Back to GetFilings.com

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the transition period from                      to

Commission file number: 333-18019

WCI STEEL, INC.

(330) 841-8302

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. Note: The Registrant files pursuant to an indenture, but is not otherwise subject to Section 13 or 15(d) filing requirements.

[ ] Yes [X] No                              

     As of September 16, 2002, the registrant had 100 shares of its common stock, no par value, $.01 stated value, outstanding.

Table of Contents

WCI STEEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

2

Table of Contents

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

WCI STEEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amount)

     See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents

WCI STEEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents

WCI STEEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

     See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

Table of Contents

WCI STEEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three and nine months ended July 31, 2002 and 2001
( Unaudited )

NOTE 1 : BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     WCI Steel, Inc. (Company or WCI) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Renco Steel Holdings, Inc. (Renco Steel) and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of The Renco Group, Inc. (Renco). The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, such information reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim periods. Certain reclassifications of prior year data have been made to conform to the 2002 classifications. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2002 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

     These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2001.

NOTE 2 : INVENTORIES

     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Market value is determined based on expected selling price of each product. Inventories consist of the following:

6

Table of Contents

NOTE 3 : LONG-TERM DEBT

     Long-term debt consists of the following:

     The $300 million 10% Senior Secured Notes due December 1, 2004 (Senior Secured Notes) are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the existing property, plant and equipment of the Company. A Voluntary Employee Beneficiaries Association trust fund, established to hold Company contributions to fund postretirement health care and life insurance obligations for the benefit of hourly employees, holds a second priority lien on the security for the Senior Secured Notes.

     The Company has a $100,000,000 Revolver secured by inventories and receivables and subject to eligibility requirements, as defined, reduced by any outstanding letters of credit. The Revolver is subject to a monthly service fee of $15,000 and an annual commitment fee of 0.5% of the unused balance up to $60,000,000 payable monthly. There were borrowings of $34,250,000 outstanding under the Revolver as of July 31, 2002. The Revolver, which expires December 29, 2003, also provides for up to an aggregate amount of $20,000,000 in letters of credit. On September 13, 2002 the Company and its lenders under the Revolver agreed to amend the loan agreement as described below. At July 31, 2002, assuming this amendment had been in place, the Company had borrowing availability of $51,836,000 based on eligible inventory and receivables after deducting $34,250,000 of borrowings outstanding and $14,870,000 in letters of credit outstanding and before reflecting a $20,000,000 minimum borrowing availability covenant as discussed below. The Revolver is subject to a penalty of $250,000 if terminated before October 31, 2003.

     The Company’s Revolver and Senior Secured Notes contain certain financial and other covenants, including maintenance of specified levels of net worth as defined, working capital, and debt service and limitations on capital expenditures. Additional covenants limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, payments affecting subsidiaries, transactions with affiliates, sale/leaseback transactions, impairment of security interest, consolidations, mergers and transfer of the Company’s assets. On January 25, 2002 the Company and its lenders under the Revolver agreed to amend the loan agreement to require the Company to maintain a minimum net worth, as defined, of not less than the following for each period indicated: negative $225 million through January 31, 2002, negative $240 million from February 1, 2002 through

7

Table of Contents

April 30, 2002, negative $255 million from May 1, 2002 through July 31, 2002, and negative $260 million on August 1, 2002 and thereafter. In addition, the Company was required to maintain minimum borrowing availability under the Revolver of $25 million. The January amendment also changes the interest charged from prime rate to prime rate plus 1.5% or as to Eurodollar Rate Loans, a rate of 3.5% in excess of the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate applicable for the interest period selected by the Company. On September 13, 2002 the Company and its lenders under the Revolver further agreed to reduce the minimum borrowing availability requirement from $25 million to $20 million provided the Company is able to meet certain minimum cumulative earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) targets. A minimum cumulative EBITDA target has been established for each month from August 2002 to December 2003 and totals $73.0 million with monthly increments of not more than $5.5 million and not less than $4.0 million. In addition, while loans and letters of credit continue to be subject to a $100 million maximum, WCI can use up to $105 million of qualifying inventories and receivables based on established advance rates in determining availability with respect to the minimum availability covenant. The Company is permitted to declare and pay dividends, and make other transactions with affiliates provided no condition of default exists or will exist, and the accumulated amount of such transactions is no greater than fifty percent (50%) of the consolidated net income as defined (less 100% of any consolidated net loss) earned for periods subsequent to October 31, 1996 when taken as a single accounting period, less management fees paid to Renco in excess of $1,200,000 annually for the same period. Under these agreements, there were no amounts available for dividends and other transactions with affiliates at July 31, 2002.

NOTE 4: ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS and OTHER CONTINGENCIES

     In common with much of the steel industry, the Company’s facilities are located on sites that have been used for heavy industrial purposes for decades. The Company is and will continue to be subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations governing, among other things, air emissions, waste water discharge and solid and hazardous waste management. The Company has made and intends to continue to make the necessary expenditures for environmental remediation and compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Environmental laws and regulations continue to change and have generally become more stringent, and the Company may be subject to more stringent environmental laws and regulations in the future. Compliance with more stringent environmental laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

     The Company is subject to a consent decree as a result of a civil action instituted by the Department of Justice (DOJ), on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The consent decree requires the Company to complete certain supplemental environmental projects with a remaining estimated cost of $2.0 million that will be expended by late 2002. These projects include sediment removal from the Mahoning River at an estimated cost of $0.8 million and the installation of a liner for a surface impoundment estimated to cost approximately $1.2 million. The consent decree also provides for stipulated penalties in the event of noncompliance which the Company does not believe will be material.

     As a condition of a previous Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) operating permit, the Company is required to undertake a corrective action program with respect to historical material handling practices at the Warren facility. The Company has completed the initial phase of the first investigation step of the corrective action program, the RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI), and has submitted its report to the EPA. The Company and the EPA agreed that additional sampling would be required to complete a full RFI which is expected to be completed by the end of 2003. The RFI workplan identifies thirteen historical solid waste management units to be investigated. The final scope of corrective action required to remediate any contamination that may be present at or emanating from the Warren

8

Table of Contents

facility is dependent upon the completion and findings of the RFI and the development and approval of a corrective action program. Accordingly, the Company is unable at this time to estimate the final cost of the corrective action program or the period over which such costs may be incurred and there can be no assurance that any such corrective action program would not have a material adverse effect on the operating results or financial condition of the Company.

     On January 23, 1996, two retired employees instituted an action against the Company and the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio alleging in substance that certain distributions made by the Company to employees and benefit plans violated certain agreements, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and common law. On July 31, 1997, the court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss this action and entered judgement in favor of the Company and the USWA. The Plaintiffs filed an appeal regarding the court’s decision to dismiss, which was heard in June 1998. In March 1999, the appellate court upheld the dismissal of the claims under ERISA and common law, but reversed the dismissal of the NLRA claim and remanded to the district court for further proceedings. On October 9, 2000 the court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss this action and entered judgement in favor of the Company and the USWA. The plaintiffs filed an appeal regarding the court’s decision to dismiss which was heard on April 23, 2002. On May 24, 2002 the appellate court affirmed the decision to dismiss this action. No appeal has been filed regarding the decision and the time frame for filing an appeal has expired.

     In addition to the above-described matters, the Company is contingently liable with respect to lawsuits and other claims incidental to the ordinary course of its business. A liability has been established for an amount, which the Company believes is adequate, based on information currently available, to cover the costs to resolve the above described matters, including remediation, if any, except for any costs of corrective action that may result from the RFI for which no estimate can currently be made. The outcome of the above described matters could have a material adverse effect on the future operating results of the Company in a particular quarter or annual period; however, the Company believes that the effect of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position.

NOTE 5: OTHER MATTERS

     Based on WCI’s current order intake rate and backlog, the Company expects shipping volume to be approximately 330,000 tons in the fourth quarter of 2002. WCI’s order backlog was approximately 293,000 tons at July 31, 2002 compared to 158,000 at July 31, 2001 and 352,000 at April 30, 2002. We expect net sales per ton shipped to increase approximately 10% during the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter. WCI expects cost of products sold per ton shipped to increase approximately 2% in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter due primarily to changes in product mix with capacity utilization remaining at approximately 90% or greater. During the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company expects its working capital needs to increase by approximately $15 million as a result of increasing iron ore pellet inventories prior to the end of the shipping season and due to increased accounts receivable resulting from increasing revenues. Assuming no change in the U.S. economy or level of steel imports, WCI expects shipping volume during the first fiscal quarter of 2003 to decline approximately 5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2002 with net sales and cost of goods sold per ton remaining flat. Based on these expectations, the Company believes that it has adequate availability of cash resources to maintain operations and meet its debt service requirements into 2003 and if current market conditions persist, the Company expects to generate significant free cash flow both from operations and working capital in the first half of 2003.

     Significant uncertainty remains regarding the direction of the U.S. economy and the short-term as well

9

Table of Contents

as long-term condition of the steel market. Improvements in order intake rates and pricing realized during 2002 could be reversed by a number of factors including increasing domestic supply through the restart of closed facilities, increases in steel imports due to rising domestic steel prices or the granting of exemptions to tariffs imposed as a result of the Section 201 investigation or the failure of an economic recovery to materialize or be sustained in the U.S. If the volume or net sales prices expected to be realized by WCI during the fourth quarter are not sustained in subsequent quarters due to these or other factors, WCI may not have adequate availability under its existing financing arrangements to sustain its operations and may require additional sources of financing. WCI cannot assure that it has the ability to obtain such additional financing or what the terms of such additional financing might be. Failure to obtain such additional financing in these circumstances would likely have a material adverse effect on WCI’s operations.

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

Results of Operations

     Three months ended July 31, 2002 compared to three months ended July 31, 2001

     Net sales for the three months ended July 31, 2002 were $132.8 million on 334,367 tons shipped, representing a 20.7% increase in net sales and a 20.0% increase in tons shipped compared to the three months ended July 31, 2001. When the third fiscal quarter of 2002 is compared to the prior quarter ended April 30, 2002, net sales showed a more modest increase of 4.0%, however tons shipped decreased by 6.0%. Net sales per ton shipped of $397 for the three months ended July 31, 2002 was 0.5% higher than the net sales per ton shipped of $395 for the comparable prior year period ended July 31, 2001, with net selling prices up 6.0% offset by changes to product mix. Net sales per ton increased 10.6% for the third fiscal quarter of 2002 compared to the second fiscal quarter of 2002, with net selling prices increasing 9.4%. Shipments of custom carbon, alloy and electrical steels accounted for 47.4% of total shipments for the three months ended July 31, 2002 compared to 52.4% for the three months ended July 31, 2001 and 47.6% for the three months ended April 30, 2002. The improvements in shipping volume and increased net selling prices in the third quarter 2002 compared to the third quarter 2001 resulted from a variety of factors including a decrease in domestic supply due to the closing of facilities during the last several years, the implementation of tariffs under a favorable Section 201 decision on certain imported steel which became effective for imports entering the U.S. on or after March 20, 2002, a conclusion to inventory reductions by customers and a slight improvement in overall economic activity.

     The table below shows the Company’s product mix for the three months ended July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001.

10

Table of Contents

     The following table sets forth the percentage of WCI’s net tons shipped to various markets for the three months ended July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001.

     Gross margin (sales less cost of products sold) was $10.4 million for the three months ended July 31, 2002 compared to gross margin (loss) of ($2.8) million for the three months ended July 31, 2001. The increase in gross margin reflects the increased shipping volume and lower production costs resulting from a higher production volume and its effect on fixed operating costs per ton. Production volume for the three months ended July 31, 2002 was approximately 89% of operating capacity compared to approximately 82% for the three months ended July 31, 2001.

     Operating income was $0.2 million, or $1 per ton, for the three months ended July 31, 2002 compared to operating income (loss) of ($11.3) million, or ($40) per ton, for the three months ended July 31, 2001. The increase in operating income reflects the improved gross margin discussed above partially offset by a charge of $2.1 million in the 2002 period to establish a reserve for amounts due from a financially distressed customer.

     Interest and other income (expense), net was $40,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2002 compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended July 31, 2001. This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in interest income resulting from lower cash balances for the three months ended July 31, 2002 compared to the three months ended July 31, 2001.

     As a result of the items discussed above, the Company had a loss before taxes of $8.1 million for the three months ended July 31, 2002 compared to a loss before taxes of $18.7 million for the three months ended July

11

Table of Contents

31, 2001.

     Effective November 1, 1998, the Company was designated as a qualified subchapter S subsidiary by Renco. Accordingly, the Company is generally not subject to income taxes.

     Nine months ended July 31, 2002 compared to nine months ended July 31, 2001

     Net sales for the nine months ended July 31, 2002 were $350.0 million on 934,920 tons shipped, representing a 13.9% increase in net sales and a 23.6% increase in tons shipped compared to the nine months ended July 31, 2001. Shipping volume for 2002 began to increase more substantially during the second fiscal quarter and has leveled off to more historical levels during the third fiscal quarter. This is a result of a variety of favorable factors that included a decrease in domestic supply due to the closing of facilities during the past several years, the implementation of tariffs under a favorable Section 201 decision on certain imported steel which became effective for imports entering the U.S. on or after March 20, 2002, and a conclusion to inventory reductions by customers and a slight improvement in overall economic activity. Net sales per ton shipped decreased 7.9% to $374 in the 2002 period compared to $406 for the 2001 period, with net selling prices down 1.9% coupled with a less favorable product mix. Shipments of custom carbon, alloy and electrical steels accounted for 47.2% of total shipments for the nine months ended July 31, 2002 compared to 53.7% for the nine months ended July 31, 2001.

     The table below shows the Company’s product mix for the nine months ended July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001.

12

Table of Contents

     The following table sets forth the percentage of WCI’s net tons shipped to various markets for the nine months ended July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001.

     Gross margin (sales less cost of products sold) was $3.7 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2002 compared to gross margin (loss) of ($8.4) million for the nine months ended July 31, 2001. The increase in gross margin reflects the lower per ton production costs resulting from significantly higher volume and its effect on fixed operating costs per ton and higher shipping volume partially offset by lower transaction prices and less favorable product mix discussed above. The 2002 period included favorable adjustments to inventory valuation reserves of $4.1 million. Excluding these favorable adjustments the gross margin (loss) was ($0.4) million for the 2002 period. Production volume during the nine months ended July 31, 2002 was approximately 85% of operating capacity compared to approximately 73% in the 2001 period.

     Operating income (loss) was ($21.4) million, or ($23) per ton, for the nine months ended July 31, 2002 compared to operating income (loss) of ($41.7) million, or ($55) per ton, for the nine months ended July 31, 2001. The decrease in operating loss reflects lower depreciation expense and the increase in gross margin discussed above and also included significant non-recurring items for both periods. The operating loss for the 2002 period included a $1.6 million gain realized from the resolution of contract issues relating to the sale of a third party owned coke plant adjacent to WCI’s facility and a charge of $2.1 million to establish a reserve for amounts due from a financially distressed customer. The operating loss for the 2001 period included a charge of $3.9 million associated with the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Youngstown Sinter Company, announced indefinite idling of its operating facility by July 15, 2001 and a charge of $2.1 million to establish a reserve for amounts due from a financially distressed steel company. Excluding the gain and adjustments to inventory valuation reserves for the 2002 period and the non-recurring charges in both the 2002 and 2001 periods, the operating loss was ($25.0) million, or ($27) per ton for the nine months ended July 31, 2002 compared to an operating loss of ($35.7) million, or ($47) per ton for the nine months ended July 31, 2001.

     Interest income and other income (expense), net was $0.5 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2002 compared to ($7.8) million for the nine months ended July 31, 2001. Declining cash balances during the 2002 period resulted in a decrease in interest income. In the 2001 period, WCI recorded a charge of $10.5 million to write down the carrying value of Acme Metals 10.875% Senior Unsecured Notes owned by WCI.

     As a result of the items discussed above, the Company had a loss before taxes of $45.4 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2002 compared to a loss before taxes of $73.4 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2001.

     Effective November 1, 1998, the Company was designated as a qualified subchapter S subsidiary by Renco. Accordingly, the Company is generally not subject to income taxes.

13

Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     WCI’s liquidity requirements result from capital investments, working capital requirements, postretirement health care and pension funding, interest expense and, to a lesser extent, principal payments on its indebtedness. The Company’s primary sources of liquidity as of July 31, 2002 consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $2.8 million and available borrowing under its $100 million revolving credit agreement (Revolver).

     The Revolver has a maximum borrowing limit of $100 million, is secured by inventories and receivables and is subject to eligibility requirements, as defined therein, and expires on December 29, 2003. On September 13, 2002 the Company and its lenders under the Revolver agreed to amend the loan agreement as described below. As of July 31, 2002, assuming this amendment had been in place, the Company had borrowing availability of $51.8 million based on eligible inventories and receivables after deducting $34.3 million of borrowings outstanding and $14.9 million in letters of credit outstanding and before reflecting a $20 million minimum borrowing availability covenant.

     Cash from Operations

     Cash provided (used) by operating activities was ($55.1) million for the nine months ended July 31, 2002 compared to ($35.6) million for the nine months ended July 31, 2001. The decreased operating cash flow for the 2002 period compared to the 2001 period resulted primarily from changes in working capital due to an increase in accounts receivable resulting from increased revenue and by an increase in pension funding partially offset by a reduction in net loss.

     Capital Expenditures

     Capital expenditures were $8.5 million and $8.2 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $10 million for all of fiscal 2002. At July 31, 2002, the Company had commitments for capital expenditures of approximately $1.5 million. The Company expects to complete a reline of its blast furnace within the next two years at an estimated cost of up to $30 million.

     Debt Covenants

     The Revolver and the indenture governing WCI’s 10% Senior Secured Notes due December 1, 2004 contain numerous covenants and prohibitions that limit the financial activities of the Company, including requirements that the Company satisfy certain financial ratios and limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness. On January 25, 2002 the Company and its lenders under the Revolver agreed to amend the loan agreement to require the Company to maintain a minimum net worth, as defined, of not less than the following for each period indicated: negative $225 million through January 31, 2002, negative $240 million from February 1, 2002 through April 30, 2002, negative $255 million from May 1, 2002 through July 31, 2002, and negative $260 million on August 1, 2002 and thereafter. In addition, the Company was required to maintain minimum availability under the Revolver of $25 million. On September 13, 2002 the Company and its lenders under the Revolver further agreed to reduce the minimum borrowing availability requirement from $25 million to $20 million provided the Company is able to meet certain minimum cumulative earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) targets. A minimum cumulative EBITDA target has been established for each month from August 2002 to December 2003 and totals $73.0 million with monthly increments of not more than $5.5 million and not less than $4.0 million. In addition, while loans and letters of credit continue to be subject to a $100 million maximum, WCI can use up to $105 million of qualifying inventories and receivables based on established advance rates in determining availability with respect to the minimum availability covenant. The

14

Table of Contents

ability of the Company to meet its debt service requirements and to comply with such covenants will be dependent upon future operating performance and financial results of the Company, which will be subject to financial, economic, political, competitive and other factors affecting the Company, many of which are beyond its control.

     Dividends

     The Company paid no dividends and was not permitted to do so under the Senior Secured Notes indenture during the nine months ended July 31, 2002. The Company does not expect to be permitted to pay dividends for the foreseeable future based on limitations under the Senior Secured Notes indenture.

     Defined Benefit Pension Plan

     The Company has a defined benefit pension plan (DBP) which covers substantially all bargained for employees. The Company expects to contribute approximately $29.6 million, $26.3 million and $21.1 million to the DBP during fiscal years 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively, which is expected to satisfy the minimum funding requirements of ERISA for those periods. This funding reflects the results of the actuarial valuation completed as of November 1, 2001. Due primarily to the reduction in the offset from the frozen defined contribution plan resulting from adverse investment experience and from changes in the status of plan participants different from assumptions, the Company’s projected benefit obligation increased from $98.7 million as reported in the Company’s 10-K as of October 31, 2001 to $114.9 million. The Company contributed $24.6 million, $7.2 million, $4.2 million and $6.7 million to the DBP during the nine months ended July 31, 2002 and fiscal years ended October 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

     Accounting Standards

     In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Statement 142 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of Statement 142. The Company adopted Statement 142 effective November 1, 2001. The adoption of Statement 142 did not have a material effect on either financial position or results of operations.

     In August 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. Statement 143 applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of certain long-lived assets. It requires companies to record the fair value of the liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. When the liability is initially recorded, the company capitalizes a cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, the company either settles the obligation for its recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss upon settlement. Statement 143 is required to be adopted in fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. WCI has not yet determined the effect, if any, that adopting Statement 143 will have on future earnings and financial position.

     In August 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 144, Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. This statement establishes a single accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale and provides additional implementation guidance for assets to be held and used and assets to be disposed of other than by sale. WCI adopted the Statement effective November 1, 2001. There was no financial implication related to the adoption of Statement No. 144, and the guidance will be applied on a prospective basis.

     In July 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. This statement requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. The statement is to be applied prospectively to exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002, and is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial position and results of operations.

15

Table of Contents

     Outlook

     During the last four years steel imports into the U.S. have adversely affected shipping volume and have contributed significantly to pricing volatility. During this period, WCI and the steel industry have filed various trade cases against hot-rolled and cold-rolled carbon steel flat products from various countries in response to this increase in imports. While various duties have been imposed on these products from certain countries, to date these duties have been ineffective in reducing overall steel imports to the U.S.

     In response to the surging imports, in June 2001 the U.S. Trade Representative, at the direction of President Bush, requested an investigation by the International Trade Commission under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 to determine whether steel is being imported into the U.S. in such quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury to the U.S. steel industry. This request included the investigation of carbon and alloy flat rolled products among other products. On October 22, 2001 the ITC determined that the requisite injury had been demonstrated related to carbon and alloy slabs, hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated products. These determinations pertain to imports from all countries except Canada. On December 19, 2001 the ITC forwarded its remedy recommendations to President Bush.

     On March 5, 2002 President Bush issued his remedy regarding the Section 201 investigation which became effective for imports entering the U.S. on or after March 20, 2002. This remedy includes a tariff rate quota on carbon and alloy slabs of 30% in excess of 5.4 million tons per year adjusting over a three year period to 18% on imports in excess of 6.4 million tons and a 30% tariff on hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated sheet and strip declining over a three year period to 18%. These remedies pertain to imports from all countries except Canada, Mexico, Jordan, Israel and certain developing countries. A significant number of exemption requests have been filed by various countries regarding the tariffs imposed and granted by the U.S. government with a significant number of exemption requests still pending.

     For the longer term, the shipping levels and realized selling prices of WCI products will continue to be influenced by the levels of imported steel, the strength of the manufacturing sector of the domestic economy and production capacity changes by domestic competitors. Domestic flat rolled steel production capacity has been reduced by the closing of seven producers during the past several years with total hot strip mill capacity of 16.7 million tons. This has contributed to the recent increases in product pricing and order intake. A portion of this capacity has been or is expected to be restarted at potentially significantly lower production costs during the next six months and as a result the impact of this closed capacity may be reversed in part.

     Based on WCI’s current order intake rate and backlog, the Company expects shipping volume to be approximately 330,000 tons in the fourth quarter of 2002. WCI’s order backlog was approximately 293,000 tons at July 31, 2002 compared to 158,000 at July 31, 2001 and 352,000 at April 30, 2002. We expect net sales per ton shipped to increase approximately 10% during the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter. WCI expects cost of products sold per ton shipped to increase approximately 2% in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter due primarily to changes in product mix with capacity utilization remaining at approximately 90% or greater. During the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company expects its working capital needs to increase by approximately $15 million as a result of increasing iron ore pellet inventories prior to the end of the shipping season and due to increased accounts receivable resulting from increasing revenues. Assuming no change in the U.S. economy or level of steel imports, WCI expects shipping volume during the first fiscal quarter of 2003 to decline approximately 5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2002 with net sales and cost of goods sold per ton remaining flat. Based on these expectations, the Company believes that it has adequate availability of cash resources to maintain operations and meet its debt service requirements into 2003 and if current market conditions persist, the Company expects to generate significant free cash flow both from operations and working capital in the first half of 2003.

16

Table of Contents

     Significant uncertainty remains regarding the direction of the U.S. economy and the short-term as well as long-term condition of the steel market. Improvements in order intake rates and pricing realized during fiscal 2002 could be reversed by a number of factors including increasing domestic supply through the restart of closed facilities, increases in steel imports due to rising domestic steel prices or the granting of exemptions to tariffs imposed as a result of the Section 201 investigation or the failure of an economic recovery to materialize or be sustained in the U.S. If the volume or net sales prices expected to be realized by WCI during the fourth quarter are not sustained in subsequent quarters due to these or other factors, WCI may not have adequate availability under its existing financing arrangements to sustain its operations and may require additional sources of financing. WCI cannot assure that it has the ability to obtain such additional financing or what the terms of such additional financing might be. Failure to obtain such additional financing in these circumstances would likely have a material adverse effect on WCI’s operations.

Forward-Looking Statements

     This report includes “forward-looking statements” which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others: general economic and business conditions; demand for Company products; changes in industry capacity and levels of imports of steel or steel products; effectiveness of the Section 201 remedies; industry trends, including product pricing; competition; currency fluctuations; the loss of any significant customers; availability of qualified personnel; major equipment failures; changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, government regulation, including, without limitation, environmental regulations; and the outcome of legal matters. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     The Company is exposed to commodity price risk with respect to natural gas and zinc. The Company uses forward purchase contracts to manage the volatility related to the exposure. No contracts are entered into for speculative purposes. The Company’s market risk has not changed materially from that reported in the Company’s 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2001.

17

Table of Contents

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

WCI STEEL, INC.

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     For information as to the environmental matters described in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2001, see Part I, Item 3.

     Williams / Reber v. WCI Steel, Inc.

     Reference is made to the description of this action instituted by two retired employees contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 3 for the year ended October 31, 2001 and as described in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements herein. The plaintiffs filed an appeal regarding the court’s decision to dismiss, which was heard on April 23, 2002. On May 24, 2002 the appellate court affirmed the decision to dismiss this action. No appeal has been filed regarding the decision and the time frame for filing an appeal has expired.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS and REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

18

Table of Contents

WCI STEEL, INC.

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.

WCI STEEL, INC.
(registrant)

19