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

Form 10-Q

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 March 31, 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 April 30, 2007, there were 6,638,498 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock issued and outstanding.

 



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 the negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement with the hourly employees at the Dunkirk facility; the Company’s ongoing requirement for continued compliance with environmental laws; 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    9

    Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    15

    Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    15

PART II.

   OTHER INFORMATION   

    Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    15

    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    16

    Item 6.

   Exhibits    16

SIGNATURES

   16

CERTIFICATIONS

  

 

2


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
March 31,

 
     2007     2006  

Net sales

   $ 56,239     $ 44,937  

Cost of products sold

     43,020       36,170  

Selling and administrative expenses

     2,554       2,256  
                

Operating income

     10,665       6,511  

Interest expense

     (227 )     (266 )

Other income

     4       2  
                

Income before taxes

     10,442       6,247  

Income tax provision

     3,655       2,249  
                

Net income

   $ 6,787     $ 3,998  
                

Earnings per common share – Basic

   $ 1.03     $ 0.62  
                

Earnings per common share – Diluted

   $ 1.00     $ 0.61  
                

Weighted-average shares of Common Stock outstanding

    

Basic

     6,621,307       6,417,323  

Diluted

     6,761,157       6,559,491  

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

 

3


UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     March 31,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 
     (Unaudited)     (Derived from
audited
statements)
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 882     $ 2,909  

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $371 and $338, respectively)

     36,917       33,308  

Inventory

     71,640       66,019  

Deferred taxes

     1,285       1,544  

Other current assets

     1,373       1,606  
                

Total current assets

     112,097       105,386  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     49,608       49,251  

Other assets

     718       584  
                

Total assets

   $ 162,423     $ 155,221  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities

    

Trade accounts payable

   $ 15,194     $ 13,123  

Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance

     4,326       3,427  

Current portion of long-term debt

     2,370       2,364  

Accrued employment costs

     3,599       4,121  

Accrued income tax

     2,358       544  

Other current liabilities

     1,619       1,358  
                

Total current liabilities

     29,466       24,937  

Long-term debt

     11,484       17,228  

Deferred taxes

     8,402       8,402  
                

Total liabilities

     49,352       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; 6,909,293 and 6,839,543 shares issued

     7       7  

Additional paid-in capital

     34,299       32,654  

Retained earnings

     80,425       73,638  

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

     (1,660 )     (1,645 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     113,071       104,654  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 162,423     $ 155,221  
                

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

 

4


UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    

For the

Three-month period ended
March 31,

 
     2007     2006  

Cash flow from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 6,787     $ 3,998  

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     899       795  

Deferred income tax increase (decrease)

     113       (184 )

Stock-based compensation expense

     100       41  

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

     (799 )     (6 )

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable, net

     (3,609 )     (1,881 )

Inventory

     (5,621 )     (4,295 )

Trade accounts payable

     2,071       1,496  

Deferred revenue

     277       3,487  

Accrued income tax payable

     1,814       2,370  

Accrued employment costs

     (522 )     (611 )

Other, net

     1,025       506  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     2,535       5,716  
                

Cash flow from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (1,253 )     (2,216 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,253 )     (2,216 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Revolving line of credit net repayments

     (5,149 )     (3,296 )

Long-term debt repayments

     (589 )     (141 )

Net change in outstanding checks in excess of bank balance

     899       (205 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     731       3  

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

     799       6  
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (3,309 )     (3,633 )
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,027 )     (133 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     2,909       620  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 882     $ 487  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 255     $ 256  

Income taxes paid, net of refunds received

   $ 1,047     $ 82  

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

 

5


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-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, balance sheets as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, and statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 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 regulations, 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 March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and the consolidated results of operations and of cash flows for the periods ended March 31, 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 is as follows:

 

    

For the

Three-month period ended
March 31,

     2007    2006

Weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding

   6,621,307    6,417,323

Effect of dilutive securities

   139,850    142,168
         

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

   6,761,157    6,559,491
         

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 six-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        
(dollars in thousands, expect per share amounts)    March 31    June 30    September 30    December 31     Total  

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 )

 

6


Note 4 – Inventory

The major classes of inventory are as follows:

 

(dollars in thousands)    March 31, 2007    December 31, 2006

Raw materials and supplies

   $ 15,020    $ 9,558

Semi-finished and finished steel products

     55,030      54,891

Operating materials

     1,590      1,570
             

Total inventory

   $ 71,640    $ 66,019
             

Note 5 – Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

 

(dollars in thousands)    March 31, 2007     December 31, 2006  

Land and land improvements

   $ 1,978     $ 1,573  

Buildings

     8,553       8,469  

Machinery and equipment

     64,342       63,484  

Construction in progress

     1,236       1,330  
                
     76,109       74,856  

Accumulated depreciation

     (26,501 )     (25,605 )
                

Property, plant and equipment, net

   $ 49,608     $ 49,251  
                

Note 6 – Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

(dollars in thousands)    March 31, 2007     December 31, 2006  

PNC Bank term loan

   $ 8,500     $ 9,000  

PNC Bank revolving credit facility

     3,243       8,392  

Government debt

     2,111       2,200  
                
     13,854       19,592  

Less amounts due within one year

     (2,370 )     (2,364 )
                

Total long-term debt

   $ 11,484     $ 17,228  
                

 

7


The Company maintains a credit agreement with PNC Bank for a $15.0 million revolving credit facility through June 30, 2009 and a term loan scheduled to mature in June 2011. The outstanding principal balance on the term loan is payable in consecutive quarterly installments of $500,000. 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 March 31, 2007.

Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies

On June 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 alleges 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. As a result, Teledyne is claiming damages relating to the recall, replacement and repair of aircraft engines.

After in-depth investigation, it is the Company’s position that the suit is without merit. The Company intends to vigorously defend that position, is engaged in the trial phase of the proceedings, and believes that the final disposition of this suit will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and the results of operations of the Company.

In December 2005, the Company received a Notice of Violation from the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) alleging violations of certain permitting issues. The Company, which established a reserve at that time for the probable settlement of the violations, is cooperating with the EPA to resolve these issues, and believes that the issues will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

The Company is subject to various claims and legal actions that arise in the normal course of conducting business. At December 31, 2006, the Company established a reserve that it believes is adequate for certain claims.

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:

 

    

For the

Three-month period ended
March 31,

 
(dollars in thousands)    2007     2006  

Net sales:

    

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 48,165     $ 39,137  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     20,440       13,987  

Intersegment

     (12,366 )     (8,187 )
                

Consolidated net sales

   $ 56,239     $ 44,937  
                

Operating income:

    

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 7,199     $ 5,106  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     3,821       1,460  

Intersegment

     (355 )     (55 )
                

Total operating income

   $ 10,665     $ 6,511  
                

 

8


    

For the

Three-month period ended
March 31,

(dollars in thousands)    2007    2006

Interest expense and other financing costs:

     

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 188    $ 213

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     39      53
             

Total interest expense and other financing costs

   $ 227    $ 266
             

Other income

     

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 3    $ 1

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     1      1
             

Total other income

   $ 4    $ 2
             

 

(dollars in thousands)   

March 31,

2007

  

December 31,

2006

Total assets:

     

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 125,206    $ 117,916

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     33,462      31,473

Corporate assets

     3,755      5,832
             
   $ 162,423    $ 155,221
             

 

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-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
March 31,
(dollars in thousands)    2007    2006

Net sales:

     

Stainless steel

   $ 39,570    $ 33,418

Tool steel

     7,097      5,827

High-strength low alloy steel

     6,234      2,552

High-temperature alloy steel

     2,745      2,369

Conversion services

     489      729

Other

     104      42
             

Total net sales

     56,239      44,937

Cost of products sold

     43,020      36,170

Selling and administrative expenses

     2,554      2,256
             

Operating income

   $ 10,665    $ 6,511
             

Tons Shipped

     11,157      12,045
             

 

9


Market Segment Information

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
March 31,
(dollars in thousands)    2007    2006

Net sales:

     

Service centers

   $ 29,105    $ 23,038

Forgers

     12,574      7,564

Rerollers

     7,192      7,847

Original equipment manufacturers

     4,877      4,599

Wire redrawers

     1,898      1,144

Conversion services

     489      729

Miscellaneous

     104      16
             

Total net sales

   $ 56,239    $ 44,937
             

Three-month period ended March 31, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006

The increase in net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2007 as compared to the similar period in 2006 reflects 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 three-month period ended March 31, 2007, led by an increase in average nickel prices from $15.68 in December 2006 to $21.01 in March 2007.

Cost of products sold, as a percentage of net sales, was 76.5% and 80.5% for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease 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.

Selling and administrative expense was $2.6 million for the current quarter, an increase of $298,000 from the first quarter 2006 amount of $2.3 million. The increase is primarily due to higher employment costs related to continued growth of the business.

Interest expense and other financing costs decreased from $266,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 to $227,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2007 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-month periods ended March 31, 2007 was 35.0% as compared to 36.0% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006. The effective income rate utilized in the current period reflects an increase in the anticipated effect of the Company’s permanent tax deductions, related to an increase in the manufacturer’s production activities deduction, against expected income levels in 2007.

 

10


Business Segment Results

An analysis of the net sales and operating income for the reportable segments for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Segment

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
March 31,
(dollars in thousands)    2007    2006

Net sales:

     

Stainless steel

   $ 24,996    $ 23,567

Tool steel

     6,159      5,360

High-strength low alloy steel

     4,000      1,239

High-temperature alloy steel

     1,230      1,041

Conversion services

     327      538

Other

     86      40
             
     36,798      31,785

Intersegment

     11,367      7,352
             

Total net sales

     48,165      39,137

Material cost of sales

     21,231      17,408

Operation cost of sales

     18,017      15,094

Selling and administrative expenses

     1,718      1,529
             

Operating income

   $ 7,199    $ 5,106
             

Net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2007 for this segment, which consists of the Bridgeville and Titusville facilities, increased $9.0 million, or 23.1%, in comparison to the same period a year ago. The increase reflects 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 three-month period ended March 31, 2007, led by an increase in average nickel prices from $15.68 in December 2006 to $21.01 in March 2007.

Operating income for the 2007 first quarter increased by $2.1 million, or 41.0%, from first quarter 2006 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.

 

11


Dunkirk Specialty Steel Segment

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
March 31,
(dollars in thousands)    2007    2006

Net sales:

     

Stainless steel

   $ 14,574    $ 9,851

Tool steel

     938      467

High-strength low alloy steel

     2,234      1,313

High-temperature alloy steel

     1,515      1,328

Conversion services

     162      191

Other

     18      2
             
     19,441      13,152

Intersegment

     999      835
             

Total net sales

     20,440      13,987

Material cost of sales

     11,196      7,971

Operation cost of sales

     4,587      3,829

Selling and administrative expenses

     836      727
             

Operating income

   $ 3,821    $ 1,460
             

Net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2007 increased $6.5 million, or 46.1%, in comparison to the same period a year ago. The increase reflects increased shipments of electro-slag and vacuum-arc remelted bar products, as well as higher surcharges assessed due to increased raw material costs.

Operating income for the 2007 first quarter increased by $2.4 million, or 161.7%, from the first quarter 2006 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.

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 March 31, 2007, working capital approximated $82.6 million, as compared to $80.4 million at December 31, 2006. The increase in inventory and accounts receivable more than offset the increase in current liabilities due to the effect higher raw material costs have on outstanding sales invoices and the cost of inventory. The increase in current liabilities is related to the timing of raw material receipts and higher income taxes payable. Inventory increased $5.6 million due to higher raw material costs included in raw material inventory. Accounts receivable increased $3.6 million as a result of increased sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2007 in comparison to the three-month period ended December 31, 2006. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities decreased from 4.2:1 at December 31, 2006 to 3.8:1 at March 31, 2007. The debt to total capitalization ratio was 10.9% at March 31, 2007 and 15.8% at December 31, 2006.

 

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Cash received from sales activities of $52.9 million and $46.5 million represents the primary source of cash from operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The primary uses of cash follow:

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
March 31,
(dollars in thousands)    2007    2006

Raw material purchases

   $ 24,127    $ 18,555

Employment costs

     10,745      9,777

Utilities

     5,127      5,053

Other

     10,340      7,418
             

Total uses of cash

   $ 50,339    $ 40,803
             

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 values per pound for selected months during the last 15-month period.

 

     March
2007
   December
2006
   March
2006
   December
2005

Nickel

   $ 21.01    $ 15.68    $ 6.75    $ 6.09

Chrome

   $ 0.81    $ 0.64    $ 0.61    $ 0.51

Molybdenum

   $ 28.15    $ 24.87    $ 23.06    $ 27.11

Carbon Scrap

   $ 0.17    $ 0.10    $ 0.12    $ 0.12

The market values for these raw materials 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 raw material cost fluctuations. There can be no assurance that these sales price adjustments will completely offset the Company’s raw material and energy costs.

Increased employment costs are primarily due to higher production volumes, 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 in the 2007 first quarter increased by $1.0 million over the same period in 2006.

The Company had capital expenditures for the first quarter 2007 of $1.3 million, compared with $2.2 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.

The Company maintains a credit agreement with PNC Bank for a $15.0 million revolving credit facility through June 30, 2009 and a term loan having an outstanding principal balance of $8.5 million scheduled to mature in June 2011. At March 31, 2007, the Company had $11.8 million of its $15.0 million revolving line of credit with PNC Bank available for borrowings. The Company is in compliance with its covenants as of March 31, 2007.

 

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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, is expected from a combination of internally generated funds, borrowings, stock issuance or 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 March 31, 2007 and 2006. Retirements and disposals are removed from cost and accumulated depreciation accounts, with the gain or loss reflected in operating income.

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 March 31, 2007.

 

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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 second quarter 2007 sales will range from $52 to $57 million and that diluted EPS will range from $0.85 to $0.90 This compares with sales of $48.0 million and diluted EPS of $0.70, as adjusted, in the second quarter of 2006. The following factors were considered in developing these estimates:

 

   

The Company’s total backlog at March 31, 2007 approximated $114 million compared to $120 million at December 31, 2006.

 

   

End market demand led by aerospace is expected to remain strong in the 2007 second quarter.

 

   

Nickel prices are expected to remain at the high levels experienced in the 2007 first quarter.

 

   

Sales from the Dunkirk Specialty Steel segment are expected to approximate $20 million in the second quarter of 2007 based on its backlog of $44 million at March 31, 2007.

 

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 President and 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 President and 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 March 31, 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.

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On June 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 alleges 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. As a result, Teledyne is claiming damages relating to the recall, replacement and repair of aircraft engines.

In 2002, Teledyne was unsuccessful in its pursuit of a similar claim brought against another specialty steel producer who supplied the same steel product. After in-depth investigation, it is the Company’s position that the suit is without merit. The Company intends to vigorously defend that position, is engaged in the trial phase of the proceedings, and believes that the final disposition of this suit will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and the results of operations of the Company.

 

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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.

 

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: May 11, 2007    
   

/s/ C. M. McAninch

   

Clarence M. McAninch

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: May 11, 2007    
   

/s/ Richard M. Ubinger

   

Richard M. Ubinger

Vice President of Finance,

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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