Kronos Worldwide - 10-Q quarterly report FY

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Large accelerated filer     Accelerated filer  X Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company    

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes     No X 

Number of shares of the Registrant's common stock outstanding on April 30, 2008: 48,956,549.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

 

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)

 

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)

(In millions)

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 7 and 10)

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except per share data)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Three months ended March 31, 2008

(In millions)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2008

(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Organization and basis of presentation:

Organization – We are a majority-owned subsidiary of Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI).  At March 31, 2008, Valhi held approximately 59% of our outstanding common stock and NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NL) held an additional 36% of our common stock.  Valhi owns approximately 83% of NL's outstanding common stock. Approximately 93% of Valhi's outstanding common stock is held by subsidiaries of Contran Corporation.  Substantially all of Contran's outstanding voting stock is held by trusts established for the benefit of certain children and grandchildren of Harold C. Simmons (for which Mr. Simmons is sole trustee), or is held directly by Mr. Simmons or other persons or related companies to Mr. Simmons.  Consequently, Mr. Simmons may be deemed to control each of these companies.

Basis of presentation – The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report have been prepared on the same basis as the audited Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 12, 2008 (the “2007 Annual Report”).  In our opinion, we have made all necessary adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) in order to state fairly, in all material respects, our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of the dates and for the periods presented.  We have condensed the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) at December 31, 2007 contained in this Quarterly Report as compared to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements at that date, and we have omitted certain information and footnote disclosures (including those related to the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2007) normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  Our results of operations for the interim periods ended March 31, 2008 may not be indicative of our operating results for the full year.  The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with our 2007 Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our 2007 Annual Report.

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this report to “we”, “us” or “our” refer to Kronos Worldwide, Inc. and its subsidiaries (NYSE: KRO) taken as a whole.

Note 2 – Accounts and other receivables:

Note 3 - Inventories:

Note 4 - Other noncurrent assets:

Note 5 – Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:

Note 6 - Long-term debt:

Revolving credit facilities - We borrowed a net $10.4 million under our U.S. bank credit facility during the first three months of 2008.  The average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under this facility at March 31, 2008 was 6.0%.

Our European, U.S. and Canadian revolving credit facilities currently mature in June 2008, September 2008 and January 2009, respectively.  We are in various stages of renegotiating such facilities, and expect to have new agreements of extensions in place prior to their respective maturity dates.

Note 7 - Income taxes:

Certain of our non-U.S. tax returns are being examined and tax authorities may propose tax deficiencies including interest and penalties.  We cannot guarantee that these tax matters will be resolved in our favor due to the inherent uncertainties involved in settlement initiatives and court and tax proceedings.  We believe we have adequate accruals for additional taxes and related interest expense which could ultimately result from tax examinations.  We believe the ultimate disposition of tax examinations should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.  We do not currently believe that our unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly within the next twelve months.

Note 8 – Employee benefit plans:

Defined benefit plans - The components of net periodic defined benefit pension cost are presented in the table below.

Postretirement benefits - The components of net periodic postretirement benefits other than pensions (“OPEB”) cost are presented in the table below.

Contributions – We expect our 2008 contributions for our pension and postretirement plans to be consistent with the amounts we disclosed in our 2007 Annual Report.

Note 9 – Other noncurrent liabilities:

Note 10 – Commitments and contingencies:

Litigation matters – From time-to-time, we are involved in various environmental, contractual, product liability, patent (or intellectual property), employment and other claims and disputes incidental to our operations.  In certain cases, we have insurance coverage for these items.  We currently believe the disposition of all claims and disputes, individually or in the aggregate, should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity beyond the accruals we have already provided for.

Please refer to our 2007 Annual Report for a discussion of certain other legal proceedings to which we are a party.

Note 11 – Recent accounting pronouncements:

Fair Value Measurements – In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which became effective for us on January 1, 2008.  SFAS No. 157 generally provides a consistent, single fair value definition and measurement techniques for GAAP pronouncements.  SFAS No. 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy for different measurement techniques based on the objective nature of the inputs in various valuation methods.  In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 which delays the provisions of SFAS No. 157 until January 1, 2009 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).  Beginning with this filing, all of our fair value measurements are in compliance with SFAS No. 157, except for such nonfinancial assets and liabilities for which we will be required to be in compliance with SFAS No. 157 prospectively beginning in the first quarter of 2009.  The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair Value Option - In the first quarter of 2007 the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.  SFAS No. 159 permits companies to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in the determination of net income.  The decision to elect the fair value option is generally applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis, is irrevocable unless a new election date occurs, and is applied to the entire instrument and not only to specified risks or cash flows or a portion of the instrument.  Items eligible for the fair value option include recognized financial assets and liabilities, other than an investment in a consolidated subsidiary, defined benefit pension plans, OPEB plans, leases and financial instruments classified in equity.  An investment accounted for by the equity method is an eligible item.  The specified election dates include the date the company first recognizes the eligible item, the date the company enters into an eligible commitment, the date an investment first becomes eligible to be accounted for by the equity method and the date SFAS No. 159 first becomes effective for us.  SFAS No. 159 became effective for us on January 1, 2008.  We did not elect to measure any eligible items at fair value in accordance with this new standard either at the date we adopted the new standard or subsequently during the first quarter of 2008; therefore the adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 Derivative Disclosures – In March 2008 the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.  SFAS No. 161 changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities to provide enhanced disclosures about how and why we use derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect our financial position and performance and cash flows.  This statement will become effective for us in the first quarter of 2009.  We periodically use currency forward contracts to manage a portion of our foreign currency exchange rate market risk associated with trade receivables or future sales.  We had no such contracts outstanding at December 31, 2007 or March 31, 2008.  Because our prior disclosures regarding these forward contracts have substantially met all of the applicable disclosure requirements of the new standard, we do not believe the enhanced disclosure requirements of this new standard will have a significant effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

Business and results of operations overview

We are a leading global producer and marketer of value-added titanium dioxide pigments (“TiO2”).  TiO2 is used for a variety of manufacturing applications, including plastics, paints, paper and other industrial products.  For the three months ended March 31, 2008, approximately one-half of our sales volumes were into European markets.  We believe we are the second largest producer of TiO2 in Europe with an estimated 19% share of European TiO2 sales volumes.  In addition, we also have an estimated 15% share of North American TiO2 sales volumes.  Our production facilities are located throughout Europe and North America.

We reported a net loss of $.4 million, or $.01 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to net income of $12.9 million, or $.26 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2007.  Our decreased net income for the first quarter 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007 is primarily due to lower income from operations resulting principally from lower selling prices and higher raw material and energy costs.

Forward-looking information

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical in nature are forward-looking in nature about our future that are not statements of historical fact.  Statements in this report including, but not limited to, statements found in Item 2 - "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," are forward-looking statements that represent our beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information.  In some cases you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "believes," "intends," "may," "should," "could," "anticipates," "expected" or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies or trends.  Although we believe the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know if these expectations will be correct.  Forward-looking statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results.  Actual future results could differ materially from those predicted.  While it is not possible to identify all factors, we continue to face many risks and uncertainties.  Among the factors that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those described herein are the risks and uncertainties discussed in this Quarterly Report and those described from time to time in our other filings with the SEC including, but not limited to, the following:

Should one or more of these risks materialize (or the consequences of such a development worsen), or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those forecasted or expected.  We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.

Results of operations

We consider TiO2 to be a “quality of life” product, with demand affected by gross domestic product (or “GDP”) in various regions of the world.  Over the long-term, we expect that demand for TiO2 will grow by 2% to 3% per year, consistent with our expectations for the long-term growth in GDP.  However, even if we and our competitors maintain consistent shares of the worldwide market, demand for TiO2 in any interim or annual period may not change in the same proportion as the change in GDP, in part due to relative changes in the TiO2 inventory levels of our customers.  We believe that our customers’ inventory levels are partly influenced by their expectation for future changes in market TiO2selling prices.

The factors having the most impact on our reported operating results are:

Our key performance indicators are our TiO2 average selling prices, and our level of TiO2 sales and production volumes.

Quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to the

Quarter ended March 31, 2008 -

________________________________

* Thousands of metric tons

Net sales – Net sales increased 6% or $18.5 million compared to the first quarter of 2007 primarily due to the impact of currency exchange rates and a 2% increase in sales volumes offset somewhat by a 4% decrease in average TiO2 selling prices.  We estimate the favorable effect of changes in currency exchange rates increased our net sales by approximately $20 million, or 7%, compared to the same period in 2007.  We expect average selling prices in the second quarter of 2008 to be lower than the average selling prices in the first quarter of 2008.

Sales volumes in the first quarter of 2008 were 2% higher compared to 2007 primarily as higher sales volumes in our export markets more than offset the impact of lower volumes in Europe.  Our sales volumes in Europe have been impacted by a decrease in demand for TiO2, however, we expect overall demand will continue to remain slightly above 2007 levels for the remainder of the year.  Our TiO2 sales volumes in the first quarter of 2008 were a new record for us for a first quarter.

Cost of sales - Cost of sales increased $31.8 million or  13% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to the impact of a 10% increase in utility costs (primarily energy costs), a 5% increase in raw material costs and currency fluctuations (primarily the euro).  Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 83% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 78% in the first quarter of 2007 due to the unfavorable effects of higher operating costs and lower average TiO2 selling prices.  TiO2 production volumes decreased 1% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, with operating rates near full capacity in both periods.

Income from operations –Income from operations for the first quarter of 2008 declined by 67% to $9.7 million compared to the same period in 2007.   Income from operations as a percentage of net sales declined to 3% in the first quarter of 2008 from 9% in the same period for 2007.  This decrease is driven by the decline in gross margin, which fell to 17% for the first quarter of 2008 compared to 22% for the first quarter of 2007.  While our sales volumes are higher in 2008, our gross margin has decreased as pricing has not improved to offset the negative impact of our increased operating costs (primarily energy costs and raw materials).  Changes in currency rates have negatively affected our gross margin and income from operations.  We estimate the negative effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased income from operations by approximately $7 million in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007.

Interest expense – Interest expense increased $1.1 million from $9.5 million in the first quarter of 2007 to $10.6 million in the first quarter of 2008 primarily due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.  Excluding the effect of currency exchange rates, we expect interest expense will be slightly higher in 2008 as compared to 2007.

We have a significant amount of indebtedness denominated in the euro, primarily the 6.5% Senior Secured Notes.  The interest expense we recognize will vary with fluctuations in the euro exchange rate.

Provision for income taxes – Our benefit for income taxes was $.1   million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to a provision for income taxes of $7.5 million in the same period last year.  See Note 7 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a tabular reconciliation of our statutory income tax expense to our actual tax expense.

Currency exchange

We have substantial operations and assets located outside the United States (primarily in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada).  The majority of our foreign operations’ sales are denominated in foreign currencies, principally the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar.  A portion of our sales generated from our foreign operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.  Certain raw materials used worldwide, primarily titanium-containing feedstocks, are purchased in U.S. dollars, while labor and other production costs are purchased primarily in local currencies.  Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of our foreign sales and operating results are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations which may favorably or adversely impact reported earnings and may affect the comparability of period-to-period operating results.  Overall, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates had the following effects on our sales and income from operations in 2008 as compared to 2007.

Outlook

We expect income from operations for the remainder of 2008 will be lower than 2007, as the favorable effects of anticipated modest improvements in sales and production volume are expected to be more than offset by higher production costs, particularly raw material, energy, and labor costs.  Our expectations as to the future of the TiO2industry are based upon a number of factors beyond our control, including worldwide growth of gross domestic product, competition in the marketplace, unexpected or earlier than expected capacity additions and technological advances.  If actual developments differ from our expectations, our results of operations could be unfavorably affected.

Through our debottlenecking program, we have added capacity to our German chloride-process facility.  In addition, equipment upgrades and enhancements in several locations have allowed us to reduce downtime for maintenance activities.  Our production capacity has increased by approximately 30% over the past ten years with only moderate capital expenditures.  We believe our annual attainable TiO2 production capacity for 2008 is approximately 532,000 metric tons, with some additional capacity expected to be available in 2009 through our continued debottlenecking efforts.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Consolidated cash flows

Trends in cash flows as a result of our operating activities (excluding the impact of significant asset dispositions and relative changes in assets and liabilities) are generally similar to trends in our earnings.

Our cash used in operating activities was $29.1 million in the first three months of 2008 compared to $16.3 million in the first three months of 2007.  This $12.8 million increase in the amount of cash used was due primarily to the net effects of the following items:

Changes in working capital were affected by accounts receivable and inventory changes.  Our average days sales outstanding (“DSO”) increased from 63 days at December 31, 2007 to 72 days at March 31, 2008 due to the timing of collection on higher accounts receivable balances at the end of March.  For comparative purposes, our average DSO increased from 61 days at December 31, 2006 to 69 days at March 31, 2007.  Our average days sales in inventory (“DSI”) increased from 59 days at December 31, 2007 to 64 days at March 31, 2008, as our TiO2 production volumes exceeded our TiO2 sales volumes in the first three months of 2008, offset by the impact of our increasing costs.  For comparative purposes, our average DSI stayed constant at 68 days at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 as the impact of increasing costs offset the effect of our TiO2 sales volumes in the first three months of 2007 exceeding our TiO2 sales volumes for the three months ended December 31, 2006.

Investing activities

Our capital expenditures of $5.5 million and $16.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively, were primarily for improvements and upgrades to existing facilities.

Financing activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we had net borrowings of $10.4 million under our U.S. credit facility.

In each of the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008, we paid a quarterly dividend to stockholders of $.25 per share for an aggregate dividend $12.2 million in each three-month period.

Outstanding debt obligations

At March 31, 2008, our consolidated debt was comprised principally of:

Certain of our credit agreements contain provisions which could result in the acceleration of indebtedness prior to its stated maturity for reasons other than defaults for failure to comply with applicable covenants.  For example, certain credit agreements allow the lender to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement) of the borrower.  In addition, certain credit agreements could result in the acceleration of all or a portion of the indebtedness following a sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business.  We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at March 31, 2008.  Our European, U.S. and Canadian revolving credit facilities currently mature in June 2008, September 2008 and January 2009, respectively.  We are in various stages of renegotiating such facilities, and expect to have new agreements or extensions in place prior to their respective maturity dates.  See Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our assets consist primarily of investments in operating subsidiaries, and our ability to service parent level obligations, including the Senior Secured Notes, depends in large part upon the distribution of earnings of our subsidiaries, whether in the form of dividends, advances or payments on account of intercompany obligations or otherwise.  None of our subsidiaries have guaranteed the Senior Secured Notes, although Kronos International, Inc. (“KII”) has pledged 65% of the common stock or other ownership interests of certain of KII’s first-tier operating subsidiaries as collateral for the Senior Secured Notes.

Future cash requirements

Liquidity

Our primary source of liquidity on an ongoing basis is cash flows from operating activities.  From time-to-time we will incur indebtedness, generally to (i) fund short-term working capital needs, (ii) refinance existing indebtedness or (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business.  We will also from time-to-time sell assets outside the ordinary course of business, the proceeds of which are generally used to (i) repay existing indebtedness, (ii) make investments in marketable and other securities, (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business or (iv) pay dividends.

Pricing within the TiO2 industry is cyclical, and changes in industry economic conditions significantly impact earnings and operating cash flows.  Changes in TiO2 pricing, production volumes and customer demand, among other things, could significantly affect our liquidity.

We routinely evaluate our liquidity requirements, alternative uses of capital, capital needs and availability of resources in view of, among other things, our dividend policy, our debt service and capital expenditure requirements and estimated future operating cash flows.  As a result of this process, we have in the past and may in the future seek to reduce, refinance, repurchase or restructure indebtedness, raise additional capital, repurchase shares of our common stock, modify our dividend policy, restructure ownership interests, sell interests in our subsidiaries or other assets, or take a combination of these steps or other steps to manage our liquidity and capital resources.  Such activities have in the past and may in the future involve related companies.  In the normal course of our business, we may investigate, evaluate, discuss and engage in acquisition, joint venture, strategic relationship and other business combination opportunities in the TiO2industry.  In the event of any future acquisition or joint venture opportunity, we may consider using then-available liquidity, issuing our equity securities or incurring additional indebtedness.

At March 31, 2008, unused credit available under all of our existing credit facilities was approximately $159 million.  Based upon our expectation for the TiO2industry and anticipated demands on cash resources, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to meet our future obligations including operations, capital expenditures, debt service and current dividend policy.  If actual developments differ from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

Capital expenditures

We intend to spend approximately $64 million for major improvements and upgrades to our existing facilities during 2008, including the $16.8 million we have spent through March 31, 2008.

Off-balance sheet financing

We do not have any off-balance sheet financing agreements other than the operating leases discussed in our 2007 Annual Report.

Commitments and contingencies

See Notes 7 and 10 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of certain income tax examinations currently underway and legal proceedings.

Recent accounting pronouncements

See Note 11 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Critical accounting policies

For a discussion of our critical accounting policies, refer to Part I, Item 7 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2007 Annual Report.  There have been no changes in our critical accounting policies during the first three months of 2008.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risk, including foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and security prices.  For a discussion of such market risk items, refer to Part I, Item 7A. - “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk” in our 2007 Annual Report.  There have been no material changes in these market risks during the first three months of 2008.

We have substantial operations located outside the United States for which the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.  As a result, the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities related to our non-U.S. operations, and therefore our consolidated net assets, will fluctuate based upon changes in currency exchange rates.

Certain of our sales generated by our non-U.S. operation are denominated in U.S. dollars.  We periodically use currency forward contracts to manage a very nominal portion of foreign exchange rate risk associated with trade receivables denominated in a currency other than the holder's functional currency or similar exchange rate risk associated with future sales.  We have not entered into these contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the past, nor do we currently anticipate entering into such contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the future.  We held no such currency forward contracts in the first quarter of 2008.  To the extent we held such contracts during 2007, we did not use hedge accounting for any of our contracts.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures.  The term "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), means controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (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 we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit to the SEC under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions to be made regarding required disclosure.  Each of Harold C. Simmons, our Chief Executive Officer, and Gregory M. Swalwell, our Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the design and operating effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2008.  Based upon their evaluation, these executive officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2008.

Internal control over financial reporting

We also maintain internal control over financial reporting.  The term “internal control over financial reporting,” as defined by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), means a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, and includes those policies and procedures that:

As permitted by the SEC, our assessment of internal control over financial reporting excludes (i) internal control over financial reporting of our equity method investees and (ii) internal control over the preparation of our financial statement schedules required by Article 12 of Regulation S-X.  However, our assessment of internal control over financial reporting with respect to our equity method investees did include our controls over the recording of amounts related to our investment that are recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, including controls over the selection of accounting methods for our investments, the recognition of equity method earnings and losses and the determination, valuation and recording of our investment account balances.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There has been no change to our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting.

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.           Legal Proceedings

Refer to Note 10 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and to our 2007 Annual Report for descriptions of certain legal proceedings.

Item 1A.        Risk Factors

For a discussion of the risk factors related to our businesses, refer to Part I, Item 1A., “Risk Factors,” in our 2007 Annual report.  There have been no material changes to such risk factors during the three months ended March 31, 2008.

Item 6.           Exhibits

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.

                                                         Kronos Worldwide, Inc.           
                                                         (Registrant)