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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 Commission File Number 33-98522
GREAT LAKES CARBON CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 13-3637043
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
110 East 59th Street, New York, New York 10022
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 527-3002
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
10% Senior Secured Notes due 2006
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (i) 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 regis-
trant was required to file such reports), and (ii) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to
this Form 10-K. [X]
There is no public market for registrant's common stock.
As of March 21, 1997, the registrant had outstanding 100,000 shares of its
Common Stock.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part III of this report incorporates by reference portions of the Regis-
trant's Proxy Statement for the 1997 annual meeting of stockholders.
GREAT LAKES CARBON CORPORATION
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 1996
Table of Contents
Page
PART I
Item 1. Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Item 2. Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Item 3. Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Item 4. Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders . . . . . . . . 6
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Item 6. Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . .10
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant. . . . . . . .10
Item 11. Executive Compensation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. . . . . . . . . .11
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and
Reports on Form 8-K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
____________________________
Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-1
PART I
Item 1. Business
Introduction
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation (the "Company" or "GLC") is the largest
producer of calcined petroleum coke ("CPC") in the world. A majority of the
Company's sales consist of anode grade CPC which is the principal raw material
used in the production of carbon anodes for use in aluminum smelting. The
Company also sells industrial grade CPC for use in the production of titanium
dioxide, as a carbon additive in the manufacture of steel and foundry products
and for use in other specialty materials and chemicals markets. The Company
produces CPC from raw petroleum coke, a by-product of petroleum refining,
utilizing a high-temperature, rotary-kiln process developed by the Company in
the 1930's.
The Company operates rotary kilns having a total capacity of 1.4
million tons at plant sites in Port Arthur, Texas; Enid, Oklahoma; and through
a wholly-owned subsidiary, Copetro S. A. ("Copetro"), at the port of La Plata,
Argentina. In December 1996 the Company announced that Copetro would expand
its petroleum coke calcining capacity. Construction of a 230,000 ton calcining
kiln, which will double the calcining capacity of this facility, will commence
in 1997 and is expected to be completed in the second half of 1998.
The Company in its present form of organization was formed in 1991 as a
subsidiary of Horsehead Industries, Inc. ("Horsehead"). In 1995 the Company
sold $65,000,000 of 10% Senior Secured Notes due 2006 ("the Secured Notes").
Upon the sale of the Secured Notes the net proceeds to the Company were
distributed by the Company as a dividend to Horsehead, all indebtedness of
Horsehead owing to the Company was canceled, and 100% of the common stock of
the Company was distributed on a pro rata basis to the holders of the common
stock of Horsehead.
Description of Principal Markets
Anode Grade CPC
Carbon anodes, which are manufactured utilizing anode grade CPC, are
used by every primary aluminum smelter in the world as a key component in
aluminum smelting pot lines. Carbon anodes act as conductors of electricity
and as a source of carbon in the electrolytic cell that reduces alumina into
aluminum metal. In this electrochemical aluminum smelting process, the carbon
anodes, and hence the CPC, are consumed. Carbon anode manufacturers,
predominantly captive operations of aluminum smelting companies, purchase anode
grade CPC, mix it with pitch binders, press the mixture into blocks and then
bake the mixture to form a finished, hardened carbon anode. The quality of
the anode grade CPC, in terms of both its physical and chemical properties, has
an effect on carbon anode life, which is an important economic factor in
aluminum production, and on the amount of impurities in the finished aluminum
metal. Anode grade CPC is approximately 97% pure carbon; however, anode grade
CPC does vary based on the content of sulfur and other trace elements in the
finished product as well as on its physical properties. GLC produces a full
range of anode grade CPC tailored to the specific needs of its aluminum company
customers.
Worldwide demand for anode grade CPC is directly tied to the global
production of primary aluminum. Over the past year aluminum production has
increased primarily due to the restart of a portion of the aluminum production
capacity that was idled in 1993 and 1994. As a result of the strong demand for
CPC the Company operated at effective capacity in 1996. Rising aluminum prices
in 1995 coupled with the strong demand for CPC resulted in a substantial
increase in market prices for anode grade CPC in 1996.
Industrial Grade CPC
CPC is also used in a number of other (non-aluminum) applications,
which the Company refers to as industrial grade CPC. These include sales of
CPC for use in the production of titanium dioxide, as a recarburizer in the
manufacture of steel and foundry products and for use in other specialty
materials and chemicals markets.
Titanium dioxide is a widely used brilliant white pigment, the primary
applications for which are in paints, plastics and paper. Industrial grade CPC
is used as an energy and carbon source in the production of titanium dioxide
from titanium-bearing ores using the chloride process and is also used as a
recarburizer, i.e., carbon additive, in the production of steel and foundry
products and as a carbon source in certain chemical processes.
Industrial grade CPC is generally similar to anode grade CPC in its
physical characteristics, but typically has higher chemical impurities. In
addition, industrial grade CPC is usually further processed to meet sizing
specifications and packaged for sale to end users in smaller quantities than is
anode grade CPC.
Raw Materials and Suppliers
CPC is sold in a world market. However, calcining and transportation
economics dictate that producers of CPC are most efficiently located near
petroleum refining operations, which are the source of raw petroleum coke, the
raw material used to produce CPC. Raw petroleum coke is a by-product of the
oil refining process, constituting the solid fraction remaining after the
refinery has essentially removed all of the liquid petroleum products from the
crude oil. Many, but not all, oil refineries produce raw petroleum coke.
Because a substantial portion of worldwide petroleum refining capacity is based
domestically, the United States has a majority of worldwide CPC production
capacity. Sales of raw petroleum coke do not constitute a material portion of
oil refiners' revenues.
CPC quality, which is extremely important to aluminum smelters, is
highly dependent upon the quality of the raw petroleum coke utilized in the
calcining process. The raw petroleum coke produced by different oil refineries
covers a range of physical and chemical properties depending upon both the
types of crude oils being refined and the specific process being employed by
the refinery. Only a portion of the raw petroleum coke produced by the world's
oil refineries is of suitable quality for producing anode grade or industrial
grade CPC, with anode grade requirements being generally more stringent than
industrial grade requirements. If the raw petroleum coke produced by a
refinery is not of sufficient quality for calcining, it is typically sold for
its fuel value at a substantially lower price.
The Company purchases a range of raw petroleum cokes from a number of
domestic and international oil refineries with the objective of blending these
cokes to meet the specific quality requirements of its customers at the lowest
raw material cost. Raw petroleum coke is typically purchased by the Company
under contracts with a term of one or more years, although the Company does
make some spot purchases. In connection with the facility expansion in
Argentina the raw petroleum coke supply agreement between Copetro and its
principal supplier was amended to include additional tonnage to supply the
second kiln. In 1996 the Company purchased approximately 45% of its raw
petroleum coke requirements from three petroleum refiners.
Manufacturing Process
The calcining process essentially drives off moisture, impurities and
volatile matter from the raw petroleum coke at high temperatures, to produce a
purer form of carbon in the resulting CPC. Both anode and industrial grade CPC
are manufactured by the Company to specific customer specifications. The
Company purchases raw petroleum cokes from a number of sources and has the
capability to blend these raw cokes specifically to meet a customer's required
chemical and physical properties. After blending, the raw coke is fed into the
higher end of a rotating kiln, which is up to 12 feet in diameter and up to 220
feet long. The coke in the kiln is tumbled by rotation and moves down-kiln
counter current to the heat produced by burning natural gas or oil at the
lower, firing end of the kiln. Kiln temperatures range from 2200 to 2500
degrees fahrenheit. Typically, coke is retained in the kiln for approximately
one hour, with the resident time and heating rates critical to the production
of the proper quality CPC. The moisture, impurities and volatile matter in the
coke are driven off in the kiln. As the coke is discharged from the kiln, it
drops into a cooling chamber, where it is quenched with water, treated with
dedusting agents and carried by conveyor to silos to be kept in covered storage
until shipped to customers by truck, rail, barge or ocean-going vessel. In the
case of certain industrial grade products, the CPC is also crushed and screened
to meet proper sizing requirements.
Marketing
The Company sells its CPC to end users through its direct sales staff
and exclusive sales representatives. Substantially all sales are shipped
directly to end users. GLC's domestic sales activity is handled by the
Company's direct sales staff. Internationally, GLC's direct sales staff is
supplemented by exclusive sales representatives. The Company typically sells
anode grade CPC under contracts with terms of one or more years, although a
small percentage is sold on a spot basis. CPC is shipped by the Company in
bulk quantities to its customers via truck, rail, barge or ocean-going vessel.
Industrial grade CPC is generally sold to customers under annual contracts or
on a purchase order basis and is shipped in smaller quantities in bulk or
packaged to meet customer requirements.
In 1996 approximately one third of the Company's net sales were to
U.S.-based customers and approximately two thirds were to customers in
international markets. Approximately 60% of the Company's 1996 net sales were
made to five customers with Aluminum Company of America and Alusaf Limited
accounting for 22% and 15.3% of the Company's net sales, respectively.
Competition
The Company is the largest producer of CPC in the world and competes
with domestic and foreign calciners in a worldwide market with respect to both
anode and industrial grade CPC sales. Marketing of CPC to both anode and
industrial grade customers is based primarily on price and quality. Worldwide
demand for anode grade CPC is tied directly to the global production of primary
aluminum. Sales of industrial grade CPC are dependent on the particular
demands of the titanium dioxide, steel and foundry, and certain chemical
markets.
Employees
As of December 31, 1996 the Company employed 249 persons. The Company
is a party to collective bargaining agreements at two of its three facilities,
covering approximately one-third of its employees. A collective bargaining
agreement with the international Association of Machinists and Aerospace
Workers covers hourly employees at the Enid, Oklahoma facility. Certain
employees at the La Plata, Argentina facility of Copetro are covered by an
annual labor contract with an Argentine government union. The Port Arthur
plant is operated with a non-union workforce.
Patents, Trademarks
None of the Company's business is dependent upon any patents or other
intellectual property.
Environmental Matters
The Company's facilities and operations are subject to various federal,
state and local and foreign governmental laws and regulations with respect to
the protection of the environment, including regulations relating to air and
water quality. The Company believes that it possesses all of the permits
required for the conduct of its operations and that it is currently in material
compliance with all relevant environmental regulations. The Company spent
approximately $1.5 million on capital expenditures related to pollution control
facilities in 1996 and anticipates spending approximately $3.5 million in both
1997 and 1998, of which approximately half will be in conjunction with the
facility expansion at Copetro.
The Clean Air Act was amended in 1990. While the Company believes that
its facilities meet current regulatory standards applicable to air emissions,
some of its facilities may be required to comply with new standards for air
emissions to be adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(the "USEPA") and state environmental agencies over the next several years. At
this time, the Company cannot estimate when new standards will be imposed or
what control technologies or changes in processes the Company may be required
to install or undertake. Based on information currently available to it, the
Company believes that attaining compliance with such regulations will not have
a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of
the Company.
Executive Officers of the Company
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
executive officers of the Company:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Age as Period of Service as an Executive Officer and
of March 21, 1997 Business Experience During Past Five or More Years
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William E. Flaherty Chairman of the Board of the Company and its
64 predecessor company since 1985. Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer of Horsehead since 1989.
James D. McKenzie President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
52 since 1995. Executive Vice President of the Company
and President of the Calcined Petroleum Coke business
of the Company and its predecessor company from 1989
to 1995.
A. Frank Baca Senior Vice President, Operations and Administration of
53 the Company since 1995. Vice President, Operations of
the Company from 1991 to 1995.
Robert C. Dickie Vice President, Sales of the Company since 1995 and
48 Director of Sales from 1992 to 1995. Plant Manager of
Enid Oklahoma facility from 1989 to 1992.
James W. Betts Vice President, Raw Materials of the Company and its
59 predecessor company since 1986.
Louis A. Cioffi Vice President, Industrial Products of the Company
61 since 1993. Director of Sales for the Company and its
predecessor company from 1987 to 1992.
Ronald J. Statile Vice President and Treasurer of the Company and its
49 predecessor company since 1986. Vice President of
Horsehead since 1988.
Item 2. Properties
The Port Arthur facility has four kilns which have the capacity to
produce 680,000 tons per year of CPC. Port Arthur is also the site of the
Company's primary laboratory and testing facility. Port Arthur has substantial
CPC storage capacity and the capability to receive and ship product by truck,
rail, barge or ocean-going vessel. The 115-acre Port Arthur property is leased
by the Company under a long-term lease, which was originally executed in the
1930's and the most recent renewal of which expires at the end of 2004. A
waste heat recovery facility, owned by a third party, is located at the plant
site under a sublease arrangement with the Company under which terms the
Company receives revenue from the delivery of flue gas from its kilns to the
facility.
The Enid facility has three kilns which have the capacity to produce
490,000 tons per year of CPC. The Enid plant has the capability to receive and
ship material by truck or rail and is located on 160 acres of property that is
owned by the Company.
The La Plata, Argentina facility operated by Copetro has a single kiln
with the capacity to produce 230,000 tons per year of anode grade CPC. The
Copetro capacity will be doubled when the second kiln expansion is completed
in 1998. The plant is located on 30 acres of land at the port of La Plata.
The plant has the capability to receive raw petroleum coke by rail or truck and
to ship CPC by truck or ocean-going vessel.
The Company's principal business office is located at 4 Greenspoint
Plaza, Suite 2200, 16945 Northchase Drive, Houston, TX 77060 under a lease
expiring in January, 2001.
The Company's executive office is located in leased space at 110 East
59th Street, New York, NY 10022.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company is a party to legal proceedings which are in various stages
of resolution. Management, after discussion with legal counsel, is of the
opinion that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material
adverse effect on the results of operations or financial position of the
Company.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted for vote of security holders of the Company
during the three months ended December 31, 1996.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
(a) There is no established market in which the Company's Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), is publicly traded,
because all of such Common Stock is privately held.
(b) As of the date of this annual report, there were fourteen
holders of record of the Company's Common Stock.
(c) During 1996 the Board of Directors declared cash dividends of
$5 per share which were paid to shareholders of record on each of June 30,
1996, September 30, 1996, and December 31, 1996. Any future determination as
to the payment of dividends will depend upon the Company's financial condition,
results of operations, capital requirements and such other factors as the Board
of Directors deems relevant. The Company's debt instruments limit the
conditions under which the Company may pay a cash dividend on its outstanding
Common Stock.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following table sets forth selected financial data of the Company
at and for the five years ended December 31, 1996. The financial data of the
Company at December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993 and for the five years ended
December 31, 1996 were derived from the Company's audited consolidated
financial statements. The financial data of the Company at December 31, 1992
was derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company
for such period which, in the opinion of the Company, reflect all adjustments
of a normal and recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the
results for the unaudited period. The financial data set forth below should
be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" in Item 7 and the consolidated financial
statements of the Company and the related notes thereto included elsewhere
herein.
Year Ended December 31,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------
Results of Operations
- ----------------------------
Net sales $242,744 $178,628 $130,797 $149,225 $157,107
Gross Profit 66,373 36,440 20,914 24,465 30,183
Operating income 51,052 26,753 12,688 14,564 21,003
Total other income (expense) (8,345) (5,302) (12,633) (9,686) (4,718)
Income before income taxes,
minority interest and
discontinued operations 42,707 21,451 55 4,878 16,285
Net income (loss) before
discontinued operations 27,559 13,818 (134) 2,870 10,760
Net income (loss) 27,559 13,818 (134) 2,870 13,182
Balance sheet data (at end
of period):
Total assets $148,905 $113,930 $105,390 $106,483 $130,607
Total long-term debt 72,885 74,291 11,907 17,986 17,977
- ----------------------------
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 1996 Versus Year Ended December 31, 1995
The Company's net sales for the year ended December 31, 1996 increased
to $242.7 million from $178.6 million in the corresponding period of 1995.
Anode grade CPC net sales increased to $199.4 million from $147.9 million,
primarily as a result of increased selling prices, which were partially offset
by lower sales volume. The lower sales volume was primarilly attributable to
the unavailability of third party production, which the Company had been able
to purchase for resale in 1995. Industrial grade CPC net sales increased to
$38.6 million from $27.6 million, due to both higher sales volume and increased
selling prices.
Gross profit for the year increased to $66.4 million from $36.4 million
in the prior year. The increase in gross profit margin was the result of the
increase in net sales which more than offset the increase in cost of sales.
The higher cost of sales was mainly the result of higher raw material costs.
Operating income for 1996 increased to $51.1 million from $26.8 million
in 1995. The increase in operating income was the result of the improved gross
profit that was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and
administrative expenses to $15.3 million from $9.7 million, primarily related
to higher compensation, benefits, professional fees and office overhead
expenses.
Income before income taxes increased to $42.7 million from $21.5
million in the prior year as a result of the improvement in operating income
that was partially offset by a $3.0 million negative change in other income
(expense),primarily resulting from a non recurring income item in 1995. The
increase in net interest expense, arising principally from $65 million in
outstanding 10% Senior Secured Notes issued in December 1995, was offset by
the reduction in asset utilization fee to parent, which was terminated in
December 1995.
Net income for 1996 increased to $27.6 million from $13.8 million in
1995 primarily due to the higher income before income taxes described above.
Year Ended December 31, 1995 Versus Year Ended December 31, 1994
The Company's net sales for the year ended December 31, 1995 were
$178.6 million, representing a $47.8 million increase as compared to the $130.8
million of net sales for the prior year. Anode grade CPC net sales increased
by $44.1 million over the prior year's period to $147.9 million, and net sales
of industrial grade CPC totaled $27.6 million for 1995, an increase of $2.9
million over the prior year.
The increase in anode grade CPC sales was the result of both higher
sales volumes and increased selling prices in comparison to the prior year's
period. The increase in sales volume was the result of increased sales to
international markets and the increase in price was the result of increased
market prices. The increase in net sales of industrial grade CPC was primarily
the result of higher sales volume, which was partially offset by a decline in
the average selling price. The increase in sales volume was the result of
expanded sales across most product applications and the decrease in price was
the result of lower market prices.
The Company's gross profit for the year ended December 31, 1995 was
$36.4 million, representing an increase of $15.5 million from the $20.9 million
gross profit achieved during 1994. The increase in gross profit margin was
primarily a result of an increase in the net sales of CPC, which was partially
offset by an increase in unit cost of sales. The higher unit cost of sales was
the result of higher raw material costs, partially offset by the positive
impact of higher production levels on unit production costs.
The Company's operating income for 1995 totaled $26.8 million, an
increase of $14.1 million as compared to the $12.7 million for the prior year.
The increase in operating income was the result of the higher gross profit that
was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative
expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $1.5
million primarily as a result of higher legal fees and employee compensation
and benefits expenses.
Income before income taxes totaled $21.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 1995, an increase of $21.4 million over the prior year. This
increase was primarily the result of the improved operating income and a $7.3
million positive change in other income (expense). This change in other income
(expense) was due mainly to expenses related to a commission settlement in 1994
and a Department of Energy refund in 1995.
Net income for 1995 totaled $13.8 million, an increase of $14.0 million
as compared to 1994. The Company's higher income before income taxes was
offset by a higher provision for income taxes resulting from the increased
income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The 1996 net cash provided by operating activities of $27.7 million was
used to fund $6.4 million of capital expenditures, $1.4 million in repayment of
long-term debt, and $1.5 million of dividends. In 1995 net cash provided by
operating activities of $17.2 million was used to fund $5.8 million of capital
expenditures, $2.6 million in repayment of long-term debt and $8.1 million of
cash transfers to parent. Also, the net proceeds from the sale of Secured
Notes were used to fund a cash distribution to Horsehead. In 1994 net cash
provided by operating activities of $17.3 million, was used to fund $6.0
million of capital expenditures, $6.1 million in repayments of long-term debt,
and $5.0 million of cash transfers to parent.
The Secured Notes are secured by first priority liens on all material
property and equipment of the Company and certain other assets. Interest on
the Secured Notes is payable semi-annually each year on January 1 and July 1.
The Secured Notes will mature on January 1, 2006 and are subject to early
redemption as set forth under the terms of the Secured Notes.
The Company has in place a Revolving Credit Facility pursuant to
agreements with certain financial institutions. The facility, which expires in
December, 1998, provides borrowings of up to $15 million, including a $10
million sub-limit for letter of credit, which are subject to borrowing base
limitations. At March 21, 1997 the Company had no borrowings under the
facility and had outstanding letters of credit of $4.4 million.
Historically, the Company's liquidity requirements have been primarily
for debt service, capital expenditures and general working capital needs. The
timing of inventory receipts and product shipments, all of which transactions
are entirely U.S. dollar denominated, can have a substantial impact on the
Company's working capital requirements. Capital investments generally relate
to facility maintenance and projects to improve plant throughput and product
quality. In 1997 the Company's capital investments will include amounts for a
major facility expansion at Copetro and are anticipated to total approximately
$23 million. The Company expects to fund its liquidity needs through cash from
operations, its revolving credit line and a credit facility arranged to finance
the Copetro facility expansion.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The following consolidated financial statements of the Company and its
subsidiaries, together with the report of independent auditors thereon, are
filed as part of this report:
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Auditors
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years
ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
The information required in response to Item 10 is incorporated in this
report by reference from the Proxy Statement to be prepared in connection with
the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required in response to Item 11 is incorporated in this
report by reference from the Proxy Statement to be prepared in connection with
the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The information required in response to Item 12 is incorporated in this
report by reference from the Proxy Statement to be prepared in connection with
the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information required in response to Item 13 is incorporated in this
report by reference from the Proxy Statement to be prepared in connection with
the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
(a)(1) List of Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Auditors..................................... F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995....... F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.................................. F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996............. F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994............................F-6
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements......................F-7
(a)(2) List of Financial Statement Schedules:
None
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulations of the Commission are not required under the related instructions
or are not applicable and, therefore, have been omitted.
(a)(3) List of Exhibits:
Exhibit
Number Description
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation [1]
3.2 By-Laws [1]
4.1 Form of Indenture governing the 10% Senior Secured Notes due
2005 of the Company, including the form of 10% Senior Secured
Note due 2005 [1]
4.2 Form of Mortgage from the Company to The Bank of New York [1]
4.3 Form of Security Agreement between the Company and The Bank of
New York [1]
4.4 Form of Pledge Agreement between the Company and The Bank of
New York [1]
4.5 Form of Patent Security Agreement between the Company and The
Bank of New York [1]
4.6 Form of Trademark Security Agreement between the Company and
The Bank of New York [1]
10.1 Distribution Agreement between the Company and Horsehead
Industries, Inc. [1]
10.2 Tax Separation Agreement between the Company and Horsehead
Industries, Inc. [1]
10.3 Lease Agreement between the Company and Rice-Carden Corpora-
tion (as successor to Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc.),
as amended [1]
10.4 Calcined Coke Supply Agreement between the Company and Aluminum
Company of America [1]
10.5 Green Anode Coke Sales Agreement between the Company and Conoco
Inc. [1]
10.6 Coke Supply Agreement between the Company and Exxon Company,
USA [1]
10.7 Petroleum Coke Sales Agreement between Copetro S.A. and YPF
S.A. [1]
10.8 Form of Revolving Credit Facility among the Company, Chemical
Bank, as agent and lender, and the several lenders party there-
to [1]
21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant [1]
[1] Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (33-98522)
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
None
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this annual report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
GREAT LAKES CARBON CORPORATION
By:__/s/JAMES D. MCKENZIE______
James D. McKenzie
President & CEO
March 31, 1997
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following person on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and as of the date indicated.
Signature Title Date
- --------- ----- ----
/s/JAMES D. MCKENZIE President and March 31, 1997
- --------------------- Chief Executive Officer
James D. McKenzie (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/WILLIAM E. FLAHERTY Chairman of the Board March 31, 1997
- ---------------------
William E. Flaherty
/s/RONALD J. STATILE Vice President and Treasurer March 31, 1997
- --------------------- (Principal Financial Officer)
Ronald J. Statile
/s/ADELA I. ROBLES Controller March 31, 1997
- --------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer)
Adela I. Robles
/s/DAVID O. CARPENTER Director March 31, 1997
- ---------------------
David O. Carpenter
/s/DAVID N. JUDELSON Director March 31, 1997
- ---------------------
David N. Judelson
/s/TINKHAM VEALE II Director March 31, 1997
- ---------------------
Tinkham Veale II
Report of Independent Auditors
The Board of Directors
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Great Lakes
Carbon Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements
based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the oveall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Great Lakes
Carbon Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, NY
February 14, 1997
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation
and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31
1996 1995
---------------------------------
(In thousands, except share data)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 24,097 $ 5,652
Accounts receivable -- net of
allowance for doubtful accounts
of $600 in 1996 and $316 in 1995 28,934 22,083
Inventories 39,872 26,171
Other current assets 2,958 3,264
---------------------------------
Total current assets 95,861 57,170
Property, plant and equipment, net 47,530 50,255
Other assets 5,514 6,505
---------------------------------
Total assets $148,905 $113,930
=================================
See accompanying notes.
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation
and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31
1996 1995
---------------------------------
(In thousands, except share data)
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 22,222 $ 15,779
Accrued expenses 11,592 9,877
Income taxes payable 3,840 3,097
Current portion of long-term debt 1,389 1,406
---------------------------------
Total current liabilities 39,043 30,159
Long-term debt, less current portion 71,496 72,885
Other long-term liabilities 3,857 2,898
Deferred taxes 2,554 2,092
Stockholders' equity:
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share, 100,000 shares authorized
and outstanding 1 1
Additional paid-in capital 5,509 5,509
Retained earnings 26,445 386
---------------------------------
Total stockholders' equity 31,955 5,896
---------------------------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $148,905 $113,930
=================================
See accompanying notes.
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation
and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Year ended December 31
1996 1995 1994
-------------------------------
(In thousands)
Net Sales $242,744 $178,628 $130,797
Cost of goods sold 176,371 142,188 109,883
-------------------------------
Gross profit 66,373 36,440 20,914
Selling, general and administrative expenses 15,321 9,687 8,226
-------------------------------
Operating income 51,052 26,753 12,688
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net (7,573) (1,127) (1,358)
Asset utilization fee to parent -- (6,286) (6,133)
Other, net (772) 2,111 (5,142)
-------------------------------
(8,345) (5,302) (12,633)
-------------------------------
Income before income taxes 42,707 21,451 55
Income tax expense 15,148 7,633 189
-------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 27,559 $ 13,818 $ (134)
===============================
See accompanying notes.
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation
and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
Additional Total
Common Paid-in Retained Stockholders'
Stock Capital Earnings Equity
-------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Balance at January 1, 1994 $ 1 $ 53,637 $ 15,153 $ 68,791
Net loss (134) (134)
-------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1994 1 53,637 15,019 68,657
Net income 13,818 13,818
Distributions (48,128) (28,451) (76,579)
-------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1995 1 5,509 386 5,896
Net income 27,559 27,559
Dividends (1,500) (1,500)
-------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1996 $ 1 $ 5,509 $ 26,445 $ 31,955
===========================================
See accompanying notes.
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation
and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Year ended December 31
1996 1995 1994
-------------------------------
(In thousands)
Operating activities
Net income (loss) $27,559 $13,818 $ (134)
Adjustments to reconcile net income
(loss) to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 9,551 8,420 7,898
Deferred taxes 462 4,181 383
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivables (6,851) (8,418) 3,133
Inventories (13,701) (7,167) 2,337
Other current assets 306 621 (946)
Income taxes payable 743 3,523 (484)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 8,158 4,103 5,679
Other, net 1,495 (1,846) (528)
-------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 27,722 17,235 17,338
Investing activities
Capital expenditures (6,371) (5,774) (5,987)
-------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (6,371) (5,774) (5,987)
Financing activities
Repayment of long-term debt (1,406) (2,616) (6,079)
Additions to long-term debt -- 65,000 --
Transfers to parent -- (68,503) (5,044)
Dividends (1,500) -- --
-------------------------------
Net cash used in financing activities (2,906) (6,119) (11,123)
Increase in cash 18,445 5,342 228
Cash at beginning of year 5,652 310 82
-------------------------------
Cash at end of year $24,097 $ 5,652 $ 310
===============================
See accompanying notes.
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 1996
1. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation (the Company) is a producer of calcined coke
principally for customers in the aluminum industry. The consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
On December 20, 1995, the Company, formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Horsehead Industries, Inc. ("Horsehead"), sold $65,000,000 of 10% Senior
Secured Notes due 2006. Immediately upon the completion of the sale, the net
proceeds therefrom were distributed by the Company as a cash dividend to
Horsehead, all indebtedness of Horsehead owing to the Company was canceled and
100% of the common stock of the Company was distributed by Horsehead on a pro
rata basis to the holders of the common stock of Horsehead.
Through December 20, 1995 a monthly asset utilization fee was charged by
Horsehead equal to 1% of the Company's net assets, adjusted for intercompany
balances and tax assets and liabilities. A portion of this fee ($1,400,000 in
each of 1995 and 1994) is included in selling, general and administrative
expenses, as it represents estimates of various ongoing management services
provided to the Company by Horsehead. The balance is included in other income
(expense). Management believes that the allocation method is reasonable and
that, after giving affect to such allocation, selling, general and
administrative expenses in 1995 and 1994 approximate what the costs would have
been for the Company if it had operated as an unaffiliated entity.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the amounts and disclosures reported in the financial statements
and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Cash Equivalents
Investments with maturities of less than 90 days when purchased are considered
the equivalent of cash.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (principally average cost method)
or market.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated on the basis of cost. Enhancements
are capitalized and depreciated over the period benefited. The provision for
depreciation is determined by the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the related assets.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No.
121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed Of" effective January 1, 1996, which requires impairment
losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators
of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be
generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. The
adoption did not have an effect on the financial condition of the Company.
Significant Customers
The Company had two customers which represented 22% and 15.3% of its net sales
in 1996; one customer which represented 15.1% of net sales in 1995; and three
customers which accounted for 19.6%, 11.1% and 10.2% of net sales in 1994.
2. Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
December 31
1996 1995
--------------------
(In thousands)
Raw materials $ 26,377 $ 16,358
Finished goods 8,534 5,573
Supplies and spare parts 4,961 4,240
--------------------
$ 39,872 $ 26,171
====================
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3. Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:
December 31
1996 1995
--------------------
(In thousands)
Land and improvements $ 2,449 $ 2,402
Buildings 8,835 7,971
Machinery, equipment and other 110,955 105,152
Construction in progress 2,175 2,585
--------------------
124,414 118,110
Accumulated depreciation (76,884) (67,855)
--------------------
$ 47,530 $ 50,255
====================
4. Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses included interest payable of $3,370,000 and $359,000 at
December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
5. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consist of the following:
December 31
1996 1995
--------------------
(In thousands)
10% Senior Secured Notes due January 1, 2006 $ 65,000 $ 65,000
Various pollution control and industrial revenue bonds
bearing interest at rates from 6.75% to 7.125% due
in varying amounts at various dates through 2002 5,919 7,004
Capital lease obligations, bearing interest at rates
from 9.3% to 10.5% 1,966 2,287
--------------------
72,885 74,291
Current portion (1,389) (1,406)
--------------------
$ 71,496 $ 72,885
====================
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
5. Long-Term Debt (continued)
The Senior Secured Notes are secured by essentially all property, plant and
equipment not otherwise pledged and certain other assets of the Company. At
the option of the Company, the Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed, in whole
or in part, commencing January 1, 2001 at various redemption prices ranging
from 105% in 2001 to par in 2004 and beyond. The Senior Secured Notes
indenture imposes limitations on restricted payments, including dividends.
The pollution control and industrial development revenue bonds were issued by
various state and local governmental authorities. Under agreements with these
authorities, the Company has either leased (with nominal value purchase
options) or purchased on an installment basis the facilities constructed with
the funds financed. The Company has the option of redeeming the bonds in whole
or in part at par.
The Company's revolving credit agreement, which is in effect until 1998,
provides for borrowings, subject to borrowing base limitations, of up to
$15,000,000 (with a $10,000,000 sublimit for letters of credit). The
agreement is secured by substantially all domestic accounts receivable and
inventory of the Company and requires that the Company satisfy certain
financial ratios. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, there were no borrowings
under this credit agreement and outstanding letters of credit were $6,153,000
and $3,018,000, respectively.
The fair market value of the Company's long-term debt obligations approximated
$77,400,000 and $74,300,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Maturities of long-term debt, for the succeeding five years and thereafter are
as follows:
Long-Term Capital
Debt Leases Total
-------------------------------
(In thousands)
1997 $ 1,085 $ 304 $ 1,389
1998 1,085 334 1,419
1999 1,085 367 1,452
2000 1,091 403 1,494
2001 1,218 442 1,660
Thereafter 65,355 116 65,471
-------------------------------
$ 70,919 $ 1,966 $ 72,885
===============================
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
5. Long-Term Debt (continued)
Interest paid amounted to $4,989,000, $1,223,000 and $1,799,000 for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
6. Leases
The Company leases various production equipment under capital leases, some of
which contain renewal options and/or options to purchase. Amortization under
capital leases is included in depreciation expense.
Future minimum payments as of December 31, 1996, by year and in the aggregate,
under capital leases and noncancelable operating leases with initial or
remaining terms of one year or more consist of the following:
Capital Operating
Leases Leases
--------------------
(In thousands)
1997 $ 614 $ 2,288
1998 614 1,973
1999 614 536
2000 614 514
2001 614 322
Thereafter 153 945
--------------------
Total minimum lease payments 3,223 $6,578
Amounts representing interest (1,257)
--------------------
Present value of net minimum lease payments $ 1,966
=========
Rental expense for all operating leases was $2,685,000, $2,691,000 and
$2,513,000 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
7. Pension Plans
The Company has various defined benefit retirement plans which cover
substantially all employees. Benefits are based upon the number of years of
service and the employee's compensation under varying formulas. The funding
policy is generally to contribute at least the minimum amount that is
acceptable under federal law. Contributions are intended to provide not only
for benefits attributed to service to date, but also for those expected to be
earned in the future. As of December 31, 1996 the assets of the plan were
invested principally in listed stocks, bonds, money market certificates and
cash.
Pension expense for the plans related to the Company included the following:
1996 1995 1994
-------------------------------
(In thousands)
Service cost $ 545 $ 481 $ 488
Interest cost 483 411 340
Actual return on assets (889) (905) (38)
Net amortization and deferral 498 541 (253)
-------------------------------
$ 637 $ 528 $ 537
===============================
The following table sets forth the plans' funded status and amounts recognized
in the Company's balance sheets:
1996 1995
--------------------
(In thousands)
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
Vested benefit obligation $ (5,310) $ (4,916)
====================
Accumulated benefit obligation $ (5,673) $ (5,321)
====================
Projected benefit obligation $ (7,041) $ (6,463)
Plan assets, at fair value 6,763 4,837
--------------------
Projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets (278) (1,626)
Unrecognized net loss (45) 793
Prior service cost (9) (39)
--------------------
Pension liability recognized in the balance sheet $ (332) $ (872)
====================
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
7. Pension Plans (continued)
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 9% for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994. The weighted average discount rate and
weighted average rate of increase in future compensation levels used were 8%
and 5%, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1994, and 7.25%
and 4.25%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1995.
8. Postretirement Obligations
The Company provides certain health care and life insurance benefits to all
full time employees who satisfy certain eligibility requirements and reach
retirement age while employed by the Company. The Company does not fund these
benefits and accrues for the related cost generally over the employees' service
period.
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost includes the following components:
1996 1995 1994
-------------------------------
(In thousands)
Service cost $ 198 $ 196 $ 198
Interest cost 184 175 147
Amortization of transition obligation 68 68 76
-------------------------------
$ 450 $ 439 $ 421
===============================
Postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 1996 and 1995 were as
follows:
1996 1995
--------------------
(In thousands)
Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation (APBO):
Retirees $ (544) $ (431)
Active fully-eligible (1,106) (912)
Other active (1,145) (1,297)
--------------------
Total APBO (2,795) (2,640)
Unrecognized net gain 50 233
Unrecognized transition obligation 1,088 1,156
--------------------
Accrued postretirement benefit liability $ (1,657) $ (1,251)
====================
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
8. Postretirement Obligations (continued)
The health care cost trend used in determining the accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation was 6.75% grading down to 5.0% in four years. That
assumption may have a significant effect on the amounts reported. To
illustrate, increasing the assumed trend by 1% for all years would increase
the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 1996 by
$395,000 and the service and interest cost components of net periodic
postretirement benefit cost for the year then ended by $61,000.
Assumptions used to develop net periodic postretirement benefit cost and the
actuarial present value of accumulated benefit obligations include the weighted
average rate of increase in future compensation levels and the weighted average
discount rate of 5% and 8% for 1996 and 1994 and 5% and 7.25% for 1995.
9. Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) consists of the following:
1996 1995 1994
-------------------------------
(In thousands)
Department of Energy refund $ -- $ 2,390 $ --
Commission settlement -- -- (5,100)
Other (772) (279) (42)
-------------------------------
$ (772) $ 2,111 $ (5,142)
===============================
10. Income Taxes
The Company was included in the consolidated federal income tax return of
Horsehead through December 20, 1995. Income taxes have been provided in the
Company's 1995 and 1994 statements of operations as if the Company was a
separate taxable entity.
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
10. Income Taxes (continued)
Components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows:
1996 1995
--------------------
(In thousands)
Deferred tax liabilities:
Book over tax depreciable basis $ 3,601 $ 2,585
Other - net 605 652
--------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities 4,206 3,237
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued liabilities 1,333 856
Other - net 319 289
--------------------
Total deferred tax assets 1,652 1,145
--------------------
Net deferred tax liability $(2,554) $ (2,092)
====================
The differences between tax expense computed at the statutory federal income
tax rate and actual tax expense are as follows:
1996 1995 1994
-------------------------------
(In thousands)
Tax expense at statutory rates applied
to pretax earnings $ 14,947 $ 7,508 $ 19
State income tax, net of federal tax effects 1,029 428 71
Tax exempt earnings (480) (371) (217)
Effects of foreign operations (657) 45 196
Other 309 23 120
-------------------------------
$ 15,148 $ 7,633 $ 189
===============================
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
10. Income Taxes (continued)
Income taxes consist of the following:
1996 1995 1994
-------------------------------
(In thousands)
Current:
Federal $ 9,252 $ 1,934 $ (301)
State 1,465 240 39
Foreign 3,969 1,278 68
-------------------------------
14,686 3,452 (194)
Deferred:
Federal 564 3,763 315
State 118 418 68
Foreign (220) -- --
-------------------------------
462 4,181 383
-------------------------------
Total $ 15,148 $ 7,633 $ 189
===============================
Income taxes paid were approximately $13,723,000, $161,000 and $488,000 in
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
U.S. income taxes have not been provided on the undistributed earnings of
Copetro S. A. ($20,208,000 as of December 31, 1996) because such earnings are
expected to be reinvested. Upon distribution of those earnings, the Company
would be subject to U.S. income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign
tax credits and withholding taxes, if any).
Income before income taxes attributable to domestic operations (which included
results from export sales) was $30,601,000, $16,356,000 and $616,000 for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively, while income
(loss) before income taxes attributable to foreign operations was $12,106,000,
$5,095,000 and $(561,000) for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively.
Great Lakes Carbon Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
11. Operations by Geographic Area
The following is a summary of the Company's operations by geographic area:
1996 1995 1994
-------------------------------
(In thousands)
Net Sales
United States $197,296 $146,819 $108,478
Foreign 45,448 31,809 22,319
-------------------------------
$242,744 $178,628 $130,797
===============================
Operating income
United States $ 38,266 $ 21,841 $ 12,811
Foreign 12,786 4,912 (123)
-------------------------------
$ 51,052 $ 26,753 $ 12,688
===============================
Assets
United States $114,864 $ 90,153 $ 82,555
Foreign 34,041 23,777 22,835
-------------------------------
$148,905 $113,930 $105,390
===============================
Exports of U.S. produced products were approximately $111,482,000, $87,287,000
and $58,157,000 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. Export sales as a percentage of United States net sales
represented 23.0%, 25.6% and 23.0% to Western Europe in 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively, 18.8%, 11.1% and 10.2% to Africa in 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively, and 11.1% to Canada in 1994. The Company's foreign operations
are conducted principally in South America.
12. Litigation and Contingencies
The Company is a party to several proceedings which are in various stages of
resolution. Management of the Company, after discussion with legal counsel, is
of the opinion that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a
material effect upon the financial condition of the Company.
13. Subsequent Events
On February 4, 1997 the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Copetro S. A.,
signed a loan agreement establishing a credit facility of up to $20,000,000 to
be used to finance a facility expansion project at the port of La Plata,
Argentina, with construction to commence in 1997.