FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS INC
10-Q, 1997-04-30
FABRICATED STRUCTURAL METAL PRODUCTS
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<PAGE>
                                    FORM 10-Q
                                        
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC  20549
                                        
[X]           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                        
                                       OR
                                        
[  ]         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                        
                  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997
                                        
                        Commission file number:  1-13419

                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
                                     
                   Delaware                           36-3931893
        (State or Other Jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. Employer
        Incorporation or Organization)            Identification No.)
                                        
                                        
                            TWO NORTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA
                             CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606
                     (Address of Principal Executive Office)
                                        
                                 (312) 906-9700
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                        
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, and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
                              Yes   X   No       
                                        
                                        
                      APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
                                        
                                        
                                        
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

             20,048,275 shares of Common Stock as of April 18, 1997
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                        
<PAGE>
                                        
                                        
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                                    FORM 10-Q
                                 MARCH 31, 1997
                                      INDEX


PART I.  Financial Information:                           

Item 1.  Financial Statements

         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets                  

         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income            

         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows        

         Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements   

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

PART II. Other Information:

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K      
<PAGE>
                 FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                        
                                                    MARCH 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                      1997          1996
                                                   (UNAUDITED)            
                   ASSETS                                          

Current assets:                                                    
  Cash and cash equivalents                       $   1.3        $   3.9
  Accounts receivable, net                            --             --
  Inventories, net                                   85.7           76.2
  Other current assets                               47.2           15.6
  Total current assets                              134.2           95.7
                                                                   
Property, plant and equipment, net                   96.8           97.4
Goodwill                                             58.5           59.1
Other assets                                          9.1            9.5
  Total assets                                    $ 298.6        $ 261.7
                                                                   
                                                                   
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                           

Current liabilities:                                               
  Current portion long-term debt                  $  15.2        $  15.2
  Accounts payable                                   49.7           50.1
  Accrued liabilities                                30.4           30.9
  Total current liabilities                          95.3           96.2
                                                                   
Long-term debt                                      140.3          109.1
Accrued employee benefit obligations                  9.0            8.7
Other long-term liabilities                          20.0           19.8
  Total liabilities                                 264.6          233.8
                                                                   
Stockholders' equity:                                              
  Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per                             
     share, 10,000,000 shares authorized,                          
     none issued and outstanding                      --             --
  Class A stock, par value $.01 per share,                         
     30,000,000 shares authorized,                                 
     20,048,275 issued and outstanding at                          
     March 31, 1997, 20,070,500 issued and                         
     outstanding at December 31, 1996                 0.2            0.2
  Additional paid-in capital                         18.0           18.0
  Retained earnings                                  18.9           12.8
  Pension liability adjustment                       (0.5)          (0.5)
  Unearned compensation                              (0.3)          (0.4)
  Notes receivable arising from stock                              
    purchase plan                                    (2.0)          (2.2)
  Common stock in treasury, at cost                                
    (22,225 shares in 1997)                          (0.3)           --
  Total stockholders' equity                         34.0           27.9
                                                                   
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity        $ 298.6        $ 261.7
                                        
                 The accompanying notes are an integral part of
               these condensed consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
                                        
                 FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                   (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                        
                                        
                                          QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,
                                             1997           1996
                                        
                                                        
Net sales                                  $ 160.2        $ 144.4
Cost of sales                                133.4          119.1
                                                        
  Gross earnings                              26.8           25.3
                                                        
Selling and administrative expenses           13.1           12.8
Securitization expense                         0.9            0.9
  Operating income                            12.8           11.6
                                                        
Net interest expense                           2.8            2.8
                                                        
Income before income taxes                    10.0            8.8
                                                        
Provision for income taxes                     3.9            3.4
                                                        
Net income                                  $  6.1         $  5.4
                                                        
Net income per common share                 $ 0.31        $  0.27
                                                        
Average shares outstanding               20,048,275     20,070,500
                                        
                                        
                                        
                 The accompanying notes are an integral part of
               these condensed consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
                                        
                 FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                              (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                        

                                                         Quarter Ended         
                                                            March 31,
                                                      1997            1996
                                        
                                                                              
                                        
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                                        
 Net income                                           $  6.1         $  5.4
 Adjustments to reconcile net income
   to net cash from operations:
  Depreciation                                           3.4            3.4
  Amortization                                           0.7            0.6
  Cash effect of changes in working 
   capital, accrued employee benefit obligations,
   and other long-term liabilities                     (41.0)          (7.5)
  Net cash (used in) from operating activities         (30.8)           1.9
                                                                               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                           
 Capital expenditures                                   (3.0)          (4.5)
 Purchase of business                                     --          (18.8)
 Other                                                   0.2            1.1
  Net cash flow used in investing activities            (2.8)         (22.2)
                                                                                
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                           
 Net borrowings under credit facility                   31.2           21.4
 Other                                                  (0.2)           --
  Net cash flow from financing activities               31.0           21.4
                                                                               
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                     (2.6)           1.1
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD           3.9            1.1
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD              $  1.3         $  2.2
                                        
                                        
                                        
                 The accompanying notes are an integral part of
               these condensed consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
                 FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 MARCH 31, 1997
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                        
                                        
(1)  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

     The  accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
     Statements   of   Falcon  Building   Products,   Inc.   (the
     "Company"),  a  subsidiary of Equity  Holdings  Limited,  an
     Illinois limited partnership ("EHL"), have been prepared  in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for
     interim  financial information.  Accordingly,  they  do  not
     include  all  of the information and footnotes  required  by
     generally accepted accounting principles for a complete  set
     of  financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all
     adjustments considered necessary, consisting only of  normal
     recurring  adjustments, are included for fair  presentation.
     Operating results for the quarter ended March 31,  1997  are
     not  necessarily indicative of results that may be  expected
     for  the  full  year.  The unaudited Condensed  Consolidated
     Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with  the
     audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for
     the year ended December 31, 1996.

(2)  INVENTORIES

     Inventory consists of the following (in millions):

                                         March 31,     December 31,   
                                           1997            1996
                                               
          Raw materials and supplies    $  31.2       $   30.9
          Work in process                  13.0           12.7
          Finished goods                   41.5           32.6
                                        $  85.7       $   76.2

(3)  LONG-TERM DEBT

     Long-term debt consists of the following (in millions):

                                    March 31,    December 31,
                                      1997          1996
                                              
            Bank Credit Facility              
              Revolver              $  74.0       $  39.0
              Term                     78.7          82.5
              Total                   152.7         121.5
            Other                       2.8           2.8
            Less:  Current Portion    (15.2)        (15.2)  
              Total long-term       $ 140.3       $ 109.1

     At  March  31, 1997, the Company was in compliance with  all
     covenants  of the Bank Credit Facility.  Availability  under
     the revolving portion of this facility was $63.5 million  at
     March 31, 1997.

(4)  COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES

     In  May  1994, Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada ("ULC")
     suspended  its  recognition of high temperature  plastic  venting
     ("HTPV")  for  gas appliances systems, including  the  Ultravent
     product  distributed by the Company.  This action  resulted  from
     reports  of  problems  with  high  temperature  plastic  venting,
     including  improper  installation,  cracking,  inadequate   joint
     adhesion,  and  related safety hazards, including  potential  for
     carbon  monoxide emission.  In June 1994, as a result of the  ULC
     action, the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations
     ("MCCR")  suspended  sales of HTPV in the  Province  of  Ontario.
     Other provinces of Canada have taken similar action.  Pursuant to
     an MCCR order, appliance systems in Ontario with HTPV have  been
     corrected.   Most gas appliance manufacturers in Canada  and  the
     United States no longer certify HTPV for use with their products.
     As  a  result,  the Company has discontinued sales  of  its  high
     temperature plastic vent product.

     The Company is a defendant in a suit in Canada that has been
     filed   against   24  entities  representing  heating   appliance
     manufacturers,  plastic  vent  manufacturers  and   distributors,
     public utilities and listing agencies brought by the Ontario  New
     Home  Warranty  Program, which is responsible  for  the  cost  of
     correcting appliances equipped with HTPV in new home construction
     in Ontario.  This suit seeks damages of Cdn $125 million from all
     of  the defendants.  The Company is also a defendant in two cases
     brought  by  appliance  manufacturers.  In  a  lawsuit  filed  by
     Goodman  Manufacturing Company ("Goodman") in Texas, the  Company
     has  been  sued along with two other defendants for reimbursement
     of  costs associated with its corrective action program.  In  the
     other  lawsuit,  the Company and two other defendants  have  been
     sued  in  Massachusetts by five furnace manufacturers  which  are
     seeking damages and declaratory relief for costs expected  to  be
     incurred  as  a  result  of  corrective  action  programs  to  be
     conducted  in connection with furnace systems vented  with  HTPV.
     The Company has filed and served its own legal action in Michigan
     against  Goodman, the five furnace manufacturers that have  filed
     suit   against  the  Company  in  Massachusetts,  and  all  other
     identifiable appliance manufacturers that certified HTPV for  use
     with  their  appliance  systems.  In that suit,  the  Company  is
     seeking damages for costs it has incurred and declaratory  relief
     for  costs that may be incurred in the future as a result of  the
     conduct  of appliance manufacturers that certified their products
     for  use  with HTPV.  The Company has also been named in a  class
     action lawsuit which has been filed in Tennessee, regarding  high
     temperature  plastic venting.  In that case,  the  Company  is  a
     defendant  along  with  its  principal  competitor  in  the  high
     temperature  plastic  vent business,  a  resin  supplier,  and  a
     furnace manufacturer that has been joined as a representative  of
     a defendant class of all appliance manufacturers.  The plaintiffs
     seek  damages on behalf of all persons in the United States  with
     appliance  systems that are vented with high temperature  plastic
     vent manufactured from the Ultem plastic resin.

      The  Company  is  engaged in ongoing discussions  with  the
      Consumer  Product  Safety  Commission  ("CPSC")  which  has  been
      advised of the ULC action and the actions taken by the MCCR.  The
      CPSC  continues to investigate HTPV and has met with all  of  the
      manufacturers   of  high  temperature  plastic   vents,   various
      appliance   manufacturers  and  other  entities  with   technical
      expertise.  CPSC concerns focus on the heating appliance  system,
      the  plastic resin used to manufacture the venting, and  improper
      installation.  While no definitive  action has been decided upon,
      the  Company  is aware that the CPSC is considering a  corrective
      action program involving plastic venting, and it is probable that
      in the near term the CPSC will mandate a corrective program which
      would  impact  heating  appliance  manufacturers,  plastic  resin
      manufacturers, and plastic venting manufacturers,  including  the
      Company.   Several appliance manufacturers have  announced  their
      intention  to  take  corrective action  regarding  gas  appliance
      systems  equipped  with plastic vent product.  Company  sales  of
      Ultravent products in the United States and Canada in  1995  and
      1996 were minimal.

      While it is impossible at this time to give a firm estimate
      of  the  ultimate  cost  to  the  Company,  management  currently
      believes that the after-tax cost to the Company of resolving  the
      Ultravent matter would range from a non-material amount to $20.0
      million,   after   considering   reimbursements   and   insurance
      recoveries.  With respect to this matter, the Company has filed a
      lawsuit  against its insurance carriers.  Although no  assurances
      can be given, the Company believes at this time that the ultimate
      resolution  of these matters will not have a material  effect  on
      the Company's financial condition, but may have a material effect
      on future results of operations in the period recognized.
                                
(5)  OTHER

     During  the  quarter,  the Company  entered  into  a  merger
     agreement with an affiliate of Investcorp SA ("Investcorp").
     Under the merger agreement, each current shareholder of the Company
     will have the right either to retain his/her shares of the Company,
     subject to proration, or receive $17.75 per share in cash.
     The agreement  was structured such that upon completion  of  the
     merger, Investcorp will own 88% of the equity of the Company
     while  existing shareholders will own 12%.  The merger is subject
     to certain regulatory approvals as well as approval by a majority of
     Falcon's shareholders at a special meeting to be held as soon as
     practicable.
<PAGE>
         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                    AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                
                                
     GENERAL

     Following  is  a discussion of the results of operations  of
     the Company and its subsidiaries for the quarter ended March
     31, 1997 as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 1996 and
     should   be   read   in  conjunction  with   the   Condensed
     Consolidated  Financial Statements included herein  and  the
     Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for  the  year  ended
     December 31, 1996.

     The   following  table  reflects  the  Company's  historical
     results of operations.

     QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,           1997                 1996
     (dollars in millions)                  % of                 % of
                                  Amount    Sales      Amount    Sales
                                                        
     Net sales                  $ 160.2    100.0%    $ 144. 4   100.0%
                                          
     Gross earnings                26.8     16.7        25.3     17.5
     Operating income              12.8      8.0        11.6      8.0
     Income before income taxes    10.0      6.2         8.8      6.1
     
     Net income                     6.1      3.8         5.4      3.7

     QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 COMPARED TO QUARTER ENDED MARCH
     31, 1996

     Sales  for the quarter of $160.2 million were $15.8  million
     or  10.9% higher than 1996.  This increase was primarily due
     to  significant  sales  growth in  power  washers  of  $11.3
     million,  as  well as increased volume in bathroom  fixtures
     and   air  power  products  totaling  $4.6  million.   These
     increases were partially offset by a decline in sales of air
     distribution products of $0.3 million.

     Gross  earnings of $26.8 million were $1.5 million  or  0.6%
     higher  than the comparable 1996 period.  This increase  was
     primarily due to increased volume, as well as minor  pricing
     gains.  Gross margin declined from 17.5% in 1996 to 16.7% in
     1997 as a result of lower margins realized on power washers.

     Operating  income increased from $11.6 million  in  1996  to
     $12.8  million in 1997.  This increase was primarily due  to
     increased  sales  volume and decreased  corporate  expenses,
     partially  offset  by  increased  operating  costs  at   the
     businesses.

     Income before income taxes of $10.0 million was $1.2 million
     higher  than  the comparable 1996 period due to the  factors
     mentioned above.

     The  effective  tax  rate was 38.4% in  both  periods.   Net
     income for the quarter was $6.1 million, an increase of $0.7
     from   the  $5.4  million  recorded  in  1996  due  to   the
     aforementioned reasons.

     LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     The  Company believes that it will meet its working  capital
     and  capital expenditure needs in 1997 through a combination
     of  operating cash flow, availability under its Bank  Credit
     Facility  and  through funds available through the  accounts
     receivable securitization program.

     Net cash flow used in operating activities was $30.8 million
     for  the quarter ended March 31, 1997, compared to a  source
     of  $1.9  million  for  the  comparable  1996  period.   The
     decrease of $32.7 million was primarily due to the effect of
     the  stand-alone  Falcon securitization   program  that  was
     entered into in May 1996.  In addition, operating cash  flow
     decreased  $3.9  million,  due to  an  increase  in  working
     capital requirements.
<PAGE>
         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
                                
                                
Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

     a)   Exhibits:

          None

     b)   Reports on Form 8-K

          Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 20, 1997 related
          to  the  execution of a merger agreement between Falcon
          and an affiliate of Investcorp SA.


                           SIGNATURES

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


                                   
                                        FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.


                                        By:  /s/ Sam A. Cottone
                                             ------------------

                                             Sam A. Cottone
                                             Senior Vice President and
                                             Chief Financial Officer



Dated:  April 30, 1997


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
MARCH 31, 1997 QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                               1
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                         86
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   134
<PP&E>                                             190
<DEPRECIATION>                                    (93)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     299
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               95
<BONDS>                                            140
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                          34
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       299
<SALES>                                            160
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   160
<CGS>                                              133
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
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<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  6
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
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<CHANGES>                                            0
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</TABLE>


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