (1,911)
================================
22. EFFECT OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No.
133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No.
133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments,
including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for
hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as
either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure
those instruments at fair value. The intended use of the derivative and its
designation as either (1) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value
of a recognized asset or liability or a firm commitment (a fair value hedge),
(2) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction
(a cash flow hedge), or (3) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net
investment in a foreign operation (a foreign currency hedge), will determine
when the gains or losses on the derivatives are to be reported in earnings and
when they are to be reported as a component of other comprehensive income. The
new standard must be adopted for year 2000 financial reporting. The impact of
compliance with SFAS No. 133 has not yet been determined by the Company.
In March 1998, the AICPA issued SOP 98-1, "Accounting For the Costs of Computer
Software Developed For or Obtained For Internal Use." The Company plans to adopt
the SOP on January 1, 1999. The SOP requires the capitalization of certain costs
incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use.
The Company does not expect that the effect of adopting the new SOP will be
material.
-61-
<PAGE>
Special Metals Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
23. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years
ended December 31, 1998 and 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL QUARTER
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH
----- ------ ----- ------
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 49,191 $ 43,852 $ 41,645 $ 118,538
Gross profit 11,678 8,814 7,820 5,804
Net income (loss) 6,335 4,611 4,089 (5,195)
Net income (loss) attributable to common
shareholders 6,335 4,611 4,089 (6,266)
Earnings per common share, basic and assuming
dilution 0.41 0.30 0.26 (0.40)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997:
Net sales $ 47,424 $ 46,780 $ 44,168 $ 47,700
Gross profit 11,395 11,071 10,559 11,017
Net income 5,597 6,084 5,625 5,696
Earnings per common share,
basic and assuming dilution 0.41 0.39 0.36 0.37
</TABLE>
-62-
<PAGE>
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Dollars in Thousands
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additions
---------
Balance at Charged to Balance
Beginning Charged to Other at End of
Description of Period Expense Accounts Deductions Period
- ----------- --------- ------- -------- ---------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended December 31, 1998:
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 168 $ 8 $ 3,358(a) $ 355(b) $ 3,179
Allowance for obsolescence 1,297 674 - 220(c) 1,751
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 1,465 $ 682 $ 3,358 $ 575 $ 4,930
==========================================================================
Year ended December 31, 1997:
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 120 $ 48 $ - $ - $ 168
Allowance for obsolescence 1,110 261 - 74(c) 1,297
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 1,230 $ 309 $ - $ 74 $ 1,465
==========================================================================
Year ended December 31, 1996:
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 100 $ 69 $ - $ 49(b) $ 120
Allowance for obsolescence 969 350 - 209(c) 1,110
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 1,069 $ 419 $ - $ 258 $ 1,230
==========================================================================
</TABLE>
(a) Valuation allowances of businesses acquired.
(b) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.
(c) Obsolete inventory disposals, physical inventory adjustments, and
adjustments for material reclaimed or ultimately sold.
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
-63-
<PAGE>
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information regarding Directors and Executive Officers of the
Company will be included in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to April 30, 1999.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information regarding Executive Compensation will be included in
the Company's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission prior to April 30, 1999.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information regarding Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management will be included in the Company's definitive Proxy
Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to April
30, 1999.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information regarding Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions will be included in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to April 30, 1999.
-64-
<PAGE>
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page in
Form 10-K
---------
<S> <C>
(a) The following are filed as part of this report:
(1) Audited financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1997 and 30
1998, and for the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998.
(2) Financial statement schedule
II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 63
All other schedules have been omitted as the required information is
not applicable or the information is presented in the financial
statements or the notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits
</TABLE>
Exhibit No. Description
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 8, 1998, between Special
Metals Corporation and Inco Limited, Inco United States, Inc., Inco
Europe Limited and Inco S.A. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 10, 1998).
2.2 Letter Agreement, dated October 28, 1998, between Special Metals
Corporation, Special Metals S.A.R.L., IAII Acquisition Co., IACL
Acquisition Inc. and IAL Holdings Limited and Inco, Inco United States,
Inc., Inco Europe Limited, Inco S.A. and Inco Alloys International, Inc.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's current report on Form 8-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 1998).
3.1.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No.
333-18499)).
3.1.2 Certificate of Designations for Series A Preferred Stock, filed on
October 28, 1998, with the Secretary of State of Delaware (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 1998).
3.2 Amended and Restated By-Laws (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-18499)).
4.1 Agreement, dated October 28, 1998, among Special Metals Corporation, the
Lenders and Credit Lyonnais New York Branch as Issuing Bank and Agent
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's current report on Form 8-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 1998).
-65-
<PAGE>
4.2 Investment Agreement, dated as of July 8, 1998, among Special Metals
Corporation, TIMET and TMC (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 10, 1998).
4.3 Amendment to Investment Agreement, dated October 28, 1998, among Special
Metals Corporation, TIMET and TMC (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 12, 1998).
4.4 Investment Agreement, dated October 28, 1998, between Special Metals
Corporation and Inco (Incorporated by reference to the Company's current
report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
November 12, 1998).
4.5 Voting Agreement, dated October 28, 1998, among TIMET, TMC, Societe
Industrielle de Materiaux Avances, LWH Holding S.A. and Advanced
Materials Investments Holding S.A. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 12, 1998).
10.1 Form of Registration Rights Agreement among Special Metals Corporation,
SIMA, LWH and AMI (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-18499)).
10.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 28, 1998, between TIMET and
Special Metals Corporation (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on November 12, 1998).
10.3 Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 28, 1998, between Inco and
Special Metals Corporation (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission November 12, 1998).
10.4 Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement among the Company, SIMA, LWH
and AMI (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-18499)).
10.5 Amendment No. 1 to Stockholders Agreement dated as of March 1, 1998.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q filed August 11, 1998)
10.6 Technical Exchange Agreement between the Company and SIMA (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
No. 333-18499)).
10.7 Managerial Assistance Agreement between the Company and SIMA
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (File No. 333-18499)).
10.8 Lease Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1994 between the Oneida County
Development Agency and the Company (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-18499)).
10.9 Lease Extension and Modification Agreement, dated as of February 28,
1997, by and between the Oneida County Industrial Development Agency and
the Company (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997).
-66-
<PAGE>
10.10 Amended and Restated Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement, dated February
28, 1997, by and between the Oneida County Industrial Development Agency
and the Company (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997).
10.11 First Amendment to Amended and Restated Payment in Lieu of Taxes
Agreement, dated January 22, 1998, by and between the Oneida County
Industrial Development Agency and the Company (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 12, 1998).
10.12 Lease, dated as of November 1, 1990 between the County of Chautauqua
Industrial Development Agency and the Company (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No.
333-18499)).
10.13 Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement, dated as of November 1, 1990 between
the Company and the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (File No. 333-18499)).
10.14 Amended and Restated Lease Agreement, dated as of September 1, 1990
between the City of Princeton, Kentucky and the Company (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
333-18499)).
10.15 Special Metals Corporation Equity Appreciation Rights Plan (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
No. 333-18499)).
10.16 Special Metals Corporation Supplemental Retirement Income Plan
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (File 333-18499)).
10.17 Special Metals Corporation 1997 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, together
with Form of Stock Option Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-18499)).
10.18 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated December 30, 1994,
between the Company and Donald R. Muzyka (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-18499)).
10.19 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated December 30, 1994,
between the Company and Robert F. Dropkin (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-18499)).
10.20 Employment Agreement, dated January 4, 1988, between the Company and
Gernant E. Maurer, as amended (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-18499)).
10.21 Employment Agreement, dated December 30, 1994, between the Company and
Donald C. Darling (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-18499)).
10.22 Severance Agreement, dated December 30, 1994, between the Company and
T.E. MacDonald (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File 333-18499)).
-67-
<PAGE>
10.23 Noncompetition Agreement, dated as of October 28, 1998, between Inco and
Special Metals Corporation (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on November 12, 1998).
10.24 Agreement in Principle, dated July 8, 1998 between Special Metals
Corporation and TMC (Incorporated by reference to the Company's current
report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
July 10, 1998).
21.1 * Subsidiaries of the Company
23.1 * Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
27.1 * Financial Data Schedule
- ------------------
* Filed herewith.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
The Company filed a report on Form 8-K dated November 12, 1998
in connection with its acquisition of Inco Alloys International (IAI), a
business unit of Inco Limited.
(c) Exhibits
All exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are included
in Item 14(a)(3).
-68-
<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 on March 29, 1999.
By: /s/ Donald R. Muzyka
--------------------
Donald R. Muzyka, President and
Chief Executive Officer
-69-
<PAGE>
BE IT KNOWN TO ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Donald C. Darling and Donald R. Muzyka
such person's true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and revocation, for such person and in such person's name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments to this
report filed pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Act of 1934, as amended, and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto, and the other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes
as such persons might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorney-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Robert D. Halverstadt Chairman of the Board March 29, 1999
- -------------------------
Robert D. Halverstadt
/s/ Donald R. Muzyka President, Chief Executive Officer and March 30, 1999
- -------------------- Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Donald R. Muzyka
/s/ Donald C. Darling Chief Financial Officer and Director March 29, 1999
- --------------------- (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Donald C. Darling
/s/ Robert F. Dropkin Director March 30, 1999
- ---------------------
Robert F. Dropkin
/s/ Edouard Duval Director March 30, 1999
- -----------------
Edouard Duval
/s/ Antoine G. Treuille Director March 29, 1999
- -----------------------
Antoine G. Treuille
/s/ Raymond F. Decker Director March 29, 1999
- ---------------------
Raymond F. Decker
/s/ Andrew R. Dixey Director March 31, 1999
- -------------------
Andrew R. Dixey
</TABLE>
-70-
EXHIBIT 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
The following table sets forth the subsidiaries of the Registrant and
the respective jurisdictions under which they were organized. Indirect
subsidiaries are included beneath the respective direct subsidiaries through
which they are owned.
Subsidiary Name Jurisdiction
- --------------- ------------
Udimet Special Metals Ltd. United Kingdom
Special Metals Foreign Sales Corporation Barbados
Inco Alloys International, Inc. Delaware
Daido Inco Alloys Co., Ltd. (1) Japan
Inco Alloys Services (Pacific) PTE LTD Singapore
Inco Alloys Foreign Sales (1991) Corp. Barbados
A-1 Wire Tech, Inc. Illinois
Valinco NSSS Metal Products (2) Delaware
IAL Holdings Limited United Kingdom
Inco Alloys International Limited United Kingdom
Inco Alloys Limited United Kingdom
Inco Alloys International Services Ltd. United Kingdom
Wiggin Alloy Products Limited United Kingdom
Inco Alloys Services SpA Italy
Inco Alloys Trustees Ltd. United Kingdom
Gerard de Bruyn BV Netherlands
Greengrove Welding Wires Limited United Kingdom
Inco Alloys Services SA France
Incotherm LTD United Kingdom
Special Metals SARL France
Rescal, S.A. France
Inco Alloys Canada Ltd. Canada
Spectech Alloys Limited Ontario
- --------------------------------------------
(1) A joint venture, 50% owned by the Registrant
(2) A joint venture, 49% owned by the Registrant
-71-
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-26067) pertaining to the Special Metals Corporation
1997 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan of our report dated February 22, 1999,
except for Note 6, as to which the date is March 31, 1999, with respect to the
financial statements and schedule of Special Metals Corporation included in this
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1998.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
- ---------------------
Buffalo, New York
March 31, 1999
-72-
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Financial Statements contained in the Report to which this schedule
relates and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001028965
<NAME> SPECIAL METALS CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<CASH> 39,974
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 133,875
<ALLOWANCES> (3,179)
<INVENTORY> 271,812
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 466,411
<PP&E> 356,012
<DEPRECIATION> (46,987)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 840,154
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 142,647
<BONDS> 282,792
98,071
0
<COMMON> 155
<OTHER-SE> 111,204
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 840,154
<SALES> 253,226
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 253,226
<CGS> 219,110
<TOTAL-COSTS> 219,110
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,109
<INCOME-PRETAX> 14,858
<INCOME-TAX> 5,018
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,840
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 9,840
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0.57
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.57
</TABLE>
