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EX-31 - CERTIFICATION OF CEO PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF SARBANES-OXLYEY ACT OF 2002 - CROWN HOLDINGS INCexhibit311march2010.htm
EX-31 - CERTIFICATION OF CFO PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 - CROWN HOLDINGS INCexhibit312march2010.htm
EX-10 - RECEIVABLES PURCHASE AGREEMENT,DATED AS OF MARCH 9, 2010 - CROWN HOLDINGS INCexhibit101-march2010.htm
EX-10 - PARENT UNDERTAKING, DATED AS OF MARCH 9, 2010 - CROWN HOLDINGS INCexhibit102-march2010.htm
EX-10 - THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED RECEIVABLES SALES AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF MARCH 9, 2010 - CROWN HOLDINGS INCexhibit103-march2010.htm
EX-32 - CERTIFICATIONS OF CEO AND CFO PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 - CROWN HOLDINGS INCexhibit32march2010.htm
 
 




 
   UNITED STATES  
   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  
   WASHINGTON, DC  20549  
     
     
   FORM  10-Q  
     
 

 
         
   [  X  ]   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)    
    OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934    
         
   
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 
   
         
   [       ]          
    OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934    
         
   
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _______ TO _______
 
   
 
 
 
   
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-50189
 
     
   
CROWN HOLDINGS, INC.
 
     
   (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  
     
 
 
     
 Pennsylvania    75-3099507
 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
 
 
     
One Crown Way, Philadelphia, PA     19154-4599
(Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip Code)
     
   215-698-5100  
   (registrant’s telephone number, including area code)  
 

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes   X     No  ___
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ___   No  ___
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.   (Check one)
Large accelerated filer  X                                                                                   Accelerated filer  __
Non-accelerated filer    __  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company __
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).   Yes  ___   No   X    
 
 
There were 162,002,717 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of May 5, 2010.
 
 
 




 
 
 

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
FOR QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
   Page Number
 Item 1   Financial Statements  
   
  2
   
   3
   
   4
   
   5
   
   6
   
   6
   
   6
   
   7
   
   7
   
  8
   
  8
   
  9
   
11
   
12
   
14
   
14
   
15
   
15
   
17
   
 Item 2   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  
   
35
   
35
   
35
   
38
   
39
   
40
   
 Item 4    Controls and Procedures 40
   
 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION  
   
 Item 1    Legal Proceedings
41
   
 Item 1A Risk Factors
41
   
Item 2     Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds  53
   
Item 4     (Removed and Reserved)  54
   
 Item 5    Other Information 54
   
 Item 6    Exhibits 54
   
 Signature 55
   

 
 
 

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
(In millions except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

Three months ended  March 31
2010
 
2009
       
Net sales
$1,777 
 
$1,684 
       
Cost of products sold, excluding depreciation and amortization
1,483 
 
1,392 
Depreciation and amortization
44 
 
47 
       
Gross profit
250 
 
245 
       
Selling and administrative expense
79 
 
89 
Provision for restructuring
22
 
Asset impairments and sales
(1)
 
 
Interest expense
47 
 
61 
Interest income
(1)
 
(2)
Translation and foreign exchange
(2)
 
 
     
Income before income taxes and equity earnings
106 
 
92 
Provision for income taxes
39 
 
24 
Equity loss in affiliates
 
  (5)
Net income
67 
 
63 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 
(26)
 
  (23)
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings
$   41 
 
$    40 
       
Earnings per share attributable to Crown Holdings common shareholders:
     
Basic
$0.26 
 
$ 0.25 
Diluted
$0.25 
 
$ 0.25 
       
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
     
Basic
160,714,929 
158,491,731 
Diluted
163,100,074 
161,286,880 
 

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

 
 
2

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
(Unaudited)

 
 
March 31,
2010
 
  December 31, 2009
       
Assets
     
Current assets
     
Cash and cash equivalents
$   399 
 
$   459 
Receivables, net
1,044 
 
714 
Inventories
1,076 
 
960 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
128 
 
109 
Total current assets
2,647 
 
2,242 
       
Goodwill
1,974 
 
2,050 
Property, plant and equipment, net
1,453 
 
1,509 
Other non-current assets
716 
 
731 
Total
$6,790 
 
$6,532 
       
Liabilities and equity
     
Current liabilities
     
Short-term debt
$  218 
 
$     30 
Current maturities of long-term debt
31 
 
29 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
1,712 
 
1,866 
Total current liabilities
1,961 
 
1,925 
       
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities
2,925 
 
2,739 
Postretirement and pension liabilities
1,025 
 
1,037 
Other non-current liabilities
448 
 
448 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note J)
     
       
Noncontrolling interests
395 
 
 389 
Crown Holdings shareholders' equity/(deficit)
36 
 
 (6)
Total equity
431 
 
383 
Total
$6,790 
 
$6,532 
       


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


 
 
3

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
(Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31
2010
 
2009 
       
Net cash used for operating activities
$(416)
 
$(345)
       
Cash flows from investing activities
     
Capital expenditures
(32)
 
(50)
Other
11
 
 
Net cash used for investing activities
(21)
 
(50)
       
Cash flows from financing activities
     
Proceeds from long-term debt
 
Payments of long-term debt
(17)
 
(3)
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
409 
 
114 
Common stock issued
 
  3 
Common stock repurchased
(5)
 
(3)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
(15)
 
(17)
Other
  19 
Net cash provided by financing activities
386 
 
114 
       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(9)
 
(19)
       
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(60)
 
(300)
       
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
459 
 
596 
       
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31
$ 399 
 
$ 296 
       

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

 
 

 
4

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 


 
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
2010
 
 2009
Comprehensive income
     
Net income
$    67 
 
$    63 
Net other adjustments:
     
Attributable to Crown Holdings
(4)
 
(1)
Attributable to noncontrolling interests
(5)
 
(5)
Comprehensive income
58 
 
57 
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(21)
 
(18)
Comprehensive income attributable to Crown Holdings
$    37 
 
$    39 
       
Common stock
$  929 
 
 $  929 
       
Paid-in capital
     
Balance – January 1
$1,536 
  $ 1,510 
Restricted stock awarded
(2)
 
 (3)
Stock-based compensation
 
 4 
Stock issued – benefit plans
 
 1 
Stock repurchased
(4)
 
 (2)
Balance - March 31
$1,538 
 
 $1,510 
       
Accumulated deficit
     
Balance – January 1
$   (94)
  $   (428)
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings
41 
 
 40 
Balance – March 31
$   (53)
 
$   (388)
       
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
     
Balance – January 1
$(2,255)
  $(2,195)
Translation adjustments
(31)
 
 (16)
Amortization of net loss and prior service cost included in pension and postretirement cost
18 
 
16 
Derivatives qualifying as hedges
 
 (1)
Net other comprehensive loss adjustments
(4)
 
(1)
Balance – March 31
$(2,259)
 
 $(2,196)
       
Treasury stock
     
Balance – January 1
$   (122)
  $   (133)
Restricted stock awarded
 
 3 
Stock issued – benefit plans
 
 2 
Stock repurchased
(1)
 
 (1)
Balance – March 31
$   (119)
 
 $   (129)
       
Noncontrolling interests
     
Balance – January 1
$    389 
  $    353 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
26 
 
23 
Translation adjustments (other comprehensive income)
(5) 
 
(5)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
(15)
 
(17)
Balance – March 31
$   395 
 
$    354 
       
       
Total equity – March 31
$   431 
 
$      80 
       

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

 
5

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except per share and statistical data)
(Unaudited)


A.  
Statement of Information Furnished

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Crown Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”).  The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with Form 10-Q instructions.  In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the financial position of Crown Holdings, Inc. as of March 31, 2010 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  These results have been determined on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").
 
Certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted.  The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Certain reclassifications of prior years’ data have been made to conform to the current year presentation.
 
 
Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")’s amended guidance on transfers of financial assets. The guidance removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity, establishes a new “participating interest” definition that must be met for transfers of portions of financial assets to be eligible for sale accounting and clarifies and amends the derecognition criteria for a transfer to be accounted for as a sale.  As a result of adopting the guidance, the Company’s current receivables securitization and certain factoring facilities are now accounted for as secured borrowings.  The impact of adopting the new guidance on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet was to increase both the Company’s receivables and short-term debt as of March 31, 2010 by $185.   The impact of adopting the new guidance on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows was to both increase net cash used for operating activities and net cash provided by financing activities by $185 for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  The adoption of the guidance did not materially impact the Company’s results of operations.  In accordance with the guidance, prior period amounts have not been restated.  See Note D for additional information.
 
Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted the FASB’s amended guidance on the consolidation of variable interest entities (VIEs).  The guidance requires an entity to qualitatively assess the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE based on whether the entity (1) has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Also, the guidance requires an ongoing reconsideration of the primary beneficiary and amends the events that trigger a reassessment of whether an entity is a VIE. The adoption of the guidance had no impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
The FASB provided guidance that requires new disclosures about fair value measurements and clarifies existing disclosure requirements.  The new disclosures include (1) transfers in and out of level 1 and level 2 fair value measurements and (2) a gross presentation of activities within level 3 fair value measurements.  The clarifications to existing disclosures include a requirement to provide fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities. A class is often a subset of assets or liabilities within a line item in the statement of financial position. A reporting entity is also required to provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements in either level 2 or level 3.  The disclosures are required in the current quarter except for the requirement to disclose gross presentation of activities within level 3, which is not effective until the first quarter of 2011.  The disclosure requirement for transfers in and out of level 1 and level 2 had no impact on the Company.  The requirement to disclose gross presentation of activities within level 3 is expected to affect only the Company’s level 3 pension assets.  See Note F for additional information.
 
 
 
6

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
C.          Stock-Based Compensation
 
During the first quarter of 2010, the Company awarded 373,149 shares of restricted stock to certain senior executives, including 143,525 shares with time-vesting requirements and 229,624 shares containing a market performance feature.  The time-vested awards vest ratably over three years on the anniversary date of the grant and had a grant-date fair value of $26.80 per share.  The performance shares vest at the end of three years based on the results of a market performance criterion. The number of performance shares that will ultimately vest in 2013 is based on the level of performance achieved, ranging between 0% and 200% of the shares awarded, and will be settled in stock.  The estimated fair value of each performance share was calculated as $36.25 using a Monte Carlo valuation model.  During the first quarter, 246,693 shares of previously issued service-based awards and 136,003 shares of previously issued performance-based shares vested.  The weighted average fair value of these shares on the vesting date was $26.10 per share.  Also during the first quarter, 108,177 performance-based shares were issued because the Company exceeded the target level of performance shares established on the original date of the related awards in 2007 by approximately 80%.  These shares were issued without restriction.
 
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options and restricted stock were both $14 at March 31, 2010.  The weighted average period over which the expense is expected to be recognized is 2.9 years for stock options and 1.6 years for restricted stock.
 
As of March 31, 2010, outstanding stock options included 5,550,481 shares that were fully vested or expected to vest of which 3,715,107 were exercisable.  The weighted average exercise price of the options that were fully vested or expected to vest was $16.54, the aggregate intrinsic value was $58, and the weighted average remaining contractual life was 5.2 years.  The weighted average exercise price of options that were currently exercisable was $13.10, the aggregate intrinsic value was $52, and the weighted average remaining contractual life was 4.4 years.
 
The Company received cash proceeds of approximately $2  and $3 from the exercise of stock options in the first quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
 
D.           Receivables
 
The Company utilizes receivable securitization facilities in the normal course of business as part of its management of cash flow activities. Under its committed $200 North American facility, the Company sells receivables, on a revolving basis, to a wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary.  The subsidiary was formed for the sole purpose of buying and selling receivables generated by the Company and, in turn, sells undivided percentage ownership interests in the pool of purchased receivables to a syndicate of financial institutions.  The Company generally retains an ownership interest in the pool of receivables that is subordinated to the ownership interests in the pool of receivables that are sold to third parties.  Accordingly, the Company has determined that transactions under these facilities do not qualify for sale accounting and has therefore, accounted for the transactions as secured borrowings.
 
Under the Company’s committed €120 European securitization facility, certain subsidiaries in the U.K. and France sell receivables to an entity formed in France for the sole purpose of buying receivables from the selling subsidiaries.  The buying entity finances the purchase of receivables through the issuance of senior units to a third party.  Since the units issued to the third party are senior to the interests retained by the Company, the Company has determined that transactions under these facilities do not qualify for sale accounting and has therefore accounted for the transactions as secured borrowings.
 
In addition, the Company utilizes receivables factoring arrangements in the normal course of business as part of managing cash flow activities for its European operations.  Under the arrangements, the Company sells its entire interest in specified receivables to various third parties.  Where the Company has surrendered control over factored receivables, the Company has accounted for the transfers as sales.  The Company’s continuing involvement in factored receivables accounted for as sales is limited to servicing the receivables.  The Company receives adequate compensation for servicing the receivables; therefore, no servicing asset or liability was recorded.
 
 
 
7

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
At March 31, 2010, included in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet were $185 of receivables that were securitized or factored and $185 of associated liabilities.  At March 31, 2010, the Company derecognized receivables of $72 related to factoring arrangements accounted for as sales.  At December 31, 2009, receivables of $392 securitized or factored under the Company’s facilities were accounted for as sales and reflected as a reduction of receivables in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded expenses related to securitization and factoring facilities of $2 as interest expense.  
 
Collections from customers on securitized or factored receivables and related fees and costs are included in operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  Proceeds and repayments from issuances of ownership interests in the consolidated entity that buys and sells the Company’s receivables under its securitization facilities and amounts received from factors for transactions that do not qualify for sale accounting are included in financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
 

E.           Inventories
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost for U.S. inventories principally determined under the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.  Non-U.S. inventories are principally determined under the average cost method.
 
   
March 31, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
         
 
Finished goods
  $   469                 $368           
 
Work in process
  121                 102           
 
Raw materials and supplies
  486                 490           
      $1,076                 $960           

 
 
F.
Fair Value Measurements
 
Under GAAP a framework exists for measuring fair value, providing a three-tier hierarchy of pricing inputs used to report assets and liabilities that are adjusted to fair value. Level 1 includes inputs such as quoted prices which are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the report date.  Level 2 includes inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the report date.  Level 3 includes unobservable pricing inputs that are not corroborated by market data or other objective sources.  The Company has no items valued using Level 3 inputs other than certain pension plan assets.
 
The following table sets forth the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively:
 
           
Fair value at
           
reporting date using
   
 Mar. 31
 
Dec. 31
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
   
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
   Assets
                       
 
Derivative instruments:
                     
 
  Foreign exchange
$18 
 
$14 
         
$18 
 
$14 
 
  Commodities
43 
 
31 
 
$43 
 
$31 
       
 
Total
$61 
 
$45 
 
$43 
 
$31 
 
$18 
 
$14 
   Liabilities
                       
 
Derivative instruments:
                     
 
  Cross-currency swaps
$32 
 
$49 
         
$32 
 
$49 
 
  Foreign exchange
16 
 
17 
         
16 
 
17 
 
  Commodities
 
 
$  1 
 
$  1 
       
 
Total
$49 
 
$67 
 
$  1 
 
$  1 
 
$48 
 
$66 
 
 
 
 
8

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
 
The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.
 
The Company applies a market approach to value its commodity price hedge contracts.  Prices from observable markets are used to develop the fair value of these financial instruments and they are reported under Level 1.  The Company uses an income approach to value its outstanding cross-currency swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts.  These contracts are valued using a discounted  cash flow  model  that  calculates  the  present  value of  future cash flows under the terms of the contracts using market information as of the reporting  date,  such  as prevailing  interest  rates  and  foreign exchange  spot  and  forward  rates, and are reported under Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
Refer to Note G for further discussion of the Company’s use of derivative instruments and their fair values.
 
 
G.
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
In the normal course of business the Company is subject to risk from adverse fluctuations in foreign exchange, interest rates and commodity prices. The Company manages these risks through a program that includes the use of derivative financial instruments, primarily swaps and forwards. Counterparties to these contracts are major financial institutions.  The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties.  The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
 
The Company’s objective in managing exposure to market risk is to limit the impact on earnings and cash flow.  The extent to which the Company uses such instruments is dependent upon its access to these contracts in the financial markets and its success using other methods, such as netting exposures in the same currencies to mitigate foreign exchange risk and using sales agreements that permit the pass-through of commodity price and foreign exchange rate risk to customers.
 
For derivative financial instruments accounted for as hedging instruments, the Company formally designates and documents, at inception, the financial instrument as a hedge of a specific underlying exposure,  the  risk  management  objective and the  manner in  which  effectiveness of the  hedge will be assessed.  The Company formally assesses, both at inception and at least quarterly thereafter, whether the derivative financial instruments used in hedging transactions are effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of the related underlying exposures.  Any ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the instruments is recognized immediately in earnings.
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
The Company designates certain derivative financial instruments as cash flow hedges.  No components of the hedging instruments are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.  Changes in fair value of outstanding derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, except any ineffective portion, are recorded in other comprehensive income until earnings are impacted by the hedged transaction.  Classification of the gain or loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations upon release from comprehensive income is the same as that of the underlying exposure.  Contracts outstanding at March 31, 2010 mature between one and thirty-three months.
 
When the Company discontinues hedge accounting because it is no longer probable that an anticipated transaction will occur in the originally specified period, changes to fair value accumulated in other comprehensive income are recognized immediately in earnings.
 
The Company may use cross-currency and interest rate swaps to manage its portfolio of fixed and variable debt, including foreign-currency denominated intercompany debt, and to manage the impact of debt on local cash flows.  Currently the Company has one cross-currency swap outstanding, which matures in November 2010, with a notional value of $235.  The swap is effective in mitigating the risk of changes in foreign exchange and interest rates because the critical terms of the swap, including notional amount, interest reset date, maturity date and underlying market index, match those of the foreign currency-denominated debt.
  
 
 
9

Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 

 
The Company uses commodity forwards to hedge anticipated purchases of various commodities, including aluminum, fuel oil and natural gas.  Information about commodity price exposure is derived from supply forecasts submitted by customers and these exposures are hedged by a central treasury unit.  The aggregate U.S. dollar-equivalent notional value of commodity contracts designated as cash flow hedges at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $203 and $167.
 
The Company also designates certain foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges of anticipated foreign-currency-denominated sales or purchases.  The Company manages these risks at the operating unit level.  Often the hedging of foreign currency risk is performed in concert with related commodity price hedges.  The aggregate U.S. dollar-equivalent notional value of foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $515 and $283.
 
Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) were:
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2010
$27 
 
       
Current period changes in fair value, net of tax:
   
 
Cross-currency swaps
17 
 
 
Commodities
10 
 
 
Foreign exchange
 
Reclassifications to income:
   
 
Cross-currency swaps
(17)
(1)
 
Commodities
(2)
(2)
 
Foreign exchange
(1)
(3)
       
Balance at March 31, 2010
$36 
 

 (1)   During the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, $17 and $28 were credited to translation and foreign exchange. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, $1 was
 credited to interest expense.
(2)    During the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, $2 and ($20) were credited/(charged) to cost of products sold.
(3)    During the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, $2 and ($4) and ($1) and $2 were credited/(charged) to net sales and cost of products sold, respectively.
 
 
During the twelve months ending March 31, 2011, a net gain of $22 ($17, net of tax) is expected to be reclassified to earnings.  The actual amount that will be reclassified may differ from this amount due to changing market conditions.  No amounts were reclassified during the three months ended March 31, 2010 in connection with anticipated transactions that were no longer considered probable.  The ineffective portion recorded in earnings was less than $1.
 
Fair Value Hedges and Contracts Not Designated as Hedges
 
The Company designates certain derivative financial instruments as fair value hedges of recognized foreign-denominated assets and liabilities, generally trade accounts receivable and payable and unrecognized firm commitments. The notional values and maturity dates of the derivative instruments coincide with those of the hedged items. Changes in fair value of the derivative financial instruments, excluding time value, are offset by changes in fair value of the related hedged items.  Other than for firm commitments, amounts related to time value are excluded from the assessment and measurement of hedge effectiveness and are reported in earnings.  Less than $1 was reported in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The U.S. dollar-equivalent notional value of foreign exchange contracts designated as fair value hedges at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $190 and $114.
 
Certain derivative financial instruments, including foreign exchange contracts related to intercompany debt, were not designated or did not qualify for hedge accounting; however, they are effective economic hedges as the changes in their fair value, except for time value, are offset by changes in remeasurement of the related hedged items. The Company’s primary use of these derivative instruments is to offset the earnings impact that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates have on certain monetary assets and liabilities denominated in nonfunctional currencies. Changes in fair value of these derivative instruments are immediately recognized in earnings as foreign exchange adjustments. The aggregate U.S dollar-equivalent notional value of these contracts at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $735 and $575.
 
 
 
10

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
The impact on earnings of foreign exchange contracts designated as fair value hedges was less than $1 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  The impact on earnings of foreign exchange contracts not designated as hedges were gains of $17 and $8 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  These items were reported as translation and foreign exchange and were offset by changes in the fair value of the related hedged items.

The fair values of outstanding derivative instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were:

    Mar. 31    Dec. 31   
Assets
    2010    2009  
 
Derivatives designated as hedges:
       
 
Foreign exchange
$12    
 (4)
 $  4      (4)
 
Commodities
43    
 (5)
 31      (5)
           
 
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
       
 
Foreign exchange
6    
 (4)
 10      (4)
 
Total
$61   
   $45       
           
Liabilities
         
 
Derivatives designated as hedges:
       
 
Cross-currency swaps
$32  
 (6)
 $49      (6)
 
Foreign exchange
10  
 (6)
 4      (6)
 
Commodities
1  
 (6)
   1      (6)
           
 
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
       
 
Foreign exchange
6  
 (6)
 13     (6)
 
Total
$49    
   $67      

             (4)   Reported in other current assets.
             (5)   $20 and $14 reported in other current assets in 2010 and 2009 and $23 and $17  reported in other non-current assets in 2010 and 2009.
(6)    Reported in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
 
 
H.           Restructuring
 
  The components of the outstanding restructuring reserve and movements within these components during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were as follows:
 
 
 
Termination
 
Other Exit
 
Asset
   
 
Benefits
 
Costs
 
Writedowns
 
Total
               
Balance at January 1, 2009
$11        
 
$ 1        
     
$12       
Provision
        
 
1        
     
1       
Payments
(4)       
 
(1)       
     
(5)      
Balance at March 31, 2009
$  7        
 
$ 1        
 
$0       
 
$  8       
               
Balance at January 1, 2010
    $25        
 
$0        
    $0         
$ 25       
Provision
     10        
 
2        
 
10       
 
22       
Payments
       (8)       
 
(2)       
     
(10)      
   Reclassify to other accounts (5)               (10)         (15)      
Balance at March 31, 2010
 $22        
 
$0        
   
     $0       
 
$22       
 
 
 
 
11

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
 
The provision of $22 in 2010 included $20 related to the closure of a Canadian plant in the Company’s Americas Food segment and $2 for plant maintenance and strip and clean costs from a prior restructuring action.  The charge of $20 included $5 for pension and postretirement plan curtailment charges, $5 for severance costs and $10 for asset writedowns.  The Company expects to incur future additional charges of approximately $17 for pension settlements when the Company receives regulatory approval and settles these obligations.  The total cash cost of the restructuring, including $8 for the settlement of the pension obligation is expected to be $16.  Also, the Company expects to incur future additional charges related to prior restructuring actions in Canada of approximately $33 for pension settlements when the Company receives regulatory approval and settles these obligations and $5 for plant maintenance and strip and clean costs.  The Company expects future cash costs for the settlement of pension obligations related to these prior restructuring actions to be approximately $7.
 
The provision of $1 in 2009 related to maintenance and closing costs for a Canadian food can plant that ceased operations in 2008.
  
 
I.            Asbestos-Related Liabilities
 
Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc. (“Crown Cork”) is one of many defendants in a substantial number of lawsuits filed throughout the United States by persons alleging bodily injury as a result of exposure to asbestos. These claims arose from the insulation operations of a U.S. company, the majority of whose stock Crown Cork purchased in 1963. Approximately ninety days after the stock purchase, this U.S. company sold its insulation assets and was later merged into Crown Cork.
 
Prior to 1998, amounts paid to asbestos claimants were covered by a fund made available to Crown Cork under a 1985 settlement with carriers insuring Crown Cork through 1976, when Crown Cork became self-insured. The fund was depleted in 1998 and the Company has no remaining coverage for asbestos-related costs.
 
During 2010, the states of Nebraska and South Dakota enacted legislation that limits asbestos-related liabilities under state law of companies such as Crown Cork that allegedly incurred these liabilities because they are successors by corporate merger to companies that had been involved with asbestos.  Similar legislation was enacted in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin in recent years.  The legislation, which applies to future and, with the exception of Georgia, South Carolina and South Dakota, pending claims, caps asbestos-related liabilities at the fair market value of the predecessor’s total gross assets adjusted for inflation.  Crown Cork has paid significantly more for asbestos-related claims than the total value of its predecessor’s assets adjusted for inflation. Crown Cork has integrated the legislation into its claims defense strategy.  The Company cautions, however, that the legislation may be challenged and there can be no assurance regarding the ultimate effect of the legislation on Crown Cork.
 
In June 2003, the State of Texas enacted legislation that limits the asbestos-related liabilities in Texas courts of companies such as Crown Cork that allegedly incurred these liabilities because they are successors by corporate merger to companies that had been involved with asbestos. The Texas legislation, which applies to future claims and pending claims, caps asbestos-related liabilities at the total gross value of the predecessor’s assets adjusted for inflation.  Crown Cork has paid significantly more for asbestos-related claims than the total adjusted value of its predecessor’s assets.  In May 2006 the Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals upheld a grant of summary judgment to Crown Cork and upheld the state constitutionality of the statute (Barbara Robinson v. Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., No. 14-04-00658-CV, Fourteenth Court of Appeals, Texas). The Appeals Court decision has been appealed by the plaintiff to the Texas Supreme Court.  A favorable ruling for summary judgment in an asbestos case pending against Crown Cork in the district court of Travis County, Texas (in Re Rosemarie Satterfield as Representative of the Estate of Jerrold Braley Deceased v. Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., No. 03-04-00518-CV, Texas Court of Appeals, Third District, at Austin) has been reversed on appeal on state constitutional grounds due to retroactive application of the statute.   Although the Company believes that the Texas legislation is constitutional, there can be no assurance that the legislation will be upheld by the Texas Supreme Court on appeal. An adverse ruling by the Texas Supreme Court could have a material impact on the Company.
 
 
 
12

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
In December 2001, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania enacted legislation that limits the asbestos-related liabilities of Pennsylvania corporations that are successors by corporate merger to companies involved with asbestos. The legislation limits the successor’s liability for asbestos to the acquired company’s asset value adjusted for inflation. Crown Cork has paid significantly more for asbestos-related claims than the acquired company’s adjusted asset value. In November 2004, the legislation was amended to address a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision (Ieropoli v. AC&S Corporation, et. al., No. 117 EM 2002) which held that the statute violated the Pennsylvania Constitution due to retroactive application.  On February 6, 2009, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania affirmed, due to the plaintiff’s lack of standing, the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas’ dismissal of three cases against Crown Cork raising federal and state constitutional challenges to the amended statute (Stea v. A.W. Chesterton, Inc., et. al, No. 2956 EDA 2006). The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has accepted an appeal of this decision.  The Company cautions that the limitations of the statute, as amended, are subject to litigation and may not be upheld.  Adverse rulings in cases challenging the constitutionality of the Pennsylvania statute could have a material impact on the Company.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, Crown Cork received approximately 600 new claims, settled or dismissed approximately 200 claims for a total of $2, and had approximately 51,000 claims outstanding at the end of the period. Settlement amounts include amounts committed to be paid in future periods.  The outstanding claims at March 31, 2010 exclude 33,000 pending claims involving plaintiffs who allege that they are, or were, maritime workers subject to exposure to asbestos, but whose claims the Company believes will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flow.  The outstanding claims at March 31, 2010 also exclude approximately 19,000 inactive claims.  Due to the passage of time, the Company considers it unlikely that the plaintiffs in these cases will pursue further action.  The exclusion of these inactive claims had no effect on the calculation of the Company’s accrual as the claims were filed in states, as described above, where the Company’s liability is limited by statute.
 
As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s accrual for pending and future asbestos-related claims and related legal costs was $226, including $170 for unasserted claims and $1 for committed settlements that will be paid over time.
 
Historically (1977-2009), Crown Cork estimates that approximately one-quarter of all asbestos-related claims made against it have been asserted by claimants who claim first exposure to asbestos after 1964. However, because of Crown Cork’s settlement experience to date and the increased difficulty of establishing identification of the subsidiary’s insulation products as the cause of injury by persons alleging first exposure to asbestos after 1964, the Company has not included in its accrual any amounts for settlements by persons alleging first exposure to asbestos after 1964.
 
Underlying the accrual are assumptions that claims for exposure to asbestos that occurred after the sale of the U.S. company’s insulation business in 1964 would not be entitled to settlement payouts and that the state legislation described above is expected to have a highly favorable impact on Crown Cork’s ability to settle or defend against asbestos-related claims in those states, and other states where Pennsylvania law may apply.  The Company’s accrual of $226 includes estimates for probable costs for claims through the year 2019.  Potential estimated additional claims costs of $38 beyond 2019 have not been included in the Company’s accrual, as the Company believes cost projections beyond ten years are inherently unreliable due to potential changes in the litigation environment and other factors whose impact cannot be known or reasonably estimated.
 
While it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of asbestos-related claims and settlements, the Company believes that resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position. The Company cautions, however, that estimates for asbestos cases and settlements are difficult to predict and may be influenced by many factors. In addition, there can be no assurance regarding the validity or correctness of the Company’s assumptions or beliefs underlying its accrual. Unfavorable court decisions or other adverse developments may require the Company to substantially increase its accrual or change its estimate.   Accordingly, these matters, if resolved in a manner different from the estimate, could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flow.
 
 
 
13

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
J.             Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
 
The Company, along with others in most cases, has been identified by the EPA or a comparable state environmental agency as a Potentially Responsible Party (“PRP”) at a number of sites and has recorded aggregate accruals of $6 for its share of estimated future remediation costs at these sites. The Company has been identified as having either directly or indirectly disposed of commercial or industrial waste at the sites subject to the accrual, and where appropriate and supported by available information, generally has agreed to be responsible for a percentage of future remediation costs based on an estimated volume of materials disposed in proportion to the total materials disposed at each site.  The Company has not had monetary sanctions imposed nor has the Company been notified of any potential monetary sanctions at any of the sites.  The Company has also recorded aggregate accruals of $12 for remediation activities at various worldwide locations that are owned by the Company and for which the Company is not a member of a PRP group.  Although the Company believes its accruals are adequate to cover its portion of future remediation costs, there can be no assurance that the ultimate payments will not exceed the amount of the Company’s accruals and will not have a material effect on its results of operations, financial position and cash flow.  Any possible loss or range of potential loss that may be incurred in excess of the recorded accruals cannot be estimated.
 
The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to various other lawsuits and claims with respect to labor, environmental, securities, vendor and other matters arising out of the normal course of business. While the impact on future financial results is not subject to reasonable estimation because considerable uncertainty exists, management believes that the ultimate liabilities resulting from such lawsuits and claims will not materially affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flow.
 
The Company has various commitments to purchase materials, supplies and utilities as part of the ordinary conduct of business. The Company’s basic raw materials for its products are steel and aluminum, both of which are purchased from multiple sources. The Company is subject to fluctuations in the cost of these raw materials and has periodically adjusted its selling prices to reflect these movements. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be able to fully recover any increases or fluctuations in raw material costs from its customers.  The Company also has commitments for standby letters of credit and for purchases of capital assets.
 
In January 2010, the Company received a net one time payment of $20 as part of an overall resolution of a long-time dispute unrelated to the Company’s ongoing operations and recorded a gain of $20 in the first quarter of 2010.
 
At March 31, 2010, the Company had certain indemnification agreements covering environmental remediation and other potential costs associated with properties sold or businesses divested.  The Company accrues for costs related to these items when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  At March 31, 2010, the Company also had guarantees of $26 related to the residual values of leased assets.
 
 
K.            Earnings Per Share
 
  The following table summarizes the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Crown Holdings for the periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31
 
2010
 
2009
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings
$   41
 
$   40
       
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
     
    Basic
160.7
 
158.5
    Add: dilutive stock options and restrictive stock
2.4 
 
2.8 
    Diluted
163.1
 
161.3
       
Basic earnings per share
$0.26
 
$0.25
Diluted earnings per share
$0.25
 
$0.25
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                
 
 
14

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
Excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share were common shares contingently issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, amounting to 3.3 million shares for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 4.0 million shares for the same period in 2009.
 
 
L.        Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

The components of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefits costs for the three months ended March 31 were as follows:
 
 
 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
Pension Benefits
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
               
Service cost
$  2 
 
$  2 
 
$  7 
 
$  5 
Interest cost
18 
 
20 
 
39 
 
34 
Expected return on plan assets
(20)
 
(18)
 
(45)
 
(37)
Recognized prior service cost/(credit)
 
 
(1)
 
(1)
Recognized net loss
  17   
20 
      11   
Net periodic cost
$18 
 
$25 
 
$11 
 
$  7 
 
 
 
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
2010
 
2009
       
Service cost
$2 
 
$2 
Interest cost
 
Recognized prior service credit
(5)
 
(6)
Recognized net loss
 
Net periodic cost
$6 
 
$6 

 
 
 
M.       Segment Information
  
The Company’s business is organized geographically within three divisions, Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.  Within the Americas and Europe, the Company has determined that it has the following reportable segments organized along a combination of product lines and geographic areas: Americas Beverage and North America Food in the Americas, and European Beverage, European Food and European Specialty Packaging in Europe.
 
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on segment income. Segment income, which is not a defined term under GAAP, is defined by the Company as gross profit less selling and administrative expenses. Segment income should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income data prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to calculations of similarly titled measures by other companies.  Transactions between operating segments are not material.
 
The tables below present information about operating segments for the three months ended  March 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
2010
External
 
Segment
 
sales
 
income
       
 Americas Beverage
$   480      
 
$  57       
 North America Food
197      
 
16       
 European Beverage
314      
 
52       
 European Food
404      
 
40       
 European Specialty Packaging
91      
 
3       
 Total reportable segments
1,486      
 
168       
       
 Non-reportable segments
291      
 
45       
 Corporate and unallocated items
   
(42)      
 Total
$1,777      
 
$171       
 
 
 
15

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 
 
 
2009
External
 
Segment
 
sales
 
income
       
Americas Beverage
$  409     
 
$  41      
North America Food
197     
 
18      
European Beverage
339     
 
57      
European Food
389     
 
52      
European Specialty Packaging
81     
 
1      
Total reportable segments
1,415     
 
169      
       
Non-reportable segments
269     
 
42      
Corporate and unallocated items
   
(55)     
Total
$1,684     
 
$156      
 
 
A reconciliation of segment income of reportable segments to income before income taxes and equity earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 follows:
 
 
2010
 
2009
       
Segment income of reportable segments
$168 
 
$169 
Segment income of non-reportable segments
45 
 
42 
Corporate and unallocated items
(42)
 
(55)
Provision for restructuring
(22)
    (1)
Asset impairments and sales
  1   
 
Interest expense
(47)
 
(61)
Interest income
 
Translation and foreign exchange
    (4)
Income before income taxes and equity earnings
$106 
 
$ 92 
 
 
“Corporate and unallocated items” includes corporate and division administrative costs, technology costs, and unallocated items such as the U.S. and U.K. pension plan costs.
 
 
 
16

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
N.        Condensed Combining Financial Information

Crown European Holdings SA (Issuer), a 100% owned subsidiary of the Company, has outstanding senior notes that are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Crown Holdings, Inc. (Parent) and certain subsidiaries.  The guarantors are 100% owned by the Company and the guarantees are made on a joint and several basis.  The guarantor column includes financial information for all subsidiaries in the United States (except for an insurance subsidiary and a receivable securitization subsidiary), and substantially all subsidiaries in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and a subsidiary in the Netherlands.  The following condensed combining financial statements:
 
 
·  
statements of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, and
·  
balance sheets as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009

are presented on the following pages to comply with the Company’s requirements under Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X.

 

 
CONDENSED COMBINING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the three months ended March 31, 2010
(in millions)
 
 
 

 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
 
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
                       
Net sales                                                             
        $1,047    $730          $1,777 
   Cost of products sold, excluding depreciation and amortization
      $(2)   895    590          1,483 
Depreciation and amortization
        22    22          44 
                       
Gross profit
      2    130    118          250 
                       
Selling and administrative expense
          52      27          79 
Provision for restructuring
          22              22 
   Asset impairments and sales         (1)           (1)
Net interest expense
      (2)     43      5          46 
Technology royalty
          (7)     7         
Translation and foreign exchange
          (2)             (2)
                       
Income before income taxes
      4      23      79          106 
Provision for income taxes
          24      15          39 
Equity earnings in affiliates
  $41      32      42          $(115)    
                       
Net income
  41      36      41      64      (115)     67 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
              (26)         (26)
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings
  $41      $36      $41      $38      $(115)     $41 



 

 
17

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.


 

 
CONDENSED COMBINING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the three months ended March 31, 2009
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
 
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
                       
Net sales                                                             
          $990      $694          $1,684 
   Cost of products sold, excluding depreciation and amortization
      $(3)     836      559          1,392 
Depreciation and amortization
          23      24          47 
                       
Gross profit
      3      131      111          245 
                       
Selling and administrative expense
      (1)     66      24          89 
Provision for restructuring
          1              1 
Net interest expense
      8      46      5          59 
Technology royalty
          (7)     7         
Translation and foreign exchange
              3          4 
                       
Income/(loss) before income taxes
      (4)     24      72          92 
Provision for income taxes
          5      19          24 
Equity (loss)/earnings in affiliates
  $40      49      21      (1)     $(114)     (5)
                       
Net income
  40      45      40      52      (114)     63 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
              (23)         (23)
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings
  $40      $45      $40      $29      $(114)     $40 

 
 


 
18

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
 
CONDENSED COMBINING BALANCE SHEET

As of March 31, 2010
(in millions)
 

 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
 
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
Assets                      
Current assets                                                             
                           
   Cash and cash equivalents
         $31   
$368 
      $399 
Receivables, net
    $56    208    780        1,044 
   Intercompany receivables       1    72    41      $(114)    
   Inventories          614     462         1,076 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets  $3         93     32         128 
              Total current assets  3     57     1,018     1,683     (114)    2,647 
 
                            
Intercompany debt receivables       1,778      2,345      320      (4,443)    
Investments
  212    2,497    13           (2,722)     
Goodwill
        1,397      577        1,974 
Property, plant and equipment, net
          635    818        1,453 
Other non-current assets
      2    699    15          716 
          Total
  $215      $4,334    $6,107    $3,413      $(7,279)   $6,790 
                       
Liabilities and equity                      
Current liabilities                      
   Short-term debt       $30     $24     $164         $218 
   Current maturities of long-term debt      4     6     21         31 
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $8    33    998    673        1,712 
Intercompany payables
      2    39    73      $(114)     
          Total current liabilities
  69    1,067    931    (114)   1,961 
                       
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities       703     2,168     54         2,925 
Long-term interompany debt   171     2,532     1,323     417     (4,443)    
Postretirement and pension liabilities           1,007     18         1,025 
Commitments and contingent liabilities           330     118         448 
                       
Noncontrolling interests               395         395 
Crown Holdings shareholders' equity   36     1,030     212     1,480     (2,722)    36 
Total equity
36    1,030    212    1,875    (2,722)   431 
                       
              Total
$215    $4,334    $6,107    $3,413    $(7,279)   $6,790 

 
 

 
19

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 

 
 
CONDENSED COMBINING BALANCE SHEET

As of December 31, 2009
(in millions)
 

 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
 
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
Assets                      
Current assets                                                             
                           
   Cash and cash equivalents
      $5      $49      $405          $459 
Receivables, net
      77      101      536          714 
   Intercompany receivables       2      59      32      $(93)    
   Inventories          529     431         960 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets  $2         81     26         109 
              Total current assets  2     84     819     1,430     (93)    2,242 
 
                            
Intercompany debt receivables       1,833      2,433      432      (4,698)    
Investments
  174    2,571    (69)          (2,676)      
Goodwill
        1,443      607        2,050 
Property, plant and equipment, net
          671    838        1,509 
Other non-current assets
      2    715    14          731 
          Total
  $176      $4,490    $6,012    $3,321      $(7,467)   $6,532 
                       
Liabilities and equity                      
Current liabilities                      
   Short-term debt       $2     $1     $27         $30 
   Current maturities of long-term debt      4     6     19         29 
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $21    54     1,000    791        1,866 
Intercompany payables
      2    30    61      $(93)      
          Total current liabilities
21    62    1,037    898    (93)   1,925 
                       
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities       619     2,063     57         2,739 
Long-term interompany debt   161     2,797     1,389     351     (4,698)    
Postretirement and pension liabilities           1,019     18         1,037 
Commitments and contingent liabilities           330     118         448 
                       
Noncontrolling interests               389         389 
Crown Holdings shareholders' equity/(deficit)   (6)    1,012     174     1,490     (2,676)    (6)
Total equity/(deficit)
(6)   1,012    174    1,879    (2,676)   383 
                       
              Total
$176    $4,490      $6,012      $3,321      $(7,467)     $6,532 

 
 

 
20

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 

 
CONDENSED COMBINING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the three months ended March 31, 2010
(in millions)
 

 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
 
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
                       
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities
  $(7)     $20    $(141)   $(288)       $(416)
   
                             
Cash flows from investing activities
                             
   Capital expenditures           (11)   (21)         (32)
   Intercompany investing activities              $(10)     
   Other             11        11 
                       
          Net cash used for investing activities           (4)   (7)   (10)   (21)
 
                            
Cash flows from financing activities                            
   Proceeds from long-term debt
                   
   Payments of long-term debt
      (14)       (3)       (17)
   Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
    164    126    119        409 
   Net change in long-term intercompany balances  10    (170)   (12)   172         
   Common stock issued
  2                     
Common stock repurchased
(5)                     (5)
   Dividends paid                (10)     10     
    Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests              (15)        (15)
   Other      (5)    13             8 
                            
          Net cash provided by/(used for) financing activities  7    (25)   127    267     10    386 
  
                        
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
             (9)       (9)
         
                     
Net change in cash and cash equivalents        (5)     (18)     (37)         (60)
                           
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1         49    405         459 
                          
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31
$0    $0    $31    $368    $0    $399 

 
 
 
 
 
21

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 

 
 
CONDENSED COMBINING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the three months ended March 31, 2009
(in millions)
 

 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
 
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
                       
Net cash used for operating activities
  $(13)     $(14)   $(165)   $(153)       $(345)
   
                             
Cash flows from investing activities
                             
   Capital expenditures           (15)   (35)         (50)
   Intercompany investing activities         17          $(17)     
                       
          Net cash provided by/(used for) investing activities             (35)   (17)   (50)
 
                            
Cash flows from financing activities                            
   Proceeds from long-term debt
              1        
   Payments of long-term debt
            (3)       (3)
   Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
    121        (7)       114 
   Net change in long-term intercompany balances  13    (162)   41    108         
   Common stock issued
  3                     
Common stock repurchased
 (3)                     (3)
   Dividends paid                (17)     17     
    Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests              (17)        (17)
   Other      (22)    41             19 
                            
          Net cash provided by/(used for) financing activities  13    (63)   82    65     17    114 
  
                        
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
         (19)           (19)
         
                     
Net change in cash and cash equivalents        (77)     (100)     (123)         (300)
                           
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1       77    138    381         596 
                          
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31
$0    $0    $38    $258    $0    $296 

 
 
 


 
22

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 


Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc. (Issuer), a 100% owned subsidiary, has outstanding registered debt that is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Crown Holdings, Inc. (Parent).  No other subsidiary guarantees the debt.  The following condensed combining financial statements:

              ·  
 statements of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, and
              ·  
 balance sheets as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009

are presented on the following pages to comply with the Company’s requirements under Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X.

 
 

 
CONDENSED COMBINING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the three months ended March 31, 2010
(in millions)

 
 

 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
                   
Net sales                                                             
        $1,777          $1,777 
   Cost of products sold, excluding depreciation and amortization
        1,483          1,483 
Depreciation and amortization
        44          44 
                   
Gross profit
        250          250 
                   
Selling and administrative expense
      $(18)     97          79 
Provision for restructuring
          22          22 
Net interest expense
          (1)         (1)
Technology royalty
      22      24          46 
Translation and foreign exchange
          (2)         (2)
                   
Income/(loss) before income taxes
      (4)     110          106 
Provision for income taxes
      2      37          39 
Equity earnings in affiliates
  $41      47          $(88)    
                   
Net income
  41      41      73      (88)     67 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
          (26)         (26)
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings
  $41      $41      $47      $(88)     $41 


 
 

 
23

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.


 
 
 
CONDENSED COMBINING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the three months ended March 31, 2009
(in millions)
 
 

 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
                   
Net sales                                                             
        $1,684          $1,684 
   Cost of products sold, excluding depreciation and amortization
        1,392          1,392 
Depreciation and amortization
        47          47 
                   
Gross profit
        245          245 
                   
Selling and administrative expense
      $3      86          89 
Provision for restructuring
          1          1 
Net interest expense
      21      38          59 
Translation and foreign exchange
          4          4 
                   
Income/(loss) before income taxes
      (24)     116          92 
Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes
      (9)     33          24 
Equity (loss)/earnings in affiliates
  $40      55      (5)     $(95)     (5)
                   
Net income
  40      40      78      (95)     63 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
          (23)         (23)
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings
  $40      $40      $55      $(95)     $40 


 


 
24

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.


 

 
 
CONDENSED COMBINING BALANCE SHEET

As of March 31, 2010
(in millions)

 
 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
Assets                  
Current assets                                                             
                   
   Cash and cash equivalents
         $399        $399 
Receivables, net
        1,044        1,044 
   Inventories         1,076        1,076 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets $3        125        128 
              Total current assets       2,644        2,647 
 
                      
Intercompany debt receivables         818    $(818)    
Investments
212    $995          (1,207)      
Goodwill
        1,974        1,974 
Property, plant and equipment, net
          1,453        1,453 
Other non-current assets
    554    162        716 
          Total
$215    $1,549    $7,051    $(2,025)   $6,790 
                   
Liabilities and equity                  
Current liabilities                  
   Short-term debt          $218        $218 
   Current maturities of long-term debt         31        31 
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$8    $42    1,662        1,712 
          Total current liabilities
  42    1,911        1,961 
                   
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities      411    2,514        2,925 
Long-term interompany debt  171    647         $(818)     
Postretirement and pension liabilities            1,025        1,025 
Commitments and contingent liabilities      237    211        448 
                    
Noncontrolling interests          395        395 
Crown Holdings shareholders' equity  36    212    995    (1,207)   36 
Total equity
36    212    1,390    (1,207)   431 
                   
              Total
$215    $1,549    $7,051    $(2,025)   $6,790 



 
25

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 
 
 
CONDENSED COMBINING BALANCE SHEET

As of December 31, 2009
(in millions)

 
 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
Assets                  
Current assets                                                             
                   
   Cash and cash equivalents
           $459          $459 
Receivables, net
          714          714 
   Inventories          960         960 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets  $2         107         109 
              Total current assets  2         2,240         2,242 
 
                      
Intercompany debt receivables           826      $(826)    
Investments
  174    $961            (1,135)      
Goodwill
          2,050          2,050 
Property, plant and equipment, net
            1,509          1,509 
Other non-current assets
      567      164          731 
          Total
  $176      $1,528     $6,789      $(1,961)     $6,532 
                   
Liabilities and equity                  
Current liabilities                  
   Short-term debt           $30         $30 
   Current maturities of long-term debt          29         29 
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $21    $38    1,807        1,866 
          Total current liabilities
 21     38    1,866        1,925 
                   
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities       412     2,327         2,739 
Long-term interompany debt   161     665         $(826)    
Postretirement and pension liabilities           1,037         1,037 
Commitments and contingent liabilities       239     209         448 
                   
Noncontrolling interests           389         389 
Crown Holdings shareholders' equity/(deficit)   (6)    174     961     (1,135)    (6)
Total equity/(deficit)
  (6)     174      1,350      (1,135)     383 
                   
              Total
  $176      $1,528      $6,789      $(1,961)     $6,532 


 
 
 

 


 
26

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 

 
CONDENSED COMBINING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the three months ended March 31, 2010
(in millions)

 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
                   
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities
$(7)   $10    $(419)       $(416)
   
                       
Cash flows from investing activities
                       
   Capital expenditures           (32)       (32)
   Investment dividends      9         $(9)     
   Other         11        11 
                   
          Net cash provided by/(used for) investing activities        (21)   (9)   (21)
 
                      
Cash flows from financing activities                      
   Proceeds from long-term debt
               
   Payments of long-term debt
        (17)       (17)
   Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
        409        409 
   Net change in long-term intercompany balances 10    (19)          
   Common stock issued
               
Common stock repurchased
(5)                 (5)
   Dividends paid          (9)      
    Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests         (15)       (15)
   Other          8       
                       
          Net cash provided by/(used for) financing activities   (19)   389      386 
  
                   
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
         (9)       (9)
         
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents          (60)       (60)
                      
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1           459        459 
                     
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31
$0    $0    $399    $0    $399 

 
 

 
27

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 
 

CONDENSED COMBINING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the three months ended March 31, 2009
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
                   
Net cash used for operating activities
  $(13)     $(1)   $(331)       $(345)
   
                       
Cash flows from investing activities
                       
   Capital expenditures           (50)         (50)
   Intercompany investing activities      16          $(16)     
                   
          Net cash provided by/(used for) investing activities      16    (50)   (16)   (50)
 
                      
Cash flows from financing activities                      
   Proceeds from long-term debt
          1        
   Payments of long-term debt
        (3)       (3)
   Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
        114        114 
   Net change in long-term intercompany balances  13    (15)          
   Common stock issued
  3                 
Common stock repurchased
 (3)                 (3)
   Dividends paid            (16)     16     
    Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests          (17)        (17)
   Other          19         19 
                       
          Net cash provided by/(used for) financing activities  13    (15)   100     16    114 
  
                   
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
         (19)       (19)
         
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents            (300)         (300)
                      
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1           596         596 
                     
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31
$0    $0    $296    $0    $296 

 
 
 
 

 
28

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.



Crown Americas LLC, Crown Americas Capital Corp. and Crown Americas Capital Corp. II (collectively, the Issuers), 100% owned subsidiaries of the Company, have outstanding senior unsecured notes that are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Crown Holdings, Inc. (Parent) and substantially all subsidiaries in the United States.  The guarantors are 100% owned by the Company and the guarantees are made on a joint and several basis.  The following condensed combining financial statements:

  statements of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, and

  balance sheets as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009
 
 

are presented on the following pages to comply with the Company’s requirements under Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X.

 
 
 

 
CONDENSED COMBINING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the three months ended March 31, 2010
(in millions)
 
 

 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
 
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
                       
Net sales                                                             
        $522    $1,255        $1,777 
   Cost of products sold, excluding depreciation and amortization
         454    1,029        1,483 
Depreciation and amortization
        10    34        44 
                       
Gross profit
          58    192        250 
                       
Selling and administrative expense
    $2    15    62        79 
Provision for restructuring
                22        22 
   Asset impairments and sales              (1)       (1)
Net interest expense
    21      13    12        46 
Technology royalty
        (7)          
Translation and foreign exchange
              (2)       (2)
                       
Income/(loss) before income taxes
    (23)   37    92        106 
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes
      (9)   24    24        39 
Equity earnings in affiliates
$41    28     28        $(97)    
                       
Net income
41    14    41    68    (97)   67 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
            (26)       (26)
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings
$41    $14    $41    $42    $(97)     $41 




 
29

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 

 

CONDENSED COMBINING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the three months ended March 31, 2009
(in millions)
 
 
 

 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
 
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
                       
Net sales                                                             
          $496      $1,188          $1,684 
   Cost of products sold, excluding depreciation and amortization
           437      955          1,392 
Depreciation and amortization
          11      36          47 
                       
Gross profit
            48      197          245 
                       
Selling and administrative expense
      $  1      34      54          89 
Provision for restructuring
                1          1 
Net interest expense
      9      28      22          59 
Technology royalty
          (10)     10         
Translation and foreign exchange
                4          4 
                       
Income/(loss) before income taxes
      (10)     (4)     106          92 
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes
      (4)     11      17          24 
Equity (loss)/earnings in affiliates
  $40      (6)     55          $(94)     (5)
                       
Net income/(loss)
  40      (12)     40      89      (94)     63 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
              (23)         (23)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Crown Holdings
  $40      $(12)     $ 40      $    66      $(94)     $    40 


 
 

 
30

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 
 
 

 
CONDENSED COMBINING BALANCE SHEET

As of March 31, 2010
(in millions)
 

 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
 
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
Assets                      
Current assets                                                             
                           
   Cash and cash equivalents
    $9    $1    $389        $399 
Receivables, net
        10    1,034        1,044 
   Intercompany receivables           46      15      $(61)    
   Inventories          314     762         1,076 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets  $3     1     40     84         128 
              Total current assets  3     10     411     2,284     (61)    2,647
 
                            
Intercompany debt receivables       1,596      941      259      (2,796)    
Investments
  212    1,059    576          (1,847)      
Goodwill
        453      1,521        1,974 
Property, plant and equipment, net
      291    1,161        1,453 
Other non-current assets
      21    540    155          716 
          Total
  $215      $2,687    $3,212    $5,380      $(4,704)   $6,790 
                       
Liabilities and equity                      
Current liabilities                      
   Short-term debt               $218         $218 
   Current maturities of long-term debt      $4     $1     26         31 
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $8    48    348    1,308        1,712 
Intercompany payables
        15    46      $(61)      
          Total current liabilities
   52    364    1,598    (61)   1,961 
                       
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities       1,716     413     796         2,925 
Long-term interompany debt   171     691     1,206     728     (2,796)    
Postretirement and pension liabilities           732     293         1,025 
Commitments and contingent liabilities           285     163         448 
                       
Noncontrolling interests               395         395 
Crown Holdings shareholders' equity   36    228     212     1,407     (1,847)    36 
Total equity
36    228    212    1,802    (1,847)   431 
                       
              Total
$215    $2,687    $3,212    $5,380    $(4,704)   $6,790 


 

 
 
31

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 

 

CONDENSED COMBINING BALANCE SHEET

As of December 31, 2009
(in millions)
 

 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
 
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
Assets                      
Current assets                                                             
                           
   Cash and cash equivalents
      $27      $1      $431          $459 
Receivables, net
          17      697          714 
   Intercompany receivables           46      10      $(56)    
   Inventories          260     700         960 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets  $2     1     36     70         109 
              Total current assets  2     28     360     1,908     (56)    2,242 
 
                            
Intercompany debt receivables       1,671      1,094      256      (3,021)    
Investments
  174      1,031      572            (1,777)      
Goodwill
          453      1,597          2,050 
Property, plant and equipment, net
      1      295      1,213          1,509 
Other non-current assets
      22      545      164          731 
          Total
  $176      $2,753    $3,319    $5,138      ($4,854)     $6,532 
                       
Liabilities and equity                      
Current liabilities                      
   Short-term debt               $30         $30 
   Current maturities of long-term debt      $4     $1     24         29 
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $21     19      300      1,526          1,866 
Intercompany payables
          10      46      $(56)      
          Total current liabilities
  21      23      311      1,626      (56)    1,925 
                       
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities       1,616     413     710         2,739 
Long-term interompany debt   161     901     1,395     564     (3,021)    
Postretirement and pension liabilities           746     291         1,037 
Commitments and contingent liabilities           280     168         448 
                       
Noncontrolling interests               389         389 
Crown Holdings shareholders' equity/(deficit)   (6)    213     174     1,390     (1,777)    (6)
Total equity/(deficit)
  (6)     213      174      1,779      (1,777)     383 
                       
              Total
  $176   
 $2,753 
    $3,319      $5,138      $(4,854)     $6,532 

 



 
32

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 
 


CONDENSED COMBINING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the three months ended March 31, 2010
(in millions)
 

 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
 
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
                       
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities
  $(7)     $16    $32    $(457)       $(416)
   
                             
Cash flows from investing activities
                             
   Capital expenditures           (6)   (26)         (32)
   Intercompany investing activities      1    11          $(12)     
   Other, net             11        11 
                       
          Net cash provided by/(used for) investing activities          (15)   (12)   (21)
 
                            
Cash flows from financing activities                            
   Proceeds from long-term debt
                   
   Payments of long-term debt
            (17)       (17)
   Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
    100        309        409 
   Net change in long-term intercompany balances  10    (135)   (37)   162         
   Common stock issued
  2                       2 
Common stock repurchased
(5)                     (5)
   Dividends paid                (12)     12     
    Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests              (15)        (15)
   Other              8         8 
                            
          Net cash provided by/(used for) financing activities  7    (35)    (37)   439     12    386 
  
                        
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
             (9)       (9)
         
                     
Net change in cash and cash equivalents        (18)         (42)         (60)
                           
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1       27     1     431         459 
                          
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31
$0    $9    $1    $389    $0    $399 
 
 

 


 
33

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 

 

CONDENSED COMBINING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the three months ended March 31, 2009
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Parent
 
 
Issuer
 
 
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Company
                       
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities
  $(13)     $11    $(26)   $(317)       $(345)
   
                             
Cash flows from investing activities
                             
   Capital expenditures           (6)   (44)         (50)
   Intercompany investing activities         15          $(15)     
                       
          Net cash provided by/(used for) investing activities             (44)   (15)   (50)
 
                            
Cash flows from financing activities                            
   Proceeds from long-term debt
                   
   Payments of long-term debt
             (3)       (3)
   Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
              114        114 
   Net change in long-term intercompany balances  13    (82)   16    53         
   Common stock issued
  3                      3 
Common stock repurchased
 (3)                     (3)
   Dividends paid                (15)     15     
   Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests              (17)        (17)
   Other              19         19 
                            
          Net cash provided by/(used for) financing activities  13    (82)   16    152     15    114 
  
                        
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
             (19)       (19)
         
                     
Net change in cash and cash equivalents        (71)     (1)     (228)         (300)
                           
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1       92      501         596 
                          
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31
$0    $21    $2    $273    $0    $296 

 
 

 
34

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 

 
 
 
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(in millions)


The following discussion presents management’s analysis of the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the corresponding period in 2009 and the changes in financial condition and liquidity from December 31, 2009.  This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, along with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in and referred to within this report.
 
 

The Company’s principal areas of focus include improving segment income and cash flow from operations and reducing debt. See Note M to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding segment income.
 
Improving segment income is primarily dependent on the Company’s ability to increase revenues and manage costs. Key strategies for expanding sales include targeting geographic markets with strong growth potential, such as Asia, the Middle East, South America and Eastern Europe, improving selling prices in certain product lines and developing innovative packaging products using proprietary technology.  The Company’s cost control efforts focus on improving operating efficiencies and managing material and labor costs, including pension and other benefit costs.
 
The reduction of debt remains a principal strategic goal of the Company and is primarily dependent upon the Company’s ability to generate cash flow from operations.  In addition, the Company may consider divestitures from time to time, the proceeds of which may be used to reduce debt.  The Company’s total debt of $3,174 at March 31, 2010 decreased $224 from $3,398 at March 31, 2009, primarily due to repayments of borrowings offset by increases of $55 due to foreign currency translation and $185 due to new accounting guidance related to receivables securitization.  The Company’s cash balances increased from $296 to $399 during the same period, including an increase of $18 due to foreign currency translation.
 
The Company considers possible transactions such as acquisitions (which, if effected, may increase the Company’s indebtedness or involve the issuance of Company securities), dispositions, refinancings or the repurchase of Company common stock pursuant to Board approved repurchase authorizations (under which $467 was available at March 31, 2010). The Company also expects to significantly increase its capital expenditures in 2010, with particular focus on increasing capacity in Asia and Brazil. Such transactions would be subject to compliance with the Company’s debt agreements.
 
The cost of aluminum and steel, the primary raw materials used to manufacture the Company’s products, has been subject to significant volatility in recent years.  The Company attempts to pass-through these increased costs resulting from such volatility to its customers through provisions that adjust the selling prices to certain customers based on changes in the market price of the applicable raw material, or through surcharges where no such provision exists.  The Company recognizes revenue related to its selling price increases when all of the revenue recognition criteria has been met.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to fully recover from its customers the impact of any increased aluminum and steel costs.  In addition, decreased costs resulting from raw material price fluctuations may be passed through to customers, which would in turn result in decreases to the Company’s revenue.  Moreover, future steel supply contracts may provide for prices that fluctuate or adjust rather than provide a fixed price during a one-year period.
 
 
The foreign currency translation impacts referred to below were primarily due to changes in the euro and pound sterling in the European Division operating segments and the Canadian dollar in the Americas Division operating segments.
 
 

 
35

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)

Net Sales
 
Net sales in the first quarter of 2010 were $1,777, an increase of $93 or 5.5% compared to net sales of $1,684 for the same period in 2009.  The increase in net sales in 2010 included, among other items, $79 due to foreign currency translation.  Global beverage can sales increased due to strong unit volume demand in the U.S., Brazil and Asia, which offset the pass-through of lower raw material costs.  Global food can sales decreased due to the pass-through of lower raw material costs.  Sales from U.S. operations accounted for 29.4% of consolidated net sales in the first quarters of 2010 and 2009.  Sales of beverage cans and ends accounted for 50.4% and sales of food cans and ends accounted for 30.7% of consolidated net sales in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 49.6% and 31.7%, respectively, in 2009.
 
Net sales in the Americas Beverage segment increased $71 from $409 in the first quarter of 2009 to $480 in the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to an increase in sales unit volumes and $14 from the impact of foreign currency translation.
 
Net sales in the North America Food segment were unchanged at $197 in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009 as the pass-through of lower raw material costs offset an increase of $5 from the impact of foreign currency translation.
 
Net sales in the European Beverage segment decreased $25 from $339 in the first quarter of 2009 to $314 in the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to the pass-through of lower raw material costs and lower sales unit volumes, partially offset by $15 from the impact of foreign currency translation.
 
Net sales in the European Food segment increased $15 from $389 in the first quarter of 2009 to $404 in the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to $29 from the impact of foreign currency translation, partially offset by the pass-through of lower raw material costs.
 
Net sales in the European Specialty Packaging segment increased $10 from $81 in the first quarter of 2009 to $91 in the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to $5 from the impact of foreign currency translation and an increase in sales unit volumes.
 
 
 Cost of Products Sold (Excluding Depreciation and Amortization)
 
Cost of products sold, excluding depreciation and amortization, was $1,483 for the first quarter of 2010, an increase of $91 compared to $1,392 for the same period in 2009.  The increase is primarily due to higher sales unit volumes and $68 from the impact of foreign currency translation.
 
As a result of steel and aluminum price increases in recent years, the Company has implemented significant price increases to many of its customers.  However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to fully recover from its customers the impact of any price increases or surcharges.  In addition, if the Company is unable to purchase steel or aluminum for a significant period of time, the Company’s operations would be disrupted.
  
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation and amortization was $44 in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $47 in the prior year period, primarily due to lower capital expenditures in recent years.
 
 
Selling and Administrative Expense
 
Selling and administrative expense was $79 in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $89 for the same period in 2009.  The decrease in 2010 primarily reflects a benefit of $20 from the settlement of a legal dispute unrelated to the Company’s ongoing operations, partially offset by other net increases, including $4 due to foreign currency translation.
 
 
 
36

Crown Holdings, Inc.
 

 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
 
 
Provision for Restructuring
 
The provision of $22 in 2010 included $20 related to the closure of a Canadian plant in the Company’s Americas Food segment and $2 for plant maintenance and strip and clean costs from a prior restructuring action.  The charge of $20 included $5 for pension and postretirement plan curtailment charges, $5 for severance costs and $10 for asset writedowns.  The Company expects to incur future additional charges of approximately $17 for pension settlements when the Company receives regulatory approval and settles these obligations.  The total cash cost of the restructuring, including $8 for the settlement of the pension obligation is expected to be $16.  Also, the Company expects to incur future additional charges related to prior restructuring actions in Canada of approximately $33 for pension settlements when the Company receives regulatory approval and settles these obligations and $5 for plant maintenance and strip and clean costs.  The Company expects future cash costs for the settlement of pension obligations related to these prior restructuring actions to be approximately $7.  The Company expects annual savings of approximately $15 when the 2010 actions are fully implemented.
 
The provision of $1 in 2009 related to maintenance and closing costs for a Canadian food can plant that ceased operations in 2008.
 
 
Segment Income
 
As discussed under Note M to the consolidated financial statements, the Company defines segment income as gross profit less selling and administrative expense. See Note M to the consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of segment income to income before income taxes and equity earnings.
 
Segment income in the Americas Beverage segment increased $16 or 39% from $41 in the first quarter of 2009 to $57 in the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to increased sales unit volume in the U.S. and Brazil.
 
Segment income in the North America Food segment decreased $2 or 11.1% from $18 in the first quarter of 2009 to $16 in the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to inventory holding gains from 2009 that did not recur in 2010.
 
Segment income in the European Beverage segment decreased $5 or 8.8% from $57 in the first quarter of 2009 to $52 in the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to inventory holding gains from 2009 that did not recur in 2010, partially offset by $2 from the impact of foreign currency translation.
 
Segment income in the European Food segment decreased $12 or 23.1% from $52 in the first quarter of 2009 to $40 in the first quarter of 2010.  The decrease in 2010 was primarily due to inventory holding gains  in the first quarter of 2009 that did not recur in 2010, partially offset by $4 from the impact of foreign currency translation.
 
Segment income in the European Specialty Packaging segment increased $2 from $1 in the first quarter of 2009 to $3 in the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to increased sales unit volumes.
 
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense decreased $14 from $61 in the first quarter of 2009 to $47 in the first quarter of 2010 due to $13 from lower average debt outstanding and $2 from lower interest rates, partially offset by an increase of $1 from foreign currency translation.
 
 
Taxes on Income
 
The first quarter of 2010 included net tax charges of $39 on pre-tax income of $106 for an effective rate of 36.8%.  The difference of $2 between pre-tax income at the U.S. statutory rate of 35% or $37, and the tax charge of $39, is primarily explained as follows:  $7 of increase to recognize the tax impact of the new U.S. health care legislation and $9 of increase to the valuation allowance in Canada for the tax benefit of current year losses that are not expected to be realized, partially offset by $7 of decrease for the nontaxable settlement benefit of a legal dispute unrelated to the Company’s ongoing operations and $8 of decrease from lower tax rates in non-U.S. jurisdictions.
 
 
 
 
37

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.

 

 Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
 
 
 
Under the new U.S. health care legislation, federal subsidies received by the Company related to payments made for retiree prescription drug benefits must be offset against the Company’s deduction for health care expenses beginning in 2013.  In addition to the one-time charge of $7 to adjust the company’s deferred tax assets, the legislation will increase the Company’s annual tax provision by approximately $2 in 2010.
 
The Company recorded tax expense of $2 in the quarter due to the expiration of a U.S. tax law provision that allowed certain dividends and interest to be paid between affiliated foreign subsidiaries without giving rise to a current tax in the U.S.  If the tax law provision is not reinstated, the Company’s annual tax provision is expected to increase $9 in 2010.
 
The first quarter of 2009 included net tax charges of $24 on pre-tax income of $92 for an effective rate of 26.1%.  The difference of $8 between the pre-tax income at the U.S. statutory rate of 35% or $32, and the tax charge of $24, was primarily due to benefits from lower tax rates in non-U.S. jurisdictions.
 
 
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased from $23 in the first quarter of 2009 to $26 in the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to increased profits in the Company’s Brazilian operations, partially offset by decreased profits in the Company’s Middle East operations.
 
 
 
 
Cash from Operations
 
Cash used by operating activities increased in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to $185 from the change in accounting guidance requiring securitization facilities to be accounted for as secured borrowings, partially offset by lower levels of inventories and accounts payable.
 
 
Investing Activities
 
Cash used by investing activities decreased in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 due to lower capital expenditures of $18 and the receipt of proceeds from the sale of land in the European Food segment of $11 in 2010.  The Company expects its full year capital expenditures to be approximately $300 compared to $180 in 2009, with the difference primarily due to capacity expansion in Asia and Brazil.
 
Financing Activities
 
Cash provided by financing activities increased primarily due to an increase in short term debt arising from the change in accounting guidance for securitization and certain factoring activities in 2010.  Other financing activities of $8 in 2010 and $19 in 2009 represent payments received related to the settlement of foreign currency derivatives used to hedge intercompany debt obligations. Funds provided by financing activities are used to fund operating and investing activities.

 
 
As of March 31, 2010, the Company had $337 of borrowing capacity available under its revolving credit facility, equal to the total facility of $758 less $351 of borrowings and $70 of outstanding standby letters of credit.
 
The Company’s debt agreements contain covenants that provide limits on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional debt, pay dividends or repurchase capital stock, make certain other restricted payments, create liens and engage in sale and leaseback transactions.  These restrictions are subject to a number of exceptions, however, allowing the Company to incur additional debt or make otherwise restricted payments. The Company’s revolving credit facility and first priority term loans also contain various financial covenants.
 
 
 
 
38

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
 
 
Contractual Obligations
 
During the first three months of 2010 there were no material changes to the Company’s contractual obligations reported in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
 
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
The Company has certain guarantees and indemnification agreements that could require the payment of cash upon the occurrence of certain events.  The guarantees and agreements are further discussed under Note J to the consolidated financial statements.
 
The Company also utilizes receivables securitization and factoring facilities and derivative financial instruments as further discussed under Note D and Note G, respectively, to the consolidated financial statements.  As discussed in Note D, the Company changed its accounting for its securitization and factoring facilities in 2010 due to new accounting guidance.
 
 
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
 
Information regarding the Company’s commitments and contingent liabilities appears in Part I within Item 1 of this report under Note J, entitled “Commitments and Contingent Liabilities,” to the consolidated financial statements, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States which require that management make numerous estimates and assumptions.  Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions, impacting the reported results of operations and financial condition of the Company.  Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note A to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 2009 describe the significant accounting estimates and policies used in the preparation of the  consolidated financial statements.  There have been no significant changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies during the first three months of 2010.
 
 
 
Statements included herein in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” including, but not limited to, in the discussions of asbestos in Note I and commitments and contingencies in  Note J to the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and also in Part I, Item 1: “Business” and Item 3: “Legal Proceedings” and in Part II, Item 7: “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, which are not historical facts (including any statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or economic performance, or assumptions related thereto), are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of  the federal  securities laws.  In addition, the Company and its representatives may, from time to time, make oral or written statements which are also “forward-looking statements.”
 
These forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and, therefore, involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Management cautions that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
 
 
 
39

 
Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Continued)
 
 
While the Company periodically reassesses material trends and uncertainties affecting the Company’s results of operations and financial condition in connection with the preparation of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and certain other sections contained in the Company’s quarterly, annual or other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Company does not intend to review or revise any particular forward-looking statement in light of future events.
 
A discussion of important factors that could cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ from expectations has been set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 within Part II, Item 7: “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the caption “Forward Looking Statements” and is incorporated herein by reference.  Some of the factors are also discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and in prior Company filings with the SEC.  In addition, other factors have been or may be discussed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings. 
 
 
In the normal course of business the Company is subject to risk from adverse fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates and commodity prices.  The Company manages these risks through a program that includes the use of derivative financial instruments, primarily swaps and forwards. Counterparties to these contracts are major financial institutions. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties.  These instruments are not used for trading or speculative purposes. The extent to which the Company uses such instruments is dependent upon its access to these contracts in the financial markets and its success in using other methods, such as netting exposures in the same currencies to mitigate foreign exchange risk and using sales arrangements that permit the pass-through of commodity prices and foreign exchange rate risks to customers.  The Company’s objective in managing its exposure to market risk is to limit the impact on earnings and cash flow. For further discussion of the Company’s use of derivative instruments and their fair values at March 31, 2010, see Note G to the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
As of March 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $1.3 billion principal floating interest rate debt. A change of 0.25% in these floating interest rates would change annual interest expense by approximately $3 million before tax.
 
 
 
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation and as of the end of the quarter for which this report is made, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective.  Disclosure controls and procedures ensure that information to be disclosed in reports that the Company files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and terms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
There has been no change in internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.

 
 
 
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 

 
Legal Proceedings
 
For information regarding the Company’s potential asbestos-related liabilities and other litigation, see Note I entitled “Asbestos-Related Liabilities” and Note J entitled “Commitments and Contingent Liabilities,” respectively, to the consolidated financial statements within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors  
 
In addition to factors discussed elsewhere in this report and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the following are some of the important factors that could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
The substantial indebtedness of the Company could prevent it from fulfilling its obligations.

The Company is highly leveraged. As a result of its substantial indebtedness, a significant portion of the Company’s cash flow will be required to pay interest and principal on its outstanding indebtedness, and the Company may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or have future borrowings available under its senior secured credit facilities, to enable it to repay its indebtedness or to fund other liquidity needs. As of March 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $3.2 billion of total indebtedness and total equity of $431 million. The Company’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges was 2.7 times for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, and 3.0 times for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The Company’s €150 million of first priority senior secured notes mature on September 1, 2011 and its $758 million senior secured revolving credit facilities mature on May 15, 2011.  The Company’s $350 million and €276 million senior secured term loan facilities mature on November 15, 2012.  The Company’s $200 million of senior notes mature on November 15, 2013, its $600 million of senior notes mature on November 15, 2015 and its $400 million of senior notes mature on May 15, 2017. In addition, at March 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $50 million and €77 million outstanding under its committed $200 million North American and €120 million European securitization facilities which mature in March 2013 and June 2010, respectively.
 
  The substantial indebtedness of the Company could:
 
    make it more difficult for the Company and its subsidiaries to satisfy their obligations, such as the issuers' obligation to purchase senior secured notes tendered as a result of a change in control of the Company;
     
    increase the Company's vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, including rising interest rates;
     
    restrict the Company from making strategic acquisitions or exploiting business opportunities;
     
    limit the Company's ability to make capital expenditures in order to grow the Company's business or maintain manufacturing plans in good working order and repair;  
     
    limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants under the Company's indebtedness, the Company's ability to obtain additional financing, dispose of assets or pay cash dividends; 
     
    require the Company to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow from operations to service its indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of its cash flow to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, research and development expenditures and other general corporate requirements; 
     
    require the Company to sell assets used in its business; 
     
    limit the Company's ability to refinance its existing indebtedness, particularly during periods of adverse credit market conditions when refinancing indebtedness may not be available under interest rates and other terms acceptable to the Company or at all;  
 
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.

 
 
 
     
    increase the Company's cost of borrowing; 
     
    limit the Company's flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and the industry in which it operates; and 
     
    place the Company at a competitive disadvantage compared to its competitors that have less debt. 
     
 
 
If its financial condition, operating results and liquidity deteriorate, the Company’s creditors may restrict its ability to obtain future financing and its suppliers could require prepayment or cash on delivery rather than extend credit to it. If the Company’s creditors restrict advances, the Company’s ability to generate cash flows from operations sufficient to service its short and long-term debt obligations will be further diminished.  In addition, the Company’s ability to make payments on and refinance its debt and to fund its operations will depend on the Company’s ability to generate cash in the future.
 
Some of the Company’s indebtedness is subject to floating interest rates, which would result in its interest expense increasing if interest rates rise.
 
As of March 31, 2010, approximately $1.3 billion of the Company’s $3.2 billion of total indebtedness was subject to floating interest rates. Changes in economic conditions could result in higher interest rates, thereby increasing the Company’s interest expense and reducing funds available for operations or other purposes. The Company’s annual interest expense was $247 million, $302 million and $318 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Based on the amount of variable rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2009, a 1% increase in variable interest rates would have increased its 2009 annual interest expense by $9 million. Accordingly, the Company may experience economic losses and a negative impact on earnings as a result of interest rate fluctuation.  The actual effect of a 1% increase could be more than $9 million as the Company’s average borrowings on its variable rate debt may be higher during the year than the amount at December 31, 2009.  In addition, the cost of the Company’s securitization facilities would also increase with an increase in floating interest rates.  Although the Company may use interest rate protection agreements from time to time to reduce its exposure to interest rate fluctuations in some cases, it may not elect or have the ability to implement hedges or, if it does implement them, they may not achieve the desired effect. See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in this report.  
  
Notwithstanding the Company’s current indebtedness levels and restrictive covenants, the Company may still be able to incur substantial additional debt or make certain restricted payments, which could exacerbate the risks described above.
 
The Company may be able to incur additional debt in the future, including in connection with acquisitions or joint ventures. Although the Company’s senior secured credit facilities and the indentures governing its outstanding secured and unsecured notes contain restrictions on the Company’s ability to incur indebtedness, those restrictions are subject to a number of exceptions and, under certain circumstances, indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial.  The Company may also consider investments in joint ventures or acquisitions, which may increase the Company’s indebtedness. Moreover, although the Company’s senior secured credit facilities and the indentures governing its outstanding secured and unsecured notes contain restrictions on the Company’s ability to make restricted payments, including the declaration and payment of dividends and the repurchase of the Company’s common stock, the Company is able to make such restricted payments under certain circumstances.   Adding new debt to current debt levels or making otherwise restricted payments could intensify the related risks that the Company and its subsidiaries now face.
 
Restrictive covenants in its debt agreements governing the Company’s current and future indebtedness could restrict the Company’s operating flexibility.
 
The Company’s senior secured credit facilities and the indentures and agreements governing the Company’s outstanding secured and unsecured notes contain affirmative and negative covenants that limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to take certain actions. These restrictions may limit the Company’s ability to operate its businesses and may prohibit or limit its ability to enhance its operations or take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise. The Company’s senior secured credit facilities require the Company to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy other financial conditions. The Company's senior secured credit facilities and the agreements or indentures governing the Company’s outstanding secured and unsecured notes restrict, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the Company and the ability of all or substantially all of its subsidiaries to:
 
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.

 
    incur additional debt 
     
    pay dividends or make other distributions, repurchase capital stock, repurchase subordinated debt and make certain investments or loans;
     
    create liens and engage in sale and leaseback transactions;
     
    create restrictions on the payment of dividends and other amounts to the Company from subsidiaries;
     
    make loans, investments and capital expenditures;  
     
    change accounting treatment and reporting practices; 
     
    enter into agreements restricting the ability of a subsidiary to pay dividends to, make or repay loans to, transfer property to, or guarantee indebtedness of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries; 
     
    sell or acquire assets, enter into leaseback transactions and merge or consolidate with or into other companies; and 
     
    engage in transactions with affiliates. 
 
 
In addition, the indentures and agreements governing the Company’s outstanding unsecured notes limit, among other things, the ability of the Company to enter into certain transactions, such as mergers, consolidations, joint ventures, asset sales, sale and leaseback transactions and the pledging of assets.  
 
Furthermore, if the Company or certain of its subsidiaries experience specific kinds of changes of control, the Company’s senior secured credit facilities are due and payable and the Company must offer to repurchase outstanding notes.
 
The breach of any of these covenants by the Company or the failure by the Company to meet any of these ratios or conditions could result in a default under any or all of such indebtedness. If a default occurs under any such indebtedness, all of the outstanding obligations thereunder could become immediately due and payable, which could result in a default under the Company’s other outstanding debt and could lead to an acceleration of obligations related to other outstanding debt. The ability of the Company to comply with the provisions of the senior secured credit facilities, the agreements or  indentures  governing other  indebtedness it may incur in the future and its outstanding secured and unsecured notes can be affected by events beyond its control and, therefore, it may be unable to meet these ratios and conditions.
 
The Company is subject to the effects of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, which may reduce its net sales and cash flow.
 
The Company is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currencies as a significant portion of its consolidated net sales, its costs, assets and liabilities, are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company derived approximately 72%, 74%, 73% and 71%, respectively, of its consolidated net sales from sales in foreign currencies. In its consolidated financial statements, the Company translates local currency financial results into U.S. dollars based on average exchange rates prevailing during a reporting period.  During times of a strengthening U.S. dollar, its reported international revenue and earnings will be reduced because the local currency will translate into fewer U.S. dollars. Conversely, a weakening U.S. dollar will effectively increase the dollar-equivalent of the Company’s expenses and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.  The Company’s translation and exchange adjustments reduced reported income before tax by $21 million in 2008, $2 million in 2006 and $94 million in 2005, and increased reported income before tax by $2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010, $6 million in 2009 and $9 million in 2007. Although the Company may use financial instruments such as foreign currency forwards from time to time to reduce its exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations in some cases, it may not elect or have the ability to implement hedges or, if it does implement them, they may not achieve the desired effect. For the year-ended December 31, 2009, a $0.10 movement in the U.S. dollar against the Euro (e.g., from 1.40 USD = 1 Euro to 1.30 USD = 1 Euro) would have impacted net income by $12 million.
 
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.
 


The Company’s international operations, which generated approximately 72% of its consolidated net sales in 2009, are subject to various risks that may lead to decreases in its financial results.
 
The Company is an international company and the risks associated with operating in foreign countries may have a negative impact on the Company’s liquidity and net income. The Company’s international operations generated approximately 72%, 74%, 73% and 71% of its consolidated net sales in 2009, 2008, 2007, and the three months ended March 31, 2010, respectively.  In addition, the business strategy of the Company includes continued expansion of international activities, including within developing markets and areas,  such as Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and South  America that may pose greater risk of political or economic instability.  Approximately 26%, 26% and 24% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were generated outside of the developed markets in Western Europe, the United States and Canada.  The Company’s international operations are subject to various risks associated with operating in foreign countries, including:
 
 
    restrictive trade policies;
     
    inconsistent product regulation or policy changes by foreign agencies or governments;
     
    duties, taxes or government royalties, including the imposition or increase of withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by non-U.S. subsidiaries;
     
    customs, import/export and other trade compliance regulations;  
     
    foreign exchange rate risks; 
     
    difficulty in collecting international accounts receivable and potentially longer payment cycles; 
     
    increased costs in maintaining international manufacturing and marketing efforts; 
     
    non-tariff barriers and higher duty rates; 
     
    difficulties associated with expatriating cash generated or held abroad in a tax-efficient manner and changes in tax laws; 
     
    difficulties in enforcement of contractual obligations and intellectual property rights;
     
    exchange controls; 
     
    national and regional labor strikes; 
     
    language and cultural barriers; 
     
    high social benefit costs for labor, including costs associated with restructurings; 
     
    civil unrest or political, social, legal and economic instability; 
     
    product boycotts, including with respect to the products of the Company's multi-national customers; 
     
    customer, supplier and investor concerns regarding operations in areas such as the Middle East; 
     
    taking of property by nationalization or expropriation without fair compensation; 
     
    imposition of limitations on conversions of foreign currencies into dollars or payment of dividends and other payments by non-U.S. subsidiaries; 
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
   ●  hyperinflation and currency devaluation in certain foreign countries where such currency devaluation could affect the amount of cash generated by operations in those countries and thereby affect the Company's ability to satisfy its obligations; and  
     
    war, civil disturbance, global or regional catastrophic events, natural disasters, widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases and acts of terrorism.
 
 
There can be no guarantee that a deterioration of economic conditions in countries in which the Company operates would not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations.
 
The Company’s profits will decline if the price of raw materials or energy rises and it cannot increase the price of its products, and the Company’s financial results could be adversely affected if the Company was not able to obtain sufficient quantities of raw materials.
 
The Company uses various raw materials, such as steel, aluminum, water, natural gas, electricity and other processed energy, in its manufacturing operations. Sufficient quantities of these raw materials may not be available in the future or may be available only at increased prices. The Company's raw material supply contracts vary as to terms and duration, with steel contracts typically one year in duration with fixed prices and aluminum contracts typically multi-year in duration with fluctuating prices based on aluminum ingot costs. The availability of various raw materials and their prices depends on global and local supply and demand forces, governmental regulations (including tariffs), level of production, resource availability, transportation, and other factors.  In particular, in recent years the consolidation of steel suppliers, shortage of raw materials affecting the production of steel and the increased global demand for steel, including in China and other developing countries, have contributed to an overall tighter supply for steel, resulting in increased steel prices and, in some cases, special surcharges and allocated cut backs of products by steel suppliers.  In addition, future steel supply contracts may provide for prices that fluctuate or adjust rather than provide a fixed price during a one-year period.
  
The prices of certain raw materials used by the Company, such as steel, aluminum and processed energy, have historically been subject to volatility. In 2009, consumption of steel and aluminum represented approximately 30% and 33%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated cost of products sold, excluding depreciation and amortization. For 2009, the weighted average market price for steel used in packaging increased approximately 26% and the average price of aluminum ingot on the London Metal Exchange decreased approximately 30%.  As a result of raw material price increases, in 2008 and 2009, the Company implemented price increases in most of its steel and aluminum product categories.  As a result of continuing global supply and demand pressures, other commodity-related costs affecting the Company’s business may increase as well, including natural gas, electricity and freight-related costs.
 
While certain, but not all, of the Company’s contracts pass through raw material costs to customers, the Company may be unable to increase its prices to offset increases in raw material costs without suffering reductions in unit volume, revenue and operating income. In addition, any price increases may take effect after related cost increases, reducing operating income in the near term.  Significant increases in raw material costs may increase the Company’s working capital requirements, which may increase the Company’s average outstanding indebtedness and interest expense and may exceed the amounts available under the Company’s senior secured credit facility and other sources of liquidity.  In addition, the Company hedges raw material costs on behalf of certain customers and may suffer losses if such customers are unable to satisfy their purchase obligations.  If the Company is unable to purchase steel, aluminum or other raw materials for a significant period of time, the Company’s operations would be disrupted and any such disruption may adversely affect the Company’s financial results. If customers believe that the Company’s competitors have greater access to raw materials, perceived certainty of supply at the Company’s competitors may put the Company at a competitive disadvantage regarding pricing and product volumes.  
 
The Company is subject to certain restrictions that may limit its ability to make payments on its debt out of the cash reserves shown in its consolidated financial statements.
 
The ability of the Company’s subsidiaries and joint ventures to pay dividends, make distributions, provide loans or make other payments to the Company may be restricted by applicable state and foreign laws, potentially adverse tax consequences and their agreements, including agreements governing their debt. In addition, the equity interests of the Company’s joint venture partners or other shareholders in its non-wholly owned subsidiaries in any dividend or other distribution made by these entities would need to be satisfied on a proportionate basis with the Company. As a result, the Company may not be able to access their cash flow to service its debt and the Company cannot assure you that the amount of cash and cash flow reflected on the Company’s financial statements will be fully available to the Company.
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.

 

 
Pending and future asbestos litigation and payments to settle asbestos-related claims could reduce the Company’s cash flow and negatively impact its financial condition.
 
Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Crown Cork”), is one of many defendants in a substantial number of lawsuits filed throughout the United States by persons alleging bodily injury as a result of exposure to asbestos. In 1963, Crown Cork acquired a subsidiary that had two operating businesses, one of which is alleged to have manufactured asbestos-containing insulation products. Crown Cork believes that the business ceased manufacturing such products in 1963.
 
The Company recorded pre-tax charges of $55 million, $25 million, $29 million, $10 million and $10 million to increase its accrual for asbestos-related liabilities in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As of March 31, 2010, Crown Cork’s accrual for pending and future asbestos-related claims was $226 million. Crown Cork’s accrual includes estimates for probable costs for claims through the year 2019.  Potential estimated additional claims costs of $38 million beyond 2019 have not been included in the Company’s liability, as the Company believes cost projections beyond ten years are inherently unreliable due to potential changes in the litigation environment and other factors whose impact cannot be known or reasonably estimated.  Assumptions underlying the accrual include that claims for exposure to  asbestos that occurred  after the sale of the subsidiary’s insulation business in 1964 would not be entitled to settlement payouts and that the state statutes described under Note I to the consolidated financial statements included in this report are expected to have a highly favorable impact on Crown Cork’s ability to settle or defend against asbestos-related claims in those states and other states where Pennsylvania law may apply.
  
Crown Cork made cash payments of $4 million, $26 million, $25 million, $26 million, $26 million and $29 million in the first three months of 2010 and in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, for asbestos-related claims. These payments have reduced and any such future payments will reduce the cash flow available to Crown Cork for its business operations and debt payments.
 
Asbestos-related payments and defense costs may be significantly higher than those estimated by Crown Cork because the outcome of this type of litigation (and, therefore, Crown Cork’s reserve) is subject to a number of assumptions and uncertainties, such as the number or size of asbestos-related claims or settlements, the number of financially viable responsible parties, the extent to which the state statutes relating to asbestos liability are upheld and/or applied by the courts, Crown Cork’s ability to obtain resolution without payment of asbestos-related claims by persons alleging first exposure to asbestos after 1964, and the potential impact of any pending or future asbestos-related legislation. Accordingly, Crown Cork may be required to make payments for claims substantially in excess of its accrual, which could reduce the Company’s cash flow and  impair  its  ability  to  satisfy  its  obligations.  As a result of the uncertainties regarding its  asbestos-related liabilities and its reduced cash flow, the ability of the Company to raise new money in the capital markets is more difficult and more costly, and the Company may not be able to access the capital markets in the future.  Further information regarding Crown Cork’s asbestos-related liabilities is presented within “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the headings, “Provision for Asbestos” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” and under Note K to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.  
 
The Company has significant pension plan obligations worldwide and significant unfunded  postretirement obligations, which could reduce its cash flow and negatively impact its results of operations and its financial condition.
 
The Company sponsors various pension plans worldwide, with the largest funded plans in the U.K., U.S. and Canada. In 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company contributed $74 million, $71 million, $65 million, $90 million and $401 million, respectively, to its pension plans and currently anticipates its 2010 funding to be approximately $75 million (including $15 million contributed as of March 31, 2010, and $60 million expected to be contributed in the remainder of 2010). Pension expense in 2010 is expected to decrease to approximately $115 million from $130 million in 2009.  A 0.25% change in the 2010 expected rate of return assumptions would change 2010 pension expense by approximately $9 million. A 0.25% change in the discount rates assumptions as of December 31, 2009 would change 2010 pension expense by approximately $5 million.  The Company may be required to accelerate the timing of its contributions under its pension plans.  The actual impact of any accelerated funding will depend upon the interest rates required for determining the plan liabilities and the investment performance of plan assets. An acceleration in the timing of pension plan contributions could decrease the Company's cash available to pay its outstanding obligations and its net income.
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.

 


Based on current assumptions, the Company has no minimum U.S. pension funding requirement in calendar year 2010 for its funded plan, but expects to make contributions of approximately $22 million, including $20 million to its funded plan and $2 million related to its supplemental executive retirement plan.  The difference between pension plan obligations and assets, or the funded status of the plans, significantly affects the net periodic benefit costs of the Company’s pension plans and the ongoing funding requirements of those plans.  Among other factors, significant volatility in the equity markets and in the value of illiquid alternative investments, changes in discount rates, investment returns and the market value of plan assets can substantially increase the Company’s future pension plan funding requirements.  A significant increase in the Company’s funding requirements could have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations and profitability.  See Note V to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for further detail.
 
The Company’s U.S. pension plan was underfunded on a termination basis by approximately $497 million as of December 31, 2009. While its U.S. pension plan continues in effect, the Company continues to incur additional pension obligations. The Company’s pension plan assets consist primarily of common stocks and fixed income securities and also include alternative investments such as interests in private equity or hedge funds. If the performance of investments in the plan does not meet the Company’s assumptions, the underfunding of the pension plan may increase, the Company may have to contribute additional funds to the pension plan, and its pension expense may increase. In addition, its retiree medical plans are unfunded.  
 
The Company’s U.S. pension plan is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA. Under ERISA, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or PBGC, has the authority to terminate an underfunded plan under certain circumstances. In the event its U.S. pension plan is terminated for any reason while the plan is underfunded, the Company will incur a liability to the PBGC that may be equal to the entire amount of the underfunding. In addition, as of December 31, 2009, the unfunded accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, as calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, for retiree medical benefits was approximately $511 million, based on assumptions set forth under Note V to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Acquisitions or investments that the Company may pursue could be unsuccessful, consume significant resources and require the incurrence of additional indebtedness.
 
The Company may pursue acquisitions of companies and investments that complement its existing businesses. These acquisitions and investments may involve significant cash expenditures, debt incurrence (including the incurrence of additional indebtedness under the Company’s revolving credit facilities or other secured or unsecured debt), operating losses and expenses that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition and operating results.
 
In particular, if the Company incurs additional debt, the Company’s liquidity and financial stability could be impaired as a result of using a significant portion of available cash or borrowing capacity to finance an acquisition. Moreover, the Company may face an increase in interest expense or financial leverage if additional debt is incurred to finance an acquisition, which may, among other things, adversely affect the Company’s various financial ratios and the Company’s compliance with the conditions of its existing indebtedness. In addition, such additional indebtedness may be incurred under the Company’s existing senior secured credit facility or otherwise secured by liens on the Company’s assets.
 
Acquisitions involve numerous other risks, including:
 
    diversion of management time and attention;
     
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
    failures to identify material problems and liabilities of acquisition targets or to obtain sufficient indemnification rights to fully offset possible liabilities related to the acquired businesses;  
     
    difficulties integrating the operations, technologies and personnel of the acquired businesses; 
     
    inefficiencies and complexities that may arise due to unfamiliarity with new assets, businesses or markets;
     
    disruptions to the Company's ongoing business;
     
    inaccurate estimates of fair value made in the accounting for acquisitions and amortization of acquired intangible assets which would reduce future reported earnings;
     
    the inability to obtain required financing for the new acquisition or investment opportunities and the Company's existing business;
     
    potential loss of key employees, contractual relationships, suppliers or customers of the acquired businesses or of the Company; and  
     
    inability to obtain required regulatory approvals.
  
 
To the extent the Company pursues an acquisition that causes it to incur unexpected costs or that fails to generate expected returns, the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows may be adversely affected, and the Company’s ability to service its indebtedness may be negatively impacted.
 
The Company’s principal markets may be subject to overcapacity and intense competition, which could reduce the Company’s net sales and net income.
 
Food and beverage cans are standardized products, allowing for relatively little differentiation among competitors. This could lead to overcapacity and price competition among food and beverage can producers, if capacity growth outpaced the growth in demand for food and beverage cans and overall manufacturing capacity exceeded demand.  These market conditions could reduce product prices and contribute to declining revenue and net income and increasing debt balances.  As a result of industry overcapacity and price competition, the Company may not be able to increase prices sufficiently to offset higher costs or to generate sufficient cash flow. The North American food and beverage can market, in particular, is considered to be a mature market, characterized by slow growth and a sophisticated distribution system.
 
Competitive pricing pressures, overcapacity, the failure to develop new product designs and technologies for products, as well as other factors could cause the Company to lose existing business or opportunities to generate new business and could result in decreased cash flow and net income.
 
The Company is subject to competition from substitute products and decreases in demand for its products , which could result in lower profits and reduced cash flows.
 
The Company is subject to substantial competition from producers of alternative packaging made from glass, cardboard, flexible materials and plastic.  The Company’s sales depend heavily on the volumes of sales by the Company’s customers in the food and beverage markets. Changes in preferences for products and packaging by consumers of prepackaged food and beverage cans can significantly influence the Company’s sales. Changes in packaging by the Company’s customers may require the Company to re-tool manufacturing operations, which could require material expenditures. In addition, a decrease in the costs of, or a further increase in consumer demand for, alternative packaging could result in lower profits and reduced cash flows for the Company.  For example, increases in the price of aluminum and steel and decreases in the price of plastic resin, which is a petrochemical product and may fluctuate with prices in the oil and gas market, may increase substitution of plastic food and beverage containers for metal containers or increases in the price of steel may increase substitution of aluminum packaging for aerosol products. Moreover, due to its high percentage of fixed costs, the Company may be unable to maintain its gross margin at past levels if it is not able to achieve high capacity utilization rates for its production equipment. In periods of low world-wide demand for its products, the Company experiences relatively low capacity utilization rates in its operations, which can lead to reduced margins during that period and can have an adverse effect on the Company’s business.
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 

The loss of a major customer and/or customer consolidation could reduce the Company’s net sales and profitability.
 
Many of the Company’s largest customers have acquired companies with similar or complementary product lines.  This consolidation has increased the concentration of the Company’s business with its largest customers. In many cases, such consolidation has been accompanied by pressure from customers for lower prices, reflecting the increase in the total volume of product purchased or the elimination of a price differential between the acquiring customer and the company acquired. Increased pricing pressures from the Company’s customers may reduce the Company’s net sales and net income. The majority of the Company’s sales are to companies that have leading market positions in the sale of packaged food, beverages and aerosol products to consumers. Although no one customer accounted for more than 10% of its net sales in 2009, 2008 or 2007, the loss of any of its major customers, a reduction in the purchasing levels of these customers or an adverse change in the terms of supply agreements with these customers could reduce the Company’s net sales and net income. A continued consolidation of the Company’s customers could exacerbate any such loss.
 
The Company’s business is seasonal and weather conditions could reduce the Company’s net sales.
 
The Company manufactures packaging primarily for the food and beverage can market. Its sales can be affected by weather conditions. Due principally to the seasonal nature of the soft drink, brewing, iced tea and other beverage industries, in which demand is stronger during the summer months, sales of the Company’s products have varied and are expected to vary by quarter. Shipments in the U.S. and Europe are typically greater in the second and third quarters of the year. Unseasonably cool weather can reduce consumer demand for certain beverages packaged in its containers. In addition, poor weather conditions that reduce crop yields of packaged foods can decrease customer demand for its food containers.
 
The Company is subject to costs and liabilities related to stringent environmental and health and safety standards.
 
Laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and health and safety may increase the Company’s costs of operating and reduce its profitability. The Company’s operations are subject to numerous U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment, including those relating to treatment, storage and disposal of waste, the use of chemicals in the Company’s products and manufacturing process, discharges into water, emissions into the atmosphere, remediation of soil and groundwater contamination and protection of employee health and safety. Future regulations may impose stricter environmental requirements affecting the Company’s operations or may impose additional requirements regarding consumer health and safety, such as potential restrictions on the use of bisphenol-A, which is used in the lining of food and beverage cans. Although the U.S. FDA currently permits the use of bisphenol-A in food packaging materials and confirmed in a January 2010 update that studies employing standardized toxicity tests have supported the safety of current low levels of human exposure to bisphenol-A, the FDA in that January 2010 update noted that exposure to the chemical is of “some concern” for infants and children and more research was needed, and further suggested reasonable steps to reduce exposure to bisphenol-A. The U.S. EPA recently issued an action plan for bisphenol-A, which includes, among other things, consideration of whether to add bisphenol-A to the chemical concern list on the basis of potential environmental effects and use of the EPA’s Design for the Environment program to encourage reductions in bisphenol-A manufacturing and use. Moreover, certain U.S. Congressional bodies, states and municipalities, as well as certain foreign nations, have either proposed or already passed legislation banning the use of bisphenol-A in certain products or requiring warnings regarding bisphenol-A. Further, the U.S. or additional international, federal, state or other regulatory authorities could prohibit the use of bisphenol-A in the future. In addition, recent public reports and allegations regarding the potential health hazards of bisphenol-A could contribute to a perceived safety risk about the Company’s products and adversely impact sales or otherwise disrupt the Company’s business. While the Company is exploring various alternatives to the use of bisphenol-A, there can be no assurance the Company will be successful in its efforts or that the alternative will not be more costly to the Company.
 
Also, for example, future restrictions in some jurisdictions on air emissions of volatile organic compounds and the use of certain paint and lacquering ingredients may require the Company to employ additional control equipment or process modifications. The Company’s operations and properties, both in the U.S. and abroad, must comply with these laws and regulations. In addition, a number of governmental authorities in the U.S. and abroad have introduced or are contemplating enacting legal requirements, including emissions limitations, cap and trade systems or mandated changes in energy consumption, in response to the potential impacts of climate change. Given the wide range of potential future climate change regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, the potential impact to the Company’s operations is uncertain. In addition, the potential impact of climate change on the Company’s operations is highly uncertain. The impact of climate change may vary by geographic location and other circumstances, including weather patterns and any impact to natural resources such as water.
 
A number of governmental authorities both in the U.S. and abroad also have enacted, or are considering, legal requirements relating to product stewardship, including mandating recycling, the use of recycled materials and/or limitations on certain kinds of packaging materials such as plastics. In addition, some companies with packaging needs have responded to such developments, and/or to perceived environmental concerns of consumers, by using containers made in whole or in part of recycled materials. Such developments may reduce the demand for some of the Company’s products, and/or increase its costs. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Position—Environmental Matters” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
Also, for example, future restrictions in some jurisdictions on air emissions of volatile organic compounds and the use of certain paint and lacquering ingredients may require the Company to employ additional control equipment or process modifications. The Company’s operations and properties, both in the U.S. and abroad, must comply with these laws and regulations. In addition, a number of governmental authorities in the U.S. and abroad have introduced or are contemplating enacting legal requirements, including emissions limitations, cap and trade systems or mandated changes in energy consumption, in response to the potential impacts of climate change. Given the wide range of potential future climate change regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, the potential impact to the Company’s operations is uncertain. In addition, the potential impact of climate change on the Company’s operations is highly uncertain. The impact of climate change may vary by geographic location and other circumstances, including weather patterns and any impact to natural resources such as water.
 
A number of governmental authorities both in the U.S. and abroad also have enacted, or are considering, legal requirements relating to product stewardship, including mandating recycling, the use of recycled materials and/or limitations on certain kinds of packaging materials such as plastics. In addition, some companies with packaging needs have responded to such developments, and/or to perceived environmental concerns of consumers, by using containers made in whole or in part of recycled materials. Such developments may reduce the demand for some of the Company’s products, and/or increase its costs. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Position—Environmental Matters” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
The Company has written down a significant amount of goodwill, and a further write down of goodwill would result in lower reported net income and a reduction of its net worth.
 
During 2007, the Company recorded a charge of $103 million to write down the value of goodwill in its European Closures reporting unit due to a decrease in projected operating results. Further impairment of the Company’s goodwill would require additional write down of goodwill, which would reduce the Company’s net income in the period of any such write down. At March 31, 2010, the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill was approximately $2 billion.  The Company is required to evaluate goodwill reflected on its balance sheet at least annually, or when circumstances indicate a potential impairment. If it determines that the goodwill is impaired, the Company would be required to write off a portion or all of the goodwill.
 
If the Company fails to retain key management and personnel the Company may be unable to implement its business plan.
 
Members of the Company’s senior management have extensive industry experience, and it would be difficult to find new personnel with comparable experience. Because the Company’s business is highly specialized, we believe that it would also be difficult to replace the Company’s key technical personnel. The Company believes that its future success depends, in large part, on its experienced senior management team. Losing the services of key members of its management team could limit the Company’s ability to implement its business plan. In addition, under the Company’s unfunded Senior Executive Retirement Plan certain members of senior management are entitled to lump sum payments upon retirement or other termination of employment and a lump sum death benefit of five times the annual retirement benefit.
 
A significant portion of the Company’s workforce is unionized and labor disruptions could increase the Company’s costs and prevent the Company from supplying its customers.
 
A significant portion of the Company’s workforce is unionized and a prolonged work stoppage or strike at any facility with unionized employees could increase its costs and prevent the Company from supplying its customers. In addition, upon the expiration of existing collective bargaining agreements, the Company may not reach new agreements without union action and any such new agreements may not be on terms satisfactory to the Company.  Moreover, additional groups of currently non-unionized employees may seek union representation in the future. If the Company is unable to negotiate acceptable collective bargaining agreements, the Company may become subject to union-initiated work stoppages, including strikes. Additionally, as was expected, the Employee Free Choice Act, which was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2007, was reintroduced in the new Congress in 2009. If reintroduced and enacted in its most recent form, the Employee Free Choice Act could make it significantly easier for union organizing drives to be successful. The Employee Free Choice Act could also give third-party arbitrators the ability to impose terms, which may be harmful to the Company, of collective bargaining agreements upon the Company and a labor union if the Company and such union are unable to agree to the terms of an initial collective bargaining agreement and could increase the penalties the Company may incur if it engages in labor practices in violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.


 
 
Failure by the Company's joint venture partners to observe their obligations could adversely affect the business and operations of the joint ventures and, in turn, the business and operations of the Company.
 
A portion of the Company’s operations, including certain joint venture beverage can operations in Asia, the Middle East and South America, is conducted through certain joint ventures. The Company participates in these ventures with third parties.  In the event that the Company’s joint venture partners do not observe their obligations, it is possible that the affected joint venture would not be able to operate in accordance with its business plans or that the Company would have to increase its level of commitment to the joint venture.  
 
If the Company fails to maintain an effective system of internal control, the Company may not be able to accurately report financial results or prevent fraud.
 
Effective internal controls are necessary to provide reliable financial reports and to assist in the effective prevention of fraud. Any inability to provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud could harm the Company’s business. The Company must annually evaluate its internal procedures to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires management and auditors to assess the effectiveness of internal controls. If the Company fails to remedy or maintain the adequacy of its internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, the Company could be subject to regulatory scrutiny, civil or criminal penalties or shareholder litigation.
 
In addition, failure to maintain adequate internal controls could result in financial statements that do not accurately reflect the Company’s financial condition. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to complete the work necessary to fully comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or that the Company’s management and external auditors will continue to conclude that the Company’s internal controls are effective.
 
The Company is subject to litigation risks which could negatively impact its operations and net income.
 
The Company is subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to matters such as governmental, environmental and employee benefits laws and regulations, securities, labor, and actions arising out of the normal course of business, in addition to asbestos-related litigation described under the risk factor titled “Pending and future asbestos litigation and payments to settle asbestos-related claims could reduce the  Company’s cash flow and negatively impact its financial condition.”  The Company is currently unable to determine the total expense or possible loss, if any, that may ultimately be incurred in the resolution of such legal proceedings. Regardless of the ultimate outcome of such legal proceedings, they could result in significant diversion of time by the Company’s management. The results of the Company’s pending legal proceedings, including any potential settlements, are uncertain and the outcome of these disputes may decrease its cash available for operations and investment, restrict its operations or otherwise negatively impact its business, operating results, financial condition and cash flow.
 
The recent global credit and financial crisis could have adverse effects on the Company.
 
The recent global credit and financial crisis could have significant adverse effects on the Company’s operations, including as a result of any the following:
 
   
downturns in the business or financial condition of any of the Company’s key customers or suppliers, potentially resulting in customers’ inability to pay the Company’s invoices as they become due or at all;
     
   
potential losses associated with hedging activity by the Company for the benefit of the Company’s customers, or cost impacts of changing suppliers;
 
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
     
   
a fall in the fair value of the Company’s pension assets, potentially requiring the Company to make significant additional contributions to its pension plans to meet prescribed funding levels;
     
   
the deterioration of any of the lending parties under the Company’s revolving credit facility or the creditworthiness of the counterparties to the Company’s derivative transactions, which could result in such parties failure to satisfy their obligations under their arrangements with the Company;
     
   
noncompliance with the covenants under the Company’s indebtedness as a result of a weakening of the Company’s financial position or results of operations; and
     
   
the lack of currently available funding sources, which could have a negative impact upon the liquidity of the Company as well as that of its customers and suppliers. 
     
 
 
The Company relies on its information technology and the failure or disruption of its information technology could disrupt its operations and adversely affect its results of operations.
 
The Company's business increasingly relies on the successful and uninterrupted functioning of its information technology systems to process, transmit, and store electronic information.  A significant portion of the communication between the Company's personnel, customers, and suppliers depends on information technology. As with all large systems, the Company’s information technology systems could fail on their own accord or may be vulnerable to a variety of interruptions due to events beyond the Company’s control, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, hackers or other security issues.
 
The concentration of processes in shared services centers means that any disruption could impact a large portion of the Company’s business within the operating zones served by the affected service center. If the Company does not allocate, and effectively manage, the resources necessary to build and sustain the proper technology infrastructure, the Company could be subject to transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, loss of customers, business disruptions, or the loss of or damage to intellectual property through security breach. The Company’s information technology system could also be penetrated by outside parties intent on extracting information, corrupting information or disrupting business processes. Failure or disruption of these systems, or the back-up systems, for any reason could disrupt the Company’s operations and negatively impact the Company’s cash flows or financial condition.
 
Potential U.S. tax law changes could increase the Company’s U.S. tax expense on its overseas earnings which could have a negative impact on its after-tax income and cash flow.
 
President Obama’s Budget of the United States Government for 2011 indicates that legislative proposals will be made to reform the deferral of U.S. taxes on non-U.S. earnings, potentially significantly changing the timing and extent of taxation on the Company’s unrepatriated non-U.S earnings. These reforms will include, among other items, a proposal to further limit foreign tax credits and a proposal to defer interest expense deductions allocable to non-U.S earnings until earnings are repatriated. The proposal to defer interest expense deductions could result in the Company not being able to currently deduct a significant portion of its interest expense. The proposal to defer tax deductions allocable to unrepatriated non-U.S. earnings has been set out in various draft Congressional legislative proposals in recent years which were not enacted, and at this juncture it is unclear whether these proposed tax revisions will be enacted, or, if enacted, what the precise scope of the revisions will be. However, depending on their content, such proposals could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s after-tax income and cash flow.
 
Changes in accounting standards, taxation requirements and other law could negatively affect the Company’s financial results.
 
New accounting standards or pronouncements that may become applicable to the Company from time to time, or changes in the interpretation of existing standards and pronouncements, could have a significant effect on the Company’s reported results for the affected periods. The Company is also subject to income tax in the numerous jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Increases in income tax rates or other changes to tax laws could reduce the Company’s after-tax income from affected jurisdictions or otherwise affect the Company’s tax liability.  In addition, the Company’s products are subject to import and excise duties and/or sales or value-added taxes in many jurisdictions in which it operates. Increases in indirect taxes could affect the Company’s products’ affordability and therefore reduce demand for its products.  
 
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
The Company may experience significant negative effects to its business as a result of new federal, state or local taxes, increases to current taxes or other governmental regulations specifically targeted to decrease the consumption of certain types of beverages.
 
Public health officials and government officials have become increasingly concerned about the public health consequences associated with over-consumption of certain types of beverages, such as sugar beverages and including those sold by certain of our significant customers. Possible new federal, state or local taxes, increases to current taxes or other governmental regulations specifically targeted to decrease the consumption of these beverages may significantly reduce demand for the beverages of the Company’s customers, which could in turn affect demand of the Company’s customers for the Company’s products. For example, in 2009 some members of the U.S. Congress raised the possibility of a federal tax on the sale of certain sugar beverages, including non-diet soft drinks, fruit drinks, teas and flavored waters. Some state governments are also considering similar taxes. If enacted, such taxes could materially affect the Company’s business and financial results.
 
The Company’s senior secured credit facilities provide that certain change of control events constitute an event of default. In the event of a change of control, the Company may not be able to satisfy all of its obligations under the senior secured credit facilities, or other indebtedness.
 
The Company may not have sufficient assets or be able to obtain sufficient third party financing on favorable terms to satisfy all of its obligations under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities or other indebtedness in the event of a change of control. The Company’s senior secured credit facilities provide that certain change of control events constitute an event of default under such senior secured credit facilities. Such an event of default entitles the lenders thereunder to, among other things, cause all outstanding debt obligations under the senior secured credit facilities to become due and payable and to proceed against the collateral securing such senior secured credit facilities. Any event of default or acceleration of the senior secured credit facilities will likely also cause a default under the terms of other indebtedness of the Company.
 
The loss of the Company’s intellectual property rights may negatively impact its ability to compete.
 
If the Company is unable to maintain the proprietary nature of its technologies, its competitors may use the Company’s technologies to compete with it.  The Company has a number of patents covering various aspects of its products, including its SuperEnd® beverage can end, whose primary patent expires in 2016, Easylift™ full aperture steel food can ends, PeelSeam™ flexible lidding and Ideal™ product line. The Company’s patents may not withstand challenge in litigation, and patents do not ensure that competitors will not develop competing products or infringe upon the Company’s patents.  Moreover, the costs of litigation to defend the Company’s patents  could be substantial and may outweigh the benefits of enforcing its rights under its patents. The Company markets its products internationally and the patent laws of foreign countries may offer less protection than the patent laws of the United States. Not all of the Company’s domestic patents have been registered in other countries.   The Company also relies on trade secrets, know-how and other unpatented proprietary technology, and others may independently develop the same or similar technology or otherwise obtain access to the Company’s unpatented technology.  In addition, the Company has from time to time received letters from third parties suggesting that it may be infringing on their intellectual property rights, and third parties may bring infringement suits against the Company, which could result in the Company needing to seek licenses from these third parties or refraining altogether from use of the claimed technology.
 
 
 
Item 2.    Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
The Company made no purchases of its equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
 
On February 28, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock from time to time through December 31, 2010, in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, subject to the terms of the Company’s debt agreements, market conditions, the Company’s ability to generate operating cash flow, alternative uses of operating cash flow (including the reduction of indebtedness) and other factors.  This authorization replaces and supersedes all previous outstanding authorizations to repurchase shares.  The Company is not obligated to acquire any shares of common stock and the share repurchase plan may be suspended or terminated at any time at the Company’s discretion.  The repurchased shares are expected to be used for the Company’s stock-based benefit plans, as required, and for other general corporate purposes.  As of March 31, 2010, $467 million of shares may yet be repurchased under this authorization.
 
 
 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
(Removed and Reserved.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
None.
 
 
 
Exhibits
 
a)
 
 
10.1  Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2010, Among Crown Cork & Seal Receivables (DE) Corporation, as the seller, Crown Cork & Seal USA, Inc., as the servicer, Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A.  "Rabobank Nederland", New York Branch, as administrative agent, and the conduit purchasers, alternate purchasers, facility agents party thereto from time to time.
     
  10.2  Parent Undertaking Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2010, made by Crown Holdings, Inc., Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc. and Crown International Holdings, Inc. in favor of the purchasers, the facility agents and Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A.  "Rabobank Nederland", New York Branch, as administrative agent. 
     
  10.3  Third Amended and Reststated Receivables Sale Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2010, among Crown Cork and Seal USA, Inc., as a seller and the servicer, CROWN Metal packaging Canada LP, as a seller, and Crown Cork & Seal Receivables (DE) Corporation, as the buyer. 
 
     
  31.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
     
  31.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
     
  32.  Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, executed by John W. Conway, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crown Holdings, Inc. and Timothy J. Donahue, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Crown Holdings, Inc.
 

 
 
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Crown Holdings, Inc.
 
 


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.


Crown Holdings, Inc.
Registrant

By:    /s/ Kevin C. Clothier
Kevin C. Clothier
                      Vice President and Corporate Controller


Date:  May 10, 2010



 
 
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