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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

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

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2004

 

OR

 

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

 

For the Transition Period from              to             

 

Commission File Number 0-25032

 


 

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

DELAWARE   25-1724540

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

600 Mayer Street

Bridgeville, PA 15017

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(412) 257-7600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  ¨    NO  x

 

As of April 30, 2004, there were 6,299,531 shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share.

 



UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

 

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

 

The Company’s actual results will be affected by a wide range of factors including the limited operating history of Dunkirk Specialty Steel, LLC; the concentrated nature of the Company’s customer base to date and the Company’s dependence on its significant customers; the receipt, pricing and timing of future customer orders; changes in product mix; the limited number of raw material and energy suppliers and significant fluctuations that may occur in raw material and energy prices; the Company’s reliance on certain critical manufacturing equipment; the ability to acquire the ESR Building prior to the expiration of the Armco Lease; the Company’s ongoing requirement for continued compliance with environmental laws; and the ultimate outcome of the Company’s current and future litigation matters. Many of these factors are not within the Company’s control and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance suggested herein. Any unfavorable change in the foregoing or other factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Further, the Company operates in an industry sector where securities values may be volatile and may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond the Company’s control.

 

   

DESCRIPTION


   PAGE NO.

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

    
   

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations

   3
   

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets

   4
   

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

   5
   

Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

   6

Item 2.

 

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

   10

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   14

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

   14

PART II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

    

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

   15

Item 6.

 

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   15

SIGNATURES

   16

CERTIFICATIONS

   17

 

2


Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Information)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Net sales

   $ 21,307     $ 14,700  

Cost of products sold

     19,344       14,680  

Selling and administrative expenses

     1,528       1,393  
    


 


Operating income (loss)

     435       (1,373 )

Interest expense

     (88 )     (95 )

Other income

     8       27  
    


 


Income (loss) before taxes

     355       (1,441 )

Income tax provision (benefit)

     128       (858 )
    


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 227     $ (583 )
    


 


Earnings (loss) per share – Basic

   $ 0.04     $ (0.09 )
    


 


Earnings (loss) per share – Diluted

   $ 0.04     $ (0.09 )
    


 


Weighted average shares of Common Stock outstanding

                

Basic

     6,296,053       6,284,638  

Diluted

     6,336,034       6,284,638  

 

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

 

3


UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     March 31,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

                

Current assets

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 512     $ 4,735  

Accounts receivable, net

     15,225       12,690  

Inventory

     28,560       22,281  

Deferred taxes

     1,222       1,222  

Other current assets

     3,006       3,063  
    


 


Total current assets

     48,525       43,991  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     39,566       40,176  

Other assets

     747       758  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 88,838     $ 84,925  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current liabilities

                

Trade accounts payable

   $ 9,450     $ 6,792  

Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance

     541       813  

Accrued employment costs

     1,536       833  

Current portion of long-term debt

     1,931       1,944  

Other current liabilities

     556       195  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     14,014       10,577  

Bank revolver

     668       —    

Long-term debt

     5,114       5,599  

Deferred taxes

     9,334       9,313  
    


 


Total liabilities

     29,130       25,489  
    


 


Commitments and contingencies

     —         —    

Stockholders’ equity

                

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

     —         —    

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 6,569,431 and 6,564,306 shares issued

     7       7  

Additional paid-in capital

     28,374       28,329  

Retained earnings

     32,958       32,731  

Treasury Stock at cost; 269,900 common shares held

     (1,631 )     (1,631 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     59,708       59,436  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 88,838     $ 84,925  
    


 


 

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

 

4


UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the
Three-month period
ended March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income (loss)

   $ 227     $ (583 )

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     786       827  

Deferred taxes

     21       185  

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     3       —    

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable, net

     (2,535 )     250  

Inventory

     (6,279 )     1,050  

Trade accounts payable

     2,658       652  

Accrued employment costs

     703       34  

Other, net

     427       547  
    


 


Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (3,989 )     2,962  
    


 


Cash flow from investing activities:

                

Capital expenditures

     (174 )     (79 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (174 )     (79 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Net borrowings under revolving line of credit

     668       —    

Proceeds from deferred loan agreement

     —         200  

Repayments of long-term debt

     (498 )     (460 )

(Decrease) increase in outstanding checks in excess of bank balance

     (272 )     416  

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock

     42       —    
    


 


Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (60 )     156  
    


 


Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (4,223 )     3,039  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     4,735       3,308  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 512     $ 6,347  
    


 


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

                

Interest paid

   $ 87     $ 69  

Income taxes paid

   $ —       $ 33  

 

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

 

5


UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, balance sheets as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, and statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. Accordingly, these statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, all of which were of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 and the consolidated results of operations and of cash flows for the periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, and are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

Note 2 – Common Stock

 

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

 

    

For the
Three-month period

ended March 31,


     2004

   2003

Weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding

   6,296,053    6,284,638

Effect of dilutive securities

   39,981    —  
    
  

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

   6,336,034    6,284,638
    
  

 

The Company had 981 common stock equivalents outstanding for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003, which were not included in the common share computations for earnings (loss) per share as the common stock equivalents are anti-dilutive.

 

Note 3 – Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

The following table illustrates the effect on net income (loss) and earnings per share between the Company’s use of the intrinsic value method and the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee and director compensation (dollars, except per share amounts, in thousands):

 

     For the
Three-month period
ended March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Net income (loss), as reported

   $ 227     $ (583 )

Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair-value based method, net of taxes

     (39 )     (28 )
    


 


Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ 188     $ (611 )
    


 


Earnings (loss) per common share:

                

Basic – as reported

   $ 0.04     $ (0.09 )
    


 


Basic – pro forma

   $ 0.03     $ (0.10 )
    


 


Diluted – as reported

   $ 0.04     $ (0.09 )
    


 


Diluted – pro forma

   $ 0.03     $ (0.10 )
    


 


 

6


Note 4 – New Accounting Pronouncements

 

No new accounting pronouncements have been issued during the three-month period ended March 31, 2004 that would have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Further, there have been no changes in the Company that would impact the accounting pronouncements disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Note 5 – Inventory

 

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

 

     March 31,
2004


   December 31,
2003


Raw materials and supplies

   $ 3,816    $ 2,265

Semi-finished and finished steel products

     22,242      17,743

Operating materials

     2,502      2,273
    

  

Total inventory

   $ 28,560    $ 22,281
    

  

 

Note 6 – Property, Plant and Equipment

 

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

 

     March 31,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 

Land and land improvements

   $ 953     $ 953  

Buildings

     5,987       5,987  

Machinery and equipment

     49,945       49,801  

Construction in progress

     171       141  
    


 


       57,056       56,882  

Accumulated depreciation

     (17,490 )     (16,706 )
    


 


Property, plant and equipment, net

   $ 39,566     $ 40,176  
    


 


 

Property, plant and equipment includes certain buildings and structures located in Bridgeville, PA that were previously leased from Armco, which merged with and into AK Steel in 1999 (“Armco”). In 2003, the Company exercised its option to purchase all of the property permitted under the capital lease with Armco for $1.

 

The ESR building, which houses the Company’s four electro-slag remelting furnaces and ancillary equipment in Bridgeville, was not included in the option to purchase. The Company will continue to operate the equipment in the ESR building under a lease with Armco that was extended to March 8, 2005. The Company has entered into negotiations with AK Steel to purchase the ESR building. In the event the ESR building is not purchased, or the lease is not extended beyond March 8, 2005, the relocation of the ESR equipment would have an adverse material effect on the financial condition of the Company.

 

In 2003, the Company entered into a $200,000 Deferred Loan Agreement maturing on December 31, 2006 with the City of Dunkirk, New York. No principal or interest payments will be required under the Deferred Loan Agreement provided the Company hires 30 new employees and more than 50% of those jobs are made available to certain Dunkirk City residents. The Company believes it will meet the conditions of the Deferred Loan Agreement. Therefore, the proceeds have been applied to reduce the acquisition cost of new equipment at the Company’s Dunkirk facility.

 

7


Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company, as well as other steel companies, is subject to demanding environmental standards imposed by federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. The Company is not aware of any environmental condition that currently exists at any of its facilities that would cause a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company.

 

In connection with the Company’s June 2, 1995 agreement with Armco to purchase certain assets and a parcel of real property located in Titusville, Armco agreed to indemnify the Company up to $3,000,000 in the aggregate for liabilities under environmental laws arising out of conditions on or under the Titusville property existing prior to June 2,1995. Armco also agreed to indemnify the Company for any liabilities arising out of environmental conditions existing off-site as of June 2, 1995, and that indemnification is not subject to the $3,000,000 limitation.

 

The Company has filed no claims against Armco since the inception of the acquisition agreement. In addition, management is not aware of any financial difficulties being experienced by AK Steel, as successor to Armco, that would prevent its performance under the acquisition agreement.

 

In connection with the acquisition of the Dunkirk facility, Dunkirk Specialty Steel entered into an order with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“NY DEC”) that precludes NY DEC from bringing any action against the Company relating to existing environmental conditions as of February 14, 2002. There can be no assurance that any other party will not assert any claims with respect to environmental conditions at the Dunkirk facility, or that the Company will have the financial resources to discharge any liabilities if legally compelled to do so.

 

On June 29, 2001, suit was filed against the Company in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania by Teledyne Technologies, Incorporated (“Teledyne”). The suit alleges that steel product manufactured by the Company was defective and the Company was or should have been aware of the defects. Teledyne has alleged that the defective steel supplied by the Company caused certain crankshafts sold by Teledyne for use in aircraft engines to be defective. As a result, Teledyne is claiming damages relating to the recall, replacement and repair of aircraft engines.

 

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

 

On April 7, 2003, United States Aviation Underwriters, Inc. (“USAU”), a New York corporation, as managers and on behalf of United States Aircraft Insurance Group (“USAIG”), the Company’s Aircraft Products Liability insurance carrier, filed suit in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania asking the court for a declaratory judgment as to what actual liability and obligations were applicable to USAIG relating to the insurance policy issued to the Company, and the allegations made by Teledyne. The Company and USAU reached a settlement agreement as of May 1, 2004 regarding the allocation of certain potential costs associated with the Teledyne claim and have agreed to jointly file a motion to have the declaratory suit dismissed. While the Company believes that insurance coverage is available, an unfavorable ruling in the Teledyne claim could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition if a determination is made that insurance coverage is not applicable.

 

The Company maintains a supply contract agreement with Talley Metals Technology, Inc. a subsidiary of Carpenter Technology Corporation (“Talley Metals”). While the initial term of the agreement expired December 31, 2002, the agreement continues to automatically renew with the placement of new orders each month and requires a 90-day notice to terminate. In addition, Talley Metals is required under the agreement to purchase a minimum of 1,000 tons of stainless reroll billet products each calendar month and average at least 1,250 tons per month during the last twelve-month period. The value of the contract on a monthly basis will depend on product mix and key raw material prices. During 2002 and 2003, Talley Metals did not comply with the monthly minimum purchase requirement due to market conditions. The Company has entered into negotiations with Talley Metals to modify the terms of the agreement. The Company has granted a waiver and expects to continue granting a waiver from this requirement, as necessary, until the terms of the contract are renegotiated.

 

8


Note 8 – Business Segments

 

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

 

     For the
Three-month period ended
March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Net sales:

                

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 18,845     $ 12,401  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     6,745       4,784  

Intersegment

     (4,283 )     (2,485 )
    


 


Consolidated net sales

   $ 21,307     $ 14,700  
    


 


Operating income (loss):

                

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 401     $ (774 )

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     34       (599 )
    


 


Total operating income (loss)

   $ 435     $ (1,373 )
    


 


Interest expense and other financing costs:

                

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 54     $ 58  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     34       37  
    


 


Total interest expense and other financing costs

   $ 88     $ 95  
    


 


Other income

                

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 6     $ 23  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     2       4  
    


 


Total other income

   $ 8     $ 27  
    


 


     March 31,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 

Total assets:

                

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 69,516     $ 65,025  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     13,244       11,128  

Corporate assets

     6,078       8,772  
    


 


     $ 88,838     $ 84,925  
    


 


 

9


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

 

Results of Operations

 

An analysis of the Company’s operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     For the
Three-month period
ended March 31,


 
     2004

   2003

 

Net sales:

               

Stainless steel

   $ 16,168    $ 11,237  

Tool steel

     3,166      1,901  

High-strength low alloy steel

     861      671  

High-temperature alloy steel

     709      517  

Conversion services

     332      333  

Other

     71      41  
    

  


Total net sales

     21,307      14,700  

Cost of products sold

     19,344      14,680  

Selling and administrative expenses

     1,528      1,393  
    

  


Operating income (loss)

   $ 435    $ (1,373 )
    

  


 

Market Segment Information

 

     For the
Three-month period
ended March 31,


     2004

   2003

Net sales:

             

Service centers

   $ 9,906    $ 6,950

Rerollers

     4,070      3,799

Forgers

     3,816      1,647

Original equipment manufacturers

     1,934      1,049

Wire redrawers

     1,196      880

Conservation services

     332      333

Miscellaneous

     53      42
    

  

Total net sales

   $ 21,307    $ 14,700
    

  

Tons Shipped

     9,087      7,413
    

  

Three-month period ended March 31, 2004 as compared to the similar period in 2003

 

Net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2004 as compared to the similar period in 2003 increased $6.6 million primarily due to an increase in sales to forgers, original equipment manufacturers and service centers of 132%, 84% and 43%, respectively, over the first quarter of 2003. The significant growth in sales during the 2004 first quarter was mainly driven by strong shipments of aerospace, power generation and tool steel products as well as the initial impact from the adoption of surcharge mechanisms for additional raw material components and other price increases.

 

Cost of products sold, as a percentage of net sales, was 90.8% and 99.9% for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. This decrease is primarily due to increased production volumes and higher selling prices.

 

Selling and administrative expenses increased by $135,000 from the 2003 period primarily due to higher employment costs and costs associated with the unsuccessful attempt to acquire the assets of the idled Fort Wayne, Indiana specialty steel bar facility of Slater Steels Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Slater Steel, Inc.

 

10


Interest expense and other financing costs decreased from $95,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 to $88,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2004 primarily due to the continued reduction in long-term debt outstanding.

 

The effective income tax rate utilized in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was 36.1% and 59.5%, respectively. The effective income rate utilized in the current period reflects the anticipated effect of the Company’s permanent tax deductions against expected income levels in 2004. The effective income tax rate for the remainder of 2004 is expected to approximate 37%.

 

Business Segment Results

 

An analysis of the net sales and operating income for the reportable segments for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Segment

 

    

For the

Three-month period ended

March 31,


 
     2004

   2003

 

Net sales:

               

Stainless steel

   $ 10,720    $ 7,070  

Tool steel

     3,080      1,766  

High-strength low alloy steel

     413      407  

High-temperature alloy steel

     549      478  

Conversion services

     249      310  

Other

     46      75  
    

  


       15,057      10,106  

Intersegment

     3,788      2,295  
    

  


Total net sales

     18,845      12,401  

Material cost of sales

     7,602      4,396  

Operation cost of sales

     9,811      7,859  

Selling and administrative expenses

     1,031      920  
    

  


Operating income (loss)

   $ 401    $ (774 )
    

  


 

Net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2004 for this segment, which consists of the Bridgeville and Titusville facilities, increased by $6.4 million, or 52%, in comparison to the three-month period ended March 31, 2003. This increase is primarily due a 74%, 38% and 29% increase in revenues associated with tool steel, aerospace and power generation products, respectively, as well as a 65% increase in revenues associated with shipments of reroll products to Dunkirk.

 

Operating income for the Universal Stainless & Alloy Products segment increased by $1.2 million. This increase is primarily due to increased production volumes, the impact of price increases and the adoption of surcharge mechanisms for additional raw material components, partially offset by higher raw material, employment and utility costs.

 

11


Dunkirk Specialty Steel Segment

 

    

For the

Three-month period ended

March 31,


 
     2004

   2003

 

Net sales:

               

Stainless steel

   $ 5,448    $ 4,126  

Tool steel

     86      134  

High-strength low alloy steel

     448      264  

High-temperature alloy steel

     160      39  

Conversion services

     83      23  

Other

     25      8  
    

  


       6,250      4,594  

Intersegment

     495      190  
    

  


Total net sales

     6,745      4,784  

Material cost of sales

     3,477      2,612  

Operation cost of sales

     2,737      2,298  

Selling and administrative expenses

     497      473  
    

  


Operating income (loss)

   $ 34    $ (599 )
    

  


 

Net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2004 for this segment increased by $2.0 million, or 41%, in comparison to the three-month period ended March 31, 2003. This increase is primarily due a 47% and a 36% increase in revenues associated with commodity bar and wire-rod products, respectively.

 

Operating income increased by $0.6 million. This increase is primarily due to increased production volumes and the impact of price increases and the adoption of surcharge mechanisms for additional raw material components.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company has financed its operating activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2004 through cash on hand at the beginning of the period and additional borrowings. At March 31, 2004, working capital approximated $34.5 million, as compared to $33.4 million at December 31, 2003. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities decreased from 4.2:1 at December 31, 2003 to 3.5:1 at March 31, 2003. The debt to capitalization ratio was 10.6% at March 31, 2004 and 11.3% at December 31, 2003.

 

Cash received from sales of $ 18.5 million and $ 15.9 million represents the primary source of cash from operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and March 31, 2003 respectively. An analysis of the primary uses of cash is as follows:

 

    

For the

Three-month period ended

March 31,


     2004

   2003

Raw material purchases

   $ 11,664    $ 4,080

Employment costs

     5,754      4,466

Utilities

     3,206      2,244

Other

     1,712      2,071
    

  

Total uses of cash

   $ 22,326    $ 12,861
    

  

 

Cash used to fund raw material purchases, employment costs and utilities increased during the three-month period ended March 31, 2004 in comparison to the similar year-ago period primarily due to increased sales and higher transaction prices. The cost of raw materials contained within work-in-process inventory is approximately $1.6 million higher at March 31, 2004 as compared to December 31, 2003, as a result of increased raw material transaction prices. The Company continuously monitors market price fluctuations of its key raw materials. The following table reflects the average market value per pound for selected months impacting raw material costs for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 and 2004.

 

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     December
2002


   March
2003


   December
2003


   March
2004


Nickel

   $ 3.26    $ 3.80    $ 6.43    $ 6.22

Chrome

   $ 0.33    $ 0.40    $ 0.54    $ 0.70

Molybdenum

   $ 3.51    $ 4.68    $ 7.10    $ 9.98

Carbon Scrap

   $ 0.06    $ 0.07    $ 0.09    $ 0.13

 

The market values for these raw materials, most notably carbon scrap, have continued to increase in 2004. In response, the Company announced sales price increases of 3% effective January 2, 2004, an additional 4% effective February 4, 2004, an additional 3% effective April 1, 2004 and another 4% effective May 15, 2004. In addition, the Company began to calculate its nickel surcharge using an $0.18 per pound premium over the London Metal Exchange prices on February 4, 2004, implemented an iron surcharge component on February 16, 2004 and expanded the use of surcharges to include tool steel products on May 1, 2004. There can be no assurance that these sales price increases will completely offset the Company’s rising costs.

 

The Company limited its capital expenditures for the three-month period ended March 31, 2004 to $174,000. The Company will increase its capital expenditures in order to add and replace equipment primarily to expand the Company’s annealing capacity.

 

Effective January 1, 2003, the Company entered into a $200,000 Deferred Loan Agreement maturing on December 31, 2006 with the City of Dunkirk, New York. No principal or interest payments will be required under the Deferred Loan Agreement provided the Company hires 30 new employees and more than 50% of those jobs are made available to certain Dunkirk City residents. The Company believes it will meet the conditions of the Deferred Loan Agreement. Therefore, the proceeds have been applied to reduce the acquisition cost of new equipment at the Company’s Dunkirk facility.

 

The Company satisfies its capital requirements primarily through the sale of Common Stock and the issuance of long-term debt. The Company does not maintain off-balance sheet arrangements other than operating leases nor does it participate in non-exchange traded contracts requiring fair value accounting treatment or material related party transaction arrangements.

 

At March 31, 2004, the Company had $5.8 million of its $ 6.5 million revolving line of credit with PNC Bank available for borrowings. The Company is in compliance with its covenants as of March 31, 2004.

 

The Company anticipates that it will fund its 2004 working capital requirements, its capital expenditures and the stock repurchase program primarily from funds generated from operations and borrowings. The Company’s long-term liquidity requirements, including capital expenditures, are expected to be financed by a combination of internally generated funds, borrowings and other sources of external financing if needed.

 

2004 Outlook

 

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

 

The Company estimates that second quarter 2004 sales will range from $25 to $29 million and that it will incur a net earnings per diluted share ranging from $0.15 to $0.20. In the second quarter of 2003, sales were $16.8 million and diluted net loss per share was $0.07. The following factors were considered in developing these estimates:

 

  The Company’s total backlog approximated $37 million on March 31, 2004, as compared to $21 million on December 31, 2003.

 

  The 2004 second quarter results are expected to benefit from enhancements to the raw material surcharge mechanism and other price increases implemented at various times during the 2004 first quarter.

 

  Sales from the Dunkirk Specialty Steel segment are expected to exceed the $8 million level in the 2004 second quarter.

 

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New Accounting Pronouncements

 

No new accounting pronouncements have been issued during the three-month period ended March 31, 2004 that would have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Further the Company has reviewed the status of its accounting pronouncements and believes there are no significant changes from that disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, except as provided in this Form 10-Q.

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company has reviewed the status of its market risk and believes there are no significant changes from that disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, except as provided in this Form 10-Q in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2004 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in accordance with the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. During the quarter ended March 31, 2004, there were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls.

 

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Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

On June 29, 2001, suit was filed against the Company in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania by Teledyne Technologies, Incorporated (“Teledyne”). The suit alleges that steel product manufactured by the Company was defective and the Company was or should have been aware of the defects. Teledyne has alleged that the defective steel supplied by the Company caused certain crankshafts sold by Teledyne for use in aircraft engines to be defective. As a result, Teledyne is claiming damages relating to the recall, replacement and repair of aircraft engines.

 

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

 

On April 7, 2003, United States Aviation Underwriters, Inc. (“USAU”), a New York corporation, as managers and on behalf of United States Aircraft Insurance Group (“USAIG”), the Company’s Aircraft Products Liability insurance carrier, filed suit in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania asking the court for a declaratory judgment as to what actual liability and obligations were applicable to USAIG relating to the insurance policy issued to the Company, and the allocations made by Teledyne. The Company and USAU reached a settlement agreement as of May 1, 2004 regarding the allocation of certain potential costs associated with the Teledyne claim and have agreed to jointly file a motion to have the declaratory suit dismissed. While the Company believes that insurance coverage is available, an unfavorable ruling in the Teledyne claim could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition if a determination is made that insurance coverage is not applicable.

 

Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

  a. Exhibits – none.

 

  b. Three Reports on Form 8-K were filed during the first quarter 2004. These Reports covered Press Releases under item 5, Other Events, and no financial statements were filed with these reports.

 

  1.) A Report on Form 8-K was filed on January 21, 2004 in which the Company announced the results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003.

 

  2.) A Report on Form 8-K was filed on February 4, 2004 in which the Company announced that it had initiated a bid in accordance with procedures approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the idled Fort Wayne, Indiana specialty steel bar facility of Slater Steels Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Slater Steel, Inc.

 

  3.) A Report on Form 8-K was filed on February 12, 2004 in which the Company announced that it had exited the February 11, 2004 auction for the assets of the idled Fort Wayne, Indiana specialty steel bar facility of Slater Steels Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Slater Steel, Inc.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

    UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

Date: May 14, 2004

 

/s/ C. M. McAninch


   

Clarence M. McAninch

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: May 14, 2004

 

/s/ Richard M. Ubinger


   

Richard M. Ubinger

Vice President of Finance,

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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