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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS INC - Quarter Report: 2007 September (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


 

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2007

OR

 

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

For the Transition Period from              to             

Commission File Number 000-25032

 


UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

DELAWARE   25-1724540

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

600 Mayer Street

Bridgeville, PA 15017

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(412) 257-7600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


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

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

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  x

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

As of October 31, 2007, there were 6,656,753 shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share.

 



Table of Contents

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis and other sections of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views of Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. (the “Company”) with respect to future events and financial performance. Statements looking forward in time, including statements regarding future growth, cost savings, expanded production capacity, broader product lines, greater capacity to meet customer quality, reliability, price and delivery needs, enhanced competitive posture, effect of new accounting pronouncements and no material financial impact from litigation or contingencies are included in this Form 10-Q pursuant to the “safe harbor” provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

The Company’s actual results may be affected by a wide range of factors including future compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; the concentrated nature of the Company’s customer base to date and the Company’s dependence on its significant customers; the receipt, pricing and timing of future customer orders; changes in product mix; the limited number of raw material and energy suppliers and significant fluctuations that may occur in raw material and energy prices; the Company’s reliance on the continuing operation of critical manufacturing equipment; risks associated with labor matters; the Company’s ongoing requirement for continued compliance with safety and environmental regulations; compliance with newly promulgated workplace occupational exposure limit standards for hexavalent chromium in the stainless steel industry; and the ultimate outcome of the Company’s current and future litigation matters. Many of these factors are not within the Company’s control and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance suggested herein. Any unfavorable change in the foregoing or other factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, the Company operates in an industry sector where securities values may be volatile and may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond the Company’s control.

 

    

DESCRIPTION

   PAGE NO.

PART I.

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Financial Statements   
  

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations

   3
  

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets

   4
  

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flow

   5
  

Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

   6

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    10

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    15

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    15

PART II.

   OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    16

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    16

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    16

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    16

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    16

Item 5.

   Other Information    17

Item 6.

   Exhibits    17

SIGNATURES

   17

CERTIFICATIONS

   18

 

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Table of Contents

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Information)

(Unaudited)

 

    

For the

Three-month period ended
September 30,

   

For the

Nine-month period ended
September 30,

 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

Net sales

   $ 62,008     $ 55,110     $ 180,303     $ 148,066  

Cost of products sold

     50,875       42,910       143,337       116,721  

Selling and administrative expenses

     2,990       3,038       8,951       8,173  
                                

Operating income

     8,143       9,162       28,015       23,172  

Interest expense

     (181 )     (275 )     (603 )     (810 )

Other income

     26       2       36       6  
                                

Income before taxes

     7,988       8,889       27,448       22,368  

Income tax provision

     2,521       3,200       9,332       8,052  
                                

Net income

   $ 5,467     $ 5,689     $ 18,116     $ 14,316  
                                

Earnings per share – Basic

   $ 0.82     $ 0.88     $ 2.73     $ 2.23  
                                

Earnings per share – Diluted

   $ 0.81     $ 0.86     $ 2.67     $ 2.17  
                                

Weighted average shares of Common Stock outstanding

        

Basic

     6,656,753       6,443,570       6,640,238       6,429,089  

Diluted

     6,783,147       6,615,784       6,772,963       6,596,787  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     September 30,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 
     (Unaudited)     (Derived from
audited
Statements)
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 8,130     $ 2,909  

Accounts receivable, (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $396 and $338, respectively)

     39,285       33,308  

Inventory

     62,949       66,019  

Deferred taxes

     3,004       1,544  

Other current assets

     1,928       1,606  
                

Total current assets

     115,296       105,386  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     52,888       49,251  

Other assets

     629       584  
                

Total assets

   $ 168,813     $ 155,221  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities

    

Trade accounts payable

   $ 13,675     $ 13,123  

Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance

     3,791       3,427  

Accrued employment costs

     5,893       4,121  

Current portion of long-term debt

     2,380       2,364  

Other current liabilities

     1,479       1,902  
                

Total current liabilities

     27,218       24,937  

Long-term debt

     7,049       17,228  

Deferred taxes

     9,493       8,402  
                

Total liabilities

     43,760       50,567  
                

Commitments and contingencies

     —         —    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Senior Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share; 1,980,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 6,927,548 and 6,839,543 shares issued, respectively

     7       7  

Additional paid-in capital

     34,952       32,654  

Retained earnings

     91,754       73,638  

Treasury Stock at cost; 270,795 and 270,469 common shares held, respectively

     (1,660 )     (1,645 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     125,053       104,654  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 168,813     $ 155,221  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    

For the

Nine-month period ended
September 30,

 
     2007     2006  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 18,116     $ 14,316  

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     2,764       2,460  

Deferred income tax decrease

     (448 )     (806 )

Stock based compensation expense

     332       193  

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

     (976 )     (179 )

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable, net

     (5,977 )     (9,821 )

Inventory

     3,070       (12,057 )

Trade accounts payable

     552       5,766  

Accrued employment costs

     1,772       1,961  

Deferred revenue

     207       2,498  

Other, net

     86       1,177  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     19,498       5,508  
                

Cash flow from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (6,429 )     (5,587 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (6,429 )     (5,587 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Revolving line of credit (repayments) net borrowings

     (8,392 )     1,036  

Long-term debt repayments

     (1,771 )     (914 )

Increase (decrease) in outstanding checks in excess of bank balance

     364       (554 )

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock

     975       326  

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

     976       179  
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (7,848 )     73  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     5,221       (6 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     2,909       620  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 8,130     $ 614  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 640     $ 781  

Income taxes paid, net of refunds received

   $ 9,375     $ 7,641  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, balance sheets as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, and statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulation, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. Accordingly, these statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements, and notes thereto, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited, consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments, all of which were of a normal, recurring nature, necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and the consolidated results of operations and of cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, and are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2007 presentation.

Note 2—Common Stock

The reconciliation of the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding utilized for the earnings per common share computations are as follows:

 

    

For the

Three-month period ended
September 30,

  

For the

Nine-month period ended
September 30,

     2007    2006    2007    2006

Weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding

   6,656,753    6,443,570    6,640,238    6,429,089

Effect of dilutive securities

   126,394    172,214    132,725    167,698
                   

Weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, as adjusted

   6,783,147    6,615,784    6,772,963    6,596,787
                   

Note 3—New Accounting Pronouncement

On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position entitled “Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities” (“FSP”). The FSP amends an American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Industry Audit guide and is applicable to all industries that accrue for planned major maintenance activities. The FSP prohibits the use of the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance costs, which was the policy the Company used to record planned plant outage costs on an interim basis within a fiscal year prior to 2007. Under the FSP, the Company will report results using the deferral method whereby material major equipment maintenance costs are capitalized as incurred and amortized into expense over the subsequent nine-month period, while other maintenance costs are expenses as incurred. The cumulative effect of the accounting change is to increase the Company’s retained earnings by $106,000 and $130,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The retrospective application of the FSP is expected to change previously reported 2006 quarterly financial data by the following amounts:

 

     Increase (Decrease) in Previously Reported Amounts  
     For the 2006 Three-Month Period Ended     Total  
     March 31    June 30    September 30    December 31    
(dollars in thousands, expect per share amounts)                            

Cost of products sold

   $ 150    $ 51    $ 2    $ (243 )   $ 40  

Net income

     96      33      1      (154 )     (24 )

Earnings per common share:

             

Basic

   $ 0.02    $ 0.00    $ 0.00    $ (0.03 )   $ (0.01 )

Diluted

   $ 0.02    $ 0.00    $ 0.00    $ (0.03 )   $ (0.01 )

 

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Note 4—Inventory

The major classes of inventory are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006

Raw materials and supplies

   $ 10,653    $ 9,558

Semi-finished and finished steel products

     50,622      54,891

Operating materials

     1,674      1,570
             

Total inventory

   $ 62,949    $ 66,019
             

Note 5—Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 

Land and land improvements

   $ 2,219     $ 1,573  

Buildings

     9,582       8,469  

Machinery and equipment

     65,479       63,484  

Construction in progress

     3,954       1,330  
                
     81,234       74,856  

Accumulated depreciation

     (28,346 )     (25,605 )
                

Property, plant and equipment, net

   $ 52,888     $ 49,251  
                

The Company wrote-off $474,000 of capitalized assets including $367,000 related to a capitalized software project terminated during the three-month period ended September 30, 2006.

 

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Note 6—Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 

PNC Bank term loan

   $ 7,500     $ 9,000  

PNC Bank revolving credit facility

     —         8,392  

Government debt

     1,929       2,200  
                
     9,429       19,592  

Less amounts due within one year

     (2,380 )     (2,364 )
                

Total long-term debt

   $ 7,049     $ 17,228  
                

The Company maintains a credit agreement with PNC Bank for a $15.0 million revolving credit facility through September 30, 2009 and a term loan scheduled to mature in September 2011. The outstanding principal balance is payable in twenty consecutive quarterly installments of $500,000 beginning September 30, 2007. Interest on borrowings under the revolving credit facility and term loan is based on short-term market rates, which may be further adjusted, based upon the Company maintaining certain financial ratios. PNC Bank also charges a commitment fee payable on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility between 0.25% and 0.5%, based on certain financial ratios reported by the Company. The Company is required to be in compliance with three financial covenants: a minimum leverage ratio, a minimum debt service ratio and a minimum tangible net worth. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants at September 30, 2007.

Note 7—Commitments and Contingencies

On September 29, 2001, suit was filed against the Company in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania by Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (“Teledyne”). The suit alleged that steel product manufactured by the Company was defective and the Company was or should have been aware of the defects. Teledyne has alleged that the steel supplied by the Company caused certain crankshafts sold by Teledyne to be defective.

On May 31, 2007, the Company and Teledyne agreed to a complete settlement of this suit. Under the terms of the settlement, which contains a confidentiality provision, both parties released all claims against the other party in exchange for cash and other consideration. The net impact of this settlement, including professional fees, on the Company’s second quarter net income after tax was $520,000.

In December 2005, the Company received a Notice of Violation from the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) alleging violations of certain permitting issues. In October 2007, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the EPA to resolve these issues, which will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

On November 2, 2007 the hourly employees at Dunkirk Specialty Steel, LLC, represented by the United Steel Workers, ratified a new five-year labor agreement.

 

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Note 8—Business Segments

The Company is comprised of two business segments: Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, which consists of the Bridgeville and Titusville facilities, and Dunkirk Specialty Steel, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary located in Dunkirk, New York. The Universal Stainless & Alloy Products manufacturing process involves melting, remelting, treating and hot and cold rolling of semi-finished and finished specialty steels. Dunkirk Specialty Steel’s manufacturing process involves hot rolling and finishing of specialty steel bar, rod and wire products. The segment data are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

    

For the

Three-month period ended
September 30,

   

For the

Nine-month period ended
September 30,

 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

Net sales:

        

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 55,935     $ 47,191     $ 159,194     $ 132,028  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     21,268       19,835       63,029       50,001  

Intersegment

     (15,195 )     (11,916 )     (41,920 )     (33,963 )
                                

Consolidated net sales

   $ 62,008     $ 55,110     $ 180,303     $ 148,066  
                                

Operating income:

        

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 4,237     $ 4,097     $ 17,242     $ 15,029  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     3,025       3,763       10,564       7,549  

Intersegment

     881       1,302       209       594  
                                

Total operating income

   $ 8,143     $ 9,162     $ 28,015     $ 23,172  
                                

Interest expense and other financing costs:

        

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 154     $ 222     $ 507     $ 653  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     27       53       96       157  
                                

Total interest expense and other financing costs

   $ 181     $ 275     $ 603     $ 810  
                                

Other income

        

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 17     $ 1     $ 25     $ 3  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     9       1       11       3  
                                

Total other income

   $ 26     $ 2     $ 36     $ 6  
                                

 

     September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006

Total assets:

     

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 117,387    $ 117,916

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     37,958      31,473

Corporate assets

     13,468      5,832
             
   $ 168,813    $ 155,221
             

 

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

An analysis of the Company’s operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

    

For the

Three-month period ended
September 30,

  

For the

Nine-month period ended
September 30,

     2007    2006    2007    2006

Net sales:

           

Stainless steel

   $ 45,510    $ 41,726    $ 130,208    $ 110,159

Tool steel

     7,281      5,408      20,822      18,645

High-strength low alloy steel

     6,006      4,529      19,812      10,322

High-temperature alloy steel

     2,637      2,932      7,737      7,045

Conversion services

     446      461      1,427      1,694

Other

     128      54      297      201
                           

Total net sales

     62,008      55,110      180,303      148,066

Cost of products sold

     50,875      42,910      143,337      116,721

Selling and administrative expenses

     2,990      3,038      8,951      8,173
                           

Operating income

   $ 8,143    $ 9,162    $ 28,015    $ 23,172
                           

Market Segment Information

 

    

For the

Three-month period ended
September 30,

  

For the

Nine-month period ended
September 30,

     2007    2006    2007    2006

Net sales:

           

Service centers

   $ 31,451    $ 26,394    $ 93,154    $ 75,750

Rerollers

     10,199      9,856      26,049      25,080

Forgers

     13,852      10,614      40,170      25,035

Original equipment manufacturers

     4,452      4,421      13,869      13,976

Wire redrawers

     1,424      3,310      5,337      6,330

Conversion services

     446      461      1,427      1,694

Miscellaneous

     184      54      297      201
                           

Total net sales

   $ 62,008    $ 55,110    $ 180,303    $ 148,066
                           

Tons Shipped

     11,372      13,636      33,856      38,421
                           

Three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the similar periods in 2006

Net sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 increased $6.9 million and $32.2 million, respectively, as compared to the similar periods in 2006. These increases are primarily due to increased shipments of higher value-added products as well as the impact of higher surcharges assessed due to increased raw material costs. The improved mix of products sold was supported by the production of two vacuum-arc remelt furnaces placed into operation, one in December 2005 and the second in August 2006. Raw material surcharges continued to escalate during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, led by an increase in average nickel prices from $15.68 in December 2006 to a high of $23.67 in May 2007. In September 2007, the average price for nickel decreased to $13.40. This decrease will reduce raw material surcharges assessed on future shipments if the average nickel price remains at lower levels.

 

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Cost of products sold, as a percentage of net sales, was 82.1% and 77.9% for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and was 79.5% and 78.8% for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 in comparison to the prior year periods is primarily due to a $1.4 million increase to the Company’s inventory reserves during the three-month period ended September 30, 2007. The increase to the inventory reserve is a result of the decline in average nickel prices from $18.92 per pound in June 2007 to $13.40 per pound in September 2007.

Selling and administrative expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007 decreased by $48,000 as compared to the similar period in 2006 and increased by $778,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the similar 2006 period. The current year increase is primarily due to the settlement of a lawsuit between the Company and Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (“Teledyne”) during the three-month period ended June 30, 2007. This increase was partially offset by a $367,000 expense related to a software project the Company terminated during the three-month period ended September 30, 2006. In addition, the Company will be required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as of December 31, 2007. Fees incurred for outside consultants during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 were $58,000 and $175,000, respectively, in comparison to expenses of $183,000 and $413,000 for similar periods in 2006.

Interest expense and other financing costs decreased by $94,000 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to September 30, 2006 and decreased by $207,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006. The decreases were primarily due to the decrease in the average amount borrowed on the Company’s revolving credit facility as well as the continued funding of scheduled payments on the existing term debt.

The effective income tax rate utilized in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 was 31.6% and 34.0%, respectively, as compared to 36.0% for the three-and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006. The reduction in the effective income rate utilized in the current periods reflects an increase in the Company’s permanent tax deductions, related to an increase in the manufacturer’s production activities deduction, against expected income levels in 2007. In addition, the Company recognized additional permanent tax deductions in the three-month period ended September 30, 2007 as a result of reconciling its 2006 federal and state tax returns filed during the period to the tax provision recognized for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Business Segment Results

An analysis of the net sales and operating income for the reportable segments for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Segment

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
September 30,
   For the
Nine-month period ended
September 30,
     2007    2006    2007    2006

Net sales:

           

Stainless steel

   $ 31,211    $ 28,342    $ 87,011    $ 74,353

Tool steel

     6,748      4,852      19,018      17,466

High-strength low alloy steel

     2,560      2,107      10,382      5,036

High-temperature alloy steel

     1,207      931      3,353      2,690

Conversion services

     305      321      957      1,243

Other

     107      39      229      151
                           
     42,138      36,592      120,950      100,939

Intersegment

     13,797      10,599      38,244      31,089
                           

Total net sales

     55,935      47,191      159,194      132,028

Material cost of sales

     32,170      24,055      83,085      61,809

Operation cost of sales

     17,506      16,915      52,556      49,511

Selling and administrative expenses

     2,022      2,124      6,311      5,679
                           

Operating income

   $ 4,237    $ 4,097    $ 17,242    $ 15,029
                           

 

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Net sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 for this segment, which consists of the Bridgeville and Titusville facilities, increased by $8.7 million, or 18.5%, in comparison to the three-month period ended September 30, 2006 and $27.2 million, or 20.6%, in comparison to the similar 2006 nine-month period. These increases reflect increased shipments of higher value-added products, as well as the impact of higher surcharges assessed due to increased raw material costs. The improved mix of products sold was supported by the production of two vacuum-arc remelt furnaces placed into operation, one in December 2005 and the second in August 2006. Raw material surcharges continued to escalate during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, led by an increase in average nickel prices from $15.68 in December 2006 to a high of $23.67 in May 2007. In September 2007, the average price for nickel decreased to $13.40. This decrease will reduce raw material surcharges assessed on future shipments if the average nickel price remains at lower levels.

Operating income increased by $140,000, or 3.4% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to September 30, 2006, and increased by $2.2 million, or 14.7%, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007 in comparison to the similar 2006 nine-month period. These results were impacted by an improved mix of higher margin products shipped, in conjunction with the impact of raw material surcharges, which more than offset higher raw material, labor, energy and other manufacturing supply costs. In addition, operating income for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 were negatively impacted by $772,000 and $1.2 million, respectively, related to net inventory adjustments mainly due to increased reserves related to the decline in nickel prices from May 2007 to September 2007 and for the May 2007 settlement of a lawsuit between the Company and Teledyne.

Dunkirk Specialty Steel Segment

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
September 30,
   For the
Nine-month period ended
September 30,
     2007    2006    2007    2006

Net sales:

           

Stainless steel

   $ 14,299    $ 13,384    $ 43,197    $ 35,806

Tool steel

     533      556      1,804      1,179

High-strength low alloy steel

     3,446      2,422      9,430      5,286

High-temperature alloy steel

     1,430      2,001      4,384      4,355

Conversion services

     141      140      470      451

Other

     21      15      68      50
                           
     19,870      18,518      59,353      47,127

Intersegment

     1,398      1,317      3,676      2,874
                           

Total net sales

     21,268      19,835      63,029      50,001

Material cost of sales

     13,130      10,847      36,374      27,756

Operation cost of sales

     4,145      4,311      13,451      12,202

Selling and administrative expenses

     968      914      2,640      2,494
                           

Operating income

   $ 3,025    $ 3,763    $ 10,564    $ 7,549
                           

Net sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 for this segment increased by $1.4 million, or 7.2%, in comparison to the three-month period ended September 30, 2006 and $13.0 million, or 26.1%, in comparison to the similar 2006 nine-month period. These increases are due primarily to increased shipments of electro-slag and vacuum-arc remelted bar products, as well as the impact of higher surcharges assessed due to increased raw material costs. Raw material surcharges continued to escalate during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, led by an increase in average nickel prices from $15.68 in December 2006 to a high of $23.67 in May 2007. In September 2007, the average price for nickel decreased to $13.40. This decrease will reduce raw material surcharges assessed on future shipments if the average nickel price remains at lower levels.

Operating income decreased by $738,000, or 19.6%, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to September 30, 2006 and increased by $3.0 million, or 39.9%, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007 in comparison to the similar 2006 nine-month period. The year-to-date increase is primarily due to an improved mix of higher margin products shipped, in conjunction with the impact of raw material surcharges, which more than offset higher raw material, labor, energy and other manufacturing supply costs. In addition, operating income for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 were negatively impacted by net inventory adjustments of $635,000 and $1.1 million, respectively, mainly due to increased reserves related to the decline in nickel prices from May 2007 to September 2007.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has financed its operating activities through cash on hand at the beginning of the period and additional borrowings. At September 30, 2007, working capital approximated $88.1 million, as compared with $80.4 million at December 31, 2006. The increase in accounts receivable more than offset the decrease in inventory and the increase in current liabilities due to the affect higher raw material costs have on outstanding sales invoices. The decrease in inventory is related to the decline in the Company’s backlog more fully discussed in “Business Outlook”. The increase in current liabilities is primarily related to an increase in accrued employment costs associated to profit sharing and other incentive compensation earned in 2007. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 4.2:1 at December 31, 2006 and 4.3:1 at September 30, 2007. The debt to capitalization ratio was 7.0% at September 30, 2007 and 15.8% at December 31, 2006.

Cash received from sales of $61.8 million and $174.5 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and of $48.7 million and $140.6 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 represents the primary source of cash from operations. An analysis of the primary uses of cash is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
September 30,
   For the
Nine-month period ended
September 30,
     2007    2006    2007    2006

Raw material purchases

   $ 23,903    $ 22,255    $ 76,532    $ 62,224

Employment costs

     8,112      8,554      27,002      26,041

Utilities

     4,303      4,250      14,581      14,202

Other

     10,140      12,241      36,862      32,659
                           

Total uses of cash

   $ 46,458    $ 47,300    $ 154,977    $ 135,126
                           

Cash used in raw material purchases increased in 2007 in comparison to 2006 primarily due to higher transaction prices. The Company continuously monitors market price fluctuations of its key raw materials. The following table reflects the average market value per pound for selected months during the last eighteen-month period.

 

     September
2007
   December
2006
   September
2006
   December
2005

Nickel

   $ 13.40    $ 15.68    $ 13.67    $ 6.09

Chrome

   $ 1.28    $ 0.64    $ 0.63    $ 0.51

Molybdenum

   $ 31.77    $ 24.87    $ 27.26    $ 27.11

Carbon scrap

   $ 0.14    $ 0.10    $ 0.12    $ 0.12

The market values for these raw materials and others continue to fluctuate based on supply and demand, market disruptions and other factors. The Company maintains sales price surcharge mechanisms, priced at time of shipment, to mitigate the risk of substantial raw material cost fluctuations. There can be no assurance that these sales price adjustments will completely offset the Company’s raw material costs.

Increased employment costs are primarily due to higher production volumes and increased payouts under the Company’s profit sharing and other incentive compensation plans, and higher employee-related insurance costs. Increased utility costs are primarily due to higher consumption and rates charged for electricity and natural gas. The increase in other uses of cash, the majority of which is cash for outside conversion services, plant maintenance and production supplies, is directly attributable to support higher production volumes. In addition, payments for income taxes for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007 increased by $1.7 million over the same period in 2006.

The Company had capital expenditures for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007 of $6.4 million compared with $5.6 million for the same period in 2006. Most of the 2007 expenditures were used to refurbish and equip an office building at the Bridgeville Facility that now represents the Company’s corporate office, enhancements to the Company’s manufacturing software program, the rebuild of the melt shop cranes at the Bridgeville Facility and additional equipment in response to increased demand, including a milling machine and various product testing equipment. In addition, the Company has agreed to install new high-temperature annealing equipment capable of oil, water and air quenching at the Company’s Dunkirk Facility. This capital expansion project will cost approximately $3.5 million.

 

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The Company maintains a credit agreement with PNC Bank for a $15.0 million revolving credit facility through September 30, 2009 and a term loan having an outstanding principal balance of $7.5 million scheduled to mature in September 2011. At September 30, 2007, the Company had its entire $15.0 million revolving line of credit with PNC Bank available for borrowings. The Company is in compliance with its covenants as of September 30, 2007.

The Company does not maintain off-balance sheet arrangements other than operating leases nor does it participate in non-exchange traded contracts requiring fair value accounting treatment or material related party transaction arrangements.

The Company anticipates that it will fund its 2007 working capital requirements and its capital expenditures primarily from funds generated from operations, borrowings and stock issuances resulting from the exercise of outstanding stock options. Financing the Company’s long-term liquidity requirements, including capital expenditures, are expected from a combination of internally generated funds, borrowings and other sources of external financing, if needed.

Critical Accounting Policies

Revenue recognition is the most critical accounting policy of the Company. Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when both risk of loss and title have transferred to the customer, which in most cases coincides with shipment of the related products, and collection is reasonably assured. The Company manufactures specialty steel product to customer purchase order specifications and in recognition of requirements for product acceptance. Material certification forms are executed, indicating compliance with the customer purchase orders, before the specialty steel products are packed and shipped to the customer. Occasionally customers request that the packed products be held at the Company’s facility beyond the stated shipment date. In these situations, the Company receives written confirmation of the request, acknowledgement that title has passed to the customer and that normal payment terms apply. The impact on revenue was less than 1% of net sales in each period presented.

Revenue from conversion services is recognized when the performance of the service is complete. Invoiced shipping and handling costs are also accounted for as revenue. Customer claims are accounted for primarily as a reduction to gross sales after the matter has been researched and an acceptable resolution has been reached.

In addition, management constantly monitors the ability to collect its unpaid sales invoices and the valuation of its inventory. The allowance for doubtful accounts includes specific reserves for the value of outstanding invoices issued to customers currently operating under the protection of the federal bankruptcy law and other amounts that are deemed potentially not collectible along with a reserve equal to 15% of 90-day or older balances not specifically reserved. However, the total reserve will not be less than 1% of trade accounts receivable. An inventory reserve is provided for material on hand for which management believes cost exceeds fair market value and for material on hand for more than one year not assigned to a specific customer order.

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment annually by each operating facility. An impairment write-down will be recognized whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable through estimated future undiscounted cash flows. Based on management’s assessment of the carrying values of such long-lived assets, no impairment reserve had been deemed necessary as of September 30, 2007 and 2006. Retirements and disposals are removed from cost and accumulated depreciation accounts, with the gain or loss reflected in operating income.

The Company computes its annual tax rate based on the statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to it in the various jurisdictions in which it earns income. The Company establishes reserves when a tax return position may be challenged in the future and that challenge may more likely than not result in an unfavorable adjustment. In addition, management assesses the need to record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company believes it will generate sufficient income in addition to taxable income generated from the reversal of its temporary differences to utilize the deferred tax assets recorded at September 30, 2007.

 

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Table of Contents

2007 Outlook

These are forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and actual results may vary.

The Company estimates that fourth quarter 2007 sales will range from $45 to $50 million and that diluted EPS will range from $0.60 to $0.65. This compares with sales of $55.8 million and diluted EPS of $0.94 in the fourth quarter of 2006. The following factors were considered in developing these estimates:

 

  The Company’s total backlog at September 30, 2007 approximated $88 million compared to $103 million at June 30, 2007.

 

  Sales from the Dunkirk Specialty Steel segment are expected to approximate $19 million The reduction in revenues is a result of reduced shipments to service centers and lower surcharges anticipated due to the decline in the market value of nickel, which also is expected to eliminate the first-in, first-out inventory accounting method benefit (FIFO Benefit) the Company has experienced mainly in the Dunkirk segment as a result of rising nickel prices experienced through May 2007. The estimated FIFO Benefit in the fourth quarter of 2006 was $1.1 million, equivalent to $0.11 per diluted share.

 

  Under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Act of 2000 (the CDSOA), the Company files claims each year to receive its appropriate share of the import duties collected by the U.S. Treasury. The Company’s 2007 fourth quarter estimates do not include any receipts under the CDSOA program. During the three-month period ended December 31, 2006, the Company received $463,000, net of expenses incurred, equivalent to $0.05 per diluted share.

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company has reviewed the status of its market risk and believes there are no significant changes from that disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, except as provided in this Form 10-Q in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer concluded that, as of the end of the fiscal period covered by this quarterly report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in the timely identification of material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic filings with the SEC. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Table of Contents

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On September 29, 2001, suit was filed against the Company in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania by Teledyne. The suit alleged that steel product manufactured by the Company was defective and the Company was or should have been aware of the defects. Teledyne has alleged that the steel supplied by the Company caused certain crankshafts sold by Teledyne to be defective.

On May 31, 2007, the Company and Teledyne agreed to a complete settlement of this suit. Under the terms of the settlement, which contains a confidentiality provision, both parties released all claims against the other party in exchange for cash and other consideration. The net impact of this settlement, including professional fees, on the Company’s second quarter net income after tax was $520,000.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

There are no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

 

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 

Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

    

Exhibits

31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d- 14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)

SIGNATURES

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

 

   UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.
Date: November 13, 2007   

/s/ C. M. McAninch

   Clarence M. McAninch
   Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
   (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: November 13, 2007   

/s/ Richard M. Ubinger

   Richard M. Ubinger
  

Vice President of Finance,

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

17