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GrafTech - 10-Q quarterly report FY


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Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008

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, OH

 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, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer  x    Accelerated Filer  ¨    Non-Accelerated Filer  ¨    Smaller Reporting Company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

Yes  ¨    No  x

As of July 17, 2008, 119,527,909 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, 2007 and June 30, 2008 (unaudited)  Page 3
 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months and Six Months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008 (unaudited)  Page 4
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008 (unaudited)  Page 5
 Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity  Page 6
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)  Page 7
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 51
Item 4. Controls and Procedures   Page 53
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION:   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings  Page 54
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds  Page 54
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders  Page 54
Item 6. Exhibits  Page 55
SIGNATURE   Page 56
EXHIBIT INDEX   Page 57

 

2


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,
2007
  At June 30,
2008
 
ASSETS   

Current assets:

   

Cash and cash equivalents

  $54,741  $13,563 

Restricted cash

   —     1,713 

Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,971 at December 31, 2007 and $1,832 at June 30, 2008

   158,486   188,590 

Inventories

   285,433   302,060 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   10,133   10,829 
         

Total current assets

   508,793   516,755 
         

Property, plant and equipment

   881,067   933,837 

Less: accumulated depreciation

   564,613   594,432 
         

Net property, plant and equipment

   316,454   339,405 

Deferred income taxes

   7,144   6,254 

Goodwill

   9,683   8,604 

Other assets

   23,080   18,499 

Long-term investment

   —     136,123 

Restricted cash

   1,547   —   
         

Total assets

  $866,701  $1,025,640 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   

Current liabilities:

   

Accounts payable

  $58,975  $82,875 

Interest payable

   9,633   3,119 

Short-term debt

   1,014   16,358 

Accrued income and other taxes

   29,996   44,805 

Other accrued liabilities

   104,066   84,937 
         

Total current liabilities

   203,684   232,094 

Long-term debt:

   

Principal value

   423,234   160,376 

Fair value adjustments for hedge instruments

   2,421   814 

Unamortized bond premium

   481   162 
         

Total long-term debt

   426,136   161,352 
         

Other long-term obligations

   94,010   96,770 

Deferred income taxes

   30,171   29,429 

(see Contingencies – Note 14)

   

Stockholders’ equity:

   

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

   —     —   

Common stock, par value $.01, 150,000,000 shares authorized, 105,169,507 shares issued at December 31, 2007 and 122,268,619 shares issued at June 30, 2008

   1,052   1,223 

Additional paid-in capital

   988,662   1,262,468 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (278,316)  (246,130)

Accumulated deficit

   (506,666)  (414,328)

Less: cost of common stock held in treasury, 2,501,201 shares at December 31, 2007 and 3,172,252 shares at June 30, 2008

   (85,197)  (96,629)

Less: common stock held in employee benefit and compensation trusts, 471,373 shares at December 31, 2007 and 42,950 shares at June 30, 2008.

   (6,835)  (609)
         

Total stockholders’ equity

   112,700   505,995 
         

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $866,701  $1,025,640 
         

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3


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 June 30,
  For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
   
   2007  2008  2007  2008 

Net sales

  $255,889  $319,538  $484,120  $609,540 

Cost of sales

   163,189   205,188   316,132   387,089 
                 

Gross profit

   92,700   114,350   167,988   222,451 

Research and development

   2,045   1,835   4,279   4,100 

Selling and administrative

   25,462   23,688   47,856   46,279 

Restructuring (credits) charges, net

   (138)  190   746   342 
                 

Operating income

   65,331   88,637   115,107   171,730 

Other (income) expense, net

   (24,305)  6,979   (14,281)  28,014 

Interest expense

   9,546   3,790   21,257   9,476 

Interest income

   (258)  (206)  (1,224)  (578)
                 

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

   80,348   78,074   109,355   134,818 

Provision for income taxes

   15,376   24,382   25,906   42,480 
                 

Income from continuing operations before minority interest

   64,972   53,692   83,449   92,338 

Minority stockholders’ share of subsidiaries’ income

   2   —     35   —   
                 

Income from continuing operations

   64,970   53,692   83,414   92,338 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   —     —     (3,117)  —   
                 

Net income

  $64,970  $53,692  $80,297  $92,338 
                 

Basic income (loss) per common share:

     

Income per share from continuing operations

  $0.65  $0.51  $0.84  $0.89 

Loss per share from discontinued operations

   —     —     (0.03)  —   
                 

Net income per share

  $0.65  $0.51  $0.81  $0.89 
                 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

   99,759   106,050   99,202   104,161 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

     

Income per share from continuing operations

  $0.57  $0.46  $0.75  $0.80 

Loss per share from discontinued operations

   —     —     (0.03)  —   
                 

Net income per share

  $0.57  $0.46  $0.72  $0.80 
                 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

   116,549   119,521   114,508   118,581 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4


Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

   For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
   2007  2008 

Cash flow from operating activities:

   

Net income

  $80,297  $92,338 

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

   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   3,117   —   

Depreciation and amortization

   16,202   17,416 

Deferred income taxes

   3,623   1,189 

Restructuring charges

   746   342 

Currency (gains) losses

   (495)  14,313 

Stock based compensation

   2,172   2,373 

Interest expense

   2,396   3,013 

Other (credits) charges, net

   (4,137)  3,982 

Increase in working capital*

   (20,764)  (35,002)

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

   (23,662)  8 

Long-term assets and liabilities

   (5,703)  2,389 
         

Net cash provided by operating activities

   53,792   102,361 
         

Cash flow from investing activities:

   

Capital expenditures

   (20,218)  (27,554)

Proceeds from derivative instruments

   —     224 

Purchase of equity investment

   —     (134,611)

Proceeds from sale of assets

   24,663   18 

Increase in restricted cash

   —     (166)

Payments for purchase price adjustments

   (2,794)  —   

Patents capitalization

   (472)  —   
         

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   1,179   (162,089)
         

Cash flow from financing activities:

   

Short-term debt borrowings

   574   14,993 

Revolving Facility borrowings

   183,645   155,625 

Revolving Facility reductions

   (183,000)  (70,810)

Long-term debt reductions

   (184,750)  (124,508)

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

   —     12,136 

Purchase of treasury shares

   —     (5,323)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   12,331   36,315 
         

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

   (171,200)  18,428 
         

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   (116,229)  (41,300)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

   186   122 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   149,517   54,741 
         

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $33,474  $13,563 
         

 

   

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

   

(Increase) decrease in current assets:

   

Accounts and notes receivable

  $(6,699) $(48,186)

Effect of factoring on accounts receivable

   22,533   23,773 

Inventories

   (7,116)  (5,559)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   918   (976)

Payments for antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims

   (5,380)  —   

Restructuring payments

   (4,469)  (816)

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accruals

   (13,427)  3,276 

Decrease in interest payable

   (7,124)  (6,514)
         

Increase in working capital

  $(20,764) $(35,002)
         

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

  Issued
Shares of
Common
Stock
 Common
Stock
 Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 Accumulated
Deficit
 Treasury
Stock
 Common Stock
Held

in Employee
Benefit &
Compensation
Trust
 Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 Total
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Balance at December 31, 2007

 105,169,507 $1,052 $988,662 $(278,316) $(506,666) $(85,197) $(6,835) $112,700 
                        

Comprehensive income (loss):

         

Net income

 —    —    —    —    92,338  —    —    92,338 $92,338

Other comprehensive income:

         

Actuarial gain

 —    —    —    —    —    —    —    —    —  

Amortization of initial net asset

 —    —    —    (43)  —    —    —    (43)  (43)

Amortization of prior service credit

 —    —    —    (596)  —    —    —    (596)  (596)

Amortization of net loss

 —    —    —    2,889  —    —    —    2,889  2,889

Plan settlements

 —    —    —    171  —    —    —    171  171

Unrealized gains on securities

 —    —    —    152  —    —    —    152  152

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 —    —    —    29,613  —    —    —    29,613  29,613
           

Total comprehensive income (loss)

         $124,524
           

Debenture conversion

 13,559,604  136  221,753      221,889 

Treasury stock

 61,078      (11,432)  —    (11,432) 

Stock-based compensation

 295,710  —    14,352  —    —    —    —    14,352 

Stock held in employee benefit and compensation trusts

 —    —    —    —    —    —    6,226  6,226 

Common stock issued to savings and pension plan trusts

 86,923  —    1,386  —    —    —    —    1,386 

Sale of common stock under stock options

 3,095,797  35  36,315  —    —    —    —    36,350 
                        

Balance at June 30, 2008

 122,268,619 $1,223 $1,262,468 $(246,130) $(414,328) $(96,629) $(609) $505,995 
                        

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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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, 2007 (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 six months ended June 30, 2007 have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.

As previously disclosed in our second quarter 2007 Form 10-Q, we identified and corrected an error in the 2007 second quarter for expenses associated with final price adjustments relating to the sale of our former cathodes business in 2006. By correcting the error in the 2007 second quarter, we understated income from discontinued operations in the 2007 second quarter by $2.5 million and overstated income from discontinued operations by $2.5 million in the 2007 first quarter. We determined that this adjustment was not material to our consolidated financial statements for any of the periods affected; therefore, no revisions were made to the 2007 quarterly financial statements included in our previously filed Form 10-Q’s for this matter. However, consistent with Item 6, Selected Financial Data in our 2007 Annual Report, we have revised our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 to reflect the purchase price adjustments in 2007 in the appropriate reporting period.

During the first quarter of 2008, we revised our segment structure. Please refer to Note 6 for more information.

 

(2)New Accounting Standards

In May 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 162 “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS 162”). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (the GAAP hierarchy). SFAS 162 will become effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AICPA Professional Standards AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” The adoption of SFAS 162 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

In May 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement).” FSP APB 14-1 applies to convertible debt instruments that, by their stated terms, may be settled in cash (or other assets) upon conversion, including partial cash settlement of the conversion option. FSP APB 14-1 requires bifurcation of the instrument into a debt component that is initially recorded at fair value and an equity component. The difference between the fair value of the debt component and the initial proceeds from issuance of the instrument is recorded as a component of equity. The liability component of the debt instrument is accreted to par using the effective yield method; accretion is reported as a component of interest expense. The equity component is not subsequently re-valued as long as it continues to qualify for equity treatment. FSP APB 14-1 must be applied retrospectively to previously issued cash-settleable convertible instruments as well as prospectively to newly issued instruments. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of FSP APB 14-1 to our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 161”), which amends and expands the disclosure requirements of SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 133”), to provide an enhanced understanding of an entity’s use of derivative instruments, how they are accounted for under SFAS 133 and their effect on the entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The provisions of SFAS 161 are effective as of the beginning of our 2009 fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 161 on our financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS 141R), and SFAS 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (SFAS 160), to improve, simplify, and converge internationally the accounting for business combinations and the reporting of non-controlling interests in consolidated financial statements. The provisions of SFAS 141R and SFAS 160 are effective as of the beginning of our 2009 fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 141R and SFAS 160 on our financial statements.

In February 2007, the 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,

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

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. We have adopted SFAS 159 as of January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have an impact on our consolidated results of operations and financial position.

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 in generally accepted accounting principles, 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. In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The delay is intended to allow the Board and constituents additional time to consider the effect of various implementation issues that have arisen, or that may arise, from the application of Statement 157.

In accordance with the Staff Position, we adopted SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2008. The adoption did not have an impact on our consolidated results of operations and financial position.

 

(3)Stock-Based Compensation

In the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008, we recognized $1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense. A majority of the expense, $1.2 million and $1.4 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.

In the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008, we recognized $2.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense. A majority of the expense, $2.5 million in each period, 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 June 30, 2008, the total compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock and stock options not yet recognized was $3.5 million, which will be recognized over the weighted average life of 1.09 years.

Restricted stock activity under the plans for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was as follows:

 

   Number of
Shares
  Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Outstanding at January 1, 2008

  1,077,300  $7.32

Granted

  19,002   15.25

Vested

  (271,649)  6.31

Forfeited

  (23,667)  15.70
       

Outstanding at June 30, 2008

  800,986  $7.60
       

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Stock option activity under the plans for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was as follows:

 

   Number of
Shares
  Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Outstanding at January 1, 2008

  5,079,566  $7.16

Granted

  —     —  

Vested

  —     —  

Expired

  (8,000)  11.50

Exercised

  (3,066,895)  7.28
       

Outstanding at June 30, 2008

  2,004,671  $6.93
       

 

(4)Equity Investment

On June 30, 2008, we acquired 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Falcon-Seadrift Holding Corp (“Falcon”). Falcon’s only material assets are limited partnership units constituting approximately 18.9% of the equity interest in Seadrift Coke, L.P. (“Seadrift”), a producer of needle coke. As of June 30, 2008, a controlling interest of Seadrift is owned by one investor and the balance of the partnership is owned by various other investors and Seadrift employees.

The investment balance of $136.1 million includes the purchase price of $135.0 million and transaction costs of $1.7 million, net of cash of acquired of $0.4 million and prepaid assets of $0.2 million. The acquisition was paid for in cash, of which $100 million was funded through borrowings under our principal revolving credit facility. The balance of the purchase price was paid from cash on hand.

Falcon has certain contractual rights related to Seadrift. These include the right to one of five seats on the board of directors of Seadrift (or, at our election, board observation rights in lieu thereof), a right of approval with respect to certain mergers and other transactions involving Seadrift, the right to veto Seadrift’s repurchase of its own equity (other than from former employees), the right to receive certain information concerning Seadrift, certain registration rights, and customary tag along rights permitting us to participate in any proposed sale of the

 

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GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

majority owners’ interests on the same terms and conditions. Falcon is subject to customary drag along obligations requiring us, if the majority owners sell their interests, to sell our interests on the same terms and conditions. Falcon has the right to require Seadrift to buy its equity interests in Seadrift (a “put” to Seadrift) at then fair market value beginning May 1, 2011. Upon exercise of the put, the fair market value would be determined assuming a sale of Seadrift as a going concern and without applying a discount for lack of liquidity, marketability, or lack of control.

Due to the limited partnership structure, we will account for the investment in Seadrift under FASB Staff Position SOP 78-9-1, “Interaction of AICPA Statement of Position 78-9 and EITF Issue No. 04-5”, which requires the application of the equity method of accounting for the investment. As of June 30, 2008, the carrying value of our equity method investee exceeded our share of its equity by approximately $122 million. Due to the timing of the transaction, we are in the process of completing a valuation, which will determine the basis difference attributable to the assets and liabilities of Seadrift, which will primarily consist of fixed assets, goodwill and deferred taxes.

 

(5)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 share data:

 

    For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
  For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
   2007  2008  2007  2008
   (In thousands, except share data)

Net income as reported

  $64,970  $53,692  $80,297  $92,338

Interest on Debentures, net of tax benefit

   898   802   1,795   1,718

Amortization of Debentures issuance costs, net of tax benefit

   422   385   845   816
                

Net income as adjusted

  $66,290  $54,879  $82,937  $94,872
                

Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic calculation

   99,759,078   106,050,313   99,202,210   104,160,899

Add: Effect of stock options and restricted stock

   3,218,867   1,870,313   1,735,446   1,834,515

Add: Effect of Debentures

   13,570,560   11,600,335   13,570,560   12,585,447
                

Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted calculation

   116,548,505   119,520,961   114,508,216   118,580,861
                

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 net income, as adjusted, 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 had been issued.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding for the diluted calculation excludes consideration of stock options covering 2,161,413 and 92,398 shares in the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008, respectively, and 3,873,521 and 1,018,856 shares in the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008, respectively, because the exercise of these options would not have been dilutive for those periods due to the fact that the exercise prices were greater than the weighted average market price of our common stock for each of those periods.

 

(6)Segment Reporting

Previously, until the fourth quarter of 2007, our businesses were reported in the following reportable segments: graphite electrode, advanced graphite materials, and other businesses, which consisted of natural graphite products, refractories and carbon electrodes.

During the fourth quarter of 2007 and first quarter of 2008, we made certain organizational changes and have realigned the management of our segment structure to better serve our customers in a cost effective manner. Information utilized by our chief operating decision maker to assess the performance and allocate resources was also changed so that it more closely aligned with the new operating structure of the company. With these changes, we evaluated our segments under SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.”

Industrial Materials. Our industrial materials segment manufactures and delivers high quality graphite electrodes and refractories products. Electrodes are key components of the conductive power systems used to produce steel and other non-ferrous metals. Refractory products are used in blast furnaces and submerged arc furnaces due to their high thermal conductivity and the ease with which they can be machined to large or complex shapes.

Engineered Solutions. Engineered solutions include advanced graphite materials products for the transportation, solar, and oil and gas exploration industries, as well as natural graphite products.

We continue to evaluate the performance of our segments based on segment operating income. Intersegment sales and transfers are not material and 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.

Segment information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 has been restated to reflect the current presentation.

The following tables summarize financial information concerning our reportable segments:

 

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(Unaudited)

 

   For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
  For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
   2007  2008  2007  2008 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Net sales to external customers:

     

Industrial materials

  $220,857  $275,121  $415,370  $523,410 

Engineered solutions

   35,032   44,417   68,750   86,130 
                 

Total net sales

  $255,889  $319,538  $484,120  $609,540 
                 

Segment operating income:

     

Industrial materials

  $61,439  $79,646  $109,556  $154,311 

Engineered solutions

   3,892   8,991   5,551   17,419 
                 

Total segment operating income

  $65,331  $88,637  $115,107  $171,730 
                 

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

     

Other income, net

   (24,305)  6,979   (14,281)  28,014 

Interest expense

   9,546   3,790   21,257   9,476 

Interest income

   (258)  (206)  (1,224)  (578)
                 

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

  $80,348  $78,074  $109,355  $134,818 
                 

Assets by reportable segment are estimated based on the value of long-lived assets at each location and the sales mix to third party customers at that location.

 

    At December 31,
2007
  At June 30,
2008
   (Dollars in thousands)

Long-lived assets (a):

    

Industrial materials

  $275,115  $296,574

Engineered solutions

   51,022   51,435
        

Total long-lived assets

  $326,137  $348,009
        

 

(a)Long-lived assets represent fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation and goodwill.

 

(7)Restructuring

At June 30, 2008, the outstanding balance of our restructuring reserve was $2.4 million. We expect approximately half of the remaining payments to be paid by the end of 2008, with the remaining payments made during 2009 and after. The balance at June 30, 2008 consisted of the following:

Industrial Materials Segment:

 

  

$0.8 million related to the restructuring of our manufacturing facilities in France.

 

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(Unaudited)

 

  

$1.6 million related to the closure of our graphite electrode manufacturing operations in Caserta, Italy.

For the three months ended June 30, 2008, we recorded a net restructuring charge of $0.2 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, we recorded a net restructuring charge of $0.3 million. These charges related to severance and related costs associated with our Switzerland facility.

The following table summarizes activity relating to the restructuring liability at June 30, 2008:

 

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

Balance at January 1, 2008

  $2,393  $237  $2,630 

Restructuring charges

   342   —     342 

Payments and settlements

   (668)  (148)  (816)

Effect of change in currency exchange rates

   165   42   207 
             

Balance at June 30, 2008

  $2,232  $131  $2,363 
             

 

(8)Other (Income) Expense, Net

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

 

   For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
  For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
   2007  2008  2007  2008 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Currency (gains) losses

  $(2,753) $(2,772) $(1,305) $12,692 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

   2,765   —     10,288   4,725 

Debenture make-whole payment

   —     9,034   —     9,034 

Loss (gain) on sale of assets

   (23,893)  40   (23,187)  (8)

Bank and other financing fees

   493   538   1,159   983 

Loss on the sale of accounts receivable

   325   235   475   575 

Other

   (1,242)  (96)  (1,711)  13 
                 

Total other (income) expense, net

  $(24,305) $6,979  $(14,281) $28,014 
                 

We have non-dollar-denominated intercompany loans between our GrafTech Finance, Inc. subsidiary (“Finco”) and some of our foreign subsidiaries. At December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2008, the aggregate principal amount of these loans was $493.5 million and $529.3 million, respectively (based on currency exchange rates in effect at such dates). These

 

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(Unaudited)

 

loans are subject to remeasurement gains and losses due to changes in 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’ equity 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 three and six months ended June 30, 2007, we had a net total of $2.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of currency gains, primarily due to the remeasurement of intercompany loans and the effect of transaction losses related to foreign subsidiaries which use the dollar as their functional currency. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, we had a net total of $2.8 million of currency gains and $12.7 million of currency losses, respectively, due to the remeasurement of intercompany loans related to foreign subsidiaries which use the dollar as their functional currency. These losses were primarily driven by fluctuations in the euro.

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.

In connection with the redemption of $185 million of the outstanding principal of the Senior Notes in the six months ended June 30, 2007, we incurred a $10.3 million loss on the extinguishment of debt, $9.5 million of which related to the call premium and $0.8 million of charges for the accelerated amortization of the debt issuance fees, terminated interest rate swaps and the premium related to the Senior Notes.

In connection with the redemption of $125 million of the outstanding principal of the Senior Notes during the six months ended June 30, 2008, we incurred a $4.7 million loss on the extinguishment of debt, which includes $4.3 million related to the call premium and $0.4 million of charges for the accelerated amortization of the debt issuance fees, terminated interest rate swaps and the premium related to the Senior Notes.

In connection with the conversion of our $225 million of Convertible Senior Debentures in the three months ended June 30, 2008, we incurred a $9.0 million charge related to the make-whole provision. This charge represented the present value of all remaining scheduled interest payments from the date of conversion through January 15, 2011.

 

(9)Benefit Plans

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

 

   Pension Benefits 
   For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
  For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
   2007  2008  2007  2008 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Service cost

  $245  $246  $488  $492 

Interest cost

   2,857   2,890   5,684   5,780 

Expected return on plan assets

   (3,112)  (3,254)  (6,194)  (6,509)

Amortization of transition obligation

   (22)  (22)  (43)  (43)

Amortization of prior service cost

   30   34   60   68 

Amortization of unrecognized loss

   579   497   1,155   995 

Settlements

   102   171   102   171 
                 

Net cost

  $679  $562  $1,252  $954 
                 

 

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(Unaudited)

 

   Post Retirement Benefits 
   For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
  For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
   2007  2008  2007  2008 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Service cost

  $125  $120  $247  $240 

Interest cost

   210   554   418   1,108 

Amortization of prior service benefit

   (2,838)  (332)  (5,670)  (664)

Amortization of unrecognized loss

   1,126   1,051   2,246   2,102 
                 

Net (benefit) cost

  $(1,377) $1,393  $(2,759) $2,786 
                 

 

(10)Long-Term Debt and Liquidity

The following table presents our long-term debt:

 

   At December 31,
2007
  At June 30,
2008
   (Dollars in thousands)

Revolving Facility

  $—    $84,815

Senior Notes:

    

Senior Notes due 2012

   199,649   74,816

Fair value adjustments for terminated hedge instruments*

   2,421   814

Unamortized bond premium

   481   162
        

Total Senior Notes

   202,551   75,792

Debentures

   222,905   —  

Other European debt

   680   745
        

Total

  $426,136  $161,352
        

 

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

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

In the six months ended June 30, 2007, we redeemed a total of $185 million of the outstanding principal amount of the 10 1/4% Senior Notes, due 2012, at 105.125% plus accrued interest. In connection with this redemption, we incurred a $10.3 million loss on the extinguishment of debt.

In the six months ended June 30, 2008, we redeemed a total of $125 million of the outstanding principal amount of the 10 1/4% Senior Notes, due 2012, at 103.417% plus accrued interest. In connection with this redemption, we incurred a $4.7 million loss on the extinguishment of debt.

On May 30, 2008, we called for redemption of the $225 million outstanding principal amount of our 1 5/8% Convertible Senior Debentures.

On the redemption date, the Debenture holders who exercised their conversion rights received 60.3136 shares of our common stock for each $1,000 principal amount of Debentures on conversion, together with a make-whole payment totaling approximately $9.0 million, which represented the present value of all remaining scheduled payments of interest on the redeemed Debentures from the date of conversion through January 15, 2011. We also made a payment of $0.2 million to the Debenture holders who did not exercise their conversion rights and opted to receive a redemption price in cash equal to 100% of the principal plus accrued but unpaid interest until the redemption date. These Debenture holders received the make-whole value in shares.

 

(11)Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following:

 

   At December 31,
2007
  At June 30,
2008
 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Inventories:

   

Raw materials and supplies

  $97,009  $103,537 

Work in process

   132,709   145,880 

Finished goods

   57,183   54,198 
         
   286,901   303,615 

Reserves

   (1,468)  (1,555)
         
  $285,433  $302,060 
         

 

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(Unaudited)

 

(12)Interest Expense

The following table presents an analysis of interest expense:

 

   For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
  For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
   2007  2008  2007  2008 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Interest incurred on debt

  $8,693  $2,999  $19,442  $7,831 

Amortization of fair value adjustments for terminated hedge instruments

   (155)  (45)  (358)  (116)

Amortization of premium on Senior Notes

   (31)  (9)  (69)  (23)

Amortization of discount on Debentures

   168   150   334   320 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

   809   628   1,684   1,324 

Interest incurred on other items

   62   67   224   140 
                 

Total interest expense

  $9,546  $3,790  $21,257  $9,476 
                 

 

(13)Other Comprehensive Income

Other comprehensive income consisted of the following:

 

   For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
  For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
   2007  2008  2007  2008
   (Dollars in thousands)

Net income

  $64,970  $53,692  $80,297  $92,338

Other comprehensive income:

        

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax

   5,137   6,008   7,737   29,613

Amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized gains and losses

   977   1,097   2,252   2,573
                

Total comprehensive income

  $71,084  $60,797  $90,286  $124,524
                

 

(14)Contingencies

We are involved in various 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.

 

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(Unaudited)

 

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 $1.5 million at December 31, 2007 and $1.4 million at June 30, 2008. The following table presents the activity in this accrual for the six months ended June 30, 2008:

 

   (Dollars in Thousands) 

Balance at January 1, 2008

  $1,452 

Product warranty charges

   1,491 

Payments and settlements

   (1,578)
     

Balance at June 30, 2008

  $1,365 
     

 

(15)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, 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 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., GrafTech International Trading Inc. (formerly named UCAR International Trading Inc.), and GrafTech Technology LLC (formerly named 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 were the same as the guarantors of the Senior Notes, except for the Parent (which was the issuer of the Debentures but a guarantor of the Senior Notes) and Finco (which was a guarantor of the Debentures but the issuer of the Senior Notes). The Parent and Finco were both obligors on the Senior Notes and the Debentures, although in different capacities.

The Debentures were called for redemption during the three months ended June 30, 2008. In connection therewith, the entire $225 million outstanding principal amount of the Debentures was either converted into shares of common stock or redeemed and the obligations of the guarantors of the Debentures under the applicable guarantees thereof were released. The guarantees of the Senior Notes remain in full force and effect.

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

 

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(Unaudited)

 

All of the guarantees are unsecured. 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. If a guarantor makes a payment under its guarantee of the Senior Notes, it would have the right under certain circumstances to seek contribution from the other guarantors of the Senior Notes.

Provisions in the Revolving Facility restrict the payment of dividends by our subsidiaries to the Parent. At June 30, 2008, retained earnings of our subsidiaries subject to such restrictions were approximately $1,199 million. Investments in subsidiaries are recorded on the equity basis.

The following table sets forth condensed consolidating balance sheets at December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2008 and condensed consolidating statements of operations and cash flows for each of the three month and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008 of the Parent, Finco, all other U.S. Guarantors and the Non-Guarantors.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

at December 31, 2007

 

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

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

  $168  $31,021  $—    $23,670  $(118) $54,741

Intercompany loans

   —     155,568   —     495,849   (651,417)  —  

Intercompany accounts receivable

   —     8,446   —     7,525   (15,971)  —  

Accounts receivable - third party

   —     —     25,945   132,541   —     158,486
                        

Accounts and notes receivable, net

   —     164,014   25,945   635,915   (667,388)  158,486

Inventories

   —     —     46,674   238,759   —     285,433

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   —     13   4,585   5,535   —     10,133
                        

Total current assets

   168   195,048   77,204   903,879   (667,506)  508,793
                        

Property, plant and equipment, net

   —     —     74,464   241,990   —     316,454

Deferred income taxes

   —     —     850   6,404   (110)  7,144

Intercompany loans

   —     585,739   —     —     (585,739)  —  

Investments in affiliates

   333,897   —     330,848   —     (664,745)  —  

Goodwill

   —     —     —     9,683   —     9,683

Other assets

   3,216   7,013   5,197   7,654   —     23,080

Assets held for sale

   —     —     —     —     —     —  

Restricted cash

   —     —     —     1,547   —     1,547
                        

Total assets

  $337,281  $787,800  $488,563  $1,171,157  $(1,918,100) $866,701
                        
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)           

Current liabilities:

           

Accounts payable

  $—    $—    $10,709  $48,384  $(118) $58,975

Interest payable

   1,676   7,949   —     8   —     9,633

Intercompany loans

   —     503,373   142,775   21,240   (667,388)  —  

Third party loans

   —     —     —     1,014   —     1,014
                        

Short-term debt

   —     503,373   142,775   22,254   (667,388)  1,014

Accrued income and other taxes

   —     —     2,780   27,216   —     29,996

Other accrued liabilities

   —     99   29,582   74,385   —     104,066
                        

Total current liabilities

   1,676   511,421   185,846   172,247   (667,506)  203,684
                        

Long-term debt

   222,905   202,551   —     680   —     426,136

Intercompany loans

   —     —     —     585,739   (585,739)  —  

Other long-term obligations

   —     —     42,648   51,362   —     94,010

Payable to equity of investees

   —     —     —     —     —     —  

Deferred income taxes

   —     —     —     30,281   (110)  30,171

Minority stockholders’ equity in consolidated Entities

   —     —     —     —     —     —  

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

   112,700   73,828   260,069   330,848   (664,745)  112,700
                        

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

  $337,281  $787,800  $488,563  $1,171,157  $(1,918,100) $866,701
                        

 

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Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

at June 30, 2008

 

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

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

  $195  $6,841  $—    $6,696  $(169) $13,563

Restricted cash

   —     —     —     1,713   —     1,713

Inter-company loans

   —     258,707   —     652,729   (911,436)  —  

Inter-company accounts receivable

   —     8,334   49   9,558   (17,941)  —  

Accounts receivable - third party

   —     —     38,369   150,221   —     188,590
                        

Accounts and notes receivable, net

   —     267,041   38,418   812,508   (929,377)  188,590

Inventories

   —     —     48,099   253,961   —     302,060

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   —     88   4,482   6,259   —     10,829
                        

Total current assets

   195   273,970   90,999   1,081,137   (929,546)  516,755
                        

Property, plant and equipment, net

   —     —     77,138   262,267   —     339,405

Deferred income taxes

   —     —     1,741   4,734   (221)  6,254

Intercompany loans

   —     621,600   —     —     (621,600)  —  

Investments in affiliates

   505,800   —     459,724   —     (965,524)  —  

Goodwill

   —     —     —     8,604   —     8,604

Other assets

   —     3,949   5,433   9,117   —     18,499

Long-term investment

   —     —     136,123   —     —     136,123
                        

Total assets

  $505,995  $899,519  $771,158  $1,365,859  $(2,516,891) $1,025,640
                        
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)           

Current liabilities:

           

Accounts payable

  $—    $—    $10,570  $72,474  $(169) $82,875

Interest payable

   —     3,107   —     12   —     3,119

Intercompany loans

   —     662,357   245,516   21,504   (929,377)  —  

Third party loans

   —     12,000   —     4,358   —     16,358
                        

Short-term debt

   —     674,357   245,516   25,862   (929,377)  16,358

Accrued income and other taxes

   —     —     1,874   42,931   —     44,805

Other accrued liabilities

   —     —     24,666   60,271   —     84,937
                        

Total current liabilities

   —     677,464   282,626   201,550   (929,546)  232,094
                        

Long-term debt

   —     160,792   —     560   —     161,352

Intercompany loans

   —     —     —     621,600   (621,600)  —  

Other long-term obligations

   —     —     43,995   52,775   —     96,770

Payable to equity of investees

   —     —     —     —     —     —  

Deferred income taxes

   —     —     —     29,650   (221)  29,429

Stockholders’ equity

   505,995   61,263   444,537   459,724   (965,524)  505,995
                        

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

  $505,995  $899,519  $771,158  $1,365,859  $(2,516,891) $1,025,640
                        

 

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 June 30, 2007

 

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

Net sales

  $—    $—    $61,809  $194,080  $—    $255,889 

Cost of sales

   —     —     54,514   108,675   —     163,189 
                         

Gross profit

   —     —     7,295   85,405   —     92,700 

Research and development

   —     —     2,045   —     —     2,045 

Selling and administrative expenses

   —     —     17,021   8,441   —     25,462 

Restructuring charges

   —     —     197   (335)  —     (138)
                         

Operating income

   —     —     (11,968)  77,299   —     65,331 

Other (income) expense, net

   —     (9,738)  (5,354)  (26,477)  17,264   (24,305)

Interest expense

   1,350   13,259   2,794   9,407   (17,264)  9,546 

Interest income

   —     (1)  (17)  (240)  —     (258)
                         

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

   (1,350)  (3,520)  (9,391)  94,609   —     80,348 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   1,753   (1,661)  3,508   11,776   —     15,376 
                         

Income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest

   (3,103)  (1,859)  (12,899)  82,833   —     64,972 

Minority stockholders’ share of subsidiaries’ income (loss)

   —     —     —     2   —     2 
                         

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   (3,103)  (1,859)  (12,899)  82,831   —     64,970 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   —     —     —     —     —     —   

Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries

   68,073   —     82,831   —     (150,904)  —   
                         

Net income (loss)

  $64,970  $(1,859) $69,932  $82,831  $(150,904) $64,970 
                         

 

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 Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

 

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

Net sales

  $—    $—    $114,138  $369,982  $—    $484,120 

Cost of sales

   —     —     100,051   216,081   —     316,132 
                         

Gross profit

   —     —     14,087   153,901   —     167,988 

Research and development

   —     —     4,279   —     —     4,279 

Selling and administrative expenses

   —     —     32,202   15,654   —     47,856 

Restructuring charges

   —     —     726   20   —     746 
                         

Operating income

   —     —     (23,120)  138,227   —     115,107 

Other (income) expense, net

   —     (12,464)  (5,031)  (31,169)  34,383   (14,281)

Interest expense

   2,698   28,231   5,602   19,109   (34,383)  21,257 

Interest income

   —     (711)  (17)  (496)  —     (1,224)
                         

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

   (2,698)  (15,056)  (23,674)  150,783   —     109,355 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   (927)  (5,675)  11,802   20,706   —     25,906 
                         

Income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest

   (1,771)  (9,381)  (35,476)  130,077   —     83,449 

Minority stockholders’ share of subsidiaries’ income (loss)

   —     —     —     35   —     35 
                         

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   (1,771)  (9,381)  (35,476)  130,042   —     83,414 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

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

Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries

   82,068   —     130,042   —     (212,110)  —   
                         

Net income (loss)

  $80,297  $(9,381) $91,449  $130,042  $(212,110) $80,297 
                         

 

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 Three Months June 30, 2008

 

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

Net sales

  $—    $—    $74,057  $245,481  $—    $319,538 

Cost of sales

   —     —     36,919   168,269   —     205,188 
                         

Gross profit

   —     —     37,138   77,212   —     114,350 

Research and development

   —     —     1,807   28   —     1,835 

Selling, administrative, and other expenses

   —     —     14,647   9,041   —     23,688 

Restructuring charges

   —     —     1   189   —     190 
                         

Operating income

   —     —     20,683   67,954   —     88,637 

Other (income) expense, net

   9,040   (15,767)  (940)  (6,907)  21,553   6,979 

Interest expense

   1,187   11,820   1,888   10,448   (21,553)  3,790 

Interest income

   —     (12)  —     (194)  —     (206)
                         

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

   (10,227)  3,959   19,735   64,607   —     78,074 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   —     280   9,938   14,164   —     24,382 
                         

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   (10,227)  3,679   9,797   50,443   —     53,692 

Minority stockholders’ share of income (loss)

   —     —     —     —     —     —   
                         

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   (10,227)  3,679   9,797   50,443   —     53,692 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   —     —     —     —     —     —   

Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries

   63,919   —     50,443   —     (114,358)  —   
                         

Net income (loss)

  $53,692  $3,679  $60,240  $50,443  $(114,358) $53,692 
                         

 

25


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 Six Months June 30, 2008

 

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

Net sales

  $—    $—    $132,558  $476,982  $—    $609,540 

Cost of sales

   —     —     103,781   283,308   —     387,089 
                         

Gross profit

   —     —     28,777   193,674   —     222,451 

Research and development

   —     —     4,073   27   —     4,100 

Selling, administrative, and other expenses

   —     —     28,918   17,361   —     46,279 

Restructuring charges

   —     —     (1)  343   —     342 
                         

Operating income

   —     —     (4,213)  175,943   —     171,730 

Other (income) expense, net

   9,040   (7,985)  2,234   (18,961)  43,686   28,014 

Interest expense

   2,539   24,205   5,770   20,648   (43,686)  9,476 

Interest income

   —     (211)  —     (367)  —     (578)
                         

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

   (11,579)  (16,009)  (12,217)  174,623   —     134,818 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   —     560   12,906   29,014   —     42,480 
                         

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   (11,579)  (16,569)  (25,123)  145,609   —     92,338 

Minority stockholders’ share of income (loss)

   —     —     —     —     —     —   
                         

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   (11,579)  (16,569)  (25,123)  145,609   —     92,338 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   —     —     —     —     —     —   

Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries

   103,917   —     145,609   —     (249,526)  —   
                         

Net income (loss)

  $92,338  $(16,569) $120,486  $145,609  $(249,526) $92,338 
                         

 

26


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 Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

 

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

Cash flow from operating activities:

       

Net income

  $80,297  $(9,381) $91,449  $130,042  $(212,110) $80,297 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in:

       

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   —     —     3,117   —     —     3,117 

Depreciation and amortization

   —     —     3,674   12,528   —     16,202 

Deferred income taxes

   (360)  557   639   2,786   —     3,622 

Restructuring charges

   —     —     726   20   —     746 

Currency gains

   —     —     —     (495)  —     (495)

Interest expense

   (71)  2,137   330   —     —     2,396 

Other charges, net

   93,104   (167,180)  (86,796)  (119,861)  278,769   (1,964)

(Increase) decrease in working capital

   (522)  (13,531)  (3,959)  (1,897)  (855)  (20,764)

Gain on sale of assets

   —     —     (141)  (23,968)  447   (23,662)

Increase in long-term assets and liabilities

   —     —     (5,028)  (675)  —     (5,703)
                         

Net cash provided by operating activities

   172,448   (187,398)  4,011   (1,520)  66,251   53,792 

Cash flow from investing activities:

       

Inter-company receivable/payable

   —     70,396   —     (1,191)  (69,205)  —   

Capital expenditures

   —     —     (4,409)  (15,809)  —     (20,218)

Proceeds from sale of assets

   —     —     57   21,659   2,947   24,663 

Purchase price adjustments

   —     —     —     (2,794)  —     (2,794)

Patent capitalization

   —     —     (472)  —     —     (472)
                         

Net cash used in investing activities

   —     70,396   (4,824)  1,865   (66,258)  1,179 

Cash flow from financing activities:

       

Short-term debt borrowings, net

   —     —     813   (239)  —     574 

Revolving Facility borrowings

   —     183,645   —     —     —     183,645 

Revolving Facility reductions

   —     (183,000)  —     —     —     (183,000)

Long term debt reduction

   (184,750)  —     —     —     —     (184,750)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   12,331   —     —     —     —     12,331 
                         

Net cash used in financing activities

   (172,419)  645   813   (239)  —     (171,200)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   29   (116,357)  —     106   (7)  (116,229)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

   —     —     —     186   —     186 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

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

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $180  $8,804  $—    $24,627  $(137) $33,474 
                         

 

27


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 Six Months Ended June 30, 2008

 

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

Cash flow from operating activities:

       

Net income

  $92,338  $(16,569) $120,486  $145,609  $(249,526) $92,338 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in:

       

Depreciation and amortization

   —     —     2,950   14,466   —     17,416 

Deferred income taxes

   —     —     606   583   —     1,189 

Restructuring charges

   —     —     —     342   —     342 

Currency losses

   —     14,313   —     —     —     14,313 

Stock based compensation

   2,373   —     —     —     —     2,373 

Interest expense

   185   2,828   —     —     —     3,013 

Other non-cash charges (credits), net

   (137,692)  (278,699)  40,171   282,970   97,232   3,982 

(Increase) decrease in working capital

   (305)  (109,529)  (25,170)  (177,387)  277,389   (35,002)

Gain on sale of assets

   —     —     (18)  26   —     8 

Long-term assets and liabilities

   —     —     1,069   1,320   —     2,389 
                         

Net cash used in operating activities

   (43,101)  (387,656)  140,094   267,929   125,095   102,361 

Cash flow from investing activities:

       

Inter-company receivable/payable

   —     390,945   —     (265,824)  (125,121)  —   

Capital expenditures

   —     —     (5,484)  (22,070)  —     (27,554)

Proceeds from derivative instruments

   —     224   —     —     —     224 

Purchase of equity investment

   —     —     (134,611)  —     —     (134,611)

Proceeds from sale of assets

   —     —     —     18   —     18 

Increase in restricted cash

   —     —     —     (166)  —     (166)
                         

Net cash used in investing activities

   —     391,169   (140,095)  (288,042)  (125,121)  (162,089)

Cash flow from financing activities:

       

Short-term debt borrowings, net

   —     12,000   —     2,993   —     14,993 

Revolving Facility borrowings

   —     155,625   —     —     —     155,625 

Revolving Facility reductions

   —     (70,810)  —     —     —     (70,810)

Long term debt reduction

   —     (124,508)  —     —     —     (124,508)

Excess tax benefit

   12,136   —     —     —     —     12,136 

Purchase of treasury shares

   (5,323)  —     —     —     —     (5,323)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   36,315   —     —     —     —     36,315 
                         

Net cash used in financing activities

   43,128   (27,693)  —     2,993   —     18,428 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   27   (24,180)  —     (17,120)  (26)  (41,300)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

   —     —     —     122   —     122 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   168   31,021   —     23,670   (118)  54,741 
                         

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $195  $6,841  $—    $6,672  $(143) $13,563 
                         

 

28


Table of Contents

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(16) Income Taxes

The effective tax rates were 31.5% and 23.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The effective tax rates were 31.2% and 19.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increases in the effective tax rate were primarily due to the shift of income in lower tax jurisdictions, as well as changes in the utilization of attributes and related valuation allowances.

Our cumulative year-to-date unrecognized tax benefits have increased by $1.3 million, which has an unfavorable impact on our effective rate. As of June 30, 2008, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $6.8 million, of which $6.8 million would have a favorable impact on our effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that a reduction in a range of $2.5 million to $3.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits may occur within 12 months as a result of the expiration of statutes of limitation.

The company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. We are currently under federal audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax year 2004. All U.S. tax years prior to 2004 are closed by statute or have been audited and settled with the domestic tax authorities. We are also currently under audit for tax years 2005-2007 by the French tax authorities. Generally, all tax years beginning after 2002 are still open to examination in our other foreign taxing jurisdictions.

Our tax provision for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 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 and 2008, 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 and 2008, this has created a reversal of some of our valuation allowances, thereby reflecting a provision on pretax income in these jurisdictions.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(17) 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.

In the six months ended June 30, 2007, we recorded a $3.1 million charge, net of tax of $1.6 million, related to the finalization of purchase price adjustments stated in the contract and other transaction related items. Please refer to Note 1 for more information.

(18) Subsequent Event

On July 25, 2008, we and certain of our subsidiaries requested U.S. National Association, as Trustee, to redeem $35.0 million of the outstanding principal amount of the 10¼% Senior Notes due 2012, at 103.417% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest. This redemption is expected to occur in August 2008. After this redemption, $40 million in principal amount of the Senior Notes remains outstanding. In connection with this redemption we expect to incur a $1.1 million loss on the extinguishment of debt, which includes $1.0 million related to the call premium and $0.1 million of charges for accelerated amortization of the debt issuance fees, terminated interest rate swaps and the premium related to the Notes.

 

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

Important Terms. We define various 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.

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 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; 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 and our ability to pass on such increases in our product prices or surcharges thereon; productivity, business process and operational initiatives, and their impact on us; our position in markets we serve; investments and acquisitions that we have made or may make in the future; employment and contributions of key personnel; employee relations and collective bargaining agreements covering many of our operations; tax rates; capital expenditures and their impact on us; nature and timing of restructuring charges and payments; 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; financing and 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;

 

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consulting projects; potential offerings, sales and other actions regarding debt or equity securities of us or our subsidiaries; 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, and increases 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, including growth by producers in developing countries and the mix, distribution, and pricing of their products, specific consumption rates, increases in customer inventory levels, 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 global consolidation of the world’s steel producers could impact our business or industry;

 

  

the possibility that average graphite electrode revenue per metric ton in the future may be different than current spot or market 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;

 

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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 of 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 engineered solutions or other products or that such products could be subsequently displaced by other products or technologies;

 

  

the possibility that we will fail to develop new customers or applications for our engineered solutions products;

 

  

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 PEM 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 investments and acquisitions that we make or may make in the future may not be successfully integrated into our business or provide the performance or returns expected;

 

  

the possibility that conditions and changes in the financial markets will limit our ability to obtain financing for growth and other initiatives on acceptable terms;

 

  

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, limitations on our ability to produce or sell products or limitations on our ability to prevent others from using that intellectual property to produce or sell products;

 

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

 

  

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

 

  

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 or may not occur or may result in unanticipated disruption;

 

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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; and

 

  

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 or the Senior Notes.

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. Our discussions about market data and global economic conditions below are based on published industry statistics.

Industrial material demand is primarily linked with the global production of steel in an electric arc furnace and, to a lesser extent, with the total production of steel and certain other metals. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, we estimate that global steel production and operating rates, excluding China, increased by 3.2% and 3.5%, respectively compared to the same period last year. China’s steel production grew by approximately 10.3% and 9.6%, respectively, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, contributing to an estimated global steel production increase of 5.8% and 5.7%, respectively.

Steel production in China and Russia is approximately 89.7% and 81.6% basic oxygen furnace related, respectively. However, these two countries provided some of the highest EAF capacity growth in 2008, due to new startups.

Overall, EAF steel production capacity continues to expand. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, EAF steel production increased approximately 4.0% and 3.7%, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, due to new EAF start-ups and strong melt rates. Based on the strong first half, we now estimate that EAF production will increase 3-4% during 2008. Graphite electrode demand is expected to increase by approximately 1-2% due to continual improvements in specific consumption.

In 2008, we believe that the overall demand for our engineered solutions 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 markets served has kept the demand high for our core products which are used in the industrial and chemical sectors.

Outlook

If global economic conditions in 2008 are stable, we would expect:

 

  

Total company net sales to increase 20 to 22 percent

 

  

The effective tax rate to be approximately 27 to 29 percent

 

  

Capital expenditures to be approximately $70 - 75 million

 

  

Depreciation expense of approximately $34 million; and

 

  

Cash flow from operations to be about $190 million.

 

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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 June 30, 2008 as Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2007.

Consolidated. Net sales of $319.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2008 represented a $63.6 million, or 24.9%, increase from net sales of $255.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2007. Net sales for both of our operating segments increased, primarily due to favorable pricing, along with currency impacts of $15.1 million. High demand for most of our products, together with passing significant raw material cost increases on to our customers, has resulted in increased prices, particularly related to graphite electrodes. Favorable currency exchange rates, particularly related to the euro, have also been a strong driver of our sales increase in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. These increases in sales were offset by a $3.7 million unfavorable sales mix and other items in our industrial materials segment.

Cost of sales of $205.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2008 represented a $42.0 million, or 25.7%, increase from cost of sales of $163.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2007. Cost of sales for both segments increased as a result of our higher sales volumes. Further, our businesses, particularly our industrial materials segment, continue to experience significant rising raw material costs. The effects of foreign currency exchange rates have also increased our costs of sales compared to the same period in 2007.

Gross profit of $114.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2008 represented a $21.7 million, or 23.4%, increase from gross profit of $92.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2007. Gross margin decreased slightly to 35.8% of net sales, from 36.2% in the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Research and development expenses decreased $0.2 million, or 10%, from $2.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2007 to $1.8 million in the three months ended June 30, 2008. This decrease was primarily the result of increased State and Federal grant activity related to specific research projects, which offset a portion of our research and development costs.

Selling and administrative expenses decreased to $23.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $25.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. This decrease was caused primarily by favorable employee related costs for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. Selling and administrative expenses have remained relatively consistent even with the higher sales due to our continued focus of monitoring and controlling discretionary expenses.

 

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Restructuring charges were $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, compared to a net benefit of $0.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Other (income) expense, net was a charge of $7.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to income of $24.3 million in three months ended June 30, 2007. In the three months ended June 30, 2008 we incurred a $9.0 million charge for the Debenture make-whole payment that was made in conjunction with the conversion of the Debentures. The income in the three months ended June 30, 2007 was primarily the result of a $23.9 million gain on the sale of assets, which was driven by the sale of our Caserta, Italy facility. We also incurred a $2.8 million loss on the extinguishment of debt in connection with the redemption of $50 million of our outstanding Senior Notes in the three months ended June 30, 2007.

The following table presents an analysis of interest expense:

 

    For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
 
   2007  2008 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Interest incurred on debt

  $8,693  $2,999 

Amortization of fair value adjustments for terminated hedge instruments

   (155)  (45)

Amortization of debt issuance costs

   809   628 

Amortization of premium on Senior Notes

   (31)  (9)

Amortization of discount on Debentures

   168   150 

Interest incurred on other items

   62   67 
         

Total interest expense

  $9,546  $3,790 
         

Average debt outstanding (long-term debt and the outstanding Revolver) was $282.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to $531.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2007. The average annual interest rate for these instruments, excluding amortization of issuance costs and other similar non-cash charges, was 4.3% in the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to 6.4% in the three months ended June 30, 2007. This rate reduction was the result of a decrease in the amount of our 10.25% Senior Notes outstanding during the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Provision for income taxes was a charge of $24.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and $15.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The effective tax rate was 31.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to 19.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the shift of income in lower tax jurisdictions as well as changes in the utilization of attributes and related valuation allowances.

 

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As a result of the matters described above, net income was $53.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to $65.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Segment net sales. The following table represents our net sales by segment for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008:

 

    For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
   2007  2008
   (Dollars in thousands)

Industrial materials

  $220,857  $275,121

Engineered solutions

   35,032   44,417
        

Total net sales

  $255,889  $319,538
        

Our analysis of the percentage change in net sales for industrial materials and engineered solutions is set forth in the following table:

 

   Volume  Price/Mix  Currency  Other  Net Change 

Industrial materials

  3% 17% 6% (1)% 25%

Engineered solutions

  6% 15% 4% 2% 27%

Net sales for the industrial materials segment increased primarily due to a favorable price/mix increase as a result of increased demand, particularly related to our graphite electrode products. Currency rate fluctuations also increased sales, driven by the strengthening of the euro. Sales volume for the segment increased driven by high sales volumes for refractories, as well as slight increases in graphite electrode volumes.

Net sales for engineered solutions increased primarily due to favorable price/mix increases and favorable currency exchange rates, also related to the strengthening of the euro. Volumes for our engineered solutions increased 6% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. This volume increase was related primarily to higher volumes in our ETM products. During the three months ended June 30, 2008, we also recognized $0.7 million of order cancellation fees related to certain advanced graphite material products.

Segment operating net income. The following table represents our operating income by segment for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008:

 

   For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
   2007  2008
   (Dollars in thousands)

Industrial materials

  $61,439  $79,646

Engineered solutions

   3,892   8,991
        

Total operating income

  $65,331  $88,637
        

 

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Our analysis of the percentage change in segment operating costs and expenses for industrial materials and engineered solutions is set forth in the following table:

 

   Operating Costs and
Expenses

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
 
   (Percentage of sales) 
   2007  2008  Change 

Industrial materials

  72% 71% (1)%

Engineered solutions

  89% 80% (9)%

Segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for industrial materials decreased 1% point in the three months ended June 30, 2008. However, in total, segment operating costs and expenses increased $36.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. The largest increase in operating expenses was caused by increased raw material costs of $24.4 million. The strengthening of certain currencies, primarily the euro, increased production costs an additional $9.7 million, and net volume increases and other expenses drove costs $3.2 million higher. Selling and administrative and other expenses decreased $1.2 million as a result of our efforts to reduce discretionary expenses.

Segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for engineered solutions decreased by 9% points to 80%. However, total segment operating costs and expenses increased by $4.3 million. This increase was driven by increased production costs, driven primarily by raw materials, related to our advanced graphite materials products of $1.2 million. Selling and administrative costs did not fluctuate materially even with the increased sales levels, as a result of our continued focus on reducing and controlling selling and administrative expenses.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 as Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2007.

Consolidated. Net sales of $609.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 represented a $125.4 million, or 25.9%, increase from net sales of $484.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007. Net sales for both of our operating segments increased, primarily due to favorable pricing, along with currency impacts of $26.7 million. High demand for most of our products, together with passing on significant raw material cost increases to our

 

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customers, has resulted in increased prices, particularly related to graphite electrodes. Favorable currency exchange rates, particularly related to the euro, have also been a strong driver of our sales increase in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. These increases in sales were offset by a $3.7 million decrease in sales related to carbon electrodes, as we have completely exited this business.

Cost of sales of $387.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 represented a $71.0 million, or 22.5%, increase from cost of sales of $316.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007. Cost of sales rose primarily due to our industrial materials segment. This was driven primarily by increased raw material and production costs for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to June 30, 2007, including the effects of foreign currency exchange rates. The total cost of sales for our engineered solutions segment increased slightly due to the effects of foreign currency exchange rates.

Gross profit of $222.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 represented a $54.5 million, or 32.4%, increase from gross profit of $168.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007. Gross margin increased to 36.5% of net sales, from 34.7% in the six months ended June 30, 2007 as a result of our increased prices.

Research and development expenses decreased $0.2 million, or 4.7%, from $4.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007 to $4.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008. This decrease was primarily the result of increased State and Federal grant activity, which offset a portion of our research and development costs.

Selling and administrative expenses were $46.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $47.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. This decrease was driven by a reduction in employee related benefit costs in the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. Note that selling and administrative expenses have remained relatively stable even with the large growth in sales due to the continued focus of monitoring and controlling discretionary costs.

Restructuring charges decreased $0.4 million to $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, as we complete previous restructuring activities.

Other (income) expense, net was a charge of $28.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to income of $14.3 million in six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was caused primarily by a $14.0 million increase in currency losses. These losses were the result of our euro-denominated inter-company loans between GrafTech Finance and some of our foreign subsidiaries, caused by the negative impact of movements in the euro exchange rate. We also incurred a $9.0 million charge for the Debenture make-whole payment in the six months ended June 30, 2008. During 2008, the gains on the sale of assets decreased by $23.2 million. The large gain seen in the six months ended June 30, 2007 was the result of the sale of our Caserta, Italy facility. These net increases in other expense were offset slightly by a decrease in the loss on extinguishment of debt of $5.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we redeemed $125 million of the outstanding principal of our Senior Notes, compared to $185 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

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The following table presents an analysis of interest expense:

 

   For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
   2007  2008 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Interest incurred on debt

  $19,442  $7,831 

Amortization of fair value adjustments for terminated hedge instruments

   (358)  (116)

Amortization of debt issuance costs

   1,684   1,324 

Amortization of premium on Senior Notes

   (69)  (23)

Amortization of discount on Debentures

   334   320 

Interest incurred on other items

   224   140 
         

Total interest expense

  $21,257  $9,476 
         

Average debt outstanding (long-term debt and outstanding Revolver) was $331.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to $568.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007. The average annual interest rate for these instruments, excluding amortization of issuance costs and other similar non-cash charges, was 4.6% in the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to 6.7% in the six months ended June 30, 2007. This rate reduction was the result of a decrease in the amount of our 10.25% Senior Notes outstanding during the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Provision for income taxes was a charge of $42.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and $25.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The effective tax rate was 31.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to 23.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the shift of income in lower tax jurisdictions as well as changes in the utilization of attributes and related valuation allowances.

The loss from discontinued operations was $3.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007.

As a result of the matters described above, net income was $92.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to $80.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Segment net sales. The following table represents our net sales by segment for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008:

 

   For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
   2007  2008
   (Dollars in thousands)

Industrial materials

  $415,370  $523,410

Engineered solutions

   68,750   86,130
        

Total net sales

  $484,120  $609,540
        

 

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Our analysis of the percentage change in net sales for industrial materials and engineered solutions is set forth in the following table:

 

   Volume  Price/Mix  Currency  Other  Net Change 

Industrial materials

  3% 17% 6% —    26%

Engineered solutions

  5% 15% 4% 1% 25%

Net sales for the industrial materials segment increased primarily due to a favorable price/mix increase as a result of increased demand, particularly related to our graphite electrode products. Currency rate fluctuations also increased sales, driven by the strengthening of the euro. Sales volume for the segment increased slightly driven by volume increases for both refractories and graphite electrodes, offset by volume decreases for our former carbon electrode products.

Net sales for engineered solutions increased primarily due to a favorable price / mix increase and favorable currency exchange rates, also related to the strengthening of the euro. Volume in our engineered solutions increased 5% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. This increase in volume was driven primarily by our ETM products. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we also recognized $0.7 million related of order cancellation fees related to certain advanced graphite material products.

Segment operating net income. The following table represents our operating income by segment for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008:

 

   For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
   2007  2008
   (Dollars in thousands)

Industrial materials

  $109,556  $154,311

Engineered solutions

   5,551   17,419
        

Total operating income

  $115,107  $171,730
        

Our analysis of the percentage change in segment operating costs and expenses for industrial materials and engineered solutions is set forth in the following table:

 

   Operating Costs and
Expenses

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
   (Percentage of sales) 
   2007  2008  Change 

Industrial materials

  74% 71% (3)%

Engineered solutions

  92% 80% (12)%

 

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Segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for industrial materials decreased 3% points in the six months ended June 30, 2008. However, total segment operating costs and expenses increased $63.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. Operating expenses for this segment increased primarily due to a $42.1 million increase in production costs, related primarily to raw material costs. The strengthening of certain currencies, primarily the euro increased production costs an additional $19.4 million. Selling and administrative and other expenses increased $1.8 million to support our increased sales levels.

Segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for engineered solutions decreased by 12% points to 80%. However, total segment operating costs and expenses increased by $5.5 million. This increase was caused by production costs of $6.1 million, driven by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations related to our advanced graphite materials products of $2.4 million and increased raw materials costs. These increases were offset by a decrease in total selling and administrative costs for the segment of $0.6 million as a result of our continued focus on reducing these types of costs.

Effects of Changes in Currency Exchange Rates

We incur costs in dollars and in the currency of each of the six 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 six months ended June 30, 2008, the average exchange rate of the Brazilian real, the euro and the Mexican Peso increased about 20.3%, 15.2% and 3.2%, respectively, when compared to the average exchange rate for the same period in 2007. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the average exchange rate for the South African rand decreased about 6.4% when compared to the average rate for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

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In the case of net sales of industrial materials, the impact of these events was an increase of about $23.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. In the case of cost of sales of industrial materials, the impact of these events was an increase of about $18.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007.

We have non-dollar-denominated intercompany loans between our GrafTech Finance, Inc. subsidiary (“Finco”) and some of our foreign subsidiaries. At June 30, 2008, the aggregate principal amount of these loans was $529.3 million. 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 essentially permanent and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the stockholders’ equity 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 three and six months ended June 30, 2007, we had a net total of $2.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of currency gains, primarily due to the remeasurement of intercompany loans and the effect of transaction losses related to foreign subsidiaries which use the dollar as their functional currency. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, we had a net total of $2.8 million of currency gains and $12.7 million of currency losses, respectively, due to the remeasurement of intercompany loans related to foreign subsidiaries which use the dollar as their functional currency. These losses were primarily driven by changes in the euro. To manage certain exposures to specific financial market risks caused by changes in currency exchange rates, we may use various financial instruments as described under “Item 3–Quantitative and Qualitative 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, investments, payment of restructuring costs, pension and post-retirement contributions, debt reduction payments and other obligations.

At June 30, 2008, we had short-term debt of $16.4 million, long-term debt of $161.4 million, cash and cash equivalents of $13.6 million and a stockholders’ equity of $506.0 million.

As part of our cash management activities, we periodically factor or discount (by selling) certain accounts receivable to third parties. In the six months ended June 30, 2008, 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 and to fund operating activities. If we had not sold receivables, our accounts receivable and our debt would have been about $0.3 million higher at December 31, 2007 and

 

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about $23.8 million higher at June 30, 2008. All receivables sold during 2007 and the 2008 were sold without recourse, and no amount of accounts receivable sold remained on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2008.

We use cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations, funds from factoring arrangements and 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 Facility provides for maximum borrowings of up to $215.0 million. At June 30, 2008, $106.7 million was available (after consideration of outstanding revolving and swingline loans of $97.0 million and outstanding letters of credit of $11.3 million). It is possible that our future ability to borrow under the Revolving Facility may effectively be less because of the impact of additional borrowings upon our compliance with the maximum net senior secured debt leverage ratio permitted or minimum interest coverage ratio required under the Revolving Facility. The Revolving Facility matures in July 2010.

Our business strategies have continued 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.

At June 30, 2008, we were in compliance with all financial and other covenants contained in the Senior Notes 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 June 30, 2008, the Revolving Facility had an effective interest rate of 4.3% and our $74.8 million principal amount of Senior Notes had a fixed rate of 10.25%. Also at June 30, 2008, 58% (or $101 million) of our total debt consists of variable rate obligations.

At December 31, 2007, the Revolving Facility had an effective interest rate of 6.2%, our $199.6 million principal amount of Senior Notes had a fixed rate of 10.25% and our $225.0 million principal amount and Debentures (which were redeemed during the three months ended June 30, 2008) 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.

 

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Cash Flow and Plans to Manage Liquidity. Our business strategies include efforts to enhance our capital structure by further reducing our gross obligations. Our efforts include leveraging our 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.

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, including our incentive compensation program payout in the second quarter of 2008.

We expect cash flow from operations to be positively impacted by reduced interest expense of approximately $20 million on an annual basis related to our reduced debt position. We expect our cash flow from operations to be negatively impacted by higher raw material prices, higher energy costs, higher accounts receivable balances as a result of favorable pricing for industrial materials, the payment of certain international taxes and planned pension and post retirement contributions.

Our debt and other 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. Our debt and 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, at times we have reduced our sales of, or refused to sell (except for cash on delivery), graphite electrodes and other products to some customers. 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 in open market or privately negotiated transactions, opportunistically on terms that we believe to be favorable. In the six months ended June 30, 2008 we redeemed $125 million of our Senior Notes. Also, on July 25, 2008, we called for the redemption of an additional $35 million of our Senior Notes.

In December 2007, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the purchase of up to 3 million shares of our common stock. Share repurchases may take place from time to time in the open market, or through privately negotiated transactions, as market conditions warrant. We intend to fund any such share repurchases from available cash and cash flows. These share repurchases may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

We occasionally 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 “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risks” in this Report. At June 30, 2008, there were no such contracts outstanding.

 

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Cash Flow Provided by Operating Activities. Cash flow provided by operating activities was $102.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to $53.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007, an increase of $48.6 million.

Cash provided by net income, after adding back the effect of non-cash items, was $135.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. Non-cash items included $17.4 million of depreciation and amortization, $0.3 million of restructuring charges, $14.3 million of foreign currency losses, primarily from inter-company loans, $3.0 million in interest expense, a $1.2 million change in deferred income taxes, $2.4 million of stock based compensation expense and $4.0 million net of other items. Changes in working capital used cash flow of $35.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, due primarily to a $24.4 million increase in accounts receivable, including the effects of factoring, driven by higher sales in the six months ended June 30, 2008. Other working capital uses of cash were a $5.6 million increase in inventories, a $1.0 million increase in prepaid assets, $0.8 million of restructuring payments, and a $6.5 million decrease in interest payable. These uses of cash were offset slightly by a $3.3 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

In the six months ended June 30, 2007, net income after adding back the effect from non-cash items, amounted to $103.9 million, including the loss from discontinued operations of $3.1 million. The non-cash expenses consisted of depreciation and amortization of $16.2 million and restructuring charges of $0.7 million, deferred income taxes of $3.6 million, and other credits of $0.1 million. Net cash used by working capital of $20.8 million primarily consisted of a increase in inventories of $7.1 million, the final $5.4 million antitrust payment, $4.5 million of restructuring payments, an $13.4 million decrease in accounts payable and accruals, and a decrease in interest payable of $7.1 million. These increases in working capital were offset by a decrease in accounts receivable of $15.8 million, including the effect of factoring of $22.5 million and a decrease in prepaid and other current assets of $0.9 million. Also affecting cash flows from operations for the six months ended June 30, 2007 was an increase in post retirement obligations of $1.7 million and long-term assets and liabilities of $4.0 million, and $23.7 million related to the gain on the sale of fixed assets (primarily our Caserta, Italy facility).

Cash Flow Provided by Investing Activities. Cash flow used in investing activities was $162.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to a source of cash of $1.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007.

In the six months ended June 30, 2008, we used a net $134.6 million of cash to purchase our equity investment of Seadrift Coke LP. Capital expenditures used an additional $27.6 million of cash.

In the six months ended June 30, 2007, investing activities provided cash of $1.2 million. This was driven by the proceeds from the sale of assets, specifically the sale of our Caserta, Italy facility, of $24.7 million, offset by capital expenditures of $20.2 million and $2.8 million dollars of purchase price adjustments made related to the 2006 sale of our former cathodes business.

 

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Cash Flow Used in Financing Activities. Cash flow provided by financing activities was $18.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to a use of cash of $171.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007.

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we redeemed $125 million of our Senior Notes, and borrowed a net $84.8 million under the Revolving Facility, primarily to fund our equity investment purchase. Other short-term borrowings were $15.0 million, which related primarily to bank overdrafts at our international locations and short-term borrowings under our revolving credit facilities. We used these borrowings primarily to fund working capital requirements and for capital expenditures. The excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation was $12.1 million for the six months ended June, 2008. We also purchased $5.3 million of treasury shares during the six months ended June 30, 2008. These uses of cash were offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $36.3 million.

During the six months ended June 30, 2007, we repaid $184.8 million in long-term debt obligations. Net revolver borrowings were $0.6 million, and short term borrowings were $0.5 million. Proceeds from the exercise of stock options provided an additional $12.3 million of cash.

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

 

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Proceedings Against Us

We are involved in various 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, from time to time, 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, if any, 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.

When we sell a fair value 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.

Currency Rate Management. We enter into foreign currency instruments from time to time 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 debt and identifiable foreign currency receivables, payables and commitments held by our foreign and domestic subsidiaries. Forward exchange contracts are agreements to

 

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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. Forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options are carried at market value. As of December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2008, 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. There were no outstanding contracts at June 30, 2008. We are 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. At June 30, 2008, we were not required to provide any cash collateral.

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 six months ended June 30, 2008. 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 six months ended June 30, 2008 by about $8.5 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 six months ended June 30, 2008, as our debt was primarily fixed rate debt for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 

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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 it in the reports that it files 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 Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2008. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level as of June 30, 2008.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended June 30, 2008 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

The 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 incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

In December 2007, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved a share repurchase program authorizing the purchase of up to 3 million shares of our common stock. Purchases may take place from time to time in the open market, or through privately negotiated transactions, as market conditions warrant. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we repurchased 194,295 shares under this program at an average price of $21.83.

In addition to the above repurchase program, we occasionally purchase or withhold vested restricted stock shares from employees to cover withholding taxes. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we purchased or withheld 68,520 shares at an average price of $16.37.

 

Period

  Total Number of
Shares Purchased
  Average
Price Paid
per Share
  Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans

or Programs (1)
  Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs

January 1, through January 31, 2008

  3,872  $16.58  0  3,000,000

February 1, through February 29, 2008

  0  $0.00  0  3,000,000

March 1, through March 31, 2008

  61,078  $16.02  0  3,000,000

April 1, through April 30, 2008

  0  $0.00  0  3,000,000

May 1, through May 31, 2008

  194,295  $21.83  194,295  2,805,705

June 1, through June 30, 2008

  3,570  $22.12  0  2,805,705

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

On May 20, 2008, GTI held its annual meeting of stockholders in Parma, Ohio.

At the meeting, the stockholders elected directors, and the shares present at the meeting were voted for or withheld from each nominee, as follows:

 

Name of Director

  Number of
Shares

Cast For
  Number of
Shares
Withheld

Mary B. Cranston

  93,430,875  966,788

Harold E. Layman

  93,423,821  973,842

Ferrell P. McClean

  81,516,117  12,881,546

Michael C. Nahl

  89,447,097  4,950,566

Frank A. Riddick III

  91,354,218  3,043,445

Craig S. Shular

  92,050,983  2,346,680

 

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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

10.1

 Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2008, by and among Falcon Mezzanine Partners, LP and GrafTech International Holdings Inc. (confidential treatment requested as to certain portions which are omitted and filed separately with the SEC).

10.2

 Termination and Release Agreement, dated June 30, 2008, between Gary R. Whitaker and GrafTech International Holdings Inc.

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 R. 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 R. 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: July 29, 2008 By: 

/s/ Mark R. Widmar

  

Mark R. Widmar

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description of Exhibit

10.1

 Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2008, by and among Falcon Mezzanine Partners, LP and GrafTech International Holdings Inc. (confidential treatment requested as to certain portions which are omitted and filed separately with the SEC).

10.2

 Termination and Release Agreement, dated June 30, 2008, between Gary R. Whitaker and GrafTech International Holdings Inc.

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 R. 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 R. Widmar, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

 

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