Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012

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

 

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	27-2496053
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

12900 Snow Road	44130
Parma, OH	(Zip code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

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  ý    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    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 o
Non-Accelerated Filer o	Smaller Reporting Company o

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

As of July 26, 2012, 133,989,484 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, 2011 and June 30, 2012 (unaudited)	3
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Three Months and Six Months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012 (unaudited)	4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012 (unaudited)	5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	6
Introduction to Part I, Item 2, and Part II, Item 1 and Item 1A	18
Item  2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	35
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	36
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION:
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	37
Item 1A. Risk Factors	37
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Securities and Use of Proceeds	37
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities	37
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures	37
Item 5. Other Information	38
Item 6. Exhibits	39
SIGNATURE	40

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)

	As of December 31, 2011				As of June 30, 2012
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	12,429			$	7,137
Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,153 at December 31, 2011 and $4,794 at June 30, 2012	253,151				217,487
Inventories	444,062				554,571
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,308				31,515
Total current assets	731,950				810,710
Property, plant and equipment	1,431,432				1,469,625
Less: accumulated depreciation	654,548				672,432
Net property, plant and equipment	776,884				797,193
Deferred income taxes	7,931				7,284
Goodwill	498,681				498,540
Other assets	152,920				142,937
Total assets	$	2,168,366			$	2,256,664
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	74,280			$	63,649
Short-term debt	14,168				8,270
Accrued income and other taxes	44,330				28,266
Supply chain financing liability	29,930				25,119
Other accrued liabilities	114,545				102,735
Total current liabilities	277,253				228,039
Long-term debt	387,624				570,758
Other long-term obligations	131,300				124,550
Deferred income taxes	32,245				33,864
Contingencies – Note 13
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued	—				—
Common stock, par value $.01, 225,000,000 shares authorized, 149,861,081 shares issued at December 31, 2011 and 150,421,036 shares issued at June 30, 2012	1,499				1,504
Additional paid-in capital	1,798,161				1,806,845
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(261,937		)		(279,418		)
(Accumulated deficit) Retained earnings	(50,757		)		8,619
Less: cost of common stock held in treasury, 6,265,114 shares at December 31, 2011 and 15,109,730 shares at June 30, 2012	(146,041		)		(237,150		)
Less: common stock held in employee benefit and compensation trusts, 75,807 shares at December 31, 2011 and 73,680 shares at June 30, 2012	(981		)		(947		)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,339,944				1,299,453
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,168,366			$	2,256,664

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3

---

Table of Contents

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

	For the Three Months Ended								For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2011				2012				2011				2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Net sales	$	320,231			$	315,611			$	626,368			$	556,549
Cost of sales	245,072				231,234				478,274				405,241
Gross profit	75,159				84,377				148,094				151,308
Research and development	2,934				2,942				6,004				7,141
Selling and administrative expenses	32,656				34,858				64,875				73,583
Operating income	39,569				46,577				77,215				70,584
Other (income) expense , net	(196		)		394				(187		)		(3,029		)
Interest expense	4,584				5,132				8,988				9,894
Interest income	(115		)		(64		)		(244		)		(145		)
Income before provision for income taxes	35,296				41,115				68,658				63,864
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	6,727				(732		)		12,826				4,488
Net income	$	28,569			$	41,847			$	55,832			$	59,376
Basic income per common share:
Net income per share	$	0.20			$	0.30			$	0.39			$	0.42
Weighted average common shares outstanding	145,166				141,399				145,011				142,717
Diluted income per common share:
Net income per share	$	0.20			$	0.29			$	0.38			$	0.41
Weighted average common shares outstanding	145,964				142,054				145,723				143,382
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income	$	28,569			$	41,847			$	55,832			$	59,376
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	7,356				(22,523		)		16,195				(12,675		)
Commodities and foreign currency derivatives, net of tax of $1,176, $2,406, $5,083 and ($393), respectively	1,950				(6,486		)		7,481				(4,806		)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:	9,306				(29,009		)		23,676				(17,481		)
Comprehensive income	$	37,875			$	12,838			$	79,508			$	41,895

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4

---

Table of Contents

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2011				2012
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income	$	55,832			$	59,376
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization	40,321				36,363
Deferred income tax provision	5,539				3,725
Post-retirement and pension plan changes	1,780				2,684
Currency gains	(1,073		)		(2,939		)
Stock-based compensation	3,883				6,363
Interest expense	5,732				6,072
Insurance recoveries	—				4,007
Other charges, net	(3,893		)		(10,643		)
Increase in working capital*	(123,022		)		(127,653		)
Increase in long-term assets and liabilities	(3,062		)		(8,822		)
Net cash used in operating activities	(17,963		)		(31,467		)
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(61,823		)		(61,576		)
Proceeds from derivative instruments	3,068				6,921
Cash paid for acquisition	(6,500		)		—
Other	449				53
Net cash used in investing activities	(64,806		)		(54,602		)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Short-term debt borrowings (reductions), net	11,438				(5,898		)
Revolving Facility borrowings	160,000				273,000
Revolving Facility reductions	(92,000		)		(95,000		)
Principal payments on long-term debt	(116		)		(139		)
Supply chain financing	(1,326		)		(4,810		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,066				92
Purchase of treasury shares	(655		)		(85,156		)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	703				(136		)
Other	(417		)		(555		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	78,693				81,398
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(4,076		)		(4,671		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	276				(621		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	13,096				12,429
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	9,296			$	7,137
* Net change in working capital due to the following components:
Change in current assets:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	$	(47,099	)		$	37,090
Inventories	(53,830		)		(104,852		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(6,330		)		(6,509		)
Decrease in accounts payables and accruals	(15,633		)		(53,242		)
Decrease in interest payable	(130		)		(140		)
Increase in working capital	$	(123,022	)		$	(127,653	)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5

---

PART I (CONT'D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(1)	Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

A. Organization

GrafTech International Ltd. is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and providers of high quality synthetic and natural graphite and carbon based products. References herein to “GTI,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer collectively to GrafTech International Ltd. and its subsidiaries. We have five major product categories: graphite electrodes, refractory products, needle coke products, advanced graphite materials and natural graphite, which are reported in the following segments:

Industrial Materials includes graphite electrodes, refractory products, and needle coke products, and primarily serves the steel industry.

Engineered Solutions includes advanced graphite materials and natural graphite products, and provides primary and specialty products to the advanced electronics, industrial, energy, transportation and defense industries.

B. Basis of Presentation

The 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 in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). December 31, 2011 final position data included herein was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the “Annual Report”) but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. These interim Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements, including the accompanying Notes, contained in the Annual Report.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements 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, comprehensive income and cash flows for the interim period presented. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.

C. New Accounting Standards

As of January 1, 2012, we adopted new guidance on the testing of goodwill impairment that allows the option to assess qualitative factors to determine whether performing the two step goodwill impairment assessment is necessary. Under the option, the calculation of the reporting unit’s fair value is not required to be performed unless as a result of the qualitative assessment, it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the unit’s carrying amount. The adoption of this guidance impacts testing steps only, and therefore adoption will not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements. We test goodwill annually as of December 31, and when triggering events occur. No triggering events occurred in the six months ended June 30, 2012. 

As of January 1, 2012, we adopted new guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. Specifically, the new guidance allows an entity to present components of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement, referred to as the statement of comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. The new guidance eliminates the current option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. While the new guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. We elected to adopt the two separate but consecutive statements presentation, and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

As of January 1, 2012, we adopted new guidance regarding disclosures about fair value measurements. The guidance requires new disclosures related to activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance requires purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements to be presented separately in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our disclosures.

6

---

PART I (CONT'D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(2)	Acquisitions

Fiber Materials, Inc.

On October 31, 2011, we purchased substantially all of the assets and assumed certain trade liabilities of Fiber Materials, Inc. (“FMI”) for $14.0 million of cash. FMI is a manufacturer of highly engineered advanced carbon composite materials serving the aerospace and defense industries and high temperature insulation for use in industrial applications. FMI has been assigned to our Engineered Solutions (“ES”) business segment. The substance of the transaction was the acquisition of a business and we accounted for the transaction following the guidance in FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations. Tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values of $13.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The estimated fair value of finite-lived intangible assets acquired of $2.5 million relating to customer relationships is being amortized over its estimated useful life of 5 years. These values have been prepared based on the preliminary allocation of purchase price using estimates of the fair values and useful lives of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on best available information determined with the assistance of independent valuations, quoted market prices and management estimates. The purchase price allocations are subject to further adjustment until all pertinent information regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are fully evaluated by us.

(3)	Stock-Based Compensation

For three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, we recognized stock-based compensation expense totaling $1.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively. A majority of the expense, $1.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively, was recorded as selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income, with the remaining expenses recorded as cost of sales and research and development.

In the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, we recognized $4.0 million and $6.4 million, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense. A majority of the expense, $3.5 million and $5.7 million, respectively, was recorded as selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income, with the remaining expenses recorded as cost of sales and research and development.

As of June 30, 2012, the total compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock, performance shares and stock options not yet recognized was $19.2 million, which will be recognized over the weighted average life of 1.4 years.

Restricted Stock and Performance Shares

Restricted stock and performance share awards activity under the plans for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was:

	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Grant  Date Fair Value
Outstanding unvested as of January 1, 2012	1,725,158			$	15.82
Granted	106,956			14.44
Vested	(321,462	)		12.36
Forfeited/canceled/expired	(5,597	)		16.09
Outstanding unvested as of June 30, 2012	1,505,055			16.46

 

Stock Options

Stock option activity under the plans for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was:

7

---

PART I (CONT'D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Outstanding as of January 1, 2012	1,327,087			$	13.15
Granted	26,300			14.76
Forfeited/canceled/expired	(7,100	)		14.41
Exercised	(8,671	)		10.60
Outstanding as of June 30, 2012	1,337,616			13.19

(4)	Earnings per Share

The following table shows the information used in the calculation of our share counts for basic and diluted earnings per share:

	For the Three Months Ended						For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2011			2012			2011			2012
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic calculation	145,165,549			141,398,901			145,010,867			142,716,771
Add: Effect of stock options and restricted stock	798,855			655,045			712,178			665,654
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted calculation	145,964,404			142,053,946			145,723,045			143,382,425

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 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.

The weighted average common shares outstanding for the diluted earnings per share calculation excludes consideration of stock options covering 2,600 shares in the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 as the exercise prices were greater than the weighted average market price of our common stock for that period. The weighted average common shares outstanding for the diluted calculation excludes 884,178 and 870,657 shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, as exercise prices were greater than the weighted average market price of our common stock for that period.

During the three months ended June 30, 2012, 8.8 million common shares were repurchased in the open market under a previously announced repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors. These share repurchases represented a financing cash outflow of $84.0 million and an increase in accrued liabilities of $6.0 million for payments not yet made as of June 30, 2012. These share repurchases decreased the weighted average common shares outstanding by approximately 2.6 million shares for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and by approximately 1.2 million shares for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The remaining 1.2 million shares available under the program were repurchased in July 2012.

(5)	Segment Reporting

Our businesses are reported in the following reportable segments:

Industrial Materials. Our Industrial Materials segment manufactures and delivers high quality graphite electrodes, refractory products and needle coke 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. Needle coke, a crystalline form of carbon derived from decant oil, is the key ingredient in, and is used primarily in, the production of graphite electrodes.

8

---

PART I (CONT'D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Engineered Solutions. Engineered Solutions include advanced graphite materials products for industrial, energy, transportation, and defense markets, as well as natural graphite products enabling thermal management solutions for the advanced electronics industry and energy storage solutions for the transportation and power generation industries.

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 net sales.

The following tables summarize financial information concerning our reportable segments:

	For the Three Months Ended								For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2011				2012				2011				2012
	(Dollars in thousands)								(Dollars in thousands)
Net sales to external customers:
Industrial Materials	$	269,751			$	262,285			$	533,236			$	455,281
Engineered Solutions	50,480				53,326				93,132				101,268
Total net sales	$	320,231			$	315,611			$	626,368			$	556,549
Segment operating income:
Industrial Materials	32,136				41,877				66,335				66,802
Engineered Solutions	7,433				4,700				10,880				3,782
Total segment operating income	$	39,569			$	46,577			$	77,215			$	70,584
Reconciliation of segment operating income to income before provision for income taxes
Other expense (income), net	(196		)		394				(187		)		(3,029		)
Interest expense	4,584				5,132				8,988				9,894
Interest income	(115		)		(64		)		(244		)		(145		)
Income before provision for income taxes	$	35,296			$	41,115			$	68,658			$	63,864

(6)	Other (Income) Expense, Net

Other income for the six months ended June 30, 2012, includes $4.0 million of insurance reimbursements for claims made related to flood damages incurred at our Clarksburg, West Virginia facility during 2011.

(7)	Benefit Plans

The components of our consolidated net pension costs are set forth in the following table:

 

	For the Three Months Ended								For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2011				2012				2011				2012
	(Dollars in thousands)								(Dollars in thousands)
Service cost	$	164			$	426			$	328			$	852
Interest cost	2,446				2,150				4,892				4,300
Expected return on plan assets	(2,138		)		(2,195		)		(4,276		)		(4,390		)
Amortization of prior service cost	13				6				26				12
Net cost	$	485			$	387			$	970			$	774

9

---

PART I (CONT'D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The components of our consolidated net postretirement costs are set forth in the following table: 

	For the Three Months Ended								For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2011				2012				2011				2012
	(Dollars in thousands)								(Dollars in thousands)
Service cost	$	41			$	46			$	82			$	92
Interest cost	440				381				880				762
Amortization of prior service benefit	(48		)		(49		)		(96		)		(98		)
Plan amendment	—				1,147				—				1,147
Net cost	$	433			$	1,525			$	866			$	1,903

(8)	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill during the six months ended June 30, 2012 are as follows:

	Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	498,681
Currency translation effect	(141		)
Balance as of June 30, 2012	$	498,540

The following table summarizes intangible assets with determinable useful lives by major category as of December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012:

	As of December 31, 2011												As of June 30, 2012
	Gross Carrying Amount				Accumulated Amortization				Net Carrying Amount				Gross Carrying Amount				Accumulated Amortization				Net Carrying Amount
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Patents	$	3,520			$	(1,393	)		$	2,127			$	3,520			$	(1,505	)		$	2,015
Trade name	7,900				(1,598		)		6,302				7,900				(2,234		)		5,666
Technological know-how	43,349				(6,526		)		36,823				43,349				(9,540		)		33,809
Customer –related intangible	110,798				(16,481		)		94,317				110,798				(23,857		)		86,941
Total finite-lived intangible assets	$	165,567			$	(25,998	)		$	139,569			$	165,567			$	(37,136	)		$	128,431

Amortization expense of intangible assets was $5.7 million and $5.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively, and $11.4 million and $11.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

(9)	Long-Term Debt and Liquidity

The following table presents our long-term debt: 

	As of December 31, 2011				As of June 30, 2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Revolving Facility	$	232,000			$	410,000
Senior Subordinated Notes	153,442				158,721
Other debt	2,182				2,037
Total	$	387,624			$	570,758

10

---

PART I (CONT'D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Fair value of long-term debt at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012, which was determined using Level 2 inputs, approximated the book value.

Revolving Facility

On October 7, 2011, we successfully completed the refinancing of our principal revolving credit facility (“Revolving Facility”). Borrowers under the Revolving Facility are GrafTech Finance Inc. (“GrafTech Finance”) and GrafTech Switzerland S.A. (“Swissco”), both wholly-owned subsidiaries. On April 20, 2012, as permitted by Section 9.19 of the October 7, 2011 Credit Agreement, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement pursuant to which GrafTech Luxembourg II S.à.r.l. (“Luxembourg Holdco”) will be added as a Borrower. Under the April 2012 credit agreement relating to the Revolving Facility, the “Borrowers” are GrafTech Finance; Luxembourg Holdco once so designated as a “Borrower” and Swissco (although after the date on which Luxembourg Holdco is designated as a Borrower, Swissco will no longer be entitled to borrow Loans under the Revolving Facility and will be entitled to request letters of credit thereunder only for its own use).

The interest rate applicable to the Revolving Facility is, at GrafTech’s option, either LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.5% to 2.25% (depending on our total net leverage ratio and/or senior unsecured rating) or, in the case of dollar denominated loans, the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.25% (depending upon such ratio or rating). The alternate base rate is the highest of (i) the prime rate announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., (ii) the federal fund effective rate plus one-half of 1.0% and (iii) the London interbank offering rate (as adjusted) for a one-month period plus 1.0%. GrafTech Finance, Luxembourg Holdco and Swissco pay a per annum fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.40% (depending on such ratio or rating) on the undrawn portion of the commitments under the Revolving Facility.

The financial covenants require us to maintain a minimum cash interest coverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00 and a maximum senior secured leverage ratio of 2.25 to 1.00, subject to adjustment for certain events. As of June 30, 2012, we were in compliance with all financial and other covenants contained in the Revolving Facility, as applicable.

Senior Subordinated Notes

On November 30, 2010, in connection with our acquisitions of Seadrift Coke L.P. and C/G Electrodes LLC, we issued Senior Subordinated Notes for an aggregate face amount of $200 million. These Senior Subordinated Notes are non-interest bearing and mature in 2015. Because the promissory notes are non-interest bearing, we were required to record them at their present value (determined using an interest rate of 7%). The difference between the face amount of the promissory notes and their present value is recorded as debt discount. The debt discount is amortized to income using the interest method, over the life of the promissory notes. The loan balance, net of unamortized discount, was $153.4 million as of December 31, 2011 and $158.7 million as of June 30, 2012.

(10)	Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following: 

	As of December 31, 2011				As of June 30, 2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Inventories:
Raw materials and supplies	$	168,982			$	203,432
Work in process	205,968				262,833
Finished goods	73,821				92,852
	448,771				559,117
Reserves	(4,709		)		(4,546		)
	$	444,062			$	554,571

11

---

PART I (CONT'D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(11)	Interest Expense

The following table presents an analysis of interest expense: 

	For the Three Months Ended								For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2011				2012				2011				2012
	(Dollars in thousands)								(Dollars in thousands)
Interest incurred on debt	$	1,409			$	1,887			$	2,620			$	3,523
Amortization of discount on Senior Subordinated Notes	2,488				2,662				4,934				5,280
Amortization of debt issuance costs	385				393				772				770
Supply Chain Financing mark-up	302				190				662				321
Total interest expense	$	4,584			$	5,132			$	8,988			$	9,894

Interest Rates

The Revolving Facility had an effective interest rate of 2.05% and 2.00% as of December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012, respectively. The Senior Subordinated Notes have an implied interest rate of 7.00%.

 

(12)	Supply Chain Financing

We have a supply chain financing arrangement with a financing party. Under this arrangement, we essentially assign our rights to purchase needle coke from a third-party supplier to the financing party. The financing party purchases the product from a supplier under the standard payment terms and then immediately resells it to us under longer payment terms. The financing party pays the supplier the purchase price for the product and then we pay the financing party. Our payment to the financing party for this needle coke includes a mark-up (the “Mark-Up”). The Mark-Up is a premium expressed as a percentage of the purchase price. The Mark-Up is subject to quarterly reviews. Based on the terms of the arrangement, the total amount that we owe to the financing party may not exceed $49.3 million at any point in time.

We record the inventory once title and risk of loss transfers from the supplier to the financing party. We record our liability to the financing party as an accrued liability. For the three months ended June 30, 2011, and 2012, our purchases of inventory under this arrangement were $43.0 million and $45.4 million, respectively with a recognized Mark-Up of $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, and 2012, our purchases of inventory under this arrangement were $91.4 million and $91.9 million, respectively with a recognized Mark-Up of $0.7 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

(13)	Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

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.

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 and the related activity within the accrual for the six months ended June 30, 2012, are presented below (dollars in thousands):

 

12

---

PART I (CONT'D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Balance as of January 1, 2012	$	1,531
Product warranty adjustments	410
Payments and settlements	(37		)
Balance as of June 30, 2012	$	1,904

(14)	Income Taxes

We compute an estimated annual effective tax rate on a quarterly basis, considering ordinary income and related income tax expense. Ordinary income refers to income (loss) before income tax expense excluding significant, unusual, or infrequently occurring items. The tax effect of an unusual or infrequently occurring item is recorded in the interim period in which it occurs. These items may include the cumulative effect of changes in tax laws or rates, impairment charges, adjustments to prior period uncertain tax positions, or adjustments to our valuation allowance due to changes in judgment of the realizability of deferred tax assets

The following table summarizes the provision for income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012:

	For the Three Months Ended								For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2011				2012				2011				2012
	(Dollars in thousands)								(Dollars in thousands)
Tax expense/(benefit)	$	6,727			$	(732	)		$	12,826			$	4,488
Pretax income	$	35,296			$	41,115			$	68,658			$	63,864
Effective tax rates	19.1		%		(1.8		)%		18.7		%		7.0		%

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, our unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $10.5 million due to the effective resolution of uncertain tax positions from prior years, which had a favorable impact on our effective tax rate. The current year effective tax rate also differs from the U.S statutory rate of 35% due to jurisdictional mix of income.

As of June 30, 2012, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $7.3 million, $5.2 million of which, if recognized, would have a favorable impact on our effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that a reduction of unrecognized tax benefits of $0.2 million may occur within 12 months, due to settlements and the expiration of statutes of limitation.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. We are currently under federal audit in the U.S. for tax years 2008 and 2009. All U.S. tax years prior to 2007 are closed by statute or have been audited and settled with the domestic tax authorities. We are also under audit in Switzerland for federal, cantonal, and communal taxes for the tax years ended 2006 – 2009. All other non-U.S. jurisdictions are still open to examination beginning after 2006.

We continue to assess the need for valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets based on determinations of whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax benefits will be realized through the generation of future taxable income. Appropriate consideration is given to all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. Examples of positive evidence would include a strong earnings history, an event or events that would increase our taxable income through a continued reduction of expenses, and tax planning strategies that would indicate an ability to realize deferred tax assets. The balance of significant positive evidence does not yet outweigh the negative evidence in regards to whether or not a valuation allowance is required on these deferred tax assets.

(15)	Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments as part of our overall foreign currency and commodity risk management strategies to manage the risk of exchange rate movements that would reduce the value of our foreign cash flows and to minimize commodity price volatility. Foreign currency exchange rate movements create a degree of risk by affecting the value

13

---

PART I (CONT'D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

of sales made and costs incurred in currencies other than the US dollar.

Certain of our derivative contracts contain provisions that require us to provide collateral. Since the counterparties to these financial instruments are large commercial banks and similar financial institutions, we do not believe that we are exposed to material counterparty credit risk. We do not anticipate nonperformance by any of the counter-parties to our instruments.

Foreign currency derivatives

We enter into foreign currency derivatives 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 such as foreign currency denominated debt, sales, receivables, payables, and purchases. Forward exchange contracts are agreements to exchange different currencies at a specified future date and at a specified rate. There was no ineffectiveness on these contracts designated as hedging instruments during the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012.

In 2011 and 2012, we entered into foreign forward currency derivatives denominated in the Mexican peso, South African rand, Brazilian real, euro and Japanese yen. These derivatives were entered into to protect the risk that the eventual cash flows resulting from such transactions may be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates between the US dollar and the Mexican peso, South African rand, Brazilian real, euro and Japanese yen. As of June 30, 2012, we had outstanding Mexican peso, South African rand, Brazilian real, euro, and Japanese yen currency contracts with aggregate notional amounts of $189.7 million. The foreign currency derivatives outstanding as of June 30, 2012 have several maturity dates ranging from July 2012 to December 2012.

Commodity derivative contracts

We periodically enter into derivative contracts for certain refined oil products and natural gas. These contracts are entered into to protect against the risk that eventual cash flows related to these products may be adversely affected by future changes in prices. There was no ineffectiveness on these contracts during the three or six months ended June 30, 2012. As of June 30, 2012, we had outstanding derivative swap contracts for refined oil products and natural gas with aggregate notional amounts of $25.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively. These contracts have maturity dates ranging from July 2012 to December 2012.

The fair value of all derivatives is recorded as assets or liabilities on a gross basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012, the fair values of our derivatives and their respective balance sheet locations are presented in the following tables:

 

14

---

PART I (CONT'D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

	Asset Derivatives						Liability Derivatives
	Location		Fair  Value				Location		Fair  Value
As of December 31, 2011	(Dollars in Thousands)
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives	Other receivables		$	4,412			Other payables		$	1,834
Commodity derivative contracts	Other current assets		1,104				Other current liabilities		1,557
Total fair value			$	5,516					$	3,391
As of June 30, 2012
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives	Other receivables		$	3,730			Other payables		$	738
Commodity derivative contracts	Other current assets		—				Other current liabilities		3,089
Total fair value			$	3,730					$	3,827

	Asset Derivatives						Liability Derivatives
	Location		Fair  Value				Location		Fair  Value
As of December 31, 2011	(Dollars in Thousands)
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives	Other receivables		$	—			Other payables		$	195
Total fair value			$	—					$	195
As of June 30, 2012
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives	Other receivables		$	—			Other payables		$	—
Total fair value			$	—					$	—

	Asset Derivatives						Liability Derivatives
	Location		Fair  Value				Location		Fair  Value
As of December 31, 2011	(Dollars in Thousands)
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives	Other receivables		$	—			Other payables		$	—
Total fair value			$	—					$	—
As of June 30, 2012
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives	Other receivables		$	146			Other payables		$	756
Total fair value			$	146					$	756

The location and amount of realized (gains) losses on derivatives are recognized in the Statements of Income when the hedged item impacts earnings and are as follows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012:

 

15

---

PART I (CONT'D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

				Amount of (Gain)/Loss Recognized (Effective Portion)
Three Months Ended June 30,		Location of (Gain)/Loss Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income (Effective Portion)		2011				2012
				(Dollars in Thousands)
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives		Cost of goods sold/Other expense / (income) / Revenue		$	9			$	(1,138	)
Commodity forward derivatives		Cost of goods sold / Revenue		$	(1,039	)		$	(2,517	)
				(Gain)/Loss  Recognized (Effective Portion)
Three Months Ended June 30,		Location of (Gain)/Loss Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income		2011				2012
				(Dollars in Thousands)
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives		Cost of goods sold/Other expense (income)		$	328			$	—

				Amount of (Gain)/Loss Recognized
Three Months Ended June 30,		Location of (Gain)/Loss Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income		2011				2012
				(Dollars in thousands)
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives		Cost of goods sold/Other expense (income)		$	—			$	(863	)

				Amount of (Gain)/Loss Recognized (Effective Portion)
Six Months Ended June 30,		Location of (Gain)/Loss Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income (Effective Portion)		2011				2012
				(Dollars in Thousands)
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives		Cost of goods sold/Other expense / (income) / Revenue		$	881			$	(2,359	)
Commodity forward derivatives		Cost of goods sold / Revenue		$	(801	)		$	(4,987	)
				(Gain)/Loss  Recognized (Effective Portion)
Six Months Ended June 30,		Location of (Gain)/Loss Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income		2011				2012
				(Dollars in Thousands)
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives		Cost of goods sold/Other expense (income)		$	328			$	—

16

---

PART I (CONT'D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

				Amount of (Gain)/Loss Recognized
Six Months Ended June 30,		Location of (Gain)/Loss Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income		2011				2012
				(Dollars in thousands)
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives		Cost of goods sold/Other expense (income)		$	—			$	(800	)

Foreign currency exchange contracts shown in the tables above not designated as hedges are primarily contracts entered into to manage foreign currency exposures on euro, South African rand, Brazilian real and Japanese yen denominated accounts receivable.

Our foreign currency and commodity derivatives are treated as hedges under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging and are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. With respect to the inputs used to determine the fair value, we use observable, quoted rates that are determined by active markets and, therefore, classify the contracts as “Level 2” in accordance with the definition in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

 

17

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

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 “Part I – Preliminary Notes – Important Terms” of 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 competitors’ or customers’ operations and the utilization rates of that capacity; 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 or decreases therein, our ability to pass on any such increases in our product prices or surcharges thereon, or customer or market demand to reduce our prices due to such decreases; changes in customer order patterns due to changes in economic conditions; productivity, business process and operational initiatives, and their impact on us; our position in markets we serve; financing and refinancing activities; investments and acquisitions that we have made or may make in the future and the performance of the businesses underlying such acquisitions and investments; 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; stock repurchase activities; supply chain management; customer and supplier contractual provisions and related opportunities and issues; competitive activities; strategic plans and business projects; regional and global economic and industry market conditions, the timing and magnitude of changes in such conditions and the impact thereof; interest rate management activities; currency rate management activities; deleveraging activities; rationalization, restructuring, realignment, strategic alliance, raw material and supply chain, technology development and collaboration, investment, acquisition, venture, operational, tax, financial and capital projects; legal proceedings, contingencies, and environmental compliance including any regulatory initiatives with respect to greenhouse gas emissions which may be proposed; consulting projects; potential offerings, sales and other actions regarding debt or equity securities of us or our subsidiaries; and 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,” “positioned 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 EAF steel, increases in overall EAF steel production

18

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

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 disbursed as we anticipate;

•

the possibility that increases or decreases in graphite electrode manufacturing capacity (including growth by producers in developing countries), competitive pressures (including changes in, and the mix, distribution, and pricing of, their products), reduction in specific consumption rates, increases or decreases 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 electrodes business;

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

•

the possibility that a determination that we have failed to comply with one or more export controls or trade sanctions to which we are subject with respect to products or technology exported from the United States or other jurisdictions or the denial of export privileges to which our recently acquired business, Fiber Materials Inc., is subject could result in civil or criminal penalties, including imposition of significant fines, denial of export privileges and loss of revenues from certain customers;

•	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 or the demand for their products may decline, which may affect their demand for the products we sell or supply to them;

•	the possibility that continued global consolidation of the world’s largest 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 or that price decreases may occur;

•	the possibility that current challenging economic conditions and economic demand reduction may continue to impact our revenues and costs;

•	the possibility that the current debt crisis in certain European countries could cause the value of the euro to deteriorate, reducing the purchasing power of European customers;

•	the possibility that the European debt crisis could contribute to further instability in global credit markets and reduce demand for our products;

•	the possibility that decreases in prices for energy and raw materials may lead to downward pressure on prices for our products and delays in customer orders for our products as customers anticipate possible future lower prices;

•	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 current economic disruptions may result in idling or permanent closing of blast furnace capacity or delay of blast furnace capacity additions or replacements which may affect demand and prices for our refractory products;

•	The possibility that economic conditions may cause customers to seek to delay or cancel orders and that we

19

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

may not be able to correspondingly reduce production costs or delay or cancel raw material purchase commitments;

•	the possibility that economic, political and other risks associated with operating globally, including national and international conflicts, terrorist acts, political and economic instability, civil unrest, and natural or nuclear calamities might interfere with our supply chains, customers or activities in a particular location;

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

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

•	the possibility that an adverse determination in litigation pending in Brazil involving disputes related to the proper interpretation of certain collectively bargained wage increase provisions applicable to both us and other employers in the Bahia region might result in the filing of claims against our Brazilian subsidiary;

•	the possibility of delays in or failure to achieve successful development and commercialization of new or improved engineered solutions or that such solutions 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 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 challenging conditions or changes in the capital markets will limit our ability to obtain financing for growth and other initiatives, on acceptable terms or at all;

•	the possibility that conditions or changes in the global equity markets may have a material impact on our future pension funding obligations and liabilities on our balance sheet;

•	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 the actual outcome of uncertainties associated with assumptions and estimates using judgment when applying critical accounting policies and preparing financial statements may have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position;

•	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;

•	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;

20

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

•	the possibility that new or expanded regulatory initiatives with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, if implemented, could have an impact on our facilities, increase the capital intensive nature of our business, and add to our costs of production of our products;

•

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 or laws, changes in the sources of our income, changes in tax planning, new or changing interpretations of applicable regulations, or changes in profitability, estimates of future ability to use foreign tax credits, and other factors;

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

•

the possibility that our outlook could be significantly impacted by, among other things, changes in United States or other monetary or fiscal policies or regulations in response to the capital markets crisis and its impact on global economic conditions, developments in North Africa, 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 our outlook could be significantly impacted by changes in demand as a result of the effect on customers of the volatility in global credit and equity markets;

•	the possibility that interruption in our major raw material, energy or utility supplies due to, among other things, natural or nuclear 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 that our key or other raw materials become unavailable and that the magnitude of changes in the cost of key and other raw materials, including petroleum based coke, by reason of shortages, market pricing, pricing terms in applicable supply contracts, or other events 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;

•	the possibility of security breaches in the Company’s information technology systems;

•	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 we may not fully complete stock purchase programs;

•	the possibility that severe economic conditions may adversely affect our liquidity or capital resources;

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

21

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

•	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.

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 Part I, Item 1A of our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

22

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

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

Global Economic Conditions and Outlook

We are impacted in varying degrees, both positively and negatively, as global, regional or country conditions fluctuate. Our discussions about market data and global economic conditions below are based on or derived from published industry accounts and statistics.

Based on current International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections, the estimate for global GDP growth has been reduced to 3.5 percent in 2012, representing the second downward revision to growth estimates this year. The IMF highlights that the strength of the global economic recovery has weakened considerably and continues to face further downside risks. The IMF notes that the European debt crisis continues to be one the largest risk factors, particularly as growth momentum slows in emerging markets including China, Brazil and India. The IMF also notes that momentum appears to be slowing in the United States also, a region that was previously forecast to experience more robust growth earlier this year. Weaker growth is now forecast for both advanced and key emerging economies in the second half of 2012. As a result, IMF also cuts its 2013 global GDP growth forecast to 3.9 percent.

Based on published reports, global steel production in the six months ended June 30, 2012 has slowed to a modest 0.8% growth rate compared to the same period last year. Global steel capacity utilization was approximately 80.4%, a decrease of 2.5 percentage points compared to the same period last year. During the first half of 2012, global steel production, excluding China, decreased by 0.5% compared to the same period last year. Steel production in the European Union decreased 5.4% compared to the same period last year. China's steel production increased by an estimated 2.3% compared to same period last year. Industrial materials 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.

EAF steel production has followed a similar trend as overall steel production, growing 0.9% globally in the first half of 2012 compared to the same period last year. During the first half of 2012, estimated EAF steel production, excluding China, increased by 0.6% compared to the same period last year. The European Union's estimated EAF steel production decreased by 6.4% compared to the same period last year. China's estimated EAF steel production increased by 2.2% during the first half of 2012, contributing to the global EAF steel production increase. Generally, changes in graphite electrode demand have tracked changes in EAF steel production.

In summary, based on IMF projections and other economic forecasts and factors described above, we expect the following targeted results in 2012:

•	Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and other (income) expense to be in the range of $235 million to $255 million, calculated as operating income of $150 million to $170 million plus depreciation and amortization of approximately $85 million;

 

•	Overhead expense (selling and administrative, and research and development expenses) of approximately $160 million;

•	Interest expense of approximately $22 million;

•	Capital expenditures in the range of $120 million to $130 million;

•	An effective tax rate in the range of 23 percent to 25 percent;

•	Cash flow from operations in the range of $90 million to $120 million; and

•	Full year fully diluted share count of approximately 140 million shares.

23

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

Results of Operations and Segment Review

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011 as Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2012.

The tables presented in our period-over-period comparisons summarize our consolidated statements of income and illustrate key financial indicators used to assess the consolidated financial results. Financial information is presented for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012. Throughout our MD&A, changes that are less than 5% or less than $1.0 million, may be deemed not meaningful and are designated as “NM”.

		For the Three Months  Ended
		June 30,								Increase				%
(in thousands, except per share data and % change)		2011				2012				(Decrease)				Change
Net sales		$	320,231			$	315,611			$	(4,620	)		(1	)%
Cost of sales		245,072				231,234				(13,838		)		(6	)%
Gross profit		75,159				84,377				9,218				12	%
Research and development		2,934				2,942				8				NM
Selling and administrative expenses		32,656				34,858				2,202				7	%
Operating income		39,569				46,577				7,008				18	%
Other expense (income), net		(196		)		394				590				NM
Interest expense		4,584				5,132				548				NM
Interest income		(115		)		(64		)		51				NM
Income before provision for income taxes		35,296				41,115				5,819				16	%
Provision for income taxes		6,727				(732		)		(7,459		)		(111	)%
Net income		$	28,569			$	41,847			$	13,278			46	%
Basic income per common share:		$	0.20			$	0.30			$	0.10
Diluted income per common share:		$	0.20			$	0.29			$	0.09

Net sales, by operating segment for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012 were:

 

		For the Three Months Ended
		June 30,								Increase				%
(in thousands, except per % change)		2011				2012				(Decrease)				Change
Industrial Materials		$	269,751			$	262,285			$	(7,466	)		(3	)%
Engineered Solutions		50,480				53,326				2,846				6	%
Total net sales		$	320,231			$	315,611			$	(4,620	)		(1	)%

An analysis of the components of change in net sales for Industrial Materials and Engineered Solutions is set forth in the following table:

 

	Volume			Price/Mix			Currency			Net Change
Industrial Materials	(13	)%		13	%		(3	)%		(3	)%
Engineered Solutions	7	%		1	%		(2	)%		6	%

24

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

Net sales. Net sales for our Industrial Materials segment decreased to $262.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $269.8 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. This decrease was primarily the result of lower sales volumes for graphite electrodes. This impact was particularly evident for our European markets in response to recessionary conditions in the region. These volume decreases were offset by higher realized prices in the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011. The weighted average selling price, excluding currency impact, of electrodes in the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased approximately 13% compared to the average price in the three months ended June 30, 2011.

Net sales for our Engineered Solutions segment increased to $53.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012, compared to net sales of $50.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. This increase was largely driven by continued growth in our advanced consumer electronics products and the incremental revenue associated with acquisitions. This increase was partially offset by the decline in our sales of advanced graphite materials products to the solar market.

Cost of sales. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, we experienced decreases in cost of sales of $13.8 million primarily driven by lower sales volumes in our Industrial Materials segment. Cost of sales in the three months ended June 30, 2012, benefited from lower costs as we consumed remaining year-end inventories. That inventory carried lower raw material costs and overhead absorption rates. We anticipate that the impact of 2012 raw material cost increases will be more fully reflected in the second half of the year. Costs were also $1.8 million lower due to inventory step-up costs recognized in the three months ended June 30, 2011 that did not recur in the three months ended June 30, 2012. These costs related to acquisitions made in 2010. Our Industrial Materials segment was further impacted by changes in foreign currency, which decreased costs by an additional $10.3 million.

Selling and administrative expenses. Selling and administrative expenses increased $2.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011, due primarily to increases in incentive and stock-based compensation plan expense and additional expense resulting from acquisitions.

Segment operating income. Corporate expenses are allocated to segments based on each segment’s percentage of consolidated sales. The following table represents our operating income by segment for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012:

 

	For the Three Months Ended
	June 30,
	2011				2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Industrial Materials	$	32,136			$	41,877
Engineered Solutions	7,433				4,700
Total segment operating income	$	39,569			$	46,577

The percentage relationship of cost of operations to sales for Industrial Materials and Engineered Solutions is set forth in the following table: 

	For the Three Months Ended
	June 30,
	(Percentage of sales)
	2011			2012			Change
Industrial Materials	88	%		84	%		(4	)%
Engineered Solutions	85	%		91	%		6	%

Segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for Industrial Materials decreased to 84% for the three months ended June 30, 2012, compared to 88% for the three months ended June 30, 2011, due to favorable foreign currency impacts, which largely overshadowed modest increases in raw material prices. Total operating costs and expenses decreased $17.2 million from the three months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the three months

25

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

ended June 30, 2011, driven primarily by lower sales volumes for graphite electrodes and needle coke.

 Segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for Engineered Solutions increased from 85% for the three months ended June 30, 2011 to 91% for the three months ended June 30, 2012. Operating expenses increased as a percentage of sales, due to an unfavorable product mix and higher costs incurred to support growth initiatives for this segment. This product mix reflects the continued decline in demand for solar applications.

Provision for income taxes. The following table summarizes the expense/(benefit) for income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012:  

	For the Three Months Ended
	June 30,
	2011			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tax expense/(benefit)	6,727			(732	)
Pretax income	35,296			41,115
Effective tax rates	19.1	%		(1.8	)%

During the quarter ended June 30, 2012, our unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $10.5 million due to the effective resolution of uncertain tax positions from prior years which had a favorable impact on our effective tax rate. The current year effective tax rate also differs from the U.S statutory rate of 35% due to jurisdictional mix of income.

26

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 as Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2012.

The tables presented in our period-over-period comparisons summarize our consolidated statements of income and illustrate key financial indicators used to assess the consolidated financial results. Financial information is presented for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012. Throughout our MD&A, changes that are less than 5% or less than $1.0 million, may be deemed not meaningful and are designated as “NM”.

		For the Six Months  Ended
		June 30,								Increase				%
(in thousands, except per share data and % change)		2011				2012				(Decrease)				Change
Net sales		$	626,368			$	556,549			$	(69,819	)		(11	)%
Cost of sales		478,274				405,241				(73,033		)		(15	)%
Gross profit		148,094				151,308				3,214				2	%
Research and development		6,004				7,141				1,137				19	%
Selling and administrative expenses		64,875				73,583				8,708				13	%
Operating income		77,215				70,584				(6,631		)		(9	)%
Other expense (income), net		(187		)		(3,029		)		(2,842		)		1,520	%
Interest expense		8,988				9,894				906				NM
Interest income		(244		)		(145		)		99				NM
Income before provision for income taxes		68,658				63,864				(4,794		)		(7	)%
Provision for income taxes		12,826				4,488				(8,338		)		(65	)%
Net income		$	55,832			$	59,376			$	3,544			6	%
Basic income per common share:		$	0.39			$	0.42			$	0.03
Diluted income per common share:		$	0.38			$	0.41			$	0.03

Net sales, by operating segment for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012 were: 

		For the Six Months Ended
		June 30,								Increase				%
(in thousands, except per % change)		2011				2012				(Decrease)				Change
Industrial Materials		$	533,236			$	455,281			$	(77,955	)		(15	)%
Engineered Solutions		93,132				101,268				8,136				9	%
Total net sales		$	626,368			$	556,549			$	(69,819	)		(11	)%

An analysis of the components of change in net sales for Industrial Materials and Engineered Solutions is set forth in the following table: 

	Volume			Price/Mix			Currency			Net Change
Industrial Materials	(24	)%		10	%		(1	)%		(15	)%
Engineered Solutions	9	%		2	%		(2	)%		9	%

Net sales. Net sales for our Industrial Materials segment decreased to $455.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to net sales of $533.2 in the six months ended June 30, 2011. This decrease was primarily the result of lower sales volumes for graphite electrodes. This impact was particularly evident for our European markets in response to recessionary conditions in the region. These volume decreases were partially offset by higher realized

27

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

prices in the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011. The weighted average selling price, excluding currency impacts, of electrodes in the six months ended June 30, 2012 increased approximately 10% compared to the average price in the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Net sales for our Engineered Solutions segment increased to $101.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to sales of $93.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. This increase was largely driven by continued growth in our advanced consumer electronics products and the incremental revenue associated with acquisitions. This increase was partially offset by the decline in our sales of advanced graphite material products to the solar market.

Cost of sales. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, we experienced decreases in cost of sales of $73.0 million as a result of lower sales volumes in our Industrial Materials segment. Cost of sales in the six months ended June 30, 2012, benefited from lower costs as we consumed remaining year-end inventories. That inventory carried lower raw material costs and overhead absorption rates. We anticipate that the impact of 2012 raw material cost increases will be more fully reflected in the second half of the year. Costs were also $4.7 million lower due to inventory step-up costs recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2011 related to the acquisitions made in 2010 that did not recur in the six months ended June 30, 2012. Our Industrial Materials segment was further impacted by changes in foreign currency, which decreased costs by an additional $11.8 million. These decreases in costs were partially offset by severance charges of $3.3 million incurred in the six months ended June 30, 2012 as we took actions to right-size our operations to better align with expected customer demand during the remainder of 2012.

Research and Development. The difference in the incentive compensation plan expense for the period ended June 30, 2012 as compared to June 30, 2011 had an unfavorable impact of $0.4 million.

Selling and administrative expenses. Selling and administrative expenses increased $8.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011, due primarily to increases in incentive and stock-based compensation plan expense and additional expense resulting from acquisitions.

Other expense (income), net. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, we received $4.0 million of insurance reimbursements for claims made related to flood damages incurred at our Clarksburg, West Virginia facility during 2011.

Segment operating income. Corporate expenses are allocated to segments based on each segment’s percentage of consolidated sales. The following table represents our operating income by segment for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012: 

	For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2011				2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Industrial Materials	$	66,335			$	66,802
Engineered Solutions	10,880				3,782
Total segment operating income	$	77,215			$	70,584

The percentage relationship of cost of operations to sales for Industrial Materials and Engineered Solutions is set forth in the following table:

 

	For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	(Percentage of sales)
	2011			2012			Change
Industrial Materials	88	%		85	%		(3	)%
Engineered Solutions	88	%		96	%		8	%

28

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

Segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for Industrial Materials decreased to 85% for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to 88% for the six months ended June 30, 2011 due to favorable foreign currency impacts, which largely overshadowed modest increases in raw material prices. Total operating costs and expenses decreased $78.5 million from the six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011, primarily due to lower sales volumes for graphite electrodes.

 Segment operating costs and expenses as a percentage of sales for Engineered Solutions increased from 88% for the six months ended June 30, 2011 to 96% for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Operating expenses increased as a percentage of sales due to an unfavorable product mix and higher costs incurred to support growth initiatives for this segment. This product mix reflects the continued decline in demand for solar applications.

 Provision for income taxes. The following table summarizes the expense for income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012:  

	For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2011			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tax expense	12,826			4,488
Pretax income	68,658			63,864
Effective tax rates	18.7	%		7.0	%

During the quarter ended June 30, 2012, our unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $10.5 million due to the effective resolution of uncertain tax positions from prior years, which had a favorable impact on our effective tax rate. The current year effective tax rate also differs from the U.S statutory rate of 35% due to jurisdictional mix of income.

 Effects of Changes in Currency Exchange Rates

When the currencies of non-U.S. countries in which we have a manufacturing facility decline (or increase) in value relative to the U.S. dollar, this has the effect of reducing (or increasing) the U.S. dollar equivalent cost of sales and other expenses with respect to those facilities. In certain countries where we have manufacturing facilities, and in certain instances where we price our products for sale in export markets, we sell in currencies other than the dollar. Accordingly, when these currencies increase (or decline) in value relative to the dollar, this has the effect of increasing (or reducing) net sales.

Many of the non-U.S. countries in which we have a manufacturing facility have been subject to significant economic and political 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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the average exchange rate for the euro, Brazilian real, Mexican peso and South African rand against the U.S. dollar decreased approximately 7.3, 12.3%, 10.0% and 12.6% respectively, while the Japanese yen increased against the U.S. dollar approximately 2.6% when compared to their respective average exchange rates against the U.S. dollar for the six months ended June 30, 2011. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the average exchange rate for the Japanese yen, Brazilian real, South African rand, Mexican peso, euro and British pound increased by approximately 11.6%, 10.2%, 9.2 %, 6.5%, 5.7% and 5.9%, respectively, when compared to respective average exchange rates against the U.S. dollar for the six months ended June 30, 2010.

For net sales of Industrial Materials, the impact of changes in the average exchange rates for the period was a decrease of $5.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011. For the cost of Industrial Materials, the impact of these events was a decrease of $11.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011.

As part of our cash management, we also have intercompany loans between our subsidiaries. These loans are 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 Income. Swissco is party to many

29

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

of these loans. Effective January 1, 2011, the functional currency of this entity was changed to the U.S. dollar, as the majority of these loans and the purchases made are denominated in the U.S. dollar. This change reduces the potential of an accounting impact due to our exposure to exchange rate changes related to our intercompany loans.

The remeasurement of intercompany loans and the effect of transaction gains and losses on intercompany activities resulted in a currency gain of $0.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to $2.1 million the six months ended June 30, 2012.

We have in the past and may in the future use various financial instruments to manage certain exposures to specific financial market risks caused by currency exchange rate changes, as described under “Part I, Item 3–Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”.

30

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

 Liquidity and Capital Resources

We believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet all of our present needs. Disruptions in the U.S. and international financial markets, however, could adversely affect our liquidity and the cost and availability of financing to us in the future. As of June 30, 2012 we had cash and cash equivalents of $7.1 million, long-term debt of $570.8 million, short-term debt of $8.3 million and stockholder’s equity of $1,299 million. We also had $150 million available through our Revolving Facility. As a part of our cash management activities, we manage accounts receivable credit risk, collections, and accounts payable vendor terms to maximize our free cash at any given time and minimize accounts receivable losses.

Our sources of funds have consisted principally of cash flow from operations and debt including our Revolving Facility. Our uses of those funds (other than for operations) have consisted principally of capital expenditures, the repurchase of common shares outstanding, cash paid for acquisitions and expenses thereof and debt reduction payments and other obligations.

We have a supply chain financing arrangement with a financing party that provides additional working capital liquidity of up to $50 million. Under this arrangement, we essentially assigned our rights to purchase needle coke from a third-party supplier to the financing party. The financing party purchases the product from our supplier under the standard payment terms and then immediately resells it to us under longer payment terms. The financing party pays the supplier the purchase price for the product and then we pay the financing party. Our payment to the financing party for this needle coke includes a mark-up (the “Mark-Up”). The Mark-Up is subject to quarterly reviews. In effect, we have a longer period of time to pay the financing party than by purchasing directly from the supplier which helps us maintain a balanced cash conversion cycle between inventory payments and the collection of receivables. For the first six months of 2012 the Mark-Up was based on 2 month LIBOR plus a margin of 2.25%. We purchased approximately $91.9 million of inventory under this arrangement and incurred a Mark-Up of approximately $0.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

In the event that operating cash flow and the financing of needle coke purchases fail to provide sufficient liquidity to meet our business needs, including capital expenditures, any such shortfall would need to be made up by increased borrowings under our Revolving Facility.

We use cash flow from operations, funds supply chain financing, 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 on hand as our primary sources of liquidity. The Revolving Facility is secured, and provides for maximum borrowings of up to $570 million including a letters of credit sub-facility of up to $50 million and is subject to certain conditions (including a maximum senior secured leverage ratio test). The Revolving Facility matures in October 2016.

As of June 30, 2012, we had outstanding borrowings drawn from the Revolving Facility of $413 million, and $150 million was available (after consideration of outstanding letters of credit of $7 million). 

The interest rate applicable to the Revolving Facility is, at GrafTech’s option, either LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.25% (depending on our total net leverage ratio and/or senior unsecured rating) or, in the case of dollar denominated loans, the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.25% (depending upon such ratio or rating). The alternate base rate is the highest of (i) the prime rate announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., (ii) the federal fund effective rate plus  ¹/₂ of 1% and (iii) the London interbank offering rate (as adjusted) for a one-month interest period plus 1.00%. GrafTech Finance and Swissco pay a per annum fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.40% (depending on such ratio or rating) on the undrawn portion of the commitments under the Revolving Facility.

On April 20, 2012, we amended and restated our Credit Agreement for the sole purpose of reflecting a change in the structure of our European operations and the addition of two new European subsidiaries as parties to the agreement. The restatement did not otherwise effect any changes to the financial terms or covenants of the Revolving Facility as described above.

As of June 30, 2012, we were in compliance with all financial and other covenants contained in the Revolving Facility, as applicable. These covenants include maintaining a cash minimum interest coverage ratio of at least 3.00 to 1.00 and a maximum senior secured leverage ratio of 2.25 to 1.00, subject to adjustment based on a rolling average of the prior four quarters. Based on expected operating results and expected cash flows, we expect to be in compliance with these covenants through 2012. If we were to believe that we would not continue to comply with these covenants,

31

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

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.

As of June 30, 2012, approximately 28% of our debt consists of fixed rate or zero interest rate obligations compared to 39% as of December 31, 2011.

Cash Flow and Plans to Manage Liquidity. Typically, our cash flow fluctuates significantly between quarters due to various factors. These factors include customer order patterns, fluctuations in working capital requirements, timing of capital expenditures, acquisitions, stock repurchases, and other factors.

Certain of our obligations could have a material impact on our liquidity. Cash flow from operations and from financing activities services payment of our obligations, thereby reducing funds available to us for other purposes. As of June 30, 2012, we had $150 million of unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Facility. We expect to use a substantial portion of that capacity for general purposes including working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, stock repurchases and other purposes. Continued improvement, or another downturn, in the global economy may require additional borrowings under our Revolving Facility, particularly if our supply chain financing arrangement is terminated. An improving economy, while resulting in improved results of operations, could increase our cash requirements to purchase inventories, make capital expenditures and pay other obligations as accounts receivable increase. A downturn could significantly negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows, and could also result in delay or cancellation of customer orders at the same time that suppliers are requiring us to fully and timely perform our raw material purchase commitments and could occur at the time of increased borrowings, thereby negatively impacting, among other things, our credit ratings, our ability to comply with debt covenants, our ability to secure additional financing and the cost of such financing, if available.

Based on expected operating results and expected cash flows, we expect to be in compliance with our existing financial covenants in 2012.

In order to seek to minimize our credit risks, we reduce our sales of, or refuse to sell (except for cash on delivery or under letters of credit) our products to some customers and potential customers. In the current economic environment, our customers may experience liquidity shortages or difficulties in obtaining credit, including letters of credit. We cannot assure you that we will not be materially adversely affected by accounts receivable losses in the future.

On December 13, 2011 our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to ten million shares of our common stock. During the second quarter of 2012, 8.8 million common shares were repurchased in the open market at a total cost of $89.9 million. During the month of July 2012, the remaining 1.2 million shares under this program were repurchased at a cost of $11.8 million. On July 24, 2012, our Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program for up to ten million shares to replace the recently completed program. Purchases under the new program may take place from time to time in the open market, or through privately negotiated transactions, as market, industry and economic conditions warrant.

In addition, upon the vesting or payment of stock awards, an employee may elect receipt of the full share amount and pay the resulting taxes, or have shares withheld to cover the tax obligation. We sometimes elect to purchase these withheld shares rather than sell them in the open market. These repurchases are in addition to the program authorized by our Board of Directors described above.

Related Party Transactions. We have not engaged in or been a party to any other material transactions with affiliates or related parties except for transactions with our current or former subsidiaries and compensatory transactions with directors and officers (including employee benefits, stock option and restricted stock grants, compensation deferral, executive employee loans and stock purchases).

Cash Flows.

The following is a discussion of our cash flow activities:

32

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

	For the Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2011			2012
	(Dollars in millions)
Cash flow (used in) provided by:
Operating activities	(18.0	)		(31.5	)
Investing activities	(64.8	)		(54.6	)
Financing activities	78.7			81.4

Operating Activities

Cash flow from operating activities represents cash receipts and cash disbursements related to all our activities other than to investing and financing activities. Operating cash flow is derived by adjusting net income for:

•	Non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization; post retirement obligations, severance and pension plan changes; stock-based compensation charges;

•	Gains and losses attributed to investing and financing activities such as gains and losses on the sale of assets and unrealized currency transaction gains and losses;

•	Changes in operating assets and liabilities which reflect timing differences between the receipt and payment of cash associated with transactions and when they are recognized in results of operations.

The net impact of the changes in working capital (operating assets and liabilities), which are discussed in more detail below, include the impact of changes in: receivables, inventories, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, accrued taxes, interest payable, and payments of other current liabilities.

We continue to attempt to maximize our operating cash flows by continuing to improve those working capital items that are most directly affected by changes in sales volume, such as accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable.

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, changes in working capital resulted in a net use of funds of $123.0 million which was impacted by:

•	use of funds of $47.1 million from the increase in accounts receivable, which are due primarily to increased sales for the period;

•	use of funds for inventories of $53.8 million primarily due to the increased sales volume and the acquisitions of Seadrift and the St. Mary's facility;

•	use of funds of $6.3 million related to increased prepaid expenses primarily due to the deferral of $5.0 million of major maintenance and turnaround costs at Seadrift as well as the payment of insurance policy premiums in the second quarter; and

•	use of funds of $15.6 million from a decrease in accounts payable and accruals, caused primarily by the payment of incentive compensation.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, changes in working capital resulted in a net use of funds of $127.7 million which was impacted by:

•	cash inflows of $37.1 million from the decrease in accounts receivable, due primarily to decreased sales for the period;

•

cash outflows for inventories of $104.9 million primarily due to increased volumes on hand resulting from lower sales volumes. We have taken actions in the six months ended June 30, 2012 to reduce operating levels to better align with customer demand during the remainder of 2012. We will continue to monitor and evaluate operating levels and raw material purchases and may make adjustments in the second half of the year; and

33

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

•	net cash outflows from decreases in accounts payable of $10.7 million, income taxes payable of $20.3 million and $21.9 million of accruals through normal operations.

Other uses of cash in the six months ended June 30, 2012 included contributions to pension and other benefit plans of $6.1 million.

Investing Activities.

Net cash used in investing activities was $64.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2011 and included capital expenditures of $61.8 million and $6.5 million cash paid for an acquisition, partially offset by proceeds from derivative instruments of $3.1 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was $54.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and included capital expenditures of $61.6 million, which were partially offset by proceeds relating to our derivative instruments of $6.9 million.

 Financing Activities.

Net cash flow provided by financing activities was $78.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2011, due primarily to net borrowings under our Revolving Facility of $68.0 million and $11.4 million of short term debt borrowings. The cash from these borrowings was used primarily to fund capital expenditures and working capital additions during the period.

Net cash flow provided by financing activities was $81.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and included net borrowings under our Revolving Facility of $178 million which was primarily used to repurchase 8.8 million shares of our outstanding common stock in the open market and fund working capital additions.

Restrictions on Dividends and Stock Repurchases

A description of the restriction 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.

Under the Revolving Facility, in general, GTI is permitted to pay dividends and repurchase common stock in an aggregate amount (cumulative from October 2011) up to $75 million (or $500 million, if certain leverage ratio requirements are satisfied) plus, each year, an aggregate amount equal to 50% of the consolidated net income in the prior year.

During the second quarter of 2012, we repurchased 8.8 million shares of our outstanding common stock, at a cost of $89.9 million. During July 2012, we repurchased an additional 1.2 million shares at a cost of $11.8 million.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We discuss recently adopted accounting standards on page 6 in Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Description of Our Financing Structure

We discuss our financing structure in more detail in Note 9, “Long-Term Debt and Liquidity” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

34

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risks primarily from changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, energy commodity prices 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 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 commodity prices and commercial energy rates results primarily from the purchase or sale of refined oil products and the purchase of natural gas and electricity for use in our manufacturing operations.

Currency Rate Management. We enter into foreign currency derivatives from time to time to attempt to manage exposure to changes in currency exchange rates. These foreign currency derivatives, which include, but are not limited to, forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options, attempt to hedge global currency exposures. Forward exchange contracts are agreements to exchange different currencies at a specified future date and at a specified rate. Purchased foreign currency options are instruments which give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to exchange different currencies at a specified rate at a specified date or over a range of specified dates. Forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options are carried at market value.

The outstanding foreign currency derivatives as of December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012 represented a net unrealized gain of $2.6 million and $3.0 million, respectively.

Energy Commodity Management. We periodically enter into commodity derivative contracts and short duration fixed rate purchase contracts to effectively fix some or all of our natural gas and refined oil product exposure. The outstanding contracts as of December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012 represented a net unrealized loss of $0.5 million and a net unrealized gain of $3.1 million, respectively.

Interest Rate Risk Management. We periodically implement interest rate management initiatives to seek to minimize our interest expense and the risk in our portfolio of fixed and variable interest rate obligations.

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. We currently do not have any such instruments outstanding.

Sensitivity Analysis. We use sensitivity analysis to quantify potential impacts that market rate changes may have on the fair values of our foreign currency derivatives and our commodity derivatives. The sensitivity analysis represents the hypothetical changes in value of the hedge position and does not reflect the related gain or loss on the forecasted underlying transaction. As of June 30, 2012, a 10% appreciation or depreciation in the value of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies from the prevailing market rates would result in a corresponding increase or decrease of $9.3 million in the fair value of the foreign currency hedge portfolio. A 10% increase or decrease in the value of the underlying commodity prices that we hedge would result in a corresponding increase or decrease of $2.3 million as of June 30, 2012 in the fair value of the commodity hedge portfolio. Because of the high correlation between the hedging instrument and the underlying exposure, fluctuations in the value of the instruments are generally offset by reciprocal changes in the value of the underlying exposure.

We had no interest rate derivative instruments outstanding as of June 30, 2012. A hypothetical increase in interest rates of 100 basis points (1%) would have increased our interest expense by $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

35

---

Table of Contents    

PART I (CONT’D)

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

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, 2012. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level as of June 30, 2012.

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, 2012 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal controls over financial reporting.

36

---

Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The information required by this Item is set forth in Note 13, “Contingencies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors disclosed in Part I-Item IA of the Annual Report.

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

On December 13, 2011 our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to ten million shares of our common stock. During the second quarter of 2012, 8.8 million common shares were repurchased in the open market at a total cost of $89.9 million. During the month of July 2012, the remaining 1.2 million shares under this program were repurchased at a cost of $11.8 million.

On July 24, 2012, our Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program for up to ten million shares to replace the recently completed program. Purchases under the new program may take place from time to time in the open market, or through privately negotiated transactions, as market, industry and economic conditions warrant.

In addition to the plan, upon the vesting or payment of stock awards, an employee may elect receipt of the full share amount and pay the resulting taxes, or have shares withheld to cover the tax obligation. We sometimes elect to purchase these withheld shares rather than sell them in the open market. These repurchases are in addition to the program authorized by our Board of Directors described above.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased*			Average Price Paid per Share				Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs			Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
April 1 through April 30, 2012	82,292			$	11.74			82,200			9,917,800
May 1 through May 31, 2012	3,550,240			11.16				3,550,172			6,367,628
June 1 through June 30, 2012	5,119,602			9.64				5,119,401			1,248,227

* Including purchases of vested restricted stock shares from employees as payment for the withholding taxes due upon the vesting or payment of stock awards.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

 

37

---

Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 5. Other Information.

Not Applicable

38

---

Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 6. Exhibits

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

 

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
31.1	Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act by Craig S. Shular, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer).
31.2	Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act by Lindon G. Robertson, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal 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 (Principal Executive Officer).
32.2	Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Lindon G. Robertson, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer).
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

39

---

Table of Contents

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 26, 2012	By:	/s/ Lindon G. Robertson
			Lindon G. Robertson
			Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

40