Quarterly Report
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


(Mark One)

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

for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007

OR

 

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

for the transition period from              to             

Commission file number: 1-13888

 


LOGO

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   06-1385548

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

12900 Snow Road

Parma, Ohio

  44130
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

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

 


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

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

Large Accelerated Filer  x    Accelerated Filer  ¨    Non-Accelerated Filer  ¨

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

As of October 31, 2007, 102,573,746 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

  
Item 1. Financial Statements:   

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007 (unaudited)

   Page 3  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months and Nine Months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007 (unaudited)

   Page 4  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007 (unaudited)

   Page 5  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

   Page 6  
Introduction to Part I, Item 2, and Part II, Item 1    Page 31
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    Page 36

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   Page 52

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   Page 53

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION:

  
Item 1. Legal Proceedings    Page 55
Item 6. Exhibits    Page 56

SIGNATURE

   Page 57

EXHIBIT INDEX

   Page 58


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     At December 31,
2006
    At September 30,
2007
 
ASSETS     

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 149,517     $ 8,882  

Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,186 at December 31, 2006 and $2,909 at September 30, 2007

     166,528       168,756  

Inventories

     239,129       268,835  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     14,071       7,598  
                

Total current assets

     569,245       454,071  
                

Property, plant and equipment

     889,389       881,532  

Less: accumulated depreciation

     599,636       572,281  
                

Net property, plant and equipment

     289,753       309,251  

Deferred income taxes

     6,326       7,886  

Goodwill

     9,822       9,574  

Other assets

     29,253       25,303  

Assets held for sale

     1,802       —    

Restricted cash

     —         1,547  
                

Total assets

   $ 906,201     $ 807,632  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 62,094     $ 65,068  

Interest payable

     18,872       3,602  

Short-term debt

     458       859  

Accrued income and other taxes

     41,099       39,731  

Other accrued liabilities

     98,068       86,044  
                

Total current liabilities

     220,591       195,304  
                

Long-term debt:

    

Principal value

     657,714       423,860  

Fair value adjustments for hedge instruments

     6,421       2,541  

Unamortized bond premium

     1,265       504  
                

Total long-term debt

     665,400       426,905  
                

Other long-term obligations

     103,408       99,406  

Deferred income taxes

     27,000       28,529  

Minority stockholders’ equity in consolidated entities

     3,722       199  

(see Contingencies – Note 13)

    

Stockholders’ (deficit) equity:

    

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

     —         —    

Common stock, par value $.01, 150,000,000 shares authorized, 101,433,949 shares issued at December 31, 2006 and 104,821,747 shares issued at September 30, 2007

     1,026       1,048  

Additional paid-in capital

     950,023       980,183  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (312,763 )     (285,475 )

Accumulated deficit

     (660,153 )     (546,446 )

Less: cost of common stock held in treasury, 2,501,201 shares at December 31, 2006 and at September 30, 2007

     (85,197 )     (85,197 )

Less: common stock held in employee benefit and compensation trusts, 472,566 shares at December 31, 2006 and 470,363 shares at September 30, 2007.

     (6,856 )     (6,824 )
                

Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity

     (113,920 )     57,289  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity

   $ 906,201     $ 807,632  
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

    

For the

Three Months Ended
September 30,

   

For the

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
     2006     2007     2006     2007  

Net sales

   $ 222,445     $ 251,268     $ 619,951     $ 735,388  

Cost of sales

     157,802       171,870       445,947       485,763  
                                

Gross profit

     64,643       79,398       174,004       249,625  

Research and development

     2,767       2,124       8,167       6,403  

Selling and administrative

     26,108       20,617       74,357       68,387  

Restructuring charges, net

     1,871       60       7,694       806  

Impairment loss on long-lived assets

     —         —         8,788       —    

Antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims

     —         —         2,513       —    

Other (income) expense, net

     3,278       2,110       1,290       (9,845 )

Interest expense

     11,891       7,716       35,753       28,973  

Interest income

     (120 )     (200 )     (372 )     (1,424 )
                                
     45,795       32,427       138,190       93,300  

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and minority stockholders’ share of subsidiaries’ income

     18,848       46,971       35,814       156,325  

Provision for income taxes

     8,890       13,530       19,626       39,435  
                                

Income from continuing operations before minority interest

     9,958       33,441       16,188       116,890  

Minority stockholders’ share of subsidiaries’ (loss) income

     (26 )     8       16       42  
                                

Income from continuing operations

     9,984       33,433       16,172       116,848  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (195 )     —         (2,118 )     (3,117 )
                                

Net income

   $ 9,789     $ 33,433     $ 14,054     $ 113,731  
                                

Basic income (loss) per common share:

        

Income per share from continuing operations

   $ 0.10     $ 0.33     $ 0.16     $ 1.17  

Loss per share from discontinued operations

     (0.00 )     —         (0.02 )     (0.03 )
                                

Net income per share

   $ 0.10     $ 0.33     $ 0.14     $ 1.14  
                                

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     98,132       101,344       97,953       99,918  

Diluted earnings per common share:

        

Income per share from continuing operations

   $ 0.09     $ 0.30     $ 0.16     $ 1.05  

Loss per share from discontinued operations

     (0.00 )     —         (0.02 )     (0.03 )
                                

Net income per share

   $ 0.09     $ 0.30     $ 0.14     $ 1.02  
                                

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     112,294       117,392       98,423       115,588  

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    

For the

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
     2006     2007  

Cash flow from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 14,054     $ 113,731  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     2,118       3,117  

Depreciation and amortization

     29,950       25,484  

Deferred income taxes

     3,683       2,579  

Restructuring charges

     7,694       806  

Impairment loss on long-lived assets

     8,788       —    

Other charges, net

     9,099       5,697  

Increase in working capital*

     (8,095 )     (38,072 )

Gain on sale of assets and business

     (2,120 )     (25,225 )

Post retirement and benefit obligation changes

     (10,693 )     (2,263 )

Long-term assets and liabilities

     (9,884 )     (4,654 )

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     —         (5,061 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     44,594       76,139  
                

Cash flow from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (34,234 )     (33,629 )

Purchase of derivative instruments

     (266 )     —    

Proceeds from sale of assets and sale of business, net of cash sold

     12,726       26,625  

Payments for purchase price adjustments

     —         (2,794 )

Payments for patents costs

     (695 )     (659 )

Increase in restricted cash

     —         (1,547 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (22,469 )     (12,004 )
                

Cash flow from financing activities:

    

Short-term debt borrowings (reductions), net

     (461 )     731  

Revolving Facility borrowings

     449,730       241,645  

Revolving Facility reductions

     (458,989 )     (241,159 )

Long-term financing obligations

     —         2,975  

Long-term debt reductions

     —         (234,479 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     —         19,667  

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     —         5,061  
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (9,720 )     (205,559 )
                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     12,405       (141,424 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     337       789  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     5,968       149,517  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 18,710     $ 8,882  
                

    

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

    

(Increase) decrease in current assets:

    

Accounts and notes receivable

   $ 36,792     $ (6,825 )

Effect of factoring on accounts receivable

     8,883       9,346  

Inventories

     (13,483 )     (15,576 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (1,818 )     1,442  

Payments for antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims

     (17,671 )     (5,380 )

Restructuring payments

     (9,472 )     (5,712 )

Increased (decrease) in accounts payable and accruals

     577       (97 )

Decrease in interest payable

     (11,903 )     (15,270 )
                

Increase in working capital

   $ (8,095 )   $ (38,072 )
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(1) Interim Financial Presentation

These interim Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, they have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X and reflect all adjustments (all of which are of a normal, recurring nature) which management considers necessary for a fair statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. These interim Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements, including the accompanying Notes, contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (the “Annual Report”). The year-end Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited Consolidated Financial Statements, but does not include all disclosures required annually by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Certain amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.

The results for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 include expenses associated with our final purchase price adjustment related to the sale of our cathodes business in December of 2006, which were made during the second quarter 2007. These expenses were for items identified in the second quarter that related to the final purchase price settlements recorded in the first quarter. This resulted in an 1) understatement of loss from discontinued operations in the first quarter of 2007 in the amount of $3.8 million, $2.5 million net of tax, and an 2) overstatement of loss from discontinued operations in the second quarter of the same amount. We have determined that the impact of this item was not material to the first quarter or second quarter.

 

(2) New Accounting Standards

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115,” (“SFAS 159”). This standard permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Most of the provisions in SFAS 159 are elective; however, the amendment to FASB Statement No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” applies to all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities. The fair value option established by SFAS 159 permits all entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A business entity will report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option: (a) may be applied instrument by instrument, with a few exceptions, such as investments otherwise accounted for by the equity method; (b) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs); and (c) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. We are currently in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of SFAS 159 on our consolidated results of operations and financial position.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (“SFAS 157”). This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 requires disclosure of information that enables users of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop fair value measurements and, for recurring fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs, the effects of the measurements on earnings for the period. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 157 on our consolidated results of operations and financial position.

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140,” (“SFAS 155”). This Statement (1) permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation, (2) clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of SFAS 133, (3) establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation; and (4) clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded derivatives. SFAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of our first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The fair value election of SFAS 155 may also be applied upon adoption of SFAS 155 for hybrid financial instruments that had been bifurcated under paragraph 12 of SFAS 133, prior to the adoption of this Statement. We have adopted SFAS 155 as of January 1, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 155 did not have an impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position, as we do not have any hybrid financial instruments.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.” FIN 48 clarifies the recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Under the guidelines of FIN 48, an entity should recognize a financial statement benefit for a tax position if it determines that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination. We have adopted FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007. Additional information with respect to the adoption of this standard is set forth in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus on Issue No. 06-03, “How Sales Tax Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should be Presented in the Income Statement (That is, Gross versus Net Presentation)” (“EITF 06-3”). This EITF Issue clarifies that the presentation of taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a gross (included in revenues and costs) or net (excluded from revenues) basis is an accounting policy decision that should be disclosed pursuant to Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 22, “Disclosure of Accounting Policies.” We adopted EITF 06-3 as of January 1, 2007. Our accounting policy is to

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

collect such taxes from customers and account for them on a net basis. The adoption of EITF 06 -3 did not have an impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.

 

(3) Stock-Based Compensation

In the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, we recognized $1.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense. A majority of the expense, $0.9 million and $0.7 million respectively, was recorded as selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, with the remaining expenses incurred as cost of sales and research and development.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, we recognized $3.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense. A majority of the expense, $3.4 million and $2.4 million respectively, was recorded as selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, with the remaining expenses incurred as cost of sales and research and development.

As of September 30, 2007, the total compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock and stock options not yet recognized was $5.2 million and will be recognized over the weighted average life of 2.06 years.

Restricted stock activity under the plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was as follows:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Outstanding at January 1, 2007

   1,630,725     $ 6.29

Granted

   82,185       8.79

Vested

   (695,343 )     5.01

Forfeited

   (48,227 )     4.91
            

Outstanding at September 30, 2007

   969,340     $ 6.32
            

Stock option activity under the plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was as follows:

 

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Table of Contents
     Number of
Shares
    Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Outstanding at January 1, 2007

   9,424,864     $ 7.32

Granted

   300,000       5.84

Vested

   —         —  

Terminated

   (1,840,657 )     10.93

Exercised

   (2,494,041 )     4.90
            

Outstanding at September 30, 2007

   5,390,166     $ 7.13
            

 

(4) Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted EPS are calculated based upon the provisions of SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” and EITF No. 04-08, “Accounting Issues Related to Certain Features of Contingently Convertible Debt and the Effects on Diluted Earnings Per Share,” using the following data:

 

    

For the

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

For the

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

     2006    2007    2006    2007
     (Dollars in thousands, except share data)

Net income as reported

   $ 9,789    $ 33,433    $ 14,054    $ 113,731

Interest on Debentures, net of tax benefit

     600      897      —        2,691

Amortization of Debentures issuance costs, net of tax benefit

     175      422      —        1,266
                           

Net income as adjusted

   $ 10,564    $ 34,752    $ 14,054    $ 117,688
                           

Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic calculation

     98,132,267      101,344,148      97,952,636      99,918,336

Add: Effect of stock options and restricted stock

     590,868      2,477,149      470,218      2,098,965

Add: Effect of Debentures

     13,570,560      13,570,560      —        13,570,560
                           

Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted calculation

     112,293,695      117,391,857      98,422,854      115,587,861
                           

Basic earnings per common share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing adjusted net income by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the additional common shares that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive securities, including those underlying the Debentures, had been issued.

The calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding for the diluted calculation excludes consideration of stock options covering 9,259,629 and 1,912,613 shares in the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively, and 9,264,346 and 3,187,686 shares in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively, because the exercise of these options would not have been dilutive for those periods due to the fact that the

 

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

exercise prices were greater than the weighted average market price of our common stock for each of those periods.

The calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding for the diluted calculation also excludes the 13,570,560 shares underlying the Debentures for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

 

(5) Segment Reporting

Our businesses are reported in the following reportable segments:

Graphite Electrode. Our graphite electrode segment manufactures and delivers high quality graphite electrodes and related services. Electrodes are key components of the conductive power systems used to produce steel and other non-ferrous metals.

Advanced Graphite Materials. Advanced graphite materials include primary and specialty products for transportation, semiconductor and other markets.

Other Businesses. Other businesses include natural graphite products, refractories and carbon electrodes.

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

The following tables summarize financial information concerning our reportable segments.

 

    

For the

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

For the

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
     2006     2007    2006     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net sales to external customers:

         

Graphite electrode

   $ 178,181     $ 205,158    $ 480,297     $ 593,896  

Advanced graphite materials

     25,504       29,095      75,740       83,564  

Other businesses

     18,760       17,015      63,914       57,928  
                               

Total net sales

   $ 222,445     $ 251,268    $ 619,951     $ 735,388  
                               

Segment operating income (loss):

         

Graphite electrode

   $ 31,896     $ 49,684    $ 79,264     $ 159,691  

Advanced graphite materials

     2,834       5,655      8,238       14,565  

Other businesses

     (833 )     1,258      (12,504 )     (227 )
                               

Total segment operating income

   $ 33,897     $ 56,597    $ 74,998     $ 174,029  
                               

 

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Table of Contents
    

For the

Three Months Ended
September 30,

   

For the

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
     2006     2007     2006     2007  

Reconciliation of segment operating income to income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and minority stockholders’ share of subsidiaries’ income (loss):

        

Antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims

     —         —         2,513       —    

Other (income) expense, net

     3,278       2,110       1,290       (9,845 )

Interest expense

     11,891       7,716       35,753       28,973  

Interest income

     (120 )     (200 )     (372 )     (1,424 )
                                

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and minority stockholders’ share of subsidiaries’ income

   $ 18,848     $ 46,971     $ 35,814     $ 156,325  
                                

 

(6) Restructuring Charges and Impairment Losses

At September 30, 2007, the outstanding balance of our restructuring reserve was $3.2 million. The components of this balance at September 30, 2007 consisted primarily of:

Graphite Electrode Segment

 

   

$1.0 million related to the rationalization of our graphite electrode facilities in France.

 

   

$1.0 million related to severance costs for the closure of our graphite electrode manufacturing operations in Caserta, Italy.

 

   

$0.6 million related to the closure of our graphite electrode machining and warehousing operations in Clarksville, Tennessee.

 

   

$0.2 million related primarily to severance and related costs associated with our Etoy, Switzerland facility.

Other Businesses

 

   

$0.4 million related to the shutdown of our carbon electrode production operations at our Columbia, Tennessee facility.

For the three months ended September 30, 2007, we recorded a net restructuring charge of $0.1 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we recorded a net restructuring charge of $0.8 million.

The net charge of $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was due to new charges at our Clarksville, Tennessee and Etoy, Switzerland facilities related to severance and related benefits.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The net charge of $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was due to $1.5 million of restructuring charges, offset by $0.7 million reserve reduction due to changes in our original estimates. The $1.5 million of restructuring charges related primarily to $0.6 million for the closure of our graphite electrode machining and warehousing operations in Clarksville, Tennessee, $0.6 million and $0.2 million related to severance and related payments at our Etoy, Switzerland and Columbia, Tennessee facilities, respectively, and $0.1 million related to our graphite electrode facilities in Vyazma, Russia. The changes in estimates of $0.7 million were related to the timing and amounts of severance and related payments at our Etoy, Switzerland, Columbia and Clarksville, Tennessee and former corporate headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.

The following table summarizes activity relating to the restructuring liability at September 30, 2007.

 

     Severance and
Related Costs
    Plant Shutdown
and Related Costs
    Total  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Balance at January 1, 2007

   $ 7,185     $ 689     $ 7,874  

Restructuring charges

     942       534       1,476  

Change in estimates

     (447 )     (223 )     (670 )

Payments and settlements

     (5,126 )     (593 )     (5,719 )

Currency adjustments

     164       39       203  
                        

Balance at September 30, 2007

   $ 2,718     $ 446     $ 3,164  
                        

In the first quarter of 2006, we abandoned long-lived fixed assets associated with costs capitalized for our enterprise resource planning system implementations due to an indefinite delay in the implementation of the remaining facilities. As a result, we recorded a $6.6 million loss, in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting For the Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”

Also, in the first quarter of 2006, we announced our intention to sell certain long-lived assets from our Etoy, Switzerland and Caserta, Italy facilities. We recorded a $1.4 million impairment loss in the 2006 first quarter to adjust the carrying value of the assets in Switzerland to the estimated fair value less estimated selling costs. In the second quarter of 2007, we completed the sale of the long-lived assets at our Caserta, Italy facility. In the third quarter of 2006, we completed the sale of the long-lived assets at our Etoy, Switzerland facility.

In the second quarter of 2006, we abandoned certain long-lived fixed assets associated with the accelerated closing of our carbon electrode facility in Columbia, Tennessee due to changes in our initial plan of restructuring the facility. As a result, we recorded a $0.6 million impairment loss in accordance with SFAS No. 144.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(7) Other (Income) Expense, Net

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

 

    

For the

Three Months Ended
September 30,

   

For the

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
     2006     2007     2006     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Currency (gains) losses

   $ 3,488     $ 530     $ (1,045 )   $ 459  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —         2,758       —         13,046  

Brazil sales tax provision

     —         —         (1,465 )     —    

Legal, environmental and other related costs

     1,850       1,022       4,652       2,114  

Gain on sale of assets and business, net of cash sold

     (2,912 )     (1,419 )     (2,788 )     (24,606 )

Bank and other financing fees

     575       548       1,353       1,707  

Loss on the sale of accounts receivable

     140       74       545       549  

Sale of litigation rights

     —         (1,151 )     —         (1,151 )

Other

     137       (252 )     38       (1,963 )
                                

Total other (income) expense, net

   $ 3,278     $ 2,110     $ 1,290     $ (9,845 )
                                

We have non-dollar-denominated intercompany loans between our GrafTech Finance, Inc. subsidiary (“Finco”) and some of our foreign subsidiaries. At December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007, the aggregate principal amount of these loans was $450.7 million and $484.3 million, respectively (based on currency exchange rates in effect at such dates). These loans are subject to remeasurement gains and losses due to changes in currency exchange rates. A portion of these loans are deemed to be permanent and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the stockholders’ deficit section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The balance of these loans is deemed to be temporary and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans are recorded as currency (gains) losses in other (income) expense, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we had a net total of $1.0 million of currency gains, including $1.2 million of exchange gains due to the remeasurement of intercompany loans and translation of financial statements of foreign subsidiaries which use the dollar as their functional currency. In the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we had a net total of $0.5 million of currency losses, including $0.2 million of exchange gains due to the remeasurement of intercompany loans and translation of financial statements of foreign subsidiaries which use the dollar as their functional currency.

In connection with the redemption of $50.0 million of the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes during the three months ended September 30, 2007, we incurred a $2.8 million loss on the extinguishment of debt, which includes $2.6 million related to the call premium and $0.2 million of charges for the accelerated amortization of the debt issuance fees, terminated interest rate swaps and the premium related to the Senior Notes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we redeemed a total of $235.0 million of the outstanding principal of the Senior Notes. We incurred a $13.0 million loss on the extinguishment of debt, $12.1 million of which related to the call premium and $0.9 million of charges for the accelerated amortization

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

of the debt issuance fees, terminated interest rate swaps and the premium related to the Senior Notes.

In the three months ended June 30, 2007, we sold land and certain assets related to our former graphite electrode manufacturing facility in Caserta, Italy. The gain recognized on this sale was $23.7 million. Approximately $1.5 million of the purchase price has been placed in escrow as security for the completion of these activities which is shown as restricted cash in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2007. The sale agreement provides that, upon completion of certain milestones in the remediation and landfill closure activities, portions of the escrowed amounts shall be paid to us.

On July 4, 2007, we completed the sale of our subsidiary located in Vyazma, Russia for approximately $8.0 million. The gain on this sale is $1.3 million. As part of the transaction, we entered into a lease for a portion of the facility. This lease did not meet the criteria for sales-leaseback accounting under the provisions of SFAS No. 98, “Accounting for Leases: Sale-Leaseback Transactions Involving Real Estate, Sales-Type Leases of Real Estate, Definition of the Lease Term, and Initial Direct Costs of Direct Financing Leases —   An Amendment of FASB Statements No. 13, 66, and 91 and a Rescission of FASB Statement No. 26 and Technical Bulletin No. 79-11”, and therefore, we recorded a $3.0 million financing obligation for the portion of the sales price received related to the leased area.

 

(8) Benefit Plans

The components of our consolidated net pension and postretirement costs (benefits) are set forth in the following tables:

 

     Pension Benefits  
    

For the

Three Months Ended
September 30,

   

For the

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
     2006     2007     2006     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Service cost

   $ 298     $ 246     $ 885     $ 735  

Interest cost

     2,852       3,037       8,585       9,048  

Expected return on plan assets

     (2,966 )     (3,387 )     (8,913 )     (10,093 )

Amortization of transition obligation

     (19 )     (22 )     (66 )     (65 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     20       30       67       91  

Amortization of unrecognized loss

     698       497       2,113       1,487  

Settlements

     —         —         —         102  
                                

Net Cost

   $ 883     $ 401     $ 2,671     $ 1,305  
                                

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

     Post Retirement Benefits  
    

For the

Three Months Ended
September 30,

   

For the

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
     2006     2007     2006     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Service cost

   $ 93     $ 124     $ 296     $ 370  

Interest cost

     488       417       1,492       1,249  

Amortization of prior service benefit

     (5,278 )     (2,841 )     (15,835 )     (8,510 )

Amortization of unrecognized loss

     1,333       1,096       3,997       3,274  
                                

Net benefit

   $ (3,364 )   $ (1,204 )   $ (10,050 )   $ (3,617 )
                                

 

(9) Long-Term Debt and Liquidity

The following table presents our long-term debt:

 

     At December 31,
2006
   At September 30,
2007
     (Dollars in thousands)

Revolving Facility

   $ —      $ —  

Senior Notes:

     

Senior Notes due 2012

     434,631      199,649

Fair value adjustments for terminated hedge instruments*

     6,421      2,541

Unamortized bond premium

     1,265      504
             

Total Senior Notes

     442,317      202,694

Debentures

     222,233      222,736

Other debt

     850      1,475
             

Total

   $ 665,400    $ 426,905
             

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

 

(10) Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following:

 

     At December 31,
2006
    At September 30,
2007
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Raw material and supplies

   $ 79,277     $ 85,268  

Work in process

     123,162       133,050  

Finished goods

     41,039       52,653  
                
     243,478       270,971  

Reserves

     (4,349 )     (2,136 )
                

Total Inventories

   $ 239,129     $ 268,835  
                

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(11) Interest Expense

Interest expense consists of the following:

 

    

For the

Three Months Ended
September 30,

   

For the

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
     2006     2007     2006     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Interest incurred on debt

   $ 11,011     $ 6,812     $ 32,871     $ 26,254  

Amortization of fair value adjustments for terminated hedge instruments

     (248 )     (127 )     (730 )     (485 )

Amortization of premium on Senior Notes

     (53 )     (23 )     (157 )     (92 )

Amortization of discount on Debentures

     165       168       488       502  

Interest on DOJ antitrust fine

     66       —         196       5  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     930       772       2,758       2,456  

Interest incurred on other items

     20       114       327       333  
                                

Total interest expense

   $ 11,891     $ 7,716     $ 35,753     $ 28,973  
                                

 

(12) Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of the following:

 

    

For the

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

For the

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

     2006     2007    2006    2007
     (Dollars in thousands)

Net income

   $ 9,789     $ 33,433    $ 14,054    $ 113,731

Other comprehensive income (loss):

          

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax

     (2,197 )     16,545      5,705      24,282

Amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized gains and losses

     —         1,818      —        4,070
                            

Total comprehensive income

   $ 7,592     $ 51,796    $ 19,759    $ 142,083
                            

 

(13) Contingencies

Antitrust Investigations

We were previously subject to certain antitrust investigations as described in the Annual Report. At December 31, 2006, $5.4 million remained in the reserve for liabilities and expenses in connection with these investigations representing the last scheduled installment of the fine imposed by the United States Department of Justice, which was paid in January 2007.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Other Matters and Proceedings Against Us

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

Environmental Matters

During 2006, we increased our reserve for environmentally related activities to be performed in connection with the closure and sale of our Caserta, Italy facility by $1.7 million. The majority of this increase was incurred during the three months ended June 30, 2006. The increase in the reserve relates primarily to activities for closing the on-site solid waste landfill earlier than originally anticipated. At December 31, 2006, our accrual balance for these activities at our Caserta, Italy location was $3.1 million. In the second quarter of 2007, we sold our Caserta, Italy facility. At the time of the sale, the environmental accrual at Caserta was $2.4 million. In connection with this sale, we agreed to complete certain activities for the remediation of portions of the land and to complete the closure of the landfill. Approximately $1.5 million of the purchase price has been placed in escrow as security for the completion of these activities which is shown as restricted cash in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2007. The sale agreement provides that, upon successful completion of certain milestones in the remediation and landfill closure activities, portions of the escrowed amounts shall be paid to us.

Product Warranties

We generally sell products with a limited warranty. We accrue for known warranty claims if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. We also accrue for estimated warranty claims incurred based on a historical claims charge analysis. Claims accrued but not yet paid amounted to $0.9 million at December 31, 2006 and at September 30, 2007. The following table presents the activity in this accrual for the nine months ended September 30, 2007:

 

     (Dollars in Thousands)  

Balance at January 1, 2007

   $ 920  

Product warranty charges

     1,161  

Payments and settlements

     (1,131 )
        

Balance at September 30, 2007

   $ 950  
        

 

(14) Financial Information About the Issuers and Guarantors of Our Debt Securities and Subsidiaries Whose Securities Secure the Senior Notes and Related Guarantees

On February 15, 2002, GrafTech Finance (“Finco”), a direct subsidiary of GTI (the “Parent”), issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes and, on May 6, 2002, $150 million aggregate principal amount of additional Senior Notes. All of the Senior Notes

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

have been issued under a single Indenture and constitute a single class of debt securities. The Senior Notes mature on February 15, 2012. The Senior Notes have been guaranteed on a senior basis by the Parent and the following wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Parent: GrafTech Global, GrafTech International Holdings Inc., UCAR International Trading Inc., and UCAR Carbon Technology LLC. The Parent, Finco and these subsidiaries together hold a substantial majority of our U.S. assets.

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

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

All of the guarantees are unsecured. Prior to October 1, 2007 and the merger of AET into GrafTech International Holdings Inc., the guarantee of the Senior Notes by UCAR Carbon had been secured by a junior pledge of all of the shares of capital stock (constituting 97.5% of the outstanding shares of capital stock) of AET then held by GrafTech International Holdings Inc. subject to the limitation that in no event will the value of the pledged portion of the AET pledged stock exceed 19.99% of the principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes. All of the guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several. Finco and each of the other U.S. Guarantors (other than the Parent) are 100% owned, directly or indirectly, by the Parent. All of the guarantees of the Senior Notes continue until the Senior Notes have been paid in full, and payment under such guarantees could be required immediately upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Senior Notes. All of the guarantees of the Debentures continue until the Debentures have been paid in full, and payment under such guarantees could be required immediately upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Debentures. If a guarantor makes a payment under its guarantee of the Senior Notes or the Debentures, it would have the right under certain circumstances to seek contribution from the other guarantors of the Senior Notes or the Debentures, respectively.

Provisions in the Revolving Facility restrict the payment of dividends by our subsidiaries to the Parent. At September 30, 2007, retained earnings of our subsidiaries subject to such restrictions were approximately $1,081 million. Investments in subsidiaries are recorded on the equity basis.

The following tables set forth condensed consolidating balance sheets at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007, condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 as well as condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine

 

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(Unaudited)

 

months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively, of the Parent, Finco, all other U.S. Guarantors and the Non-Guarantors.

During the second quarter of 2007, the Company revised the presentation of the guarantor financial statements to reflect the equity (deficit) in earnings of all subsidiaries in the Parent condensed consolidating statement of operations. In addition, the Company reclassified the investment in affiliates from the payable to equity of investees for consistency with the presentation in the condensed consolidating statement of operations.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

at December 31, 2006

 

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

Current assets:

              

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 151     $ 125,161    $ —       $ 24,334    $ (129 )   $ 149,517  

Intercompany loans

     —         190,976      —         328,602      (519,578 )     —    

Intercompany accounts receivable

     —         12,071      —         1,903      (13,974 )     —    

Accounts receivable—third party

     —         130      23,376       143,022      —         166,528  
                                              

Accounts and notes receivable, net

     —         203,177      23,376       473,527      (533,552 )     166,528  

Inventories

     —         —        51,220       187,909      —         239,129  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     —         16,430      1,450       18,404      (22,213 )     14,071  

Assets held for sale

     —         —        —         —        —         —    
                                              

Total current assets

     151       344,768      76,046       704,174      (555,894 )     569,245  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —         —        43,567       246,186      —         289,753  

Deferred income taxes

     —         —        9,100       6,326      (9,100 )     6,326  

Intercompany loans

     —         542,973      —         —        (542,973 )     —    

Investments in affiliates

     107,490       —        144,494       —        (251,984 )     —    

Goodwill

     —         —        —         9,822      —         9,822  

Other assets

     4,288       14,229      2,540       8,196      —         29,253  

Assets held for sale

     —         —        —         1,802      —         1,802  
                                              

Total assets

   $ 111,929     $ 901,970    $ 275,747     $ 976,506    $ (1,359,951 )   $ 906,201  
                                              
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)               

Current liabilities:

              

Accounts payable

   $ —       $ —      $ 7,920     $ 54,303    $ (129 )   $ 62,094  

Interest payable

     1,676       17,195      —         1      —         18,872  

Intercompany loans

     —         330,540      158,501       44,514      (533,555 )     —    

Third party loans

     —         —        —         458      —         458  
                                              

Short-term debt

     —         330,540      158,501       44,972      (533,555 )     458  

Accrued income and other taxes

     1,939       —        27,309       34,064      (22,213 )     41,099  

Other accrued liabilities

     —         184      30,160       67,724      —         98,068  

Liabilities and assets held for sale

     —         —        —         —        —         —    
                                              

Total current liabilities

     3,615       347,919      223,890       201,064      (555,897 )     220,591  

Long-term debt

     222,234       442,317      —         849      —         665,400  

Intercompany loans

     —         —        —         542,972      (542,972 )     —    

Other long-term obligations

     —         —        56,101       47,307      —         103,408  

Payable to equity of investees

     —         —        —         —        —         —    

Deferred income taxes

     —         —        —         36,098      (9,098 )     27,000  

Minority stockholders’ equity in consolidated entities

     —         —        —         3,722      —         3,722  

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     (113,920 )     111,734      (4,244 )     144,494      (251,984 )     (113,920 )
                                              

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 111,929     $ 901,970    $ 275,747     $ 976,506    $ (1,359,951 )   $ 906,201  
                                              

 

20


Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

at September 30, 2007

 

    

Parent

(Issuer of
Debentures and
Guarantor of
Senior Notes)

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

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 434    $ 2,586    $ —      $ 6,266    $ (404 )   $ 8,882

Intercompany loans

     —        171,986      —        477,578      (649,564 )     —  

Intercompany accounts receivable

     —        9,462      —        6,820      (16,282 )     —  

Accounts receivable - third party

     —        —        24,930      143,826      —         168,756
                                          

Accounts and notes receivable, net

     —        181,448      24,930      628,224      (665,846 )     168,756

Inventories

     —        —        43,178      225,657      —         268,835

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     8      2,693      1,943      5,597      (2,643 )     7,598

Assets held for sale

              —          —  
                                          

Total current assets

     442      186,727      70,051      865,744      (668,893 )     454,071

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —        —        46,749      262,502      —         309,251

Deferred income taxes

     3,076      72      7,468      3,512      (6,242 )     7,886

Intercompany loans

     —        576,608      —        —        (576,608 )     —  

Investments in affiliates

     276,869      —        286,975      —        (563,844 )     —  

Goodwill

     —        —        —        9,574      —         9,574

Other assets

     3,484      7,509      3,170      11,140      —         25,303

Assets held for sale

     —        —        —        —        —         —  

Restricted cash

     —        —        —        1,547      —         1,547
                                          

Total assets

   $ 283,871    $ 770,916    $ 414,413    $ 1,154,019    $ (1,815,587 )   $ 807,632
                                          
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)                 

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ —      $ —      $ 6,822    $ 58,650    $ (404 )   $ 65,068

Interest Payable

     762      2,832      —        8      —         3,602

Intercompany loans

     —        484,401      131,442      50,003      (665,846 )     —  

Third party loans

     —        —        —        859      —         859
                                          

Short-term debt

     —        484,401      131,442      50,862      (665,846 )     859

Accrued income and other taxes

     —        —        9,791      32,583      (2,643 )     39,731

Other accrued liabilities

     —        —        25,803      60,241      —         86,044

Liabilities of assets held for sale

     —        —        —        —        —         —  
                                          

Total current liabilities

     762      487,233      173,858      202,344      (668,893 )     195,304

Long-term debt

     222,736      202,693      —        1,476      —         426,905

Intercompany loans

     —        —        —        576,608      (576,608 )     —  

Other long-term obligations

     —        —        44,604      54,802      —         99,406

Payable to equity of investees

     —        —        —        —        —         —  

Deferred income taxes

     3,084      72      —        31,615      (6,242 )     28,529

Minority stockholders’ equity in consolidated entities

     —        —        —        199      —         199

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     57,289      80,918      195,951      286,975      (563,844 )     57,289
                                          

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 283,871    $ 770,916    $ 414,413    $ 1,154,019    $ (1,815,587 )   $ 807,632
                                          

 

21


Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

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

Net sales

   $ —       $ —       $ 56,018     $ 166,427     $ —       $ 222,445  

Cost of sales

     —         (1,419 )     48,505       110,716       —         157,802  
                                                

Gross profit

     —         1,419       7,513       55,711       —         64,643  

Research and development

     —         —         1,737       1,030       —         2,767  

Selling and administrative

     —         —         18,899       7,209       —         26,108  

Restructuring charges

     —         —         838       1,033       —         1,871  

Impairment loss on long-lived and other assets

     —         —         610       (610 )     —         —    

Antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Other (income) expense, net

     —         (12,674 )     (1,357 )     (6,330 )     23,639       3,278  

Interest expense

     1,188       14,259       3,048       17,035       (23,639 )     11,891  

Interest income

     —         —         (2 )     (118 )     —         (120 )
                                                
     1,188       1,585       23,773       19,249         45,795  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for (benefit from) income taxes and minority stockholders’ share of income (loss)

     (1,188 )     (166 )     (16,260 )     36,462       —         18,848  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     —         220       (2,816 )     11,486       —         8,890  
                                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest

     (1,188 )     (386 )     (13,444 )     24,976       —         9,958  

Minority stockholders’ share of loss

     —         —         —         (26 )     —         (26 )
                                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (1,188 )     (386 )     (13,444 )     25,002       —         9,984  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         —         (195 )     —         (195 )

Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries

     10,977       —         24,807       —         (34,784 )     —    
                                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 9,789     $ (386 )   $ 11,363     $ 24,807     $ (34,784 )   $ 9,789  
                                                

 

22


Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007

 

    Parent
(Issuer of
Debentures
and
Guarantor of
Senior Notes)
    Finco (Issuer
of Senior
Notes and
Guarantor of
Debentures)
    All Other
U.S.
Guarantors
   

Non-

Guarantors

    Consolidation/
Eliminations
    Consolidated  
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Net sales

  $ —       $ —       $ 46,194     $ 205,074     $ —       $ 251,268  

Cost of sales

    —         —         35,749       136,121       —         171,870  
                                               

Gross profit

    —         —         10,445       68,953       —         79,398  

Research and development

    —         —         1,690       434       —         2,124  

Selling and administrative

    —         —         13,781       6,836       —         20,617  

Restructuring charges

    —         —         26       34       —         60  

Impairment loss on long-lived

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

Antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

Other (income) expense, net

    —         (7,554 )     1,590       (10,828 )     18,902       2,110  

Interest expense

    1,350       12,673       2,309       10,286       (18,902 )     7,716  

Interest income

    —         (55 )     —         (145 )     —         (200 )
                                               
    1,350       5,064       19,396       6,617       —         32,427  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for (benefit from) income taxes and minority stockholders’ share of income (loss)

    (1,350 )     (5,064 )     (8,951 )     62,336       —         46,971  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

    (1,417 )     20,291       (16,737 )     11,393       —         13,530  
                                               

Income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest

    67       (25,355 )     7,786       50,943       —         33,441  

Minority stockholders’ share of income (loss)

    —         —         —         8       —         8  
                                               

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    67       (25,355 )     7,786       50,935       —         33,433  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries

    33,366       —         50,935       —         (84,301 )     —    
                                               

Net income (loss)

  $ 33,433     $ (25,355 )   $ 58,721     $ 50,935     $ (84,301 )   $ 33,433  
                                               

 

23


Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

    

Parent (Issuer
of Debentures
and Guarantor
of Senior

Notes)

    Finco (Issuer
of Senior
Notes and
Guarantor of
Debentures)
    All Other
U.S.
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
   

Consolidation/

Eliminations

    Consolidated  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net sales

   $ —       $ —       $ 159,025     $ 460,926     $ —       $ 619,951  

Cost of sales

     —         37       143,271       302,639       —         445,947  
                                                

Gross profit

     —         (37 )     15,754       158,287       —         174,004  

Research and development

     —         —         4,838       3,329       —         8,167  

Selling and administrative

     —         54       44,670       29,633       —         74,357  

Restructuring charges

     19       —         3,993       3,682       —         7,694  

Impairment loss on long-lived and other assets

     —         —         7,378       1,410       —         8,788  

Antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims

     —         —         2,513       —         —         2,513  

Other (income) expense, net

     17       (35,633 )     3,093       (8,752 )     42,565       1,290  

Interest expense

     3,879       41,811       7,422       25,206       (42,565 )     35,753  

Interest income

     —         (3 )     —         (369 )     —         (372 )
                                                
     3,915       6,229       73,907       54,139       —         138,190  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for (benefit from) income taxes and minority stockholders’ share of income (loss)

     (3,915 )     (6,266 )     (58,153 )     104,148       —         35,814  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     (9 )     614       (814 )     19,835       —         19,626  
                                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest

     (3,906 )     (6,880 )     (57,339 )     84,313       —         16,188  

Minority stockholders’ share of income

     —         —         —         16       —         16  
                                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (3,906 )     (6,880 )     (57,339 )     84,297       —         16,172  

(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         —         (2,118 )     —         (2,118 )

Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries

     17,960       —         82,179       —         (100,139 )     —    
                                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 14,054     $ (6,880 )   $ 24,840     $ 82,179     $ (100,139 )   $ 14,054  
                                                

 

24


Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

 

     Parent
(Issuer of
Debentures
and
Guarantor of
Senior Notes)
    Finco (Issuer
of Senior
Notes and
Guarantor of
Debentures)
    All Other
U.S.
Guarantors
   

Non-

Guarantors

    Consolidation/
Eliminations
    Consolidated  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net sales

   $ —       $ —       $ 146,052     $ 589,336     $ —       $ 735,388  

Cost of sales

     —         —         121,554       364,209       —         485,763  
                                                

Gross profit

     —         —         24,498       225,127       —         249,625  

Research and development

     —         —         4,951       1,452       —         6,403  

Selling and administrative

     —         —         42,933       25,454       —         68,387  

Restructuring charges

     —         —         752       54       —         806  

Impairment loss on long-lived and other assets

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Other (income) expense, net

     —         (20,018 )     2,734       (45,832 )     53,271       (9,845 )

Interest expense

     4,049       40,904       7,277       30,014       (53,271 )     28,973  

Interest income

     —         (766 )     (17 )     (641 )     —         (1,424 )
                                                
     4,049       20,120       58,630       10,501       —         93,300  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for (benefit from) income taxes and minority stockholders’ share of income (loss)

     (4,049 )     (20,120 )     (34,132 )     214,626       —         156,325  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     (2,344 )     14,616       (5,479 )     32,642       —         39,435  
                                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest

     (1,705 )     (34,736 )     (28,653 )     181,984       —         116,890  

Minority stockholders’ share of income (loss)

     —         —         —         42       —         42  
                                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (1,705 )     (34,736 )     (28,653 )     181,942       —         116,848  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         —         (3,117 )     —         (3,117 )

Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries

     115,436       —         178,825       —         (294,261 )     —    
                                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 113,731     $ (34,736 )   $ 150,172     $ 178,825     $ (294,261 )   $ 113,731  
                                                

 

25


Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

     Parent
(Issuer of
Debentures
and
Guarantor of
Senior Notes)
    Finco (Issuer
of Senior
Notes and
Guarantor of
Debentures)
    All Other
U.S.
Guarantors
    Non-
Guarantors
   

Consolidation/

Eliminations

    Consolidated  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Cash flow from operating activities:

            

Net income

   $ 14,054     $ (6,880 )   $ 24,840     $ 82,179     $ (100,139 )   $ 14,054  

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

            

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         —         2,118       —         2,118  

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         3,204       26,746       —         29,950  

Deferred income taxes

     —         614       (847 )     3,915       1       3,683  

Restructuring charges

     19       —         3,993       3,682       —         7,694  

Impairment loss on long-lived assets

     —         —         7,378       1,410       —         8,788  

Other charges (credits), net

     (170 )     7,849       (73,401 )     (17,560 )     92,380       9,099  

(Increase) decrease in working capital

     (1,074 )     (11,746 )     (6,689 )     3,698       7,716       (8,095 )

Gain on sale of assets

     —         —         (1,053 )     (1,067 )     —         (2,120 )

Post retirement obligation changes

     —         —         (9,969 )     (724 )     —         (10,693 )

Long-term assets and liabilities

     —         —         (3,607 )     (6,277 )     —         (9,884 )
                                                

Net cash (used in) provided by operating Activities

     12,829       (10,163 )     (56,151 )     98,120       (42 )     44,594  
                                                

Cash flow from investing activities:

            

Intercompany receivable/payable

     —         (8,444 )     —         8,444       —         —    

Intercompany debt, net

     (12,605 )     37,023       61,374       (85,792 )     —         —    

Capital expenditures

     —         —         (7,164 )     (27,070 )     —         (34,234 )

Purchase of derivative instruments

     —         —         —         (266 )     —         (266 )

Proceeds from sale of assets

     —         —         1,778       10,948       —         12,726  

Payments for patents costs

     —         —         (163 )     (532 )     —         (695 )
                                                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing Activities

     (12,605 )     28,579       55,825       (94,268 )     —         (22,469 )
                                                

Cash flow from financing activities:

            

Short-term debt borrowings (reductions)

     —         —         290       (751 )     —         (461 )

Revolving Facility borrowings

     (212 )     449,942       —         —         —         449,730  

Revolving Facility reductions

     —         (458,942 )     —         (47 )     —         (458,989 )
                                                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing Activities

     (212 )     (9,000 )     290       (798 )     —         (9,720 )
                                                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     12       9,416       (36 )     3,054       (42 )     12,405  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —         —         —         338       —         338  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     143       —         36       5,877       (88 )     5,968  
                                                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 155     $ 9,416     $ —       $ 9,269     $ (130 )   $ 18,710  
                                                

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

 

    

Parent

(Issuer of
Debentures
and

Guarantor of
Senior Notes)

   

Finco (Issuer

of Senior
Notes and
Guarantor of
Debentures)

   

All Other

U.S.
Guarantors

   

Non-

Guarantors

   

Consolidation/

Eliminations

    Consolidated  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Cash flow from operating activities:

            

Net income

   $ 113,731     $ (34,736 )   $ 150,172     $ 178,825     $ (294,261 )   $ 113,731  

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

            

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

           3,117         3,117  

Depreciation and amortization

         3,454       22,030         25,484  

Deferred income taxes

     (360 )     840       1,538       561         2,579  

Restructuring charges

         752       54         806  

Impairment loss on long-lived assets

               —    

Other (credits) charges, net

     104,577       (251,907 )     (104,276 )     94,670       162,633       5,697  

Increase in working capital

     (2,853 )     20,919       (12,774 )     (174,934 )     131,570       (38,072 )

Gain on sale of assets

         (194 )     (24,813 )     (218 )     (25,225 )

Post retirement obligation changes

         (4,023 )     1,760         (2,263 )

Long-term assets and liabilities

         (1,843 )     (2,811 )       (4,654 )

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     (5,061 )     —         —         —         —         (5,061 )
                                                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     210,034       (264,884 )     32,806       98,458       (275 )     76,139  
                                                

Cash flow from investing activities:

            

Intercompany receivable/payable

       7,489         (7,489 )       —    

Intercompany debt, net

       134,334       (27,061 )     (107,273 )       —    

Capital expenditures

         (6,241 )     (27,388 )       (33,629 )

Proceeds from sale of assets

         51       26,574         26,625  

Payments for purchase price adjustments

           (2,794 )       (2,794 )

Payments for patents costs

         (264 )     (395 )       (659 )

Increase in restricted cash

           (1,547 )       (1,547 )
                                                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     —         141,823       (33,515 )     (120,312 )     —         (12,004 )
                                                

Cash flow from financing activities:

            

Short-term debt borrowings

         709       22         731  

Revolving Facility borrowings

       241,645             241,645  

Revolving Facility reductions

       (241,159 )           (241,159 )

Long-term financing obligations

           2,975         2,975  

Long-term debt reductions

     (234,479 )             (234,479 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     19,667               19,667  

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     5,061       —         —         —         —         5,061  
                                                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (209,751 )     486       709       2,997       —         (205,559 )
                                                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     283       (122,575 )     —         (18,857 )     (275 )     (141,424 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

           789         789  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     151       125,161       —         24,335       (130 )     149,517  
                                                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 434     $ 2,586     $ —       $ 6,267     $ (405 )   $ 8,882  
                                                

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Unsecured intercompany term notes in an aggregate principal amount, at September 30, 2007, equal to $576.6 million (based on currency exchange rates in effect at September 30, 2007), and guarantees of those unsecured intercompany term notes, issued to GrafTech Finance by certain of our foreign subsidiaries have been pledged by GrafTech Finance to secure the Senior Notes, subject to the limitation that at no time will the combined value of the pledged portion of any foreign subsidiary’s unsecured intercompany term note and unsecured guarantee of unsecured intercompany term notes issued by other foreign subsidiaries exceed 19.99% of the principal amount of the then outstanding Senior Notes. As a result of this limitation, the principal amount of unsecured intercompany term notes pledged to secure the Senior Notes at September 30, 2007 equals $143.3 million (based on currency exchange rates in effect at September 30, 2007), or about 72% of the principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes. The remaining unsecured intercompany term notes held by GrafTech Finance in an aggregate principal amount at September 30, 2007 of $433.3 million (based on currency exchange rates in effect at September 30, 2007) and any pledged unsecured intercompany term notes that cease to be pledged due to a reduction in the principal amount of the then outstanding Senior Notes due to redemption, repurchase or other events, will not be subject to any pledge and will be available to satisfy the claims of creditors (including the lenders under the Revolving Facility, the holders of the Senior Notes and, pursuant to the subsidiary guarantee by GrafTech Finance of the Debentures, the holders of the Debentures) as their interests may appear. The Senior Notes prohibit the pledge of these unsecured intercompany term notes or related guarantees to secure any other debt or obligation.

 

(15) Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes was a charge of $13.5 million and $39.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. The provision for income taxes was a charge of $8.9 million and $19.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. The increase in the provision for income taxes was the result of higher overall profitability.

The actual income tax rates were approximately 28.8% and 25.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. The actual income tax rates were approximately 47.2% and 54.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006. The variance from the statutory rate can be attributed to: (1) a lower combined income tax rates and/or tax incentives in the foreign jurisdictions in which the company operates and (2) the ongoing full valuation allowance position in the U.S. which effectively recognizes no benefit for the losses incurred there.

We adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, which requires financial statement benefits to be recognized for positions taken for tax return purposes when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained. For additional information regarding FIN 48 refer to “New Accounting Standards” in Note 2.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The adoption of FIN 48 resulted in no net effect to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2007.

As of January 1, 2007, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $5.2 million, principally related to foreign tax uncertainties, of which $5.2 million would have a favorable impact on our effective tax rate, if recognized. We have elected to report interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax positions as income tax expense. As of January 1, 2007, accrued interest and penalties was $0.9 million.

In the United States, years 2004 and forward are open to examination. During the first quarter, the IRS commenced an audit of the 2004 year. Generally, for the foreign countries in which we file tax returns, years beginning in 2003 or after are still open to examination by foreign taxing authorities; however, there are three countries for which the years 2002 or after are still open to tax examination.

As a result of the expiration of statutes of limitation it is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to the treatment of certain expenditures could decrease by $1.3 million in the next twelve months with an associated reduction of $0.8 million of penalties and accrued interest.

Our tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was primarily for taxes on our international income. We continue to adjust the tax provision rate through the establishment, or release, of a non-cash valuation allowance attributable to several taxing jurisdictions, including foreign tax credit utilization. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” requires us to weigh both positive and negative evidence in determining whether a valuation allowance is required. Positive evidence would include, for example, a strong earnings history, an event that will increase the Company’s taxable income through a continuing reduction in expenses and tax planning strategies indicating an ability to realize deferred tax assets. While the performance of these tax jurisdictions has improved significantly in recent quarters, and our interest expense has been significantly reduced through debt repayment during 2007, we have determined that the valuation allowances related to these jurisdictions’ deferred tax assets should continue to be maintained as the balance of significant positive evidence does not yet outweigh the negative evidence in regards to whether or not a valuation allowance is required. However, as we have generated taxable income in 2007, this created a reversal of some of our valuation allowances, thereby reflecting a provision on pretax income in these jurisdictions.

 

(16) Discontinued Operations

On December 5, 2006, we completed the sale of our 70% equity interest in Carbone Savoie and other assets used in and liabilities related to our former cathode business to Alcan France, for approximately $135.0 million less certain price adjustments and the purchaser’s assumption of liabilities. As a result of this sale, under SFAS No. 144, the cathode business is reflected as a discontinued operation. We have reflected prior period results of the cathode

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

business as a discontinued operation on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest expense was allocated to discontinued operations based on the ratio of fixed assets included in the sale over total consolidated fixed assets in accordance with EITF 87-24, Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations.

The following table sets forth the results of the discontinued operation.

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2006
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2006
 
    

(Dollars in thousands,

except per share amounts)

 

Net sales

   $ 24,145     $ 89,994  

Cost of sales

     19,464       75,321  
                

Gross profit

     4,681       14,673  

Operating expenses

     3,107       8,934  

Other (income) expense, net

     211       1,191  

Interest expense

     2,394       7,292  

Interest income

     (11 )     (37 )
                

Loss before provision for income taxes

     (1,020 )     (2,707 )

Provision for income taxes

     635       336  

Less: Minority stockholders share of (income) loss

     (190 )     (253 )
                

Loss from discontinued operations

   $ (195 )   $ (2,118 )
                

Basic loss per common share

   $ 0.00     $ (0.02 )

Diluted loss per common share

   $ 0.00     $ (0.02 )

In the first quarter of 2007, we recorded a $0.6 million charge, net of tax of $0.3 million, related to purchase price adjustments stated in the contract and other transaction related items. In the second quarter of 2007, we recorded a $2.5 million charge, net of tax of $1.3 million, for similar items, as discussed in Note 1.

 

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

Important Terms. We use various defined terms to simplify the presentation of information in this Report. These terms, which definitions are incorporated herein by reference, are defined in the Annual Report.

Presentation of Financial, Market and Legal Data. We present our financial information on a consolidated basis. As a result, the financial information for AET prior to October 1, 2007 has been consolidated on each line of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the equity of the other owners in those subsidiaries is reflected on the lines entitled “minority stockholders’ equity in consolidated entities” and “minority stockholders’ share of income.” Effective October 1, 2007, AET was merged into UCAR Carbon. Simultaneously, UCAR Carbon’s name was changed to GrafTech International Holdings Inc. The former AET minority stockholder is entitled to, subject to statutory appraisal rights, merger consideration equal to the fair value of its shares of AET that were cancelled in the merger.

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

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

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

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

Forward Looking Statements and Risks. This Report contains forward looking statements. In addition, we or our representatives have made or may make forward looking statements on telephone or conference calls, by webcasts or emails, in person, in presentations or written materials, or otherwise. These include statements about such matters as: expected future or targeted operational and financial performance in the future; growth rates and future production and sales of products that incorporate or that are produced using our products; changes in production capacity in our operations and our customers’ operations; growth rates for, future prices and sales of, and demand for our products and our customers’ products; costs of materials and production, including anticipated increases therein; productivity, business process and operational initiatives, and their impact on us; our position in markets we serve; employment and contributions of key personnel; employee relations and collective bargaining agreements

 

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covering many of our operations; tax rates; capital expenditures and their impact on us; nature and timing of restructuring charges and payments; future operational and financial performance; strategic plans and business projects; regional and global economic and industry market conditions, changes in such conditions and the impact thereof; interest rate management activities; currency rate management activities; deleveraging activities; rationalization, restructuring, realignment, strategic alliance, raw material and supply chain, technology development and collaboration, investment, acquisition, venture, operational, tax, financial and capital projects; legal proceedings, contingencies, and environmental compliance; consulting projects; potential offerings, sales and other actions regarding debt or equity securities of us or our subsidiaries; and future asset sales, costs, working capital, revenues, business opportunities, debt levels, cash flows, cost savings and reductions, margins, earnings and growth. The words “will,” “may,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “target,” “goal,” “continue to” and similar expressions, or the negatives thereof, identify some of these statements.

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

 

   

the possibility that additions to capacity for producing steel in electric arc furnaces (“EAF”), increases in overall EAF steel production capacity, increases in, or other changes in, steel production may not occur or may not occur at the rates that we anticipate or may not be as geographically dispersed as we anticipate;

 

   

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

 

   

the possibility that increases in graphite electrode manufacturing capacity, competitive pressures, specific consumption rates, or other changes in the graphite electrode markets may occur, which may impact demand for, prices or unit and dollar volume sales of graphite electrodes and growth or profitability of our graphite electrode business;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

the possibility of delays in or failure to achieve widespread commercialization of fuel cells which use our natural graphite-based products or that manufacturers of fuel cells may obtain those products from other sources;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

the possibility that our long-term obligations could limit our financial resources and ability to compete and may make us more vulnerable to adverse economic events;

 

   

the possibility that our outlook could be significantly impacted by, among other things, changes in interest rates by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board or other central banks, changes in fiscal policies by the U.S. and other governments, developments in the Middle East, North Korea, and other areas of concern, the occurrence of further terrorist acts and developments (including increases in security, insurance, data back-up, energy and transportation and other costs, transportation delays and continuing or increased economic uncertainty and weakness) resulting from terrorist acts and the war on terrorism;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

the possibility that the timing and amount of expenditures that we anticipate in connection with our restructuring and plant closing activities may vary significantly from our expectations;

 

   

the possibility that we may not achieve increases in the amount or speed of cash generated through operations;

 

   

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

 

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial

Condition and Results of Operations

Global Economic Conditions

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

Graphite electrode demand is primarily linked with the global production of steel in an electric arc furnace (“EAF”) and, to a lesser extent, with the total production of steel and certain other metals. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, global steel production and operating rates, excluding China, increased by 3% and 5%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. China’s steel production grew by 13% and 17%, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, contributing to global steel production increases of 6% and 9% respectively.

Steel production in China and Russia via blast furnace is approximately 87% and 82%, respectively. However, these two countries have provided some of the highest EAF capacity growth in 2007, due to new startups.

Overall, EAF steel production capacity continues to expand. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, EAF steel production increased approximately 1% and 3% respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, due to new EAF start-ups and strong melt rates. We estimate that total EAF production will increase 2-3% during 2007. However, graphite electrode demand is expected to increase by only approximately 1% due to continual improvements in specific consumption.

In 2007, we believe that the overall demand for advanced graphite materials will remain at a high level, resulting from continued strength in the energy markets and defense and transportation industries. The continued overall strength of the economy in the markets served has kept the demand high for our core products which are used in the industrial and chemical sectors.

Outlook

In 2007, we expect:

 

   

Total company net sales to increase approximately 16%

 

   

Net sales of graphite electrodes to increase approximately 20%

 

   

Net interest expense to be about $35 to $37 million

 

   

The effective book tax rate to be approximately 27%

 

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Capital expenditures to be approximately $50 million

 

   

Depreciation expense of approximately $34 million; and

 

   

Cash flow from operations to be about $100 million.

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

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 as Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2006.

Consolidated. Net sales of $251.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 represented a $28.9 million or 13.0% increase from net sales of $222.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006. Net sales of graphite electrodes increased $27.0 million, or 15.1%, primarily due to favorable price increases, offset slightly by an unfavorable product mix and reduced volumes in the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006. Advanced graphite materials net sales increased $3.6 million, or 14.1%, due to favorable prices and currency impacts in the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006. Net sales of our other businesses decreased $1.8 million, or 9.3%, in the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006, caused primarily by $5.2 million of lower sales volumes of carbon electrodes due to the exit of this business, offset by a $2.2 million increase in refractory sales and a $1.3 million increase in natural graphite products due to increased volumes.

Cost of sales of $171.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 represented a $14.1 million, or 8.9%, increase from cost of sales of $157.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006. Cost of sales increased primarily due to increased raw material costs, particularly for our graphite electrode segment.

Gross profit of $79.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 represented a $14.8 million, or 22.9%, increase from gross profit of $64.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006. Gross margin increased to 31.6% of net sales.

Research and development expenses decreased $0.7 million, or 25.0%, from $2.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006 to $2.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007, due to salary reductions related to administrative and support for our research and development function.

 

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Selling and administrative expenses decreased $5.5 million, or 21.1%, from $26.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006 to $20.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007. This decrease was primarily due to decreased administration costs of $3.6 million, decreased overhead expenses of $1.3 million and decreased selling expenses of $0.6 million. These cost decreases were driven by decreased salaries related to administrative and support of our overhead departments as well as decreased travel and discretionary expenses as a result of our global cost cutting initiatives.

Other expense, net was $2.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $3.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006. The decrease was caused primarily by a decrease in currency losses of $3.0 million, a decrease in legal, environmental and other costs of $0.8 million, and a decrease in bank and other financing fees, loss on the sale of accounts receivable, and other costs of $0.5 million. These decreases were offset by a $2.8 million loss on the extinguishment of debt incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2007 in connection with the redemption of $50.0 million of our Senior Notes, and a $1.5 million decrease in gains on the sale of fixed assets. We also received a favorable benefit from the sale of certain rights to amounts owed from an electrical power supplier in Brazil for $1.2 million.

In the three months ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006 restructuring charges were $0.1 million, and $1.9 million respectively. The following table summarizes activity relating to the accrued expense in connection with the restructuring charges. The restructuring accrual is included in other accrued liabilities and other long-term obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

     Severance and
Related Costs
    Plant Shutdown
and Related
Costs
    Total  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Balance at January 1, 2007

   $ 7,185     $ 689     $ 7,874  

Restructuring charges

     942       534       1,476  

Change in estimates

     (447 )     (223 )     (670 )

Payments and settlements

     (5,126 )     (593 )     (5,719 )

Effect of change in currency exchange rates

     164       39       203  
                        

Balance at September 30, 2007

   $ 2,718     $ 446     $ 3,164  
                        

At September 30, 2007, the outstanding balance of our restructuring reserve was $3.2 million. We expect the majority of the remaining payments to be paid by the end of 2008. The balance at September 30, 2007 consisted primarily of the following:

 

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Graphite Electrode Segment

 

   

$1.0 million related to the rationalization of our graphite electrode facilities in France.

 

   

$1.0 million related to severance costs for the closure of our graphite electrode manufacturing operations in Caserta, Italy.

 

   

$0.6 million related to the closure of our graphite electrode machining and warehousing operations in Clarksville, Tennessee.

 

   

$0.2 million related primarily to severance and related costs associated with our Etoy, Switzerland facility.

Other Businesses

 

   

$0.4 million related to the shutdown of our carbon electrode production operations at our Columbia, Tennessee facility.

The following table presents an analysis of interest expense:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
 
     2006     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Interest incurred on debt

   $ 11,011     $ 6,812  

Amortization of fair value adjustments for terminated hedge instruments

     (248 )     (127 )

Amortization of premium on Senior Notes

     (53 )     (23 )

Amortization of discount on Debentures

     165       168  

Interest on DOJ antitrust fine

     66       —    

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     930       772  

Interest incurred on other items

     20       114  
                

Total interest expense

   $ 11,891     $ 7,716  
                

Average total debt outstanding was $457.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $722.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006. The average annual interest rate was 6.0% in the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to 7.3% in the three months ended September 30, 2006.

Provision for income taxes was a charge of $13.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 and $8.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006. The actual income tax rate was approximately 28.8% in the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to approximately 47.2% in the three months ended September 30, 2006. The increase in the provision for income taxes was the result of higher overall profitability. The decrease in the actual tax rate was due to the mix of income in lower tax jurisdictions.

 

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The loss from discontinued operations was $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006.

As a result of the matters described above, net income was $33.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $9.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006.

Segment net sales. The following table represents our net sales by segment for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
     2006    2007
     (Dollars in thousands)

Graphite electrode

   $ 178,181    $ 205,158

Advanced graphite materials

     25,504      29,095

Other businesses

     18,760      17,015
             

Total net sales

   $ 222,445    $ 251,268
             

Our analysis of the percentage change in net sales for graphite electrode and advanced graphite materials is set forth in the following table:

 

     Volume     Price/Mix     Currency     Other     Net Change  

Graphite electrode

   (3 )%   15 %   3 %   —       15 %

Advanced graphite materials

   %   12 %   3 %   (1 )%   14 %

Net sales for the graphite electrode segment increased primarily due to increased sales prices, coupled with favorable currency fluctuations, driven primarily by changes in the Euro. These increases were offset slightly by an unfavorable product mix in the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006, as well as a slight decrease in volume. Advanced graphite materials net sales increased based on favorable price increases and currency impacts during the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006. Volumes remained consistent.

Net sales for our other businesses decreased by $1.8 million to $17.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, as compared to $18.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, primarily due to decreased sales volumes of carbon electrodes due to the planned exiting of this business, resulting in a $5.2 million reduction in sales. Sales for refractories and natural graphite products increased $2.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively, due to higher volumes.

Segment operating income. Corporate expenses are allocated to segments based on each segment’s percentage of consolidated sales. The following table represents our operating income by segment for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007:

 

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     For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
     2006     2007
     (Dollars in thousands)

Graphite electrode

   $ 31,896     $ 49,684

Advanced graphite materials

     2,834       5,655

Other businesses

     (833 )     1,258
              

Total segment operating income

   $ 33,897     $ 56,597
              

Our analysis of the percentage change in segment operating costs and expenses, including restructuring and impairment charges for graphite electrode and advanced graphite materials is set forth in the following table:

 

    

Operating Expenses

For the Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
     (Percentage of sales)  
     2006     2007     Change  

Graphite electrode

   82 %   76 %   (6 )%

Advanced graphite materials

   89 %   81 %   (8 )%

Segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for graphite electrodes decreased 6% points to 76% in the three months ended September 30, 2007. However, total segment operating costs and expenses increased $9.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006. This increase was due to higher raw material costs of $15.4 million, and an unfavorable currency impact of $4.7 million primarily related to the strengthening Euro. These increases were partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in restructuring charges, and a $2.4 million decrease in selling and administrative costs, and a $2.4 million decrease in corporate expenses due primarily to a global initiative to reduce overhead costs. Volume decreases also resulted in a $3.7 million decrease in operating costs, and other production costs decreased $1.0 million.

Segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for advanced graphite materials decreased 8% points to 81% in the three months ended September 30, 2007. Total segment operating costs and expenses of $23.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 increased slightly compared to $22.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006. This increase was caused by a $0.4 million increase in selling and administrative expenses, and an increase in production costs of $0.3 million.

Segment operating costs and expenses for other businesses decreased $3.8 million. This decrease was due to a $6.3 million improvement in operating costs and expenses related to the carbon electrode business caused by lower volumes. This decrease was partially offset by increased costs of $1.9 million, primarily related to inventory revaluations for our natural graphite products and $0.6 million for our refractories business due primarily to increased costs incurred to support higher sales volumes.

 

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 as Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006.

Consolidated. Net sales of $735.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 represented a $115.4 million or 18.6% increase from net sales of $620.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Net sales of graphite electrodes increased $113.6 million, or 23.7%, primarily due to favorable price and volume increases, coupled with a favorable currency impact due primarily to changes in the Euro, offset slightly by an unfavorable product mix in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Advanced graphite materials net sales increased $7.8 million, or 10.3%, due to favorable prices and currency impacts in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006, offset slightly by decreased volumes. Net sales of our other businesses decreased $6.0 million, or 9.4%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006 driven primarily by the planned exiting of the carbon electrodes business.

Cost of sales of $485.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 represented a $39.9 million, or 8.9%, increase from cost of sales of $445.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Cost of sales increased primarily due to higher raw material costs, particularly in our graphite electrode segment. Further, certain one time charges from the nine months ended September 30, 2006 related to inventory reserves for our carbon electrodes business did not recur in the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Gross profit of $249.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 represented a $75.6 million, or 43.4%, increase from gross profit of $174.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Gross margin increased to 33.9% of net sales.

Research and development expenses decreased $1.8 million, or 21.6%, from $8.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 to $6.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 due to salary reductions related to administrative and support for our research and development function.

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $6.0 million, or 8.1%, from $74.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 to $68.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007. This decrease was primarily due to decreased administration costs of $2.6 million, decreased overhead expenses of $1.1 million and decreased selling expenses of $2.3 million. These cost decreases were driven by decreased salaries related to administrative and support of our overhead departments as well as decreased travel expenses as a result of our global cost cutting initiatives.

 

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Other (income) expense, net represented income of $9.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to a charge of $1.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The increase was caused primarily by a $21.8 million increase in gains on the sale of assets and businesses, due primarily to the sale of our Caserta, Italy facility and Vyazma, Russia business. We also received a favorable benefit from the sale of certain rights to amounts owed from an electrical power supplier in Brazil for $1.2 million. Legal, environmental and other related costs decreased $2.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007, and other expenses decreased $2.0 million. These items were offset by a $13.0 million loss incurred on the extinguishment of debt, a $1.5 million increase in currency losses, and a $0.4 million increase in bank and other financing fees and loss on the sale of accounts receivable. Finally, the $1.5 million credit from the Brazil sales tax provision in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 did not recur in the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

The following table presents an analysis of interest expense:

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
     2006     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Interest incurred on debt

   $ 32,871     $ 26,254  

Amortization of fair value adjustments for terminated hedge instruments

     (730 )     (485 )

Amortization of premium on Senior Notes

     (157 )     (92 )

Amortization of discount on Debentures

     488       502  

Interest on DOJ antitrust fine

     196       5  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     2,758       2,456  

Interest incurred on other items

     327       333  
                

Total interest expense

   $ 35,753     $ 28,973  
                

Average total debt outstanding was $531.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $736.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The average annual interest rate was 6.4% in the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to 7.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Provision for income taxes was a charge of $39.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and $19.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The actual income tax rate was approximately 25.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to approximately 54.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The increase in the provision for income taxes was the result of higher profitability. The decrease in the actual tax rate was due to the mix of income in lower tax jurisdictions.

The loss from discontinued operations was $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to $3.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. As discussed further in footnote 1 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the loss recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 includes expenses for the final purchase price settlements recorded in the first and second quarter.

 

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As a result of the matters described above, net income was $113.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $14.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Segment net sales. The following table represents our net sales by segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
     2006    2007
     (Dollars in thousands)

Graphite electrode

   $ 480,297    $ 593,896

Advanced graphite materials

     75,740      83,564

Other businesses

     63,914      57,928
             

Total net sales

   $ 619,951    $ 735,388
             

Our analysis of the percentage change in net sales for graphite electrode and advanced graphite materials is set forth in the following table:

 

     Volume     Price/Mix     Currency     Net Change  

Graphite electrode

   4 %   17 %   3 %   24 %

Advanced graphite materials

   (4 )%   11 %   3 %   10 %

Net sales for the graphite electrode segment increased primarily due to increased volumes, coupled with favorable price increases and currency fluctuations. These increases were offset slightly by an unfavorable product mix in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Advanced graphite materials net sales increased based on favorable price increases and currency impacts during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006. These increases were offset slightly by a decrease in volume.

Net sales for our other businesses decreased to $57.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, as compared to $63.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, primarily related to decreases in sales of carbon electrodes due to the planned exiting of this business. Sales of our natural graphite products decreased slightly due to unfavorable pricing, offset slightly by increased volumes. Sales of our refractories products increased $6.3 million due to higher sales volumes.

Segment operating income. Corporate expenses are allocated to segments based on each segment’s percentage of consolidated sales. The following table represents our operating income by segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007:

 

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     For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
     2006     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Graphite electrode

   $ 79,264     $ 159,691  

Advanced graphite materials

     8,238       14,565  

Other businesses

     (12,504 )     (227 )
                

Total segment operating income

   $ 74,998     $ 174,029  
                

Our analysis of the percentage change in segment operating costs and expenses, including restructuring and impairment charges for graphite electrode and advanced graphite materials is set forth in the following table:

 

    

Operating Expenses
For the Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     (Percentage of sales)  
     2006     2007     Change  

Graphite electrode

   83 %   73 %   (10 )%

Advanced graphite materials

   89 %   83 %   (6 )%

Segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for graphite electrodes decreased 10% points to 73% in the nine months ended September 30, 2007. However, total segment operating costs and expenses increased $33.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006. This increase was due to higher raw material and product costs of $32.3 million, and the impact of currency exchange rate changes of $10.3 million. Favorable changes in volumes increased total operating costs and expenses an additional $5.4 million offset by decreased selling and administrative costs of $4.2 million, due primarily to a global initiative to reduce administrative costs. Impairment costs decreased $5.9 million, due to the impairment charge related to the JD Edwards software during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. There was no impairment charge during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Restructuring charges also decreased $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006. This was primarily due to $3.5 million of restructuring charges incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 related to the restructuring of our manufacturing facility in Calais, France and Caserta, Italy which did not reoccur in the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for advanced graphite materials decreased 6% points to 83% in the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Total operating costs and expenses of $69.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased $1.5 million from $67.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The fluctuation was due primarily to higher operating costs and expenses of $2.9 million. These increases were offset by a $1.4 million decrease in restructuring and impairment charges.

 

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Segment operating costs and expenses for other businesses decreased $18.4 million. This decrease was due to a $23.3 million improvement in operating costs and expenses related to carbon electrodes caused by lower production costs, mainly due to the establishment of inventory reserves during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 due to the accelerated closure of this business and other inventory adjustments that did not recur during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Selling and administrative expenses also decreased due to lower spending plans as the result of the planned exit of this business. Operating costs and expenses for our natural graphite products also decreased $0.6 million due to lower variable costs associated with lower volumes for certain ETM products, offset slightly by volume increases in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006. These decreases were offset by an increase in operating costs and expenses for refractories for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006 driven by production costs as a result of increased volumes.

Effects of Changes in Currency Exchange Rates

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

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

During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the average exchange rate of the Brazilian real and the Euro increased about 9.8% and 8.4%, respectively, when compared to the average exchange rate for the same period in 2006. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the average exchange rate for the Mexican Peso and South African rand decreased about 0.8% and 9.0%, respectively, when compared to the average rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

In the case of net sales of graphite electrodes, the impact of these events was an increase of about $16.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. In the case of cost of sales of graphite electrodes, the impact of these events was an increase of about $10.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006.

We have non-dollar denominated intercompany loans between Finco and some of our foreign subsidiaries. At September 30, 2007, the aggregate principal amount of these loans was $484.3 million. These loans are subject to remeasurement gains and losses due to changes in

 

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currency exchange rates. A portion of these loans are deemed to be essentially permanent and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the stockholders’ deficit section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The balance of these loans is deemed to be temporary and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans are recorded as currency (gains) losses in other (income) expense, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we had a net total of $0.5 million in currency losses, including $0.2 million of exchange gains due to the remeasurement of intercompany loans and translation of financial statements of foreign subsidiaries which use the dollar as their functional currency. In the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we had a net total of $1.0 million in currency gains, including $1.2 million of exchange gains due to the remeasurement of intercompany loans and translation of financial statements of foreign subsidiaries which use the dollar as their functional currency. To manage certain exposures to specific financial market risks caused by changes in currency exchange rates, we use various financial instruments as described under “Item 3 –Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our sources of funds have consisted principally of invested capital, cash flow from operations and debt and equity financings. Our uses of those funds (other than for operations) have consisted principally of capital expenditures, payment of fines, liabilities and expenses in connection with antitrust investigations, lawsuits and claims, payment of restructuring costs, pension and post-retirement contributions, debt reduction payments and other obligations.

At September 30, 2007, we had total long term debt of $426.9 million, cash and cash equivalents of $8.9 million and a stockholders’ equity of $57.3 million.

As part of our cash management activities, we periodically factor or discount (by selling) certain accounts receivable to third parties. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, certain subsidiaries sold receivables at a cost lower than the cost to borrow a comparable amount for a comparable period under the Revolving Facility. Proceeds of the sale of receivables were used to reduce debt. If we had not sold receivables, our accounts receivable would have been about $0.8 million higher at December 31, 2006 and about $10.1 million higher at September 30, 2007. All receivables sold during 2006 and the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were sold without recourse, and no amount of accounts receivable sold remained on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007.

We use cash and cash equivalents, funds available under the Revolving Facility, (subject to continued compliance with the financial covenants and representations under the Revolving Facility), as well as cash flow from operations as our primary sources of liquidity. The Revolving Facilities provide for maximum borrowings of up to $215 million. At September 30, 2007, $206.1 million was available (after consideration of outstanding letters of credit of $8.9 million. At September 30, 2007, there were no outstanding revolving or swingline loans.).

 

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We believe that our business strategies will continue to improve the amount and speed of cash generated from operations under current economic conditions. Improvements in cash flow from operations resulting from these strategies are being partially offset by associated cash implementation costs while they are being implemented. We also believe that our improvements in cash flow from operations should allow us to continue to reduce our debt and other obligations over the long term.

At September 30, 2007, we were in compliance with all financial and other covenants contained in the Senior Notes, the Debentures and the Revolving Facility, as applicable. Based on expected operating results and expected cash flows, we expect to be in compliance with these covenants for the next twelve months. If we were to believe that we would not continue to comply with these covenants, we would seek an appropriate waiver or amendment from the lenders thereunder. We cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain such waiver or amendment on acceptable terms or at all.

At September 30, 2007, the Revolving Facility had an effective interest rate of 6.7%, our $199.6 million principal amount of Senior Notes had a fixed rate of 10.25% and our $225.0 million principal amount of Debentures had a fixed coupon rate of 1.625%. Also at September 30, 2007, none of our total debt consists of variable rate obligations. We estimate that we will have interest expense of approximately $35 to $37 million for 2007.

At December 31, 2006, the Revolving Facility had an effective interest rate of 7.6%, our $434.6 million principal amount of Senior Notes had a fixed rate of 10.25% and our $225.0 million principal amount of Debentures had a fixed rate of 1.625%.

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

Cash Flow and Plans to Manage Liquidity. As a result of our leverage and other obligations, our business strategies include efforts to enhance our capital structure by further reducing our gross obligations. Accordingly, we have placed the highest priority on accelerating the amount and speed of cash generated every day. Our efforts include leveraging our unique global manufacturing network by driving higher utilization rates and more productivity from our existing assets, accelerating commercialization initiatives across all of our businesses and realizing other global efficiencies. We also continue to evaluate other opportunities to reduce our obligations, including the obligations associated with our U.S. defined benefit plan, which was frozen in 2003.

Typically, our cash flow from operations fluctuates significantly between quarters due to various factors. These factors include customer order patterns, fluctuations in working capital requirements, and other factors.

 

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We expect cash flow from operations to be positively impacted by the completion of our payments for fines and penalties related to the antitrust and related lawsuits in the first quarter, reduced interest expense related to our reduced Senior Note obligations and decreases in cash outlay for planned overhead cost reductions. We expect our cash flow from operations to be negatively impacted by higher raw material prices, higher accounts receivable balances as a result of increased prices for graphite electrodes, losses incurred in connection with the redemption of long term debt, the realization of certain international deferred taxes, planned pension and post retirement contributions, and payments for severance under restructuring plans and workforce rationalization initiatives. Our cash flow will also be impacted from the loss of working capital and capital expenditures related to our former cathodes business, which was sold in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Long term obligations could have a material impact on our liquidity. Cash flow from operations services payment of our debt and other obligations thereby reducing funds available to us for other purposes. These obligations make us more vulnerable to economic downturns in the event that these obligations are greater or timing of payment is sooner than expected.

In order to seek to minimize our credit risks, we reduced our sales of, or refused to sell (except for cash on delivery), graphite electrodes to some customers and potential customers in the U.S. and, to a limited extent, elsewhere. Our unrecovered trade receivables worldwide were only 0.1% of global net sales during the last 3 years. We cannot assure you that we will not be materially adversely affected by accounts receivable losses in the future. In addition, we have historically factored a portion of our accounts receivable and used the proceeds to reduce debt.

We may from time to time and at any time repurchase Senior Notes or Debentures in open market or privately negotiated transactions, opportunistically on terms that we believe to be favorable. In the three months ended March 31, 2007 we redeemed $135.0 million of our Senior Notes using proceeds from the sale of our cathode business. In the three months ended June 30, 2007, we redeemed an additional $50.0 million of our Senior Notes. On August 10, 2007, we redeemed an additional $50.0 million of our Senior Notes.

We have in the past entered into, and may in the future enter into, natural gas derivative contracts and short duration fixed rate purchase contracts to effectively fix some or all of our natural gas cost exposure, as described under “Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risks” in this Report.

Cash Flow Provided By Operating Activities. Cash flow provided by operating activities was $76.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and $44.6 million in the same period in 2006, an improvement of $31.5 million.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net income after adding back the effect from non-cash items, amounted to $151.4 million, including the loss from discontinued operations of $3.1 million. The non-cash expenses consisted of depreciation and amortization of $25.5 million and restructuring charges of $0.8 million, deferred income taxes of $2.6 million,

 

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and other credits of $5.7 million. Net cash used by working capital of $38.1 million primarily consisted of a increase in inventories of $15.6 million, the final $5.4 million antitrust payment, $5.7 million of restructuring payments and accruals, and a decrease in interest payable of $15.3 million. These increases in working capital were offset by a decrease in accounts receivable of $2.5 million, including the effect of factoring of $9.3 million, a $0.1 million decrease in accounts payable, and a decrease in prepaid and other current assets of $1.4 million. Also affecting cash flows from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was an increase in post retirement obligations of $2.3 million and long-term assets and liabilities of $4.7 million, and $25.2 million related to the gain on the sale of fixed assets (primarily our Caserta, Italy and Vyazma, Russia facilities). The excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation was $5.1 million.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2006, net income, after adding back the net effect from non-cash items, amounted to $75.4 million, including the loss from discontinued operations of $2.2 million. The non-cash items consisted of $30.0 million for depreciation and amortization, $3.7 million for deferred income taxes, restructuring charges of $7.7 million, impairments of $8.8 million, and other charges of $8.9 million. Net cash used by net working capital of $8.1 million primarily consisted of increases in inventory of $13.5 million, payments made for antitrust related items of $17.7 million, payments for restructuring items, primarily severance and related benefit payments, of $9.5 million, a decrease in interest payable of $11.9 million, and an increase in prepaid and other current assets of $1.8 million. These uses of cash were offset by cash provided by accounts receivable and factoring of $45.7 million, and an increase in accounts payable and other accrued items of $0.6 million. Also affecting cash flow from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was a change in post retirement benefit obligations of $10.7 million and long-term assets and liabilities of $9.9 million.

Cash Flow Used in Investing Activities. Cash flow used in investing activities was $12.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to cash flow used in investing activities of $22.5 million in the same period in 2006. In the nine months ended September 30, 2007, capital expenditures amounted to $33.6 million, patent costs were $0.7 million, and we had an increase in restricted cash of $1.5 million related to escrow amounts for the Caserta, Italy sale. These uses were offset by proceeds from the sale of assets and sale of business of $26.6 million. Finally, we paid $2.8 million to Alcan for the final purchase price adjustment related to the sale of our cathodes operation in the second quarter.

Cash Flow Used in Financing Activities. Cash flow used in financing activities was $205.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to $9.7 million during the same period in 2006.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we repaid $234.5 million in long-term debt obligations. Net revolver borrowings were $0.5 million, and short term borrowings were $0.7 million. Proceeds from the exercise of stock options provided an additional $19.7 million of cash. We also recorded a financing obligation of $3.0 million in connection with the sale of our business in Vyazma, Russia. The excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation was $5.1 million.

 

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During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we borrowed $449.7 million under the Revolving Facility and made payments of $459.0 million. Short term debt reductions were $0.5 million. We used these borrowings to fund working capital requirements.

Restrictions on Dividends and Stock Repurchases

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

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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

Description of Our Financing Structure

A description of the Revolving Facility, the Senior Notes and the Debentures is set forth under “Long-Term Debt and Liquidity” in the Annual Report and such description is incorporated herein by reference.

Antitrust Proceedings Against Us

At December 31, 2006, $5.4 million remained in the reserve for liabilities and expenses in connection with the antitrust investigations described in our Annual Report representing the last scheduled installment of the fine imposed by the United States Department of Justice, which was paid in January 2007.

Other Proceedings Against Us

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

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

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

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

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

Interest Rate Risk Management. We periodically implement interest rate management initiatives to seek to minimize our interest expense and optimize the risk in our portfolio of fixed and variable interest rate obligations. At December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007, we had no interest rate swaps outstanding.

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

We periodically enter into agreements with financial institutions that are intended to limit, or cap, our exposure to incurrence of additional interest expense due to increases in variable interest rates. These instruments effectively cap our interest rate exposure. At December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007, we had no outstanding interest rate caps.

Currency Rate Management. We periodically enter into foreign currency instruments to attempt to manage exposure to changes in currency exchange rates. These foreign currency instruments, which include, but are not limited to, forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options, attempt to hedge global currency exposures, net, relating to euro-denominated

 

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debt and identifiable foreign currency receivables, payables and commitments held by our foreign and domestic subsidiaries. Forward exchange contracts are agreements to exchange different currencies at a specified future date and at a specified rate. Purchased foreign currency options are instruments which give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to exchange different currencies at a specified rate at a specified date or over a range of specified dates. The result is the creation of a range in which a best and worst price is defined, while minimizing option cost. At December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007, there were no outstanding contracts.

Commercial Energy Rate Management. We periodically enter into natural gas derivative contracts and short duration fixed rate purchase contracts to effectively fix some or all of our natural gas cost exposure. The outstanding contracts at December 31, 2006 were a payable of $0.2 million. All existing contracts expired in April 2007 and no new financial derivative contracts were initiated.

When we enter derivative contracts, we may be required to provide cash collateral to certain counterparties to the extent that the fair market value of the natural gas derivative contracts exceeds a specific threshold.

Sensitivity Analysis. We used a sensitivity analysis to assess the potential effect of changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates on results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Based on this analysis, a hypothetical 10% weakening or strengthening in the dollar across all other currencies would have changed our reported gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 by about $11.3 million. Based on this analysis, a hypothetical increase in interest rates of 100 basis points would have increased our interest expense by a nominal amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, as our debt is primarily fixed rate debt.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

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

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report, and, based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief

 

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Financial Officer have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2007.

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the third quarter of 2007 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

This information required in response to this Item is set forth under “Contingencies” in Note 13 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Report, and such description is hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

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

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description of Exhibit

31.1

  Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act by Craig S. Shular, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the Board.

31.2

  Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act by Mark Widmar, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

32.1

  Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Craig S. Shular, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the Board.

32.2

  Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Mark Widmar, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

 

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SIGNATURE

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

 

    GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Date: November 1, 2007     By:  

/s/ Mark Widmar

      Mark Widmar
     

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description of Exhibit

31.1

  Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act by Craig S. Shular, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the Board.

31.2

  Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act by Mark Widmar, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

32.1

  Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Craig S. Shular, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the Board.

32.2

  Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Mark Widmar, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

 

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