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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS INC - Quarter Report: 2010 March (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 March 31, 2010

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 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  ¨    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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

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, 2010, there were 6,774,604 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock issued and outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 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 but not limited to 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 Quarterly Report on 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; the ultimate outcome of the Company’s current and future litigation matters; and the impact of various economic, credit and market risk uncertainties. 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 Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

   4
 

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets

   5
 

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flow

   6
 

Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

   7

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    11

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.

  Reserved    16

Item 5.

  Other Information    16

Item 6.

  Exhibits    16

SIGNATURES

     16

CERTIFICATIONS

    

 

2


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
March 31,
 
     2010     2009  

Net sales

   $ 34,679      $ 42,186   

Cost of products sold

     29,760        43,864   

Selling and administrative expenses

     2,660        4,737   
                

Operating income (loss)

     2,259        (6,415

Interest expense

     (96     (24

Other income

     —          30   
                

Income (loss) before taxes

     2,163        (6,409

Income tax provision (benefit)

     736        (2,583
                

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,427      $ (3,826
                

Earnings (loss) per common share – Basic

   $ 0.21      $ (0.57
                

Earnings (loss) per common share – Diluted

   $ 0.21      $ (0.57
                

Weighted-average shares of Common Stock outstanding

    

Basic

     6,773,337        6,732,284   

Diluted

     6,840,783        6,732,284   

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 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2010     2009  

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,427      $ (3,826

Net change in fair market value of

    

Interest rate swap

     (79     (290

Nickel hedge contracts

     (40     —     

Tax effect

     45        108   
                

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 1,353      $ (4,008
                

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, Except Per Share Information)

 

     March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 
     (Unaudited)    

(Derived from

audited

statements)

 

ASSETS

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 37,834      $ 42,349   

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,032 and $2,132 respectively)

     23,626        17,028   

Inventory, net

     54,199        41,322   

Other current assets

     9,261        9,344   
                

Total current assets

     124,920        110,043   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     69,834        70,085   

Other assets

     1,463        1,586   
                

Total assets

   $ 196,217      $ 181,714   
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities

    

Trade accounts payable

   $ 18,906      $ 7,783   

Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance

     134        734   

Accrued employment costs

     2,382        1,178   

Current portion of long-term debt

     2,831        2,223   

Other current liabilities

     1,575        553   
                

Total current liabilities

     25,828        12,471   

Long-term debt

     10,112        10,823   

Deferred taxes

     14,170        14,049   

Other liabilities

     224        145   
                

Total liabilities

     50,334        37,488   
                

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; 7,045,399 and 7,043,899 shares issued

     7        7   

Additional paid-in capital

     39,080        38,776   

Retained earnings

     108,561        107,134   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (106     (32

Treasury Stock at cost; 270,795 common shares held

     (1,659     (1,659
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     145,883        144,226   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 196,217      $ 181,714   
                

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
Three-month period ended
March 31,
 
     2010     2009  

Cash flow from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,427      $ (3,826

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     1,329        1,164   

Loss on retirement of fixed assets

     17        —     

Deferred income tax

     31        (609

Stock-based compensation expense

     286        250   

Tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements

     (8     —     

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable, net

     (6,598     3,867   

Inventory, net

     (12,877     11,825   

Trade accounts payable

     11,123        (7,415

Accrued employment costs

     1,204        (606

Other, net

     1,309        (2,013
                

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (2,757     2,637   
                

Cash flow from investing activities:

    

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

     17        —     

Capital expenditures

     (1,090     (3,734
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,073     (3,734
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Long-term debt issuance

     —          12,000   

Long-term debt repayments

     (103     (100

Net change in outstanding checks in excess of bank balance

     (600     250   

Deferred financing costs

     —          (84

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     10        —     

Tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements

     8        —     
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (685     12,066   
                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (4,515     10,969   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     42,349        14,812   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 37,834      $ 25,781   
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid, net of amount capitalized

   $ 92      $ 18   

Income taxes paid, net of refunds received

   $ —        $ 223   

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-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, balance sheets as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, 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, 2009 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, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and the consolidated results of operations and of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, 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 2010 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,
     2010    2009

Weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding

   6,773,337    6,732,284

Effect of dilutive securities

   67,446    —  
         

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

   6,840,783    6,732,284
         

The Company had 29,152 common stock equivalents outstanding for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009 which were not included in the common share computations for earnings (loss) per share as the common stock equivalents are anti-dilutive.

Note 3 – Inventory

The major classes of inventory are as follows:

 

(in thousands)    March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Raw materials

   $ 7,133      $ 5,585   

Semi-finished and finished steel products

     43,393        32,969   

Inventory reserves

     (861     (1,152

Operating materials

     4,534        3,920   
                

Total inventory, net

   $ 54,199      $ 41,322   
                

 

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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Note 4 – Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

 

(in thousands)    March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Land and land improvements

   $ 2,603      $ 2,603   

Buildings

     14,479        14,479   

Machinery and equipment

     86,253        86,276   

Construction in progress

     5,373        4,284   
                
     108,708        107,642   

Accumulated depreciation

     (38,874     (37,557
                

Property, plant and equipment, net

   $ 69,834      $ 70,085   
                

Note 5 – Long-Term Debt

The Company has an unsecured credit agreement with PNC Bank which provides for a $12.0 million term loan (“Term Loan”) scheduled to mature on February 28, 2014 and a $15.0 million revolving credit facility with a term expiring on June 30, 2012. There was no balance outstanding under the revolver at March 31, 2010 or December 31, 2009. Interest on both facilities is based on short-term market rates, which may be 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 of 0.25%, provided certain financial ratios are maintained. 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, 2010.

The Company maintains two separate loan agreements with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Commerce, aggregating to $600,000. A $200,000 15-year loan bears interest at 5% per annum with the term ending in 2011, and a $400,000 20-year loan bears interest at 6% per annum with the term ending in 2016. In February 2002, Dunkirk Specialty Steel issued two ten-year, 5% interest-bearing notes payable to the New York Job Development Authority for the combined amount of $3.0 million. The remaining aggregate unpaid balance of these government loans was $942,000 at March 31, 2010 and $1.0 million at December 31, 2009.

Note 6 – Derivatives and Hedging Activities

To manage interest rate risk, the Company has entered into an interest rate swap that effectively converts the floating-rate Term Loan into a fixed-rate debt instrument. Interest rate swap agreements that minimize the impact of interest rate changes on the Company’s floating-rate debt agreements are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges. The effective portion of the change in the fair value of the interest rate swap is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (within stockholders’ equity). The Company utilizes the interest rate swap to maintain a fixed-rate of 4.515% on the Term Loan until its maturity on February 28, 2014. The notional amount of the interest rate swap decreases ratably over its term, as does the Term Loan, and was $12.0 million at March 31, 2010.

In July 2009, the Company entered into nickel futures contracts to minimize the price change impact of anticipated purchases of nickel over the life of a customer short-term supply agreement which is designated as and accounted for as a cash flow hedge. The effective portion of the change in the fair value of the nickel hedge agreements is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

The location and amounts recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet for the derivative instruments are as follows:

 

(dollars in thousands)    March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Other current assets

   $ 54      $ 94   

Other assets

     82        53   

Other current liabilities

     (18     (34

Other liabilities

     (224     (145
                

Stockholders equity, other comprehensive income loss

   $ (106   $ (32
                

 

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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Note 7 – Fair Value Measurements

The Company adopted “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” issued by the FASB. This standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. It also defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy prescribed by the standard contains three levels as follows:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level 2 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.

The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. In instances where the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been determined based on the lowest level input significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability. The interest rate swap is recorded at fair value based on Level 2 quoted LIBOR swap rates adjusted for credit and non-performance risk. The nickel futures contracts are recorded at fair value based on Level 2 quoted futures rates.

Financial instruments include cash, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable, short-term debt, other current liabilities and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximated fair value at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of the Term Loan approximates the carrying amount based on the interest rate being based in one-month floating LIBOR rates. The fair value of $942,000 of long-term government debt instruments with a weighted average maturity of 15 months at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 approximates the carrying amount based on current borrowing rates available for financings with similar terms and maturities.

Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, various lawsuits and claims have been or may be asserted against the Company relating to the conduct of our business, including routine litigation relating to commercial and employment matters. The ultimate cost and outcome of any litigation or claim cannot be predicted with certainty. Management believes, based on information presently available, that the likelihood that the ultimate outcome of any such pending matter will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, or liquidity or a material impact on our results of operations is remote, although the resolution of one or more of these matters may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations for the period in which the resolution occurs.

At March 31, 2010, the Company maintains reserves that it believes are adequate for outstanding product claims and legal actions.

Note 9 – Income Taxes

The tax rate used for interim periods is the estimated annual effective tax rate, based on the current estimate of full year results, except that taxes related to specific events, if any, are recorded in the interim period in which they occur.

The effective income tax (benefit) rate in the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 was 34% as compared to (40.3)% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. The effective income rate in the current period reflects taxable income and benefits from the domestic manufacturing deduction, whereas the prior year reflected a projected net operating loss, benefits related to a federal loss carryback and a state loss carryforward.

 

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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Note 10 – 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, treating 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)    2010     2009  

Net sales:

    

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 31,243      $ 36,685   

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     10,431        11,382   

Intersegment

     (6,995     (5,881
                

Consolidated net sales

   $ 34,679      $ 42,186   
                

Operating income (loss):

    

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 1,934      $ (3,914

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     325        (2,501

Intersegment

     —          —     
                

Consolidated operating income (loss)

   $ 2,259      $ (6,415
                

Interest expense and other financing costs:

    

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 85      $ 7   

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     11        17   
                

Total interest expense and other financing costs

   $ 96      $ 24   
                

Other income

    

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ —        $ 22   

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     —          8   
                

Total other income

   $ —        $ 30   
                
(dollars in thousands)    March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Total assets:

    

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 112,285      $ 96,047   

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     33,831        31,133   

Corporate assets

     50,101        54,534   
                
   $ 196,217      $ 181,714   
                

 

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

Items Affecting Comparability of Results

The Company recorded a net loss for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009 of $3.8 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, which included unusual charges of $3.6 million equivalent to $0.53 per share, after-tax, primarily due to the deepening recession and economic uncertainty. The following unusual charges (totaling $6.0 million pre-tax) are included in the 2009 financial results:

 

 

$1.9 million increase to the bad debt reserve due to the inability of a privately held service center customer to pay amounts owed on 2008 business and a related $0.5 million increase to inventory reserves;

 

 

$1.5 million due to a decline in raw material values and the consumption of high cost material during the quarter;

 

 

$1.0 million write-down of stock inventory;

 

 

$0.9 million attributed to the reduction of operating levels; and

 

 

$0.2 million resulting from a 20% reduction in salaried employees.

Results of Operations

An analysis of the Company’s operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

 

     For the
Three-month  period ended
March 31,
 
(dollars in thousands)    2010    2009  

Net sales:

     

Stainless steel

   $ 24,032    $ 33,762   

Tool steel

     6,175      3,329   

High-strength low alloy steel

     2,012      2,743   

High-temperature alloy steel

     1,892      2,019   

Conversion services

     411      304   

Other

     157      29   
               

Total net sales

     34,679      42,186   

Cost of products sold

     29,760      43,864   

Selling and administrative expenses

     2,660      4,737   
               

Operating income (loss)

   $ 2,259    $ (6,415
               

Tons shipped

     8,456      9,593   
               

Market Segment Information

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
March 31,
(dollars in thousands)    2010    2009

Net sales:

     

Service centers

   $ 17,231    $ 17,532

Forgers

     9,984      12,971

Rerollers

     3,660      6,004

Original equipment manufacturers

     2,430      4,399

Wire redrawers

     823      947

Conversion services

     411      304

Miscellaneous

     140      29
             

Total net sales

   $ 34,679    $ 42,186
             

 

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Three-month period ended March 31, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009

Net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 decreased $7.5 million, or 18%, as compared to the similar period in 2009. The decrease reflects a 12% decline in consolidated shipments and a change in product mix. A decrease in shipments of aerospace products and petrochemical products of 43% and 15%, respectively, were partially offset by increases in service center plate products and power generation products of 42% and 10%, respectively.

Cost of products sold, as a percentage of net sales, was 85.8% and 104.0% for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The 2009 results include $3.9 million of the unusual charges outlined above, representing 9.2% of net sales. The remaining decrease is primarily due to lower raw material costs in relation to sales prices and lower operation costs per pound due to increasing production volumes incurred during the 2010 period.

Selling and administrative expenses decreased by $2.1 million in the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 as compared to the similar period in 2009. The decreased cost principally relates to $2.1 million of the unusual charges outlined above.

The effective income tax (benefit) rate in the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 was 34.0% as compared to (40.3)% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. The effective income tax rate in the current period reflects taxable income and benefitted from the domestic manufacturing deduction while the prior year rate reflected a projected net operating loss and benefits related to a federal loss carryback and a state loss carryforward.

Business Segment Results

An analysis of the net sales and operating income for the reportable segments for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Segment

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
March 31,
 
(dollars in thousands)    2010    2009  

Net sales:

     

Stainless steel

   $ 17,239    $ 25,995   

Tool steel

     5,928      3,208   

High-strength low alloy steel

     449      1,015   

High-temperature alloy steel

     591      734   

Conversion services

     287      188   

Other

     154      29   
               
     24,648      31,169   

Intersegment

     6,595      5,516   
               

Total net sales

     31,243      36,685   

Material cost of sales

     14,157      20,266   

Operation cost of sales

     13,374      16,460   

Selling and administrative expenses

     1,778      3,873   
               

Operating income (loss)

   $ 1,934    $ (3,914
               

Net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 for this segment, which consists of the Bridgeville and Titusville facilities, decreased $5.4 million, or 14.8%, as compared to the similar period in 2009. The decrease reflects a 10.5% decline in shipments and a change in product mix. A decrease in shipments of aerospace products and petrochemical products of 43% and 12%, respectively, were partially offset by increases in shipments of service center plate products and power generation products of 42% and 8%, respectively.

 

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Operating income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 was $5.8 million greater in comparison to the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. The operating loss for the 2009 first quarter included $5.0 million of the unusual charges described above. The remaining increase is primarily due to lower raw material costs in relation to sales prices and lower operation costs due to increasing production volumes incurred during the 2010 period. Excluding the impact of the unusual charges, the material cost of sales decreased from 49.1% in 2009 to 45.3% in 2010.

Dunkirk Specialty Steel Segment

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
March 31,
 
(dollars in thousands)    2010    2009  

Net sales:

     

Stainless steel

   $ 6,793    $ 7,767   

Tool steel

     247      121   

High-strength low alloy steel

     1,563      1,728   

High-temperature alloy steel

     1,301      1,285   

Conversion services

     124      116   

Other

     3      —     
               
     10,031      11,017   

Intersegment

     400      365   
               

Total net sales

     10,431      11,382   

Material cost of sales

     5,955      8,794   

Operation cost of sales

     3,269      4,225   

Selling and administrative expenses

     882      864   
               

Operating income (loss)

   $ 325    $ (2,501
               

Net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 decreased $951,000, or 8.4%, as compared to the similar period in 2009. The decrease reflects a 12.6% decline in shipments, offset slightly by higher prices. Shipments declined in all categories in comparison to the same period in 2009 except for conversion services and petrochemical products, which increased by 60% and 8%, respectively.

Operating income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 was $2.8 million greater in comparison to the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. The operating loss for the 2009 first quarter included $1.0 million of the unusual charges described above. The remaining increase is primarily due to lower raw material costs in relation to sales prices and lower operation costs due to increasing production volumes incurred during the 2010 period. Excluding the impact of the unusual charges, the material cost of sales decreased from 70.8% in 2009 to 57.1% in 2010.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has financed its operating activities through cash on hand at the beginning of the period. At March 31, 2010, working capital approximated $99.1 million as compared to $97.6 million at December 31, 2009. The increase is primarily attributable to an $8.4 million increase in managed working capital, defined as accounts receivable and inventory less accounts payable, which was partially offset by increases in accrued employment costs and income taxes as a result of the increase production and sales during the quarter. Accounts receivable increased $6.6 million as a result of increased sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 in comparison to the three-month period ended December 31, 2009. The increase in inventory is primarily due to higher material purchase prices and a 45% increase in the volume of work-in-process inventory in response to the rise in the Company’s backlog. The backlog increased from $36 million at December 31, 2009 to $53 million at March 31, 2010, an increase of 47%. Accounts payable increased 143% related to the increase in production levels.

The ratio of current assets to current liabilities decreased to 4.8:1 at March 31, 2010 from 8.8:1 at December 31, 2009, principally due to investment in managed working capital necessary to support increased sales activity and growing backlogs. The debt to total capitalization ratio decreased from 8.3% at December 31, 2009 to 8.1% at March 31, 2010 due to the increase in Stockholder’s Equity.

 

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Cash received from sales of $28.6 million and $44.3 million represent the primary source of cash from operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The primary uses of cash follow:

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
March 31,
(dollars in thousands)    2010    2009

Raw material purchases

   $ 13,487    $ 16,349

Employment costs

     7,005      9,219

Utilities

     3,367      4,991

Other

     7,524      11,086
             

Total uses of cash

   $ 31,383    $ 41,645
             

Cash used for raw material purchases and operation costs decreased in 2010 in comparison to 2009 primarily due to having a lower backlog of orders at the beginning of 2010 of $36 million compared with $75.8 million at the beginning of 2009, which led to the reduction in the quantity of purchased materials and operation costs required to meet existing orders. 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
2010
   December
2009
   March
2009
   December
2008

Nickel

   $ 10.19    $ 7.74    $ 4.40    $ 4.39

Chrome

   $ 1.29    $ 0.89    $ 0.75    $ 0.96

Molybdenum

   $ 17.20    $ 11.47    $ 8.50    $ 9.85

Carbon Scrap

   $ 0.21    $ 0.15    $ 0.09    $ 0.11

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.

Decreased employment costs are primarily due to the aforementioned lower production volumes and decreased payout under the Company’s profit sharing plan. The decrease in other uses of cash, the majority of which is cash for production supplies, plant maintenance, outside conversion services, insurance and freight is also attributable to lower production levels and lower selling and administrative expenses.

The Company had capital expenditures for the first quarter 2010 of $1.1 million, compared with $3.7 million for the same period in 2009. $629,000 of the 2010 expenditures and $2.5 million of the 2009 expenditures relate to the Bridgeville melt shop upgrade.

The Company has an unsecured credit agreement with PNC Bank which provides for a $12.0 million Term Loan scheduled to mature on February 28, 2014 and a $15.0 million revolving credit facility with the term expiring June 30, 2012. The Company anticipates that it will fund its 2010 working capital requirements and its capital expenditures primarily from internally generated funds, stock issuance and borrowings under the revolving credit facility, if necessary. At March 31, 2010, the Company had $37.8 million in cash and all 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, 2010.

The Company also executed an interest rate swap with PNC Bank, with a notional amount of $12.0 million, to convert the LIBOR floating rate under the Term Loan to a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan. Under the agreement, the Company’s interest rate is currently fixed at 4.515%. The Company recorded a liability of $224,000, equal to the fair market value of the swap agreement at March 31, 2010. This fair market value, net of tax, is reported as other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity.

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

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

Revenue recognition is the most critical accounting policy of the Company. 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. 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. 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. However, the total allowance will not be less than 1% of trade accounts receivable.

The cost of inventory is principally determined by the first in, first-out (FIFO) method for material costs as well as the average cost method for operation costs. An inventory reserve is provided for material on hand for which management believes cost exceeds net realizable 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. No triggering events occurred which would require management to assess the carrying values of such long-lived assets and no impairment reserve had been deemed necessary as of March 31, 2010 or December 31, 2009. 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, 2010.

The Company’s current risk management strategies include the use of derivative instruments to minimize the risk of significant changes to interest rates used in long-term agreements or commodity values. In 2009 the Company entered into an interest rate swap that effectively converts the floating-rate Term Loan into a fixed-rate debt instrument. Also in 2009 the Company entered into nickel futures contracts to minimize the price change impact of anticipated purchases of nickel over the life of a customer short-term supply agreement. The interest rate swap and nickel futures contracts qualify as cash flow hedges and are marked-to-market at each reporting period date with unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive loss to the extent effective, and reclassified to interest expense or cost of sales in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.

 

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, 2009, 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 Corporate Controller, 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 Corporate Controller concluded that, as of the end of the 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, 2010, 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.

On April 12, 2010 the Company announced that Richard M. Ubinger had submitted his resignation as Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer effective April 30, 2010. Mr. Ubinger has decided to leave the Company in order to pursue other business opportunities. The Company noted that a search for a new CFO has commenced and that Ronald Hauck, who joined the Company as Controller in 2005, will serve as the Company’s principal financial officer on an interim basis through the conclusion of the search process.

 

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Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material changes from the legal proceedings disclosed in Item 3. of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

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, 2009.

 

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

None.

 

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 

Item 4. RESERVED

 

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 Principal 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 Principal 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.

May 7, 2010

 

/s/    DENNIS M. OATES        

   

/s/    RONALD E. HAUCK        

Dennis M. Oates     Ronald E. Hauck
President and Chief Executive Officer     Corporate Controller
(Principal Executive Officer)     (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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