GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC
10-Q, 1996-08-14
INDUSTRIAL INORGANIC CHEMICALS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

    X              QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996

                                       OR

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

                   For the transition period from      to     
                         Commission File Number 1-13404

                         THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

             DELAWARE                                           02-0423437
  (State of other jurisdiction of                            (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)                          Identification Number)

           LIBERTY LANE
      HAMPTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE                                       03842
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (603) 929-2606

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

The  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  outstanding  at  August  9, 1996 was
22,236,842.

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                         THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.

                                    FORM 10-Q

                      QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996

                                      INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               PAGE NO.
                                                                               --------
<S>                                                                                <C>
PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

    Item 1. Financial Statements

      Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three Months and

       Six Months Ended June 30, 1995 and 1996...............................      1

      Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1995 and

       June 30, 1996.........................................................      2

      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six Months

       Ended June 30, 1995 and 1996..........................................      3

      Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.........................     4-8

    Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial

                Condition and Results of Operations..........................    9-10

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION:

    Item 1.  Legal Proceedings...............................................     11

    Item 2.  Changes in Securities...........................................     11

    Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................................     12

    SIGNATURES...............................................................     13

    EXHIBIT INDEX............................................................     14

    EXHIBITS.................................................................    15-16
</TABLE>


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<PAGE>

                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                         THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                         JUNE 30,              JUNE 30,
                                                   ------------------     ----------------

                                                   1995        1996        1995        1996
                                                   ----        ----        ----        ----
<S>                                             <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>      
Net revenues................................... $ 143,062   $ 160,130    $271,723   $ 304,701
Cost of sales..................................    98,243     107,063     191,093     210,123
Selling, general and administrative expense....    13,719      27,551      27,059      41,532
                                                ---------   ---------    --------   ---------
Operating profit...............................    31,100      25,516      53,571      53,046
Interest expense...............................     6,658       6,245      13,460      12,709
Interest income................................       685         664       1,496       1,272
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses....      (614)        (88)       (756)       (139)
Other (income) expense, net....................       (77)        494         (16)        408
                                                ---------   ---------    --------   ---------
Income before income taxes and minority interest   25,818      19,529      42,379      41,340
Minority interest..............................     5,064       8,311       9,203      14,769
                                                ---------   ---------    --------   ---------
Income before income taxes ....................    20,754      11,218      33,176      26,571
Income tax provision...........................     7,990       4,176      12,522      10,213
                                                ---------   ---------    --------   ---------
         Net income ........................... $  12,764   $   7,042    $ 20,654   $  16,358
                                                =========   =========    ========   =========
Earnings per common and common
 equivalent share.............................. $     .65   $     .33    $   1.05   $     .79
                                                =========   =========    ========   =========
Dividends declared per share................... $     .31   $    .025    $    .44   $    .025
                                                =========   =========    ========   =========
Weighted average common and common
 equivalent shares outstanding................. 19,736,842  21,505,888   19,736,842 20,621,365
                                                ==========  ==========   ========== ==========
</TABLE>

        See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                      -1-

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                         THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

                                     ASSETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     DECEMBER 31,    JUNE 30,
                                                                         1995          1996
                                                                     -----------     --------
                                                                                    (UNAUDITED)

<S>                                                                  <C>            <C>      
Current Assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents.....................................  $  19,025      $  28,037
     Receivables, net..............................................     93,231        113,009
     Inventories...................................................     41,970         43,495
     Deferred income taxes.........................................     14,041         13,637
     Other current assets..........................................      1,485          2,132
                                                                     ---------      ---------
         Total current assets......................................    169,752        200,310
Property, plant and equipment, net.................................    215,557        222,849
Other assets   ....................................................     46,016         38,333
                                                                     ---------      ---------
         Total assets..............................................  $ 431,325      $ 461,492
                                                                     =========      =========

                        LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Current Liabilities:

     Accounts payable..............................................  $  50,987      $  50,982
     Accrued liabilities...........................................     83,018         77,674
     Income taxes payable..........................................      4,238          4,286
     Current portion of long-term debt.............................     21,892         17,392
                                                                     ---------      ---------
         Total current liabilities.................................    160,135        150,334
Long-term debt.....................................................    269,603        230,912
Other liabilities..................................................    188,645        192,008
                                                                     ---------      ---------
         Total liabilities.........................................    618,383        573,254
Minority interest..................................................     28,278         36,666
                                                                     ---------      ---------
Equity (deficit):

     Preferred Stock, $.01 par value; authorized:
      10,000,000 shares; none issued or outstanding................        --             --
     Common Stock, $.01 par value; authorized:
      50,000,000 and 100,000,000 shares at December 31, 1995
      and June 30, 1996; issued and outstanding:
      19,736,842 and 7,925,375 shares at December 31, 1995
      and June 30, 1996............................................        197             79
     Class B Convertible Common Stock, $.01 par value; authorized
      40,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding:
      14,311,467 shares at June 30, 1996...........................         --            143
     Capital deficit...............................................   (237,140)      (186,036)
     Foreign currency translation adjustments......................     (1,362)        (1,385)
     Retained earnings ............................................     22,969         38,771
                                                                     ---------      ---------
         Total equity (deficit)....................................   (215,336)      (148,428)
                                                                     ---------      ---------
         Total liabilities and equity (deficit)....................  $ 431,325      $ 461,492
                                                                     =========      =========
</TABLE>


      See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


                                      -2-

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                         THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                              JUNE 30,
                                                                         ---------------
                                                                       1995           1996
                                                                       ----           ----
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>       
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income ..................................................    $  20,654     $   16,358
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization...............................      14,396         15,151
     Net (gain) loss on disposition of long-term assets..........         (60)           540
     Unrealized exchange (gain) loss.............................      (1,080)            11
     Restricted unit plan costs..................................         --          10,530
     (Increase) in receivables...................................      (7,189)       (22,545)
     (Increase) decrease in inventories..........................         913         (1,534)
     (Increase) decrease in other assets.........................       1,609         (4,384)
     Increase (decrease) in accounts payable.....................         176             (9)
     (Decrease) in accrued liabilities...........................      (6,199)        (5,345)
     Increase in income taxes payable............................       1,713             57
     Increase in other liabilities...............................         462          2,805
     Increase in minority interest...............................       2,454          8,388
                                                                    ---------     ----------
       Net cash provided by operating activities.................      27,849         20,023
                                                                    ---------     ----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
     Capital expenditures........................................     (15,117)       (22,377)
     Repayment of related party loans ...........................         --          14,000
     Proceeds from sales or disposals of long-term assets.......          112            --
                                                                    ---------     ---------
       Net cash (used for) investing activities.................      (15,005)        (8,377)
                                                                    ---------     ----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
     Net proceeds from initial public offering...................         --          40,600
     Proceeds from long-term debt................................       4,000         20,000
     Repayment of long-term debt.................................     (15,305)       (63,191)
     Dividends...................................................      (8,750)           --
                                                                    ---------     ---------
       Net cash (used for) financing activities..................     (20,055)        (2,591)
                                                                    ---------     ----------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash..........................         267            (43)
                                                                    ---------     ----------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents................       (6,944)         9,012
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.................      28,701         19,025
                                                                    ---------     ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.......................   $  21,757     $   28,037
                                                                    =========     ==========
Supplemental information:
     Cash paid for income taxes..................................   $  11,741     $   10,604
                                                                    =========     ==========
     Cash paid for interest......................................   $   8,782     $    8,725
                                                                    =========     ==========
</TABLE>

      See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


                                      -3-

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                         THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.

                 NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS

                                   (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

       The accompanying  consolidated  financial statements include the accounts
of The General Chemical Group Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company").  On May
13, 1996 the Company authorized  40,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, $.01
par value, which has ten votes per share, is subject to significant restrictions
on  transfer   and  is   convertible   at  any  time  into  Common  Stock  on  a
share-for-share  basis.  The Company  also  increased  the amount of  authorized
Common Stock to 100,000,000 shares. Upon the filing of the Company's Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware on
such date, all of the then outstanding 19,736,842 shares of Common Stock held by
the Company's  existing  stockholders were  automatically  converted into a like
number of shares of the newly created Class B Common Stock. The Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock are  substantially  identical,  except for the disparity in
voting power, restriction on transfer and conversion provisions.

       The accompanying  unaudited  consolidated  financial statements have been
prepared  pursuant to the rules and  regulations  of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.  The financial  statements do not include  certain  information  and
footnotes required by generally accepted accounting  principles.  In the opinion
of management,  all  adjustments  (consisting of normal  recurring  adjustments)
considered  necessary  for a fair  presentation  have been  included.  Operating
results for the six months ended June 30, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of
the results  that may be expected for the year ending  December  31,  1996.  The
Company's financial  statements should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements  and the notes  thereto  included in The Company's  Final  Prospectus
dated May 15, 1996 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

EARNINGS PER COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE

       The  computation  of primary  earnings  per common and common  equivalent
share for the three and six months  ended June 30, 1995 and 1996 is based on the
weighted  average  number of common  shares  outstanding  during  the period and
assumes  the  exercise  of all stock  options  and  restricted  units  using the
treasury stock method.  Fully diluted earnings per common and common  equivalent
share does not differ from  primary  earnings  per common and common  equivalent
share and is therefore not presented.

NOTE 2 - INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

       On May 21, 1996,  the Company and a principal  stockholder  (the "Selling
Stockholder") completed an initial public offering (the "Offering") of 7,925,375
shares of Common  Stock at $17.50 per share.  Of the shares  offered,  2,500,000
were issued and sold by the  Company.  The net  proceeds to the Company from the
Offering,  after deducting underwriter's discount and related fees and expenses,
were approximately $40,600.

       Contemporaneous  with the  Offering,  the Selling  Stockholder  converted
5,425,375  shares of Class B Common Stock to 5,425,375  shares of Common  Stock,
which were then sold in the  Offering.  The  Company  did not receive any of the
proceeds from the sale of such shares by the Selling Stockholder.


                                      -4-

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                         THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.

          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

                FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

                                   (UNAUDITED)

       The  Company  has  adopted a  Restricted  Unit Plan that  authorizes  the
issuance of 850,000 units, with each unit representing one share of Common Stock
to be  issued to the  participant  upon the  occurrence  of  certain  conditions
("vesting") unless the participant  elects to defer receipt thereof.  All awards
are subject to a five year tiered vesting schedule under which a portion of each
participant's award vests annually over a five year period. Dividend equivalents
on outstanding  units will accrue to the benefit of the participants and will be
paid at the time  dividends are paid to Common Stock  shareholders.  These units
were awarded  during the second  quarter of 1996  replacing the rights earned by
participants  beginning in 1989 under the Phantom  Equity Plan and certain other
prior equity  programs of the  Company.  These plans were then  terminated.  The
Company  recorded a charge to income of $10,530 with a contra  credit to capital
deficit, representing amounts earned under the prior equity programs.

       The Company has also  adopted the 1996 Stock  Option and  Incentive  Plan
which provides for the grant of awards covering a maximum of 2,200,000 shares of
Common Stock.  During the second quarter of 1996, the Company granted  1,080,000
stock  options which vest and are  exercisable  at the initial  public  offering
price of $17.50 per share on dates ranging from May 1997 through May 2006.

NOTE 3 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Management Agreement

       The Company is party to a  management  agreement  with Latona  Associates
Inc. (a management and advisory  company which is controlled by a stockholder of
the  Company).  Pursuant to the  agreement,  the Company was charged  $2,750 and
$2,812  for the six  months  ended  June 30,  1995 and 1996,  respectively,  for
corporate  supervisory  and  administrative  services and  strategic  advice and
guidance. The management agreement expires on December 31, 2004.

Notes Receivable

       In 1994,  the  Company  advanced  $5,000 and $9,000,  respectively,  to a
stockholder  and a former  stockholder  of the Company in the form of promissory
notes. During 1996 the promissory notes were prepaid in full.

NOTE 4 - ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

       The components of inventories were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,     JUNE 30,
                                                                   1995           1996
                                                                   ----           ----
<S>                                                              <C>           <C>     
           Raw materials.......................................  $ 10,447      $  9,846
           Work in process.....................................    4,602          6,710
           Finished products...................................   19,061         18,730
           Supplies and containers............................     7,860          8,209
                                                                 -------       --------
                                                                 $41,970       $ 43,495
                                                                 =======       ========
</TABLE>



                                      -5-

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                         THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.

          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

                FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

                                   (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 5 - LONG-TERM DEBT

        Long-term debt consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     DECEMBER 31,   JUNE 30,
                                                         MATURITIES      1995         1996
                                                         ----------  -----------    --------
                                                                                   (unaudited)
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>          <C>      
        GCC Debt:
          Bank Term Loan - floating rate............      1996-2001   $100,000     $  91,304
          Senior Subordinated Notes - 9.25%.........        2003       100,000       100,000
          Canada Senior Notes - 9.09%...............        1999        52,000        52,000
          U.S. Revolving Credit Facility
           - floating rate..........................        1999        21,000         5,000
        Toledo Debt:
          Bank Term Loan - floating rate............      1996-1998      8,250           --
          Revolving Credit Facility - floating rate.        1998         3,300           --
        PDI Debt:

          Bank Term Loan - floating rate............      1996-1998      6,945           --
                                                                      --------     --------
          Total Debt................................                   291,495       248,304
          Less:  Current Portion....................                   (21,892)      (17,392)
                                                                      --------     ---------
          Net Long-Term Debt........................                  $269,603     $ 230,912
                                                                      ========     =========
</TABLE>

NOTE 6 - DIVIDENDS

       On June 12, 1996, the Company's  Board of Directors  declared a quarterly
cash  dividend of $.025 per share,  payable July 12, 1996,  to  shareholders  of
record on June 28, 1996.

NOTE 7 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

       Richmond Works July 26, 1993 Incident.  On July 26,1993 a pressure relief
device on a railroad tank car  containing  oleum that was being  unloaded at the
Company's Richmond, California, facility, ruptured during the unloading process,
causing the release of a significant  amount of sulfur  trioxide.  Approximately
150  lawsuits  seeking  substantial  amounts of damages  were filed  against the
Company on behalf of in excess of 60,000  claimants  in  municipal  and superior
courts  of  California  and  in  federal  court.  All  state  court  cases  were
coordinated  before a coordination  trial judge in Contra Costa County  Superior
Court.  The federal court cases were stayed until  completion of the state court
cases.

       On November  22,  1995,  the court  approved a  comprehensive  settlement
agreement  pursuant  to which the  Company,  with  funds to be  provided  by its
insurers  pursuant to the terms of the Company's  insurance  policies  agreed to
make available a maximum of $180,000 to implement the settlement.


                                      -6-

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                         THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.

          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

                FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

                                   (UNAUDITED)

       The  settlement  agreement  provides,  among  other  things,  that  while
claimants may "opt out" of the  compensatory  damages  portion of the settlement
and  pursue  their  own  case  separate  and  apart  from the  class  settlement
mechanism,  they have no right to opt out of the punitive damages portion of the
settlement.  Consequently,  under the terms of the settlement, no party may seek
punitive  damages from the Company  outside of those provided by the settlement.
The  deadline  for  claimants  electing to opt out of the  compensatory  damages
portion of the settlement was October 5, 1995. Fewer than 3,000 claimants, which
constitutes  approximately  5 percent  of the total  number of  claimants,  have
elected to so opt out.

       Notices of appeal of all or  portions of the  settlement  approved by the
court  had  been  filed  by five  law  firms  representing  approximately  2,750
claimants,  with approximately 2,700 of these claimants  represented by the same
law firm.  Based on papers filed by the  appellants in the  California  Court of
Appeals,  the  primary  grounds  for the appeal are that the  settlement  is not
"fair, reasonable and adequate" under California law, that the trial court erred
in  certifying  a class action for purposes of  settlement  and in  certifying a
mandatory  punitive  damage  class,  that  the  trial  court  awarded  excessive
attorneys' fees to the plaintiffs'  management  committee and plaintiffs'  class
counsel, that the trial court exceeded its authority in reducing contingent fees
payable to attorneys for representing individual claimants,  and the trial court
erroneously  applied a state statute that governs unclaimed  residuals remaining
from class action settlements.

       Under the  terms of the  settlement  agreement,  settling  claimants  may
receive  payment of their  claims prior to the  resolution  of any appeal of the
settlement  upon  providing,  among  other  things,  a signed  release  document
containing  language which fully  releases the Company from any further  claims,
either for  compensatory or punitive  damages,  arising out of the July 26, 1993
incident. Plaintiffs' liaison counsel are currently undertaking to obtain signed
releases  from the  approximately  95 percent of  claimants  who have elected to
participate in the settlement.

       On May 8, 1996,  the  California  Court of Appeals  dismissed each of the
appeals that have been filed challenging the trial court's approval of the class
action  settlement.  The Court of Appeals  dismissed the appeal  relating to the
trial  court's  rulings on  plaintiffs'  attorney's  fees on the ground that the
appealing  attorneys  lacked  standing  to  appeal.  The Court of  Appeals  also
dismissed each of the other pending appeals ruling that the trial court's orders
and rulings approving the settlement were not presently  appealable,  if at all,
by the  appealing  claimants  since  they  had  all  elected  to opt  out of the
settlement.  The appealing  attorneys and some of the appealing  claimants  have
filed a petition for review with the California Supreme Court, which has not yet
decided  whether to hear the appeals.  If the dismissals by the Court of Appeals
are allowed to stand,  it is possible  that one or more of the  claimants,  once
their cases are finally  litigated through trial, may attempt to refile all or a
portion of the appeals that have now been dismissed.


                                      -7-

<PAGE>
<PAGE>



                         THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.

          NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONCLUDED)

                FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

                                   (UNAUDITED)

       While there can be no assurances  regarding how the  California  Superior
Court might rule,  the Company  believes that the  settlement  will be upheld on
appeal.  If the  settlement is upheld on appeal,  the Company  believes that any
further  liability in excess of the amounts made available  under the settlement
agreement  will not exceed the available  insurance  coverage,  if at all, by an
amount  that  could  be  material  to its  financial  condition  or  results  of
operations.  In the event of a reversal or  modification  of the  settlement  on
appeal,  with respect to lawsuits by any then remaining  claimants (opt-outs and
settling  claimants  who have not signed  releases) the Company  believes  that,
whether  or not it  elects  to  terminate  the  settlement  in the  event  it is
overturned  or  modified on appeal,  it will have  adequate  resources  from its
available  insurance  coverage to vigorously defend these lawsuits through their
ultimate conclusion,  whether by trial or settlement.  However, in the event the
settlement is reversed or modified on appeal, there can be no assurance that the
Company's ultimate liability resulting from the July 26, 1993 incident would not
exceed the available  insurance coverage by an amount which could be material to
its  financial  condition or results of  operations,  nor is the Company able to
estimate or predict a range of what such ultimate liability might be, if any.


                                      -8-

<PAGE>
<PAGE>



ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

June 30, 1996 Compared with December 31, 1995

Financial Condition

        Cash  and cash  equivalents  were  $28.0  million  at June  30,  1996 as
compared with $19.0 million at December 31, 1995. During the first six months of
1996 the Company generated cash flow from operating activities of $20.0 million,
received  proceeds  from the initial  public  offering of $40.6 million and used
cash of $43.2 million for net repayment of long-term  debt and $22.4 million for
capital expenditures.

        The  Company had  working  capital of $50.0  million at June 30, 1996 as
compared  with $9.6  million at  December  31,  1995.  This  increase in working
capital reflects higher accounts receivable and cash balances coupled with lower
accrued liabilities and current portion of long-term debt.

Results of Operations

       Net  revenues  for the three and six month  periods  ended June 30,  1996
increased  12  percent  and 12  percent to $160.1  million  and $304.7  million,
respectively,  from $143.1 million and $271.7 million for the comparable periods
in 1995.  The  increase in both  periods is the result of  increases in both the
Chemical and  Manufacturing  Segments.  The increase in the Chemical Segment for
both periods is primarily due to favorable soda ash pricing, as well as improved
performance  in all other  product  lines.  The increase for both periods in the
Manufacturing Segment reflects higher volumes and product mix improvements.

       Gross  profit for the three and six month  periods  ended  June 30,  1996
increased  18.4  percent and 17.3  percent to $53.1  million and $94.6  million,
respectively, from $44.8 million and $80.6 million for the comparable prior year
periods.

       Gross  profit as a  percentage  of sales  increased  to 33 percent and 31
percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 1996, respectively,  from 31
percent and 30 percent for the same periods in 1995.  Favorable soda ash pricing
and product mix improvements,  partially offset by higher manufacturing expenses
account for this improvement.

       Selling,  general  and  administrative  expense  as a  percentage  of net
revenues was 17 percent and 14 percent for the three and six month periods ended
June 30, 1996,  respectively,  versus 10 percent for both comparable  prior year
periods.  The increase over the prior year is due to the recording of a one-time
charge of $12.5 million related  primarily to a new Restricted Unit Plan created
by the Company which replaces certain prior equity programs.

       Interest  expense for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1996
was $6.2 million and $12.7 million, respectively,  which was $.4 million and $.8
million lower,  respectively,  than the comparable prior year levels as a result
of lower outstanding debt balances.

       Interest  income for the three and six month  periods ended June 30, 1996
was $.7 million and $1.3 million,  respectively,  which  approximated  the prior
year levels.

       The foreign currency transaction gain for the three and six month periods
ended June 30, 1996 were $.1 million and $.1 million,  respectively,  versus $.6
million and $.7 million for the comparable  periods in 1995,  principally due to
the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on a $52 million U.S.  denominated loan
of the  Company's  Canadian  subsidiary.  The impact of these  foreign  currency
transaction gains on this loan is noncash.


                                      -9-

<PAGE>
<PAGE>


       Minority interest for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1996
was $8.3 million and $14.8,  respectively,  versus $5.1 million and $9.2 million
for the comparable  periods in 1995. The increase in both periods reflect higher
earnings of General Chemical (Soda Ash) Partners.

       Net income was $7.0 million and $16.4 million for the three and six month
periods  ended June 30,  1996,  respectively,  versus  $12.8  million  and $20.6
million  for the  comparable  periods in 1995,  for the  foregoing  reasons,  in
particular, the one-time charge related to the Restricted Unit Plan.


                                      -10-

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

       Richmond Works July 26, 1993 Incident.  The following  developments  have
occurred  with  respect to this matter since the filing of the  Company's  Final
Prospectus  dated  May 15,  1996 as  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission:

       In  connection  with  efforts by  plaintiffs'  liaison  counsel to obtain
signed releases from the  approximately 95 percent of claimants who have elected
to  participate  in the  settlement,  as of July 1, 1996 the Company had already
received releases from approximately 91 percent of the settling claimants. Final
payments to the  plaintiffs'  management  committee on behalf of these  settling
claimants  have been made  with  funds  provided  principally  by the  Company's
insurers  pursuant  to the  terms of the  insurance  policies  described  in the
Company's  Final  Prospectus,  and further  payments  will be made as additional
releases are received and reviewed.

       With  respect  to  the  notices  of  appeal  of all  or  portions  of the
settlement  approved  by the  court  which  have  been  filed by five law  firms
representing  approximately  2,750 claimants (2,700  represented by the same law
firm),  these  claimants  have not specified the amount of their claims in court
documents,  although the Company  believes  that their  alleged  injuries are no
different  in nature or extent  than those  alleged by the  settling  claimants.
Based on papers filed by the appellants  with the  California  Court of Appeals,
the primary grounds for appeal are that the settlement is not "fair,  reasonable
and adequate"  under  California law, that the trial court erred in certifying a
class action for purposes of settlement  and in certifying a mandatory  punitive
damage class,  that the trial court  awarded  excessive  attorneys'  fees to the
plaintiffs'  management committee and plaintiffs' class counsel,  that the trial
court  exceeded its authority in reducing  contingent  fees payable to attorneys
for  representing  individual  claimants,  and that the trial court  erroneously
applied a state statute that governs  unclaimed  residuals  remaining from class
action settlements.

       On May 8, 1996,  the  California  Court of Appeals  dismissed each of the
appeals that had been filed  challenging the trial court's approval of the class
action  settlement.  The Court of Appeals  dismissed the appeal  relating to the
trial  court's  rulings on  plaintiffs'  attorneys'  fees on the ground that the
appealing  attorneys  lacked  standing  to  appeal.  The Court of  Appeals  also
dismissed each of the other pending appeals ruling that the trial court's orders
and rulings approving the settlement were not presently  appealable,  if at all,
by the  appealing  claimants  since  they  had  all  elected  to opt  out of the
settlement.  The appealing  attorneys and some of the appealing  claimants  have
filed a petition for review with the California Supreme Court, which has not yet
decided  whether to hear the appeals.  If the dismissals by the Court of Appeals
are allowed to stand, it is possible that one or more of the opt-out  claimants,
once their opt-out cases are finally  litigated  through  trial,  may attempt to
refile all or a portion of the appeals that have now been dismissed.

       For additional information, refer to the Company's Final Prospectus dated
May 15, 1996 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES

       On May 13, 1996,  the Company  created a new class of  securities  called
Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value,  40,000,000 shares  authorized,  which has
ten votes per share,  is subject to significant  restrictions on transfer and is
convertible  at any time into the Common Stock on a share for share  basis.  See
Part I,  Item 1.  Financial  Statements  - "Note 1 to Notes to the  Consolidated
Financial Statements".


                                      -11-

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

       a)  Exhibits:

           (11)  Computation of Earnings per Common and Common Equivalent Share.

           (27)  Financial Data Schedule

       b)  No  report  on  Form 8-K has been  filed during the period covered by
           this report.




                                      -12-

<PAGE>
<PAGE>


                                   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.

                                                 THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                           (Registrant)

Date    August 12, 1996            /s/Richard R. Russell
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      RICHARD R. RUSSELL
                                      Director, President and Chief Executive
                                      Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

Date    August 12, 1996            /s/Ralph M. Passino
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      RALPH M. PASSINO
                                      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                                      (Principal Financial Officer)




                                      -13-

<PAGE>
<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION                           PAGE
   -----------                            -----------                           ----
<S>                            <C>                                               <C>
       11                      Computation of Net Earnings per                   15
                               Common and common equivalent shares
                               for the three and six months ended
                               June 30, 1995 and 1996

       27                      Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR filings only)      16

</TABLE>




                                      -14-

<PAGE>
<PAGE>



                                                                      EXHIBIT 11

                         THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.
                    COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNT)

                                   (UNAUDITED)

Primary earnings per share were calculated as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED    SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                          JUNE 30,            JUNE 30,
                                                    ------------------    ----------------
                                                      1995       1996      1995      1996
                                                      ----       ----      ----      ----
<S>                                                <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     
   Total income used for primary
    earnings per share...........................  $ 12,764   $  7,042   $ 20,654   $ 16,358
                                                   ========   ========   ========   ========
   Weighted average common shares
    outstanding..................................    19,737     21,001     19,737     20,369
   Weighted average common
    equivalents shares...........................       --         505        --         252
                                                   --------   --------   --------   --------
   Weighted average common and
    common equivalent shares.....................    19,737     21,506     19,737     20,621
                                                   ========   ========   ========   ========
   Primary earnings per common share
    and common equivalent shares ................  $    .65   $    .33   $   1.05   $    .79
                                                   ========   ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

Fully diluted  earnings per common and common  equivalent  share does not differ
from primary  earnings per common and common  equivalent  share and is therefore
not presented.


                                      -15-

<PAGE>


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>            5
<LEGEND>             This schedule contains summary financial information
                     extracted from Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1996
                     and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
                     financial statements.
       
<S>                  <C>
<MULTIPLIER>         1,000
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>    DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>       JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>         JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-TYPE>        6-MOS
<CASH>                              $28,037
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                       118,615
<ALLOWANCES>                          5,606
<INVENTORY>                          43,495
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    200,310
<PP&E>                              387,911
<DEPRECIATION>                      165,062
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                      461,492
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>               150,334
<BONDS>                             230,912
                     0
                               0
<COMMON>                                222
<OTHER-SE>                         (148,650)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>        461,492
<SALES>                             304,701
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                    304,701
<CGS>                               210,123
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       210,123
                                           
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                        310
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                   12,709
<INCOME-PRETAX>                      26,571
<INCOME-TAX>                         10,213
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                  16,358
<DISCONTINUED>                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                         16,358
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           .79
<EPS-DILUTED>                           .79
        






</TABLE>


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