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EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Tower International, Inc.v416023_ex31-2.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - Tower International, Inc.v416023_ex32-2.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Tower International, Inc.v416023_ex31-1.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Tower International, Inc.v416023_ex32-1.htm

 

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015
  OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the transition period from ____________________ to_____________________

 

Commission file number 001-34903

 

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 27-3679414
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   

17672 Laurel Park Drive North

Suite 400 E

 

48152

Livonia, Michigan (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)  

 

(248) 675-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes þ  No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes þ  No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12(b)-2 of the Securities and Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated Filer þ Accelerated Filer ¨ Non-Accelerated Filer ¨ Smaller Reporting Company ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12(b)-2 of the Securities and Exchange Act).

 

Yes ¨  No þ

 

As of July 27, 2015, there were 21,106,778 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.

 

 

 

 
 

  

Tower International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Form 10-Q

 

Table of Contents

 

  Page
PART I.  Financial Information  
       
Item 1.   Financial Statements (unaudited):  
       
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 1
       
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and  Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 2
     
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income / (Loss) for the Three and Six Months Ended June  30, 2015 and 2014 3
     
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 4
     
    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 5
       
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 25
       
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 39
       
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures 41
   
PART II.  Other Information  
       

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors 42
       
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 42
       
Item 6.   Exhibits 43
       
Signatures  

  

44

 

 
 

 

PART 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements.

 

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands, except share data - unaudited)

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2015   2014 
           
ASSETS          
Cash and cash equivalents  $136,002   $148,561 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,404 and $1,181   274,501    230,377 
Inventories (Note 3)   71,497    69,775 
Deferred tax asset - current   6,571    6,900 
Assets held for sale (Note 4)   128,579    141,295 
Prepaid tooling, notes receivable, and other   67,264    41,986 
Total current assets   684,414    638,894 
           
Property, plant, and equipment, net   426,342    451,126 
Goodwill (Note 6)   52,202    56,691 
Investment in joint venture   7,567    7,752 
Deferred tax asset - non-current   3,622    3,608 
Other assets, net   10,996    12,969 
Total assets  $1,185,143   $1,171,040 
           
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY          
Short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations (Note 8)  $36,415   $31,139 
Accounts payable   286,619    257,011 
Accrued liabilities   98,831    105,772 
Liabilities held for sale (Note 4)   56,854    67,707 
Total current liabilities   478,719    461,629 
           
Long-term debt, net of current maturities (Note 8)   416,767    445,303 
Obligations under capital leases, net of current maturities (Note 8)   6,633    7,740 
Deferred tax liability - non-current   12,087    12,972 
Pension liability (Note 11)   62,359    68,637 
Other non-current liabilities   89,801    74,981 
Total non-current liabilities   587,647    609,633 
Total liabilities   1,066,366    1,071,262 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)          
           
Stockholders' equity:          
Tower International, Inc.'s stockholders' equity          
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 authorized and 0 issued and outstanding   -    - 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 350,000,000 authorized, 21,998,972 issued and 21,106,826 outstanding at June 30, 2015 and  21,393,592 issued and 20,752,226 outstanding at December 31, 2014   220    214 
Additional paid in capital   336,781    335,338 
Treasury stock, at cost, 892,146 and 641,366 shares as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014   (16,065)   (9,516)
Accumulated deficit   (203,277)   (235,971)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 12)   (56,054)   (46,914)
Total Tower International, Inc.'s stockholders' equity   61,605    43,151 
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries (Note 12)   57,172    56,627 
Total stockholders' equity   118,777    99,778 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $1,185,143   $1,171,040 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

1
 

  

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts - unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
                 
Revenues  $490,268   $548,467   $986,896   $1,067,730 
Cost of sales   427,948    486,118    868,086    944,592 
Gross profit   62,320    62,349    118,810    123,138 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses   31,796    31,606    63,328    65,711 
Amortization expense (Note 6)   -    667    -    1,324 
Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net (Note 7)   5,493    4,716    6,524    6,105 
Operating income   25,031    25,360    48,958    49,998 
Interest expense   4,001    7,337    11,851    14,505 
Interest income   101    133    226    265 
Other expense   -    -    -    87 
Income before provision for income taxes and equity in profit of joint venture   21,131    18,156    37,333    35,671 
Provision for income taxes (Note 10)   2,374    2,661    4,473    5,495 
Equity in loss of joint venture, net of tax   (283)   (222)   (189)   (381)
Income from continuing operations   18,474    15,273    32,671    29,795 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (Note 4)   665    1,677    589    2,433 
Net income   19,139    16,950    33,260    32,228 
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests   493    854    573    1,277 
Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.  $18,646   $16,096   $32,687   $30,951 
                     
Weighted average basic shares outstanding   21,104,735    20,651,097    21,077,633    20,582,140 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding   21,403,354    21,373,867    21,382,041    21,318,515 
                     
Basic income per share attributable to Tower International, Inc.:                    
Income per share from continuing operations (Note 13)  $0.85   $0.70   $1.52   $1.39 
Income per share from discontinued operations (Note 13)   0.03    0.08    0.03    0.11 
Income per share (Note 13)   0.88    0.78    1.55    1.50 
                     
Diluted income per share attributable to Tower International, Inc.:                    
Income per share from continuing operations (Note 13)  $0.84   $0.67   $1.50   $1.34 
Income per share from discontinued operations (Note 13)   0.03    0.08    0.03    0.11 
Income per share (Note 13)   0.87    0.75    1.53    1.45 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

2
 

  

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS)

(Amounts in thousands - unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
                 
Net income  $19,139   $16,950   $33,260   $32,228 
Other comprehensive income / (loss), net of tax:                    
Foreign currency translation adjustments (net of tax of $0 million)   1,234    (185)   (9,168)   (2,741)
Unrealized loss on qualifying cash flow hedge (net of tax of $0 million)   -    -    -    (117)
Other comprehensive income / (loss)   1,234    (185)   (9,168)   (2,858)
Comprehensive income   20,373    16,765    24,092    29,370 
Less: Comprehensive income / (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests   441    1,013    545    (150)
Comprehensive income attributable to Tower International, Inc.  $19,932   $15,752   $23,547   $29,520 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3
 

  

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands - unaudited)

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014 
         
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net income  $33,260   $32,228 
Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax   589    2,433 
Income from continuing operations   32,671    29,795 
           
Adjustments required to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:          
Premium on notes redemption and other fees   -    87 
Deferred income tax provision   107    700 
Depreciation and amortization   39,644    45,598 
Non-cash share-based compensation   1,302    2,409 
Pension income, net of contributions   (6,228)   (8,061)
Change in working capital and other operating items   (54,123)   (51,242)
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities  $13,373   $19,286 
           
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant, and equipment, net  $(29,448)  $(28,201)
Investment in joint venture   -    (760)
Net cash used in continuing investing activities  $(29,448)  $(28,961)
           
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Proceeds from borrowings  $66,439   $70,376 
Repayments of  borrowings   (62,862)   (65,391)
Borrowings/(Repayments) on Term Loan Credit Facility   (25,000)   33,145 
Debt financing costs   -    (917)
Proceeds from termination of cross currency swaps   32,377    - 
Secondary stock offering transaction costs   -    (75)
Proceeds from stock options exercised   148    2,173 
Purchase of treasury stock   (6,549)   (910)
Noncontrolling interest dividends   -    (2,529)
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities  $4,553   $35,872 
           
Discontinued operations:          
Net cash from discontinued operating activities  $8,669   $3,467 
Net cash from discontinued investing activities   (1,587)   7,756 
Net cash from discontinued financing activities   (5,620)   (2,319)
Net cash from discontinued operations  $1,462   $8,904 
           
Effect of exchange rate changes on continuing cash and cash equivalents  $(2,499)  $(762)
           
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  $(12,559)  $34,339 
           
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:          
Beginning of period  $148,561   $134,880 
           
End of period  $136,002   $169,219 
           
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:          
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized  $10,598   $13,796 
Income taxes paid   2,763    610 
Non-cash Investing Activities:          
Capital expenditures in liabilities for purchases of property, plant, and equipment  $11,624   $19,874 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4
 

  

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Note 1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

 

Tower International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “Tower International”), is a leading integrated global manufacturer of engineered automotive structural metal components and assemblies, primarily serving original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), including Ford, Volkswagen Group, Chrysler, Volvo, Nissan, Fiat, Daimler, Toyota, Chery, BMW, and Honda. Products include body structures, assemblies and other chassis structures, and lower vehicle systems and suspension components for small and large cars, crossovers, pickups, and sport utility vehicles (“SUVs”). Including both wholly owned subsidiaries and majority owned subsidiaries, the Company has strategically located production facilities in the United States, Germany, Brazil, Belgium, Slovakia, China, Italy, Poland, Mexico, and the Czech Republic, supported by engineering and sales locations in the United States, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Japan, China, and India.

 

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The information furnished in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements includes normal recurring adjustments and reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of such financial statements. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited year-end financial statements and the notes thereto included in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the SEC. The interim results for the periods presented may not be indicative of the Company’s actual annual results.

 

Principles of Consolidation

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and all subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

 

Note 2. New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. Under the ASU, an entity presents such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is allowed, and requires that the guidance be applied retrospectively to all prior periods. The Company has elected to early adopt this guidance. The Company had debt issuance costs, net of amortization, of $10.2 million and $11.9 as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. These amounts are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as a direct deduction from long-term debt, net of current maturities, rather than as an asset, in accordance with the new guidance.

 

5
 

  

Note 3. Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method. Maintenance, repair, and non-productive inventory, which are considered consumables, are expensed when acquired and included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as cost of sales. Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 

   June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Raw Materials  $34,577   $32,237 
Work in process   15,503    15,136 
Finished goods   21,417    22,402 
Total inventory  $71,497   $69,775 

 

Note 4. Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale

 

During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to sell the Company’s equity interest in its Changchun Tower Golden Ring Automotive Products Co., Ltd. (“TGR”), Xiangtan DIT Automotive Products Co., Ltd. (“Xiangtan”), and Ningbo DIT Automotive Products Co. Ltd. (“Ningbo”) joint ventures. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, TGR and Xiangtan were considered held for sale in accordance with FASB ASC No. 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, and presented as discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, in accordance with FASB ASC No. 205, Discontinued Operations (prior to amendments issued on April 10, 2014). The Company’s investment in the Ningbo joint venture is accounted for under the equity method and therefore does not qualify for held for sale treatment and does not fall under the scope of FASB ASC No. 205.

 

The following table discloses select financial information of the discontinued operations of the Company’s Chinese joint ventures in its International Segment (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Revenues  $27,079   $28,099   $54,454   $57,211 
Income from discontinued operations:                  
Income before provision for income taxes   829    2,038    990    2,840 
Provision for income taxes   164    361    401    407 
Income from discontinued operations  $665   $1,677   $589   $2,433 

 

6
 

  

The following table summarizes assets and liabilities held for sale by category (in thousands):

 

   June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
           
ASSETS          
Current assets  $50,173   $59,937 
Property, plant, and equipment, net   73,255    76,123 
Other assets, net   5,151    5,235 
Total assets held for sale  $128,579   $141,295 
           
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY          
Short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations  $4,165   $9,781 
Accounts payable   21,210    27,789 
Total current liabilities   25,375    37,570 
           
Long-term debt, net of current maturities   1,514    1,515 
Other non-current liabilities   29,965    28,622 
Total non-current liabilities   31,479    30,137 
Total liabilities held for sale  $56,854   $67,707 

 

Assets and liabilities held for sale are included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as other current assets or current liabilities.

 

Note 5. Tooling

 

Tooling represents costs incurred by the Company in the development of new tooling used in the manufacture of the Company’s products. All pre-production tooling costs incurred for tools that the Company will not own and that will be used in producing products supplied under long-term supply agreements are expensed as incurred, unless the supply agreement provides the Company with the noncancellable right to use the tools or the reimbursement of such costs is contractually guaranteed by the customer. Generally, the customer agrees to reimburse the Company for certain of its tooling costs at the time the customer awards a contract to the Company.

 

When the part for which tooling has been developed reaches a production-ready status, the Company is reimbursed by its customer for the cost of the tooling, at which time the tooling becomes the property of the customer. The Company has certain other tooling costs related to tools the Company has the contractual right to use during the life of the supply arrangement, which are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related product program. Customer-owned tooling is included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in prepaid tooling, notes receivable, and other, while company-owned and other tooling is included in other assets, net.

 

The components of capitalized tooling costs are as follows (in thousands):

 

   June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Customer-owned tooling, net  $54,505   $22,735 
Company-owned tooling   51    174 
Total tooling, net  $54,556   $22,909 

 

Any gain recognized, which is defined as the excess of reimbursement over cost, is amortized over the life of the program. If estimated costs are expected to be in excess of reimbursement, a loss is recorded in the period in which the loss is estimated.

 

7
 

  

Note 6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill

 The change in the carrying amount of goodwill in our International segment is set forth below (in thousands):

 

   International 
Balance at December 31, 2014  $56,691 
Currency translation adjustment   (4,489)
Balance at June 30, 2015  $52,202 

 

Intangibles

The Company had certain intangible assets that were related to customer relationships in Europe and Brazil. The intangible assets in Europe and Brazil had definite lives and were amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated lives of the related assets, which approximated the recognition of related revenues. Intangible assets are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as other assets, net. These intangible assets became fully amortized during the third quarter of 2014 and as such, no further amortization expense related to these intangibles will be incurred beyond 2014. The Company incurred amortization expense of $0.7 million and $1.3 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

 

Note 7. Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges

 

As of June 30, 2015, the Company has executed various restructuring plans and may execute additional plans in the future to realign manufacturing capacity to prevailing global automotive production and to improve the utilization of remaining facilities. Estimates of restructuring charges are based on information available at the time such charges are recorded. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in estimating restructuring expenses, actual amounts paid for such activities may differ from amounts initially recorded. Accordingly, the Company may record revisions of previous estimates by adjusting previously established reserves.

 

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges

Net restructuring and asset impairment charges for each of the Company’s segments include the following (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
International  $(16)  $96   $84   $276 
Americas   5,509    4,620    6,440    5,829 
Consolidated  $5,493   $4,716   $6,524   $6,105 

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s net restructuring and asset impairment charges by type for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Employee termination costs  $299   $496   $509   $950 
Other exit costs   5,194    4,220    6,015    5,155 
Asset impairment   -    -    -    - 
Total restructuring expense  $5,493   $4,716   $6,524   $6,105 

 

8
 

  

The charges incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 related primarily to the following actions:

 

2015 Actions

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the charges incurred in the Americas segment related to a liability established to reflect a change in estimated future rents on a previously closed facility, ongoing maintenance expense of facilities closed as a result of prior actions and severance charges to reduce fixed costs. The charges incurred in the International segment related to severance charges to reduce fixed costs and a revision of a previous estimate.

 

2014 Actions

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the charges incurred in the Americas segment related to the buyout of a lease on a previously closed facility, ongoing maintenance expense of facilities closed as a result of prior actions, and severance charges to reduce fixed costs. The charges incurred in the International segment related to severance charges in Europe to reduce fixed costs.

 

Restructuring Reserve

The table below summarizes the activity in the restructuring reserve by segment, reflected in accrued liabilities, for the above-mentioned actions through June 30, 2015 (in thousands):

 

   International   Americas   Consolidated 
Balance at December 31, 2014  $1,132   $1,357   $2,489 
Payments   (1,057)   (354)   (1,411)
Increase in liability   155    354    509 
Adjustment   (16)   (1,357)   (1,373)
Balance at June 30, 2015  $214   $-   $214 

 

Except as disclosed in the table above, the Company does not anticipate incurring additional material cash charges associated with the actions described above. The increase in the restructuring reserve set forth in the table above does not agree with the restructuring charges for the period, as certain items are expensed as incurred related to the actions described.

 

The restructuring reserve decreased during the first six months ended June 30, 2015, reflecting primarily payments of other exit costs related to prior accruals offset partially by accruals for severance and adjustment of other exit costs related to prior accruals for Americas.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company incurred payments related to prior accruals in Europe of $1.1 million and in North America of $0.4 million. In addition, the Americas restructuring reserve was reduced by $1.4 million to reflect that certain lease obligations, on a previously closed facility, are no longer required.

  

Note 8. Debt

 

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

 

   June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Term Loan Credit Facility (net of discount of $1,363 and $1,594)  $418,012   $445,031 
Other foreign subsidiary indebtedness   44,382    42,213 
Debt issue costs   (10,201)   (11,876)
Total debt   452,193    475,368 
Less: Current maturities (excluding capital leases)   (35,426)   (30,065)
Total long-term debt  $416,767   $445,303 

 

9
 

  

Short-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

 

   June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Current maturities of debts (excluding capital leases)  $35,426   $30,065 
Current maturities of  capital leases   989    1,074 
Total  $36,415   $31,139 

 

Term Loan Credit Facility

On April 23, 2013, the Company entered into a Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC (the “Term Loan Borrower”), the Company, Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC (“Term Loan Holdco”), Tower Automotive Holdings II(a), LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(b), LLC, the subsidiary guarantors named therein, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders (the credit facility evidenced by the Term Loan Credit Agreement and related documentation, the “Term Loan Credit Facility”).

 

The Term Loan Credit Agreement provided for an initial term loan of $420 million and permitted the Term Loan Borrower to request, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the Term Loan Credit Agreement (including the agreement of one or more lenders to make incremental loans, which agreement may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of any lender), future disbursements of incremental term loans in the aggregate principal amount of up to the greater of (i) $100 million and (ii) such other amount so long as Term Loan Holdco’s pro forma Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) does not exceed 2.00:1.00. The maturity date for the initial term loan disbursed under the Term Loan Credit Agreement was April 23, 2020.

 

The proceeds of the initial term loan disbursed under the Term Loan Credit Agreement were used upon the closing of the Term Loan Credit Facility to redeem all of the outstanding 10.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the “10.625% Senior Secured Notes” or the “notes”) previously issued pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of August 24, 2010, by and among the Term Loan Borrower and TA Holdings Finance, Inc., as issuers, the Company and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust FSB as trustee, and to pay all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and related fees and expenses, including a tender premium in connection with a debt tender offer.

 

The initial term loans made under the Term Loan Credit Agreement bore interest at (i) an alternate base rate (the “Alternate Base Rate”) (which is the highest of the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50% and the Adjusted LIBO Rate (as each such term is defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) for a one month interest period plus 1.00%) plus a margin of 3.50% or (ii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (calculated by multiplying the applicable LIBOR by a statutory reserve rate, with a floor of 1.25%) plus a margin of 4.50%.

 

On July 29, 2013, the Company amended the Term Loan Credit Agreement by entering into the First Refinancing Term Loan Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “First Term Loan Amendment”). The purpose of the First Term Loan Amendment was to re-price the Term Loan Credit Facility to bear interest at (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus a margin of 2.75%; or (ii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (calculated by multiplying the applicable LIBOR rate by a statutory reserve rate, with a floor of 1.00%) plus a margin of 3.75%.

 

On January 31, 2014, the Company further amended the Term Loan Credit Agreement by entering into the Second Refinancing Term Loan Amendment and Additional Term Loan Amendment (“Second Term Loan Amendment”), pursuant to which, among other things, the outstanding term loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement were refinanced in full and additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $33 million (the “Additional Term Loans”) were disbursed, resulting in an increase in cash and cash equivalents. After giving effect to the disbursement of the Additional Term Loans, there are term loans (the “Term Loans”) in the aggregate principal amount of $450 million outstanding under the Term Loan Credit Agreement. The maturity date of the Term Loan Credit Facility remains April 23, 2020 and the Term Loans bear interest at (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus a margin of 2.00% or (ii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (calculated by multiplying the applicable LIBOR rate by a statutory reserve rate, with a floor of 1.00%) plus a margin of 3.00%.

 

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The Term Loan Borrower’s obligations under the Term Loan Credit Facility are guaranteed by the Company on an unsecured basis and guaranteed by Term Loan Holdco and certain of the Company's other direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries on a secured basis (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Term Loan Credit Facility is secured by (i) a first priority security interest in certain assets of the Term Loan Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors, other than, inter alia, accounts, chattel paper, inventory, cash deposit accounts, securities accounts, machinery, equipment and real property and all contract rights, and records and proceeds relating to the foregoing and (ii) on a second priority basis to all other assets of the Term Loan Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantor which have been pledged on a first priority basis to the agent for the benefit of the lenders under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility described below.

 

The Term Loan Credit Agreement includes customary covenants applicable to certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and includes customary events of default and amounts due there under may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default.

 

On February 2, 2015, the Company paid $25 million on its Term Loan Credit Facility. In connection with this prepayment, the Company accelerated the amortization of the original issue discount and the associated debt issue costs by $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2015.

 

As of June 30, 2015, the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan Credit Facility was $418.0 million (net of a remaining $1.4 million original issue discount) and the effective interest rate was 4.00% per annum.

 

Amended Revolving Credit Facility

On June 19, 2013, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Second Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement”). The Second Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement amended and restated, in its entirety, the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2011. The Second Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement provided for an asset-based revolving credit facility (the “Amended ABL Revolver”) in the aggregate amount of up to $150 million, subject to a borrowing base limitation. The Second Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement also provided for the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50 million, provided that the total amount of credit (inclusive of revolving loans and letters of credit) extended under the Second Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement was subject to an overall cap, on any date, equal to the lesser of $150 million or the amount of the borrowing base on such date.

 

On September 17, 2014, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement (“Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement”), by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, the Company, Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(a), LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(b), LLC, the subsidiary guarantors named therein, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto as Lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Issuing Lender, as Swing Line Lender, and as Administrative Agent for the Lenders. The Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement amended and restated, in its entirety, the Second Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2013, by and among the Borrower, its domestic affiliate and domestic subsidiary guarantors named therein, and the lenders party thereto, and the Agent.

 

The Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement provides for a cash flow revolving credit facility (the “Amended Revolving Credit Facility”) in the aggregate amount of up to $200 million. The Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement also provides for the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50 million, provided that the total amount of credit (inclusive of revolving loans and letters of credit) extended under the Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement is subject to an overall cap, on any date, of $200 million. The Company may request the issuance of Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars or Euros. The expiration date for the Amended Revolving Credit Facility is September 17, 2019.

 

Advances under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at an alternate base rate plus a base rate margin or LIBOR plus a Eurodollar margin. The applicable margins are determined by the Company’s Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement). The applicable margin for the base rate based borrowings as of June 30, 2015 was 1.25%. The applicable margin for the LIBOR based borrowings as of June 30, 2015 was 2.25%. The Company will pay a commitment fee at a rate equal to 0.50% per annum on the average daily unused total revolving credit commitment.

 

The Amended Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by the Company on an unsecured basis and is guaranteed by certain of the Company’s direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries on a secured basis. The Amended Revolving Credit Facility is secured by the same assets of the Borrower and the subsidiary guarantors that secured the obligations under the prior Amended ABL Revolver. The Borrower’s and each subsidiary guarantor’s pledge of such assets as security for the obligations under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility is evidenced by a Revolving Credit Security Agreement dated as of September 17, 2014, among the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto, and the Agent.

 

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The Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement contains customary covenants applicable to certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and includes customary events of default and amounts due there under may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default.

 

As of June 30, 2015, there was $190.2 million of borrowing availability under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility, of which no borrowings were outstanding and $9.8 million of letters of credit were outstanding.

 

Letter of Credit Facility

On June 13, 2011, the Company entered into a Letter of Credit Facility Agreement, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC (the “L/C Borrower”), the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as participant in respect of letters of credit issued there under, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender.

 

The Letter of Credit Facility Agreement originally provided for a Letter of Credit Facility for the issuance of up to $38 million of letters of credit, with a sublimit for Euro dominated letters of credit (with an option to increase the Letter of Credit Facility to $44.5 million in the future). The Company amended the Letter of Credit Facility Agreement to reduce the Letter of Credit Facility on multiple occasions. In addition, on June 13, 2014, the Company amended the Letter of Credit Facility Agreement to increase the Letter of Credit Facility from $8.5 million to $8.7 million and reduce the per annum fee to 7.5%.

 

The Letter of Credit Facility matured on September 20, 2014 and the Company did not renew this facility.

  

Other Foreign Subsidiary Indebtedness

 

As of June 30, 2015, other foreign subsidiary indebtedness of $44.4 million consisted primarily of receivables factoring in Europe of $23.1 million, other indebtedness in Europe of $14.2 million, and borrowings in Brazil of $7.1 million.

 

The change in foreign indebtedness from December 31, 2014 to June 30, 2015 is explained by the following (in thousands):

 

   Europe   Brazil   Total 
Balance at December 31, 2014  $33,470   $8,743   $42,213 
Maturities of indebtedness   (3,482)   (425)   (3,907)
New / renewed indebtedness   -    -    - 
Change in borrowings on credit facilities, net   9,982    -    9,982 
Foreign exchange impact   (2,650)   (1,256)   (3,906)
Balance at June 30, 2015  $37,320   $7,062   $44,382 

 

Generally, borrowings of foreign subsidiaries are made under credit agreements with commercial lenders and are used to fund working capital and other operating requirements.

 

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Europe

As of June 30, 2015, the receivables factoring facilities balance available to the Company was $23.1 million (€20.7 million), of which the entire amount was drawn. These are uncommitted, demand facilities which are subject to termination at the discretion of the banks and bear interest rates based on the average three month EURIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.50% to 3.00%. The effective annual interest rates as of June 30, 2015 ranged from 2.51% to 3.01%, with a weighted average interest rate of 2.79% per annum. Any receivable factoring under these facilities is with recourse and is secured by the accounts receivable factored. These receivable factoring transactions are recorded in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations.

 

As of June 30, 2015, the secured lines of credit balance available to the Company was $11.1 million (€10.0 million), of which $5.3 million (€4.8 million) was outstanding. The facility bears an interest rate based on the EURIBOR plus a spread of 2.40% and had maturity date of October 2015. The effective annual interest rate as of June 30, 2015 was 2.55% per annum. The facility is secured by certain accounts receivable related to customer funded tooling, real estate, and other assets, and are subject to negotiated prepayments upon the receipt of funds from completed customer projects.

 

As of June 30, 2015, the Company’s European subsidiaries had borrowings of $8.9 million (€8.0 million), which had an annual interest rate of 6.25% and a maturity date of November 2017. This term loan is secured by certain machinery and equipment.

 

As of June 30, 2015, the Company’s European subsidiaries had an asset-based revolving credit facility balance available to the Company of $30.4 million, of which no borrowings were outstanding. This facility bears an interest rate based upon the one month LIBOR plus a spread of 4.00% and has a maturity date of October 2017. Availability on the credit facility is determined based upon the appraised value of certain machinery, equipment, and real estate, subject to a borrowing base availability limitation and customary covenants.

 

Brazil

As of June 30, 2015, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary had borrowings of $7.1 million (R$21.9 million), which had annual interest rates ranging from 3.00% to 8.70% and maturity dates ranging from February 2018 to July 2022. As of June 30, 2015, the weighted average interest rate on the borrowings in Brazil was 6.37% per annum. The loans are provided through bilateral agreements with two local banks and are secured by certain fixed and current assets. Periodic interest and principal payments are required.

 

Covenants

 

As of June 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants that govern its credit agreements.

 

Capital Leases

 

The Company had the following capital lease obligations as of the dates presented (in thousands). These capital lease obligations expire in March 2018.

 

Capital leases:  June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Current maturities of  capital leases  $989   $1,074 
Non-current maturities of capital leases   6,633    7,740 
Total capital leases  $7,622   $8,814 

 

Debt Issue Costs

 

The Company had debt issuance costs, net of amortization, of $10.2 million and $11.9 as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. These amounts are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as a direct deduction from long-term debt, net of current maturities, rather than as an asset, in accordance with ASU No. 2015 - 03.

 

The Company incurred interest expense related to the amortization of debt issue costs of $0.5 million and $1.4 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively. The Company incurred interest expense related to the amortization of debt issue costs of $0.5 million and $1.0 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.

 

Note 9. Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company’s derivative financial instruments include interest rate and cross currency swaps. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. On an on-going basis, the Company monitors counterparty credit ratings. The Company considers credit non-performance risk to be low because the Company enters into agreements with commercial institutions that have at least an S&P, or equivalent, investment grade credit rating. On October 17, 2014, the Company entered into a $200 million variable rate to fixed rate interest rate swap for a portion of the Company’s Term Loan and a €157.1 million cross currency swap based on the U.S. dollar / Euro exchange spot rate of $1.2733 which was the prevailing rate at the time of the transaction. The maturity date for both swap instruments was April 16, 2020.

 

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On January 23, 2015, the Company terminated the cross currency swap entered into on October 17, 2014 and received $21.9 million in cash proceeds. The Company then entered into a new cross currency swap to hedge its net investment in Europe (U.S. dollar / Euro exchange spot rate was $1.1265). The Euro notional amount was increased from €157.1 million to €178 million and the interest rate was lowered from 3.97% to 3.70% per annum. The U.S. dollar notional amount of $200 million, the 5.09% per annum, and the maturity date remained the same. Using the proceeds received from the swap termination transaction, the Company paid $25 million on its Term Loan Credit Facility on February 2, 2015.

 

On March 13, 2015, the Company terminated the cross currency swap entered into on January 23, 2015 and received $10.5 million in cash proceeds. The Company then entered into a new cross currency swap to hedge its net investment in Europe (U.S. dollar / Euro exchange spot rate was $1.0480). The Euro notional amount remained the same but the interest rate was lowered from 3.70% to 3.403% per annum. The U.S. dollar notional amount was lowered to $186.1 million, but the 5.09% interest rate per annum and the maturity date remained the same.

 

At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the U.S. dollar / Euro exchange spot rate was $1.1153 and $1.2154, respectively. The following amounts were recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as being receivable from or payable to counterparties under FASB ASC No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging (in thousands) at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

  Location  June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Assets           
Net investment hedge  Other assets, net  $-   $3,642 
Interest rate swap  Other assets, net   -    - 
              
Liabilities             
Net investment hedge  Other non-current liabilities  $11,765   $- 
Interest rate swap  Other non-current liabilities   1,575    301 

 

All derivative instruments are recorded at fair value. Effectiveness for net investment and cash flow hedges is initially assessed at the inception of the hedging relationship and on a quarterly basis thereafter. To the extent that derivative instruments are deemed to be effective, changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), and to the extent they are ineffective or were not designated as part of a hedge transaction, they are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as interest expense, net. The cross currency swap qualifies as a net investment hedge of the Company’s European subsidiaries and is accounted for under FASB ASC No. 815. The interest rate swap was not designated as part of a hedge transaction; therefore all changes in fair value are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as interest expense, net.

 

The following table presents deferred gains reported in AOCI at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

 

   Deferred gain in AOCI 
   June 30,   December 31, 
    2015    2014 
Net investment hedge  $25,064   $9,094 
Total  $25,064   $9,094 

 

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Derivative instruments held during the period resulted in the following expense recorded (ineffective portion) in interest expense (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended June 30   Six Months Ended June 30 
     2015   2014   2015   2014 
Net investment hedge    $(465)  $-   $(1,001)  $- 
Interest rate swap     (1,166)   -    1,274   - 
Total    $(1,631)  $-   $273   $- 

 

Note 10. Income Taxes

 

During the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015, the income tax expense of $2.4 million and $4.5 million was primarily attributable to certain profitable foreign entities. The tax expense on U.S. quarterly profit was $0.1 million for alternative minimum tax expense. The Company did not record deferred income tax expense on 2015 U.S. profit because the utilization of deferred tax assets, primarily net operating losses, released an associated U.S. valuation allowance. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the income tax expense of $2.7 million and $5.5 million was primarily attributable to certain profitable foreign entities.

  

The Company continually evaluates its net deferred tax asset positions and the necessity of establishing or removing valuation allowances in all jurisdictions. The Company records valuation allowances when a history of cumulative losses exists and there is significant uncertainty related to the future realization of the deferred tax assets. In certain foreign jurisdictions, such as Brazil and the Netherlands, the Company’s cumulative history of operating losses does not allow it to satisfy the “more likely than not” criterion for recognition of deferred tax assets. Therefore, the Company will maintain full valuation allowances against its net deferred tax assets in these countries until sufficient positive evidence exists to reduce or eliminate the valuation allowances.

 

As of June 30, 2015, the Company maintained a U.S. valuation allowance against U.S. deferred tax assets. In evaluating the need for the U.S. valuation allowance, the Company reviewed both positive and negative evidence and placed greater reliance on objective historical evidence than on more subjective estimates of future profitability. The Company also adjusted historical profits and losses for one-time events and tax planning in order to estimate future sustainable profitability. These nonrecurring adjustments included items such as the 2013 debt refinancing, the first quarter 2015 hedge gains recorded directly into AOCI, and the impact of restructuring loan agreements with our foreign affiliates. After making these adjustments, as of June 30, 2015, the Company’s U.S. operations were still in a three year cumulative loss. The Company believes that the three year cumulative tests should not be the sole determinate of the need for a valuation allowance. Given the historic volatility of U.S. automotive suppliers’ profits, the Company believes that obtaining sustained profitability over a reasonable period of time is also critical in determining whether a valuation allowance should be released. If the Company achieves forecasted levels of profits throughout 2015 and the U.S. automotive market retains its current momentum, it is probable that the Company will release up to $80 million of the valuation allowances against its U.S. deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter of 2015.

 

During 2013, Cerberus, at the time the Company’s principal stockholder, sold its ownership in the Company. The sale constituted an ownership change under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under Section 382, the amount of U.S. net operating losses generated before the ownership change that can be utilized after the change is limited. Notwithstanding the Section 382 limitation, we do not anticipate paying any material cash income taxes in the U.S. until 2018 or 2019.

 

Note 11. Retirement Plans

 

The Company sponsors a pension and various other postretirement benefit plans for its employees. Each plan serves a defined group of employees and has varying levels of Company contributions. The Company’s contributions to certain plans may be required by the terms of the Company’s collective bargaining agreements.

 

15
 

  

The following tables provide the components of net periodic pension benefit cost and other post-retirement benefit cost (in thousands):

 

   Pension Benefits   Other Benefits 
   Three Months Ended  June 30,   Three Months Ended  June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Service cost  $8   $8   $2   $2 
Interest cost   2,375    2,740    160    175 
Expected return on plan assets (a)   (3,087)   (3,252)   -    - 
Prior service cost amortization   (24)   (24)   33    33 
Net periodic benefit cost/(income)  $(728)  $(528)  $195   $210 

 

   Pension Benefits   Other Benefits 
   Six Months Ended  June 30,   Six Months Ended  June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Service cost  $16   $16   $4   $4 
Interest cost   4,750    5,480    320    350 
Expected return on plan assets (a)   (6,174)   (6,504)   -    - 
Prior service cost amortization   (48)   (48)   66    66 
Net periodic benefit cost/(income)  $(1,456)  $(1,056)  $390   $420 

 

(a)        Expected rate of return on plan assets is 7.40% for 2015 and was 7.40% for 2014

 

The Company expects its minimum pension funding requirements to be $9.6 million during 2015. The Company made contributions of $1.8 million and $4.8 million to the Pension Plan during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

Additionally, the Company contributed $1.3 million and $2.7 million to its defined contribution retirement plans during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

Note 12. Stockholders’ Equity and Noncontrolling Interests

 

The table below provides a reconciliation of the carrying amount of total stockholders’ equity, including stockholders’ equity attributable to Tower International, Inc. (“Tower”) and equity attributable to the noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) (in thousands):

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014 
   Tower   NCI   Total   Tower   NCI   Total 
Stockholders' equity beginning balance  $43,151   $56,627   $99,778   $74,375   $62,494   $136,869 
Net income   32,687    573    33,260    30,951    1,277    32,228 
Other comprehensive income /(loss)                              
Foreign currency translation adjustments   (9,140)   (28)   (9,168)   (1,314)   (1,427)   (2,741)
Unrealized loss on qualifying cash flow hedge, net   -    -    -    (117)   -    (117)
Total Comprehensive income / (loss)   23,547    545    24,092    29,520    (150)   29,370 
Vesting of RSUs   6    -    6    2    -    2 
Treasury stock   (6,549)   -    (6,549)   (910)   -    (910)
Share based compensation expense   1,302    -    1,302    2,409    -    2,409 
Proceeds from stock options exercised   148    -    148    2,173    -    2,173 
Noncontrolling interest dividends   -    -    -    -    (2,529)   (2,529)
Stockholders' equity ending balance  $61,605   $57,172   $118,777   $107,569   $59,815   $167,384 

 

The discontinued operations represent $47.4 million and $50.9 million of the noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively.

 

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The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss (in thousands):

 

   As of  June
30, 2015
   As of December
31, 2014
   Change 
Foreign currency translation adjustments  $(16,364)  $(7,224)  $(9,140)
Defined benefit plans, net of tax of $13.7 million   (39,690)   (39,690)   - 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  $(56,054)  $(46,914)  $(9,140)

 

The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) by component (in thousands) for the three months ended June 30, 2015:

 

    Defined Benefit
Plan, Net
   Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   Total 
Balance at March 31, 2015   $(39,690)  $(17,453)  $(57,143)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification    -    1,089    1,089 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income         -    - 
Net current-period other comprehensive income    -    1,089    1,089 
Balance at June 30, 2015   $(39,690)  $(16,364)  $(56,054)

 

The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) by component (in thousands) for the three months ended June 30, 2014:

 

    Defined
Benefit Plan,
Net
   Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   Total 
Balance at March 31, 2014   $(12,833)  $23,993   $11,160 
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications    -    (344)   (344)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss)    -    -    - 
Net current-period other comprehensive loss    -    (344)   (344)
Balance as of June 30, 2014   $(12,833)  $23,649   $10,816 

 

The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in thousands) for the six months ended June 30, 2015:

 

    Defined Benefit
Plan, Net
   Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   Total 
Balance at December 31, 2014   $(39,690)  $(7,224)  $(46,914)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassification    -    (9,140)   (9,140)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income         -    - 
Net current-period other comprehensive loss    -    (9,140)   (9,140)
  Balance at June 30, 2015   $(39,690)  $(16,364)  $(56,054)

 

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The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) by component (in thousands) for the six months ended June 30, 2014:

 

   Unrealized Gains
on Qualifying
Cash Flow Hedge
   Defined
Benefit Plan,
Net
   Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   Total 
Balance at December 31, 2013  $117   $(12,833)  $24,963   $12,247 
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications   (117)   -    (1,314)   (1,431)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss)   -    -    -    - 
Net current-period other comprehensive loss   (117)   -    (1,314)   (1,431)
Balance as of June 30, 2014  $-   $(12,833)  $23,649   $10,816 

 

The Company did not reclassify any material items out of accumulated other comprehensive income during the six months ended June 30, 2015 or June 30, 2014, respectively.

 

Note 13. Earnings per Share (“EPS”)

 

Basic earnings / (loss) per share is calculated by dividing the net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc. by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

 

The share count for diluted earnings / (loss) per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effects of dilutive common stock equivalents (“CSEs”) outstanding during the period.  CSEs, which are securities that may entitle the holder to obtain common stock, include outstanding stock options and restricted stock units.  When the average price of the common stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of a stock option, the options are considered potentially dilutive CSEs.  When there is a loss from continuing operations, potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of earnings per share, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

The Company included the effects of all dilutive shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

A summary of the information used to compute basic and diluted net income per share attributable to Tower International, Inc. is shown below (in thousands – except share and per share amounts):

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Income from continuing operations  $18,474   $15,273   $32,671   $29,795 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax   665    1,677    589    2,433 
Net income   19,139    16,950    33,260    32,228 
Less: Net income attibutable to the noncontrolling interests   493    854    573    1,277 
Net income attibutable to Tower International, Inc.  $18,646   $16,096   $32,687   $30,951 
                     
Basic income per share                    
Continuing operations  $0.85   $0.70   $1.52   $1.39 
Discontinued operations   0.03    0.08    0.03    0.11 
Net income attibutable to Tower International, Inc.   0.88    0.78    1.55    1.50 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding   21,104,735    20,651,097    21,077,633    20,582,140 
                     
Diluted income per share                    
Continuing operations  $0.84   $0.67   $1.50   $1.34 
Discontinued operations   0.03    0.08    0.03    0.11 
Net income attibutable to Tower International, Inc.   0.87    0.75    1.53    1.45 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding   21,403,354    21,373,867    21,382,041    21,318,515 

 

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Note 14. Share-Based and Long-Term Compensation

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

2010 Equity Incentive Plan (“the Plan”)

The Company adopted an equity incentive plan in connection with its 2010 initial public offering that allows for the grant of stock options, restricted stock awards, other equity-based awards, and certain cash-based awards to be made pursuant to the Plan. The eligibility requirements and terms governing the allocation of any common stock and the receipt of other consideration under the Plan are determined by the Board of Directors and/or its Compensation Committee.

 

On April 25, 2014, the Plan was amended and restated. The number of shares of common stock available for issuance pursuant to new awards under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan was reduced, subject to provisions in the Plan that allow for the re-issuance of certain shares, including forfeited shares, shares repurchased by the Company, and certain other shares, as defined by the Plan. At June 30, 2015, 949,529 shares were available for future grants of options and other types of awards under the Plan.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s award activity during the six months ended June 30, 2015:

 

   Options   Restricted Stock Units 
   Shares   Weighted Average
 Exercise Price
   Shares   Weighted Average
 Grant Date Fair
Value
 
December 31, 2014   517,459   $12.15    200,340   $18.51 
Granted   -    -    89,178    26.16 
Options exercised or RSUs vested   (12,625)   11.71    (99,659)   15.65 
Forfeited   -    -    -    - 
June 30, 2015   504,834   $12.17    189,859   $23.60 

 

Stock Options

The exercise price of each stock option equals the market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Compensation expense is recorded at the grant date fair value and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting periods. The Company’s stock options generally vest over three years, with a maximum term of ten years. The Company has not granted any options since June 2012.

 

The Company calculates the weighted average grant date fair value of each option granted using a Black-Scholes valuation model. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recognized an expense relating to the options of $0 million and $0.2 million, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recognized an expense relating to the options of $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The Company did not recognize any tax benefit related to the compensation expense during any of the periods presented. As of June 30, 2015, all of the expense associated with granted stock options had been fully recognized.

 

As of June 30, 2015, the Company had an aggregate of 504,834 stock options that had been granted and were exercisable, but had not yet been exercised. These options had a remaining average contractual life of approximately seven years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $7 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, 12,625 options were exercised, which had an aggregate intrinsic value of $0.2 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, no stock options expired or were forfeited.

 

Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)

The grant date fair value of each RSU equals the market price of the Company’s common stock on its date of grant. Compensation expense is recorded at the grant date fair value, less an estimated forfeiture amount, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting periods. The Company’s RSUs generally vest over a three year period.

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recognized an expense of $0.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively, relating to the RSUs. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recognized an expense of $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, relating to the RSUs. The Company did not recognize any tax benefit related to this compensation expense. As of June 30, 2015, the Company had $2.9 million of unrecognized compensation expense associated with these RSUs, which will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the next 24 months, on a weighted average basis.

 

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As of June 30, 2015, the Company had an aggregate of 189,859 RSUs that had been granted, but had not yet vested. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, no RSUs were forfeited or expired.

 

During the first six months of 2015, a total of 99,659 RSUs vested, resulting in the issuance of 99,659 shares. The fair value of these shares was $2.6 million. Additionally, 493,096 shares that vested on December 31, 2014 were issued in January 2015. This total was reduced by shares repurchased to provide payment for certain individuals’ minimum statutory withholding tax. The Company paid $6.5 million to acquire 250,780 vested shares to cover the minimum statutory withholding taxes. After offsets for withholding taxes, a net total of 341,975 shares of common stock were issued.

 

Long-Term Compensation

 

Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement

On July 28, 2014, Mark M. Malcolm, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, entered into an amended and restated employment agreement (the “Agreement”), by which Mr. Malcolm’s employment was extended through December 31, 2016 (the “Retirement Date”). The Agreement provides for a $3 million transition bonus, for the successful delivery to Tower’s board of directors of a comprehensive chief executive officer succession and transition plan, and a $3 million retention bonus. These bonus awards, if earned, will be paid in cash on January 16, 2017, and fall under the guidance of FASB ASC No. 450, “Contingencies”. Per ASC No. 450, a liability should be recorded when a future event is both probable and the amount of the commitment is reasonably estimable.

 

The Agreement also provides for a stock appreciation bonus payable in cash or shares of common stock, as determined by the Company, if certain price targets related to the per share closing price of the Company’s common stock are achieved during the term of the Agreement. The minimum price of the Company’s common stock per share needed to achieve the bonus is $40.59 per share which would result in a payment of $5 million. The maximum bonus of $20 million would be achieved if the share price of the Company’s common stock exceeded $55.58 per share.

 

This stock appreciation bonus falls under the scope of FASB ASC No. 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation“, because it is a share-based payment transaction in which the Company acquires Mr. Malcolm’s services by incurring a liability to Mr. Malcolm and because the amount of the award is based upon the price of the Company’s common stock. The Company utilizes the assistance of a third party valuation firm to perform a valuation of the award at the end of each quarterly reporting period which is used to adjust the current and future expense based on changes in the fair value of the obligation, accordingly.

 

The retention bonus and stock appreciation bonus awards are also subject to payment upon a change in control or termination of employment, if certain criteria are met. The transition bonus would not be paid upon a change in control that is consummated prior to the Retirement Date, but is subject to payment upon a termination of employment, if certain conditions are met. Each of these bonus awards are being accrued and expensed ratably through the Retirement Date.

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded an expense related to these awards of $0.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively. At June 30, 2015, the Company had a liability of $3.4 million related to these awards. This liability is presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as other non-current liabilities.

 

Performance Award Agreements

Under the provisions of the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, the Company granted certain awards pursuant to Performance Award Agreements to approximately 80 executives on March 5, 2013. Additional awards were granted on March 6, 2014 and March 6, 2015. These awards were designed to provide the executives with an incentive to participate in the long-term success and growth of the Company. The Performance Award Agreements provide for cash-based awards that vest upon payment. If certain performance conditions are met, the awards granted on March 5, 2013 will be paid after December 31, 2015, the awards granted on March 6, 2014 will be paid after December 31, 2016, and the awards granted on March 6, 2015 will be paid after December 31, 2017. These awards are also subject to payment upon a change in control or termination of employment, if certain criteria are met. One half of the awards will be based upon the Company's Adjusted EPS Growth Rate, which is defined as the Company’s cumulative Adjusted EPS for the performance period of the awards, stated in terms of a percentage growth rate. The performance period of the awards granted on March 5, 2013, is January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015, the performance period of the awards granted on March 6, 2014, is January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016, and the performance period of the awards granted on March 6, 2015, is January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017. The Company's EPS will be adjusted to exclude the effect of extraordinary, unusual, and/or nonrecurring items and then will be divided by the number of fiscal years in the specified period, stated in terms of a percentage growth rate. The other half of the awards will be based upon the Company's percentile ranking of total shareholder return, compared to a peer group of companies, for the performance period. These awards represent unfunded, unsecured obligations of the Company.

  

20
 

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded expense related to these awards of $1.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded expense related to these awards of $0.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively. At June 30, 2015, the Company had a liability of $6.8 million related to these awards. This liability is presented as other non-current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

Note 15. Segment Information

 

The Company defines its operating segments as components of its business where separate financial information is available. The Company’s operating segments are routinely evaluated by management. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is its Chief Executive Officer.

 

The Company produces engineered structural metal components and assemblies primarily serving the global automotive industry. The Company’s operations have similar economic characteristics and share fundamental characteristics, including the nature of the products, production processes, margins, customers, and distribution channels. The Company’s products include body structures stampings, chassis structures (including frames), and complex welded assemblies for small and large cars, crossovers, pickups, and SUVs. The Company is comprised of four operating segments: Europe, China, North America, and South America. These operating segments are aggregated into two reportable segments. The International segment consists of Europe and China while the Americas segment consists of North America and South America.

 

The Company measures segment operating performance based on Adjusted EBITDA. The Company uses segment Adjusted EBITDA as the basis for the CODM to evaluate the performance of each of the Company’s reportable segments.

 

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The following is a summary of select data for each of the Company’s reportable segments (in thousands):

 

   International   Americas   Total 
Three Months Ended  June 30, 2015               
Revenues  $186,931   $303,337   $490,268 
Adjusted EBITDA   16,356    36,916    53,272 
Capital expenditures   4,132    21,853    25,985 
Total assets (a)   649,862    535,281    1,185,143 
                
Three Months Ended  June 30, 2014               
Revenues  $228,787   $319,680   $548,467 
Adjusted EBITDA   18,513    36,637    55,150 
Capital expenditures   7,741    21,139    28,880 
                
Six Months Ended  June 30, 2015               
Revenues  $376,754   $610,142   $986,896 
Adjusted EBITDA   30,500    70,843    101,343 
Capital expenditures   9,608    26,709    36,317 
                
Six Months Ended  June 30, 2014               
Revenues  $449,552   $618,178   $1,067,730 
Adjusted EBITDA   37,080    69,694    106,774 
Capital expenditures   11,687    32,586    44,273 

 

(a)      Total assets as of June 30, 2015 in the International segment include assets held for sale

 

Inter-segment sales are not significant for any period presented. Capital expenditures do not equal cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant, and equipment, as presented in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, as capital expenditures above include amounts paid and accrued during the periods presented.

 

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to income before provision for income taxes and equity in profit / (loss) of joint venture (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Adjusted EBITDA  $53,272   $55,150   $101,343   $106,774 
Restructuring   (5,493)   (4,716)   (6,524)   (6,105)
Depreciation and amortization   (19,736)   (22,745)   (39,644)   (45,598)
Acquisition costs and other   (128)   (103)   (218)   (210)
Long-term compensation expense   (2,884)   (2,226)   (5,999)   (4,863)
Interest expense, net   (3,900)   (7,204)   (11,625)   (14,240)
Other (expense)   -    -    -    (87)
Net income before provision for income taxes and equity in loss of joint venture  $21,131   $18,156   $37,333   $35,671 

 

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Note 16. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

FASB ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurements, defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants, at the measurement date (i.e. the exit price). The exit price is based upon the amount that the holder of the asset or liability would receive or need to pay in an actual transaction or in a hypothetical transaction if an actual transaction does not exist at the measurement date. In some circumstances, the entry and exit price may be the same; however, they are conceptually different.

 

The Company generally determines fair value based upon quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. If quoted market prices are not available, the Company uses valuation techniques that place greater reliance on observable inputs and less reliance on unobservable inputs. In measuring fair value, the Company may make adjustments for risks and uncertainties, if a market participant would include such an adjustment in its pricing.

 

FASB ASC No. 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions based upon market data, referred to as observable inputs, and the Company’s assumptions, referred to as unobservable inputs. Determining where an asset or liability falls within that hierarchy depends on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole. An adjustment to the pricing method used within either Level 1 or Level 2 inputs could generate a fair value measurement that effectively falls in a lower level in the hierarchy. The hierarchy consists of three broad levels as follows:

 

Level 1:Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

 

Level 2:Inputs, other than Level 1 inputs, that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

 

Level 3:Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions that reflect those that market participants would use.

 

At June 30, 2015, the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s total debt excluding capital leases and debt issue costs, was $452.2 million and $453.3 million, respectively. At December 31, 2014, the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s total debt was $475.3 million and $469.9 million, respectively. The majority of the Company’s debt at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was comprised of the Term Loan Credit Facility, which can be traded between financial institutions. Accordingly, this debt has been classified as Level 2. The fair value was determined based upon quoted values. The remainder of the Company’s debt, primarily consisting of foreign subsidiary indebtedness, is asset-backed and is classified as Level 3. As this debt carries variable rates and minimal credit risk, the book values approximate the fair values.

 

The Company has foreign currency exchange hedges and an interest rate swap that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. These instruments are recorded in other assets, net or other non-current liabilities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the fair value is measured using Level 2 observable inputs such as foreign currency exchange rates, swap rates, cross currency basis swap spreads and interest rate spreads. At June 30, 2015, the foreign currency exchange hedge (net investment hedge of our European subsidiaries) and the interest rate swap (not designated for hedge accounting) had liability fair values of $16.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

  

Note 17. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Environmental Matters

 

The Company owns properties which have been affected by environmental releases. The Company is actively involved in investigation and/or remediation at several of these locations.

 

Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The established liability for environmental matters is based upon management’s best estimates, on an undiscounted basis, of expected investigation/ remediation costs related to environmental contamination. It is possible that actual costs associated with these matters will exceed the environmental reserves established by the Company. Inherent uncertainties exist in the estimates, primarily due to unknown environmental conditions, changing governmental regulations, and legal standards regarding liability and evolving technologies for handling site remediation and restoration. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $1.7 million and $1.7 million accrued for environmental matters.

 

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Contingent Matters

 

The Company will establish an accrual for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. These types of matters may involve additional claims that, if granted, could require the Company to pay penalties or make other expenditures in amounts that will not be estimable at the time of discovery of the matter. In these cases, a liability will be recorded at the low end of the range if no amount within the range is a better estimate in accordance with FASB ASC No. 450, Accounting for Contingencies.

 

Litigation

 

The Company is subject to various legal actions and claims incidental to its business, including potential lawsuits with customers or suppliers. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the outcome of individual litigated matters is not probable or estimable. After discussions with counsel litigating these matters, it is the opinion of management that the outcome of such matters will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

  

Note 18. Subsequent Events

 

On July 24, 2015, a subsidiary of the Company signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Herrajes y Acabados Metálicos, S.A. de C.V. (“Hamsa”) for consideration, after deducting cash on hand, of $21 million. Hamsa operates stamping and assembly manufacturing facilities outside of Mexico City, Mexico. The transaction closed on July 24, 2015.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Company Overview

 

We are a leading integrated global manufacturer of engineered structural metal components and assemblies primarily serving original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). We offer our automotive customers a broad product portfolio, supplying body-structure stampings, frame and other chassis structures, as well as complex welded assemblies, for small and large cars, crossovers, pickups, and sport utility vehicles (“SUVs”). Our products are manufactured at 27 facilities, strategically located near our customers in North America, South America, Europe, and China. We support our manufacturing operations through seven engineering and sales locations around the world. Our products are offered on a diverse mix of vehicle platforms, reflecting the balanced portfolio approach of our business model and the breadth of our product capabilities. We supply products to approximately 170 vehicle models globally to 11 of the 12 largest OEMs based on 2014 production volumes.

 

We believe that our engineering, manufacturing, and program management capabilities, our geographic and customer diversification, our competitive cost, our financial discipline, and our colleague engagement position us for long-term success.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2014, our Board of Directors approved a plan to sell our equity interest in our Changchun Tower Golden Ring Automotive Products Co., Ltd. (“TGR”), Xiangtan DIT Automotive Products Co., Ltd. (“Xiangtan”), and Ningbo DIT Automotive Products Co. Ltd. (“Ningbo”) joint ventures. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, TGR and Xiangtan were considered held for sale in accordance with FASB ASC No. 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, and have been presented as discontinued operations in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, in accordance with FASB ASC No. 205, Discontinued Operations. Our investment in the Ningbo joint venture is accounted for under the equity method and therefore does not qualify for held for sale treatment and does not fall under the scope of FASB ASC No. 205.

 

Recent Trends

 

Production Volumes

During the second quarter of 2015, industry production volumes increased from 2014 in China and North America, while declining in Brazil. Production volumes in Europe were relatively flat. According to IHS, industry production is projected to increase in 2015 in China, North America, and Europe. The production volumes in 2015 are expected to significantly decrease in Brazil compared to 2014.

 

Factors Affecting our Industry, Revenues, and Expenses

 

For information regarding factors that affect our industry, revenues, and expenses, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

We use the term Adjusted EBITDA throughout this report. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income / (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, restructuring items, and other adjustments described in the reconciliations provided in this report. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance defined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP”). We use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplement to our GAAP results in evaluating our business.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is included in this Report because it is one of the principal factors upon which our management assesses performance. Our Chief Executive Officer measures the performance of our segments on the basis of Adjusted EBITDA. As an analytical tool, Adjusted EBITDA assists us in comparing our performance over various reporting periods on a consistent basis because it excludes items that we do not believe reflect our core operating performance.

 

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our performance as it is a commonly used financial metric for measuring and comparing the operating performance of companies in our industry. We believe that the disclosure of Adjusted EBITDA offers an additional financial metric that, when coupled with the GAAP results and the reconciliation to GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of our results of operations and the factors and trends affecting our business.

 

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Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income / (loss) as an indicator of our performance, as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity, or as an alternative to any other measure prescribed by GAAP. There are limitations to using non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA. Although we believe that Adjusted EBITDA may make an evaluation of our operating performance more consistent because it removes items that do not reflect our core operations, other companies in our industry may define Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do and, as a result, it may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry, and Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain financial information that some may consider important in evaluating our performance.

 

We compensate for these limitations by providing disclosure of the differences between Adjusted EBITDA and GAAP results, including a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP results, to enable investors to perform their own analysis of our operating results. For a reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP measure, net income / (loss), see “Results of Operations” below.

 

Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of the income generated by our business or discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Our management compensates for these limitations by analyzing both our GAAP results and Adjusted EBITDA.

 

Results of Operations—Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended June 30, 2014

 

The following table presents production volumes in specified regions, according to IHS, for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014 (in millions of units produced):

 

   Europe   China   North America   Brazil 
Three months Ended June 30, 2015   5.4    5.4    4.5    0.6 
Three months Ended June 30, 2014   5.4    5.3    4.4    0.7 
                     
Increase / (Decrease)   (0.0)   0.1    0.1    (0.1)
Percentage change   0%   3%   3%   (18)%

 

The following table presents select financial information for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in millions):

 

   International   Americas   Consolidated 
   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   June 30,   June 30,   June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Revenues  $186.9   $228.8   $303.3   $319.7   $490.2   $548.5 
Cost of sales   166.7    206.7    261.2    279.4    427.9    486.1 
Gross profit   20.2    22.1    42.1    40.3    62.3    62.4 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses   9.2    10.9    22.6    20.7    31.8    31.6 
Amortization   -    0.5    -    0.2    -    0.7 
Restructuring and asset impairments   -    0.1    5.5    4.6    5.5    4.7 
Operating income  $11.0   $10.6   $14.0   $14.8    25.0    25.4 
Interest expense, net                       3.9    7.2 
Other expense                       -    - 
Provision for income taxes                       2.4    2.7 
Equity in loss of joint ventures                       (0.3)   (0.2)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                       0.7    1.7 
Noncontrolling interest, net of tax                       0.5    0.9 
Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.                      $18.6   $16.1 

 

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Comparison of Periods – GAAP Analysis of Consolidated Results

 

Revenues

Total revenues decreased during the three months ended June 30, 2015 by $58.3 million, or 11%, from the three months ended June 30, 2014. The decrease in revenue reflects the weakening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar in our International segment, primarily the Euro ($40.7 million), and the weakening of the Brazilian Real ($10.4 million) against the U.S. dollar in our Americas segment. Lower volume in our Americas segment ($8.2 million) was partially offset by higher volume in our International segment ($2.7 million). Revenues were also adversely affected by unfavorable pricing ($1.7 million).

 

Gross Profit

When we analyze our total gross profit, we separately categorize external factors—volume, product mix, and foreign exchange—from all other factors that impact gross profit, which we refer to as “other factors”. When we refer to “mix” we are referring to the relative composition of revenues and profitability of the products we sell in any given period. When we refer to “pricing and economics” we are referring to (i) the impact of adjustments in the pricing of particular products, which we refer to as product pricing; (ii) the impact of steel price changes, taking into account the component of our product pricing attributable to steel, the cost of steel included in our cost of sales, and the amounts recovered on the sale of offal, which in total we refer to as the net steel impact; and (iii) the impact of inflation and changes in operating costs, such as labor, utilities, and fuel, which we refer to as economics.

 

Total gross profit decreased by $0.1 million from the three months ended June 30, 2014 to the three months ended June 30, 2015 while our gross profit margin increased from 11.4% during the 2014 period to 12.7% during the 2015 period. The decrease in total gross profit reflects unfavorable foreign exchange ($6.6 million, excluding the impact on depreciation), lower volume ($1.6 million) and unfavorable mix ($1.1 million). All other factors were net favorable ($9.2 million). Cost of sales was positively impacted by favorable efficiencies ($11.9 million) which were offset partially by unfavorable pricing and economics ($2 million) and higher launch costs ($1.3 million).

 

Total gross profit was positively affected by a decrease in the depreciation included in cost of sales from $20.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2014 to $18.5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015, reflecting primarily favorable foreign exchange.

 

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”)

Total SG&A increased $0.1 from the three months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting higher incentive compensation costs and higher overall compensation costs offset partially by favorable foreign exchange.

 

Amortization Expense

Total amortization expense decreased $0.7 million from the three months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting primarily the amortization of customer relationships in Europe and Brazil, which became fully amortized during 2014. No further amortization expense related to these intangibles will be incurred.

 

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Expense

Total restructuring expense increased $0.8 million, or 17%, from the three months ended June 30, 2014. During the second quarter of 2015, we incurred charges related to ongoing maintenance expense of facilities closed as a result of prior actions in our Americas segment and severance charges to reduce fixed costs.

 

Interest Expense, net    

Interest expense, net, decreased $3.3 million, or 46%, from the three months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting primarily mark-to-market gains on our derivative financial instruments ($1.6 million) and the accelerated amortization of the original issue discount and the associated debt issue costs in connection with prepayments on our Term Loan during the first quarter of 2015 ($0.4 million).

 

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Provision for Income Taxes

Income tax expense decreased $0.3 million, from the three months ended June 30, 2014. Our income tax expense decreased due to lower withholding taxes on dividends paid from our Chinese joint ventures.

 

A significant amount of worldwide income is attributable to United States income where we are not recording deferred income tax expense. We did not record deferred income tax expense on 2015 U.S. profit because the utilization of deferred tax assets, primarily net operating losses, released an associated U.S. valuation allowance. We continue to monitor releasing the U.S. valuation allowance diligently each quarter. In evaluating the need for the U.S. valuation allowance we review both positive and negative evidence and place greater reliance on objective historical evidence than on more subjective estimates of future profitability. Given the historic volatility of U.S. automotive suppliers’ profits, we believe obtaining sustained profitability over a reasonable period of time is critical in determining whether a valuation allowance should be released. If we achieve forecasted levels of sustainable profits throughout 2015 and the U.S. automotive market retains its current momentum, it is probable that we will release up to $80 million of the valuation allowances against our U.S. deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter of 2015.

 

Equity in Loss of Joint Venture

Equity in the loss of joint venture which represents our share in the loss of our unconsolidated Ningbo joint venture increased $0.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015.

 

Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax    

The adjustment to our earnings required to give effect to the elimination of noncontrolling interests decreased by $0.4 million from the three months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting decreased earnings in our consolidated Chinese joint ventures.

 

Comparison of Periods—Non-GAAP Analysis of Adjusted EBITDA

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to Tower International, Inc. for the periods presented is set forth below (in millions):

 

   International   Americas   Consolidated 
   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   June 30,   June 30,   June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014   2015   2014 
                         
Adjusted EBITDA  $16.4   $18.5   $36.9   $36.7   $53.3   $55.2 
Intercompany charges   1.9    1.9    (1.9)   (1.9)   -    - 
Restructuring and asset impairments   -    (0.1)   (5.5)   (4.6)   (5.5)   (4.7)
Depreciation and amortization   (7.1)   (9.6)   (12.6)   (13.2)   (19.7)   (22.8)
Acquisition costs and other   (0.2)   (0.1)   -    -    (0.2)   (0.1)
Long-term non-cash compensation (a)   -    -    (2.9)   (2.2)   (2.9)   (2.2)
Pension actuarial loss   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Operating income  $11.0   $10.6   $14.0   $14.8    25.0    25.4 
Interest expense, net                       (3.9)   (7.2)
Other expense                       -    - 
Provision for income taxes                       (2.4)   (2.7)
Equity in loss of joint ventures (b)                       (0.3)   (0.2)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                       0.7    1.7 
Noncontrolling interest, net of tax                       (0.5)   (0.9)
Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.                      $18.6   $16.1 

 

(a)Represents the compensation expense related to stock options, restricted stock units, one-time CEO compensation awards, and certain compensation programs intended to benefit our long-term success and growth. The compensation charges are incurred during the applicable vesting periods of each program.
(b)Represents the loss attributable to our Ningbo joint venture, which we do not consolidate in our financial statements given the non-controlling nature of our interest in this entity.

 

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The following table presents revenues (a GAAP measure) and Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in millions), as well as an explanation of variances:

 

   International   Americas   Consolidated 
   Revenues   Adjusted
EBITDA(c)
   Revenues   Adjusted
EBITDA(c)
   Revenues   Adjusted
EBITDA(c)
 
Three months Ended June 30, 2015 results  $186.9   $16.4   $303.3   $36.9   $490.2   $53.3 
Three months Ended June 30, 2014 results   228.8    18.5    319.7    36.7    548.5    55.2 
Variance  $(41.9)  $(2.1)  $(16.4)  $0.2   $(58.3)  $(1.9)
Variance attributable to:                              
Volume and mix  $2.7   $3.0   $(8.2)  $(5.7)  $5.5   $(2.7)
Foreign exchange   (40.7)   (4.0)   (10.4)   0.2    (51.1)   (3.8)
Pricing and economics   (3.9)   (3.7)   2.2    (0.3)   (1.7)   (4.0)
Efficiencies   -    5.1    -    6.8    -    11.9 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses and other items (d)   -    (2.5)   -    (0.8)   -    (3.3)
Total  $(41.9)  $(2.1)  $(16.4)  $0.2   $(58.3)  $(1.9)

 

(c)We have presented a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc, above.
(d)When we refer to “selling, general, and administrative expenses and other items”, the “other items” refer to (i) savings which we generate after implementing restructuring actions, (ii) the costs associated with launching new products, and (iii) one-time items which may include reimbursement of costs.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

When we analyze Adjusted EBITDA, we separately categorize external factors—volume, product mix, and foreign exchange—and all other factors which impact Adjusted EBITDA, which we refer to as “other factors.”

 

Consolidated Company: Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $1.9 million, or 3%, from the three months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting lower volume ($1.6 million), unfavorable mix ($1.1 million), and unfavorable foreign exchange ($3.8 million). All other factors were net favorable ($4.6 million). Favorable efficiencies ($11.9 million) were offset partially by unfavorable pricing and economics ($4 million) and unfavorable SG&A expenses and other items ($3.3 million).

 

International Segment: In our International segment, Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $2.1 million, or 11%, from the three months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting primarily unfavorable foreign exchange ($4 million), offset partially by higher volume ($2.1 million) and favorable mix ($0.9 million). All other factors were net unfavorable ($1.2 million). Unfavorable pricing and economics ($3.7 million), principally product pricing and labor costs, and unfavorable SG&A expenses and other items ($2.5 million) were offset partially by favorable efficiencies ($5.1 million). SG&A expenses and other items reflect primarily higher launch costs ($1.5 million).

 

Americas Segment: In our Americas segment, Adjusted EBITDA increased by $0.2 million, or 1%, from the three months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting primarily lower volume ($3.7 million) and unfavorable mix ($2 million), offset partially by favorable foreign exchange ($0.2 million). All other factors were net favorable ($5.8 million). Favorable efficiencies ($6.8 million) were offset partially by unfavorable SG&A expenses and other items ($0.8 million) and unfavorable pricing and economics ($0.3 million).

 

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Results of Operations—Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014

 

The following table presents production volumes in specified regions, according to IHS, for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014 (in millions of units produced):

 

   Europe   China   North America   Brazil 
Six months Ended June 30, 2015   10.7    11.2    8.8    1.2 
Six months Ended June 30, 2014   10.6    10.4    8.6    1.5 
Increase / (Decrease)   0.1    0.8    0.2    (0.3)
Percentage change   1%   8%   2%   (20)%

 

According to IHS, full year 2015 vehicle production is expected to increase when compared to 2014 in China by 7%, North America by 3%, and Europe by 1%, and decrease in Brazil by 15%.

 

The following table presents select financial information for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in millions):

 

   International   Americas   Consolidated 
   Six Months Ended   Six Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30,   June 30,   June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014   2015   2014 
                         
Revenues  $376.8   $449.6   $610.1   $618.2   $986.9   $1,067.8 
Cost of sales   338.5    405.4    529.6    539.3    868.1    944.7 
Gross profit   38.3    44.2    80.5    78.9    118.8    123.1 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses   19.0    21.8    44.3    43.9    63.3    65.7 
Amortization   -    1.0    -    0.3    -    1.3 
Restructuring and asset impairments   0.1    0.3    6.4    5.8    6.5    6.1 
Operating income  $19.2   $21.1   $29.8   $28.9    49.0    50.0 
Interest expense, net                       11.6    14.2 
Other expense                       -    0.1 
Provision for income taxes                       4.5    5.5 
Equity in loss of joint ventures                       (0.2)   (0.4)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                       0.6    2.4 
Noncontrolling interest, net of tax                       0.6    1.3 
Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.                      $32.7   $31.0 

  

Comparison of Periods – GAAP Analysis of Consolidated Results

 

Revenues

Total revenues decreased during the six months ended June 30, 2015 by $80.9 million, or 8%, from the six months ended June 30, 2014. The weakening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar in our International segment, primarily the Euro ($78.6 million), and the weakening of the Brazilian Real ($17.7 million) against the U.S. dollar in our Americas segment was partially offset by higher volume in our International segment ($14.8 million) and in our Americas segment ($6.2 million). Revenues were also adversely affected by unfavorable pricing ($5.6 million).

 

Gross Profit

Total gross profit decreased by $4.3 million, or 3%, from the six months ended June 30, 2014 to the six months ended June 30, 2015 and our gross profit margin increased from 11.4% during the 2014 period to 12.0% during the 2015 period. The decrease in total gross profit reflects higher volume ($2.6 million) which was more than offset by unfavorable foreign exchange ($10.8 million) and unfavorable mix ($1 million). All other factors were net favorable ($5 million). Cost of sales was positively impacted by favorable efficiencies ($19.3 million) which was offset partially by unfavorable pricing and economics ($13 million) and higher launch costs ($3.7 million).

 

Total gross profit was positively affected by a decrease in the depreciation included in cost of sales from $41.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2014 to $37.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015, reflecting primarily favorable foreign exchange.

 

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Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”)

Total SG&A decreased $2.4 million, or 4%, from the six months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting higher incentive compensation costs and higher overall compensation costs more than offset by favorable foreign exchange.

 

Amortization Expense

Total amortization expense decreased $1.3 million from the six months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting primarily the amortization of customer relationships in Europe and Brazil, which became fully amortized during 2014. No further amortization expense related to these intangibles will be incurred.

 

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Expense

Total restructuring expense increased $0.4 million, or 7%, from the six months ended June 30, 2014. During the second quarter of 2015, we incurred charges related to ongoing maintenance expense of facilities closed as a result of prior actions in our Americas segment and severance charges to reduce fixed costs.

 

Interest Expense, net    

Interest expense, net, decreased $2.6 million, or 18%, from the six months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting primarily lower interest due to lower borrowings in Brazil ($2.0 million) and lower expense on our Term Loan.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

Income tax expense decreased $1 million from the six months ended June 30, 2014. Our income tax expense varies each period depending on the level and mix of income and losses generated in the various jurisdictions in which we do business. There was more income in the United States where we are currently not recording deferred income tax expense. Our income tax expense also decreased due to lower withholding taxes on dividends paid from our Chinese joint ventures.

 

Equity in Profit / (Loss) of Joint Venture

Equity in the loss of joint venture which represents our share in the loss of our unconsolidated Ningbo joint venture decreased by $0.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax    

The adjustment to our earnings required to give effect to the elimination of noncontrolling interests decreased by $0.7 million from the six months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting decreased earnings in our consolidated Chinese joint ventures.

 

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Comparison of Periods—Non-GAAP Analysis of Adjusted EBITDA

 

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to Tower International, Inc. for the periods presented is set forth below (in millions):

 

   International   Americas   Consolidated 
   Six Months Ended   Six Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30,   June 30,   June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014   2015   2014 
                         
Adjusted EBITDA  $30.5   $37.1   $70.8   $69.7   $101.3   $106.8 
Intercompany charges   3.2    3.5    (3.2)   (3.5)   0.0    0.0 
Restructuring and asset impairments   (0.1)   (0.3)   (6.4)   (5.8)   (6.5)   (6.1)
Depreciation and amortization   (14.3)   (19.0)   (25.3)   (26.6)   (39.6)   (45.6)
Acquisition costs and other   (0.1)   (0.2)   (0.1)   -    (0.2)   (0.2)
Long-term non-cash compensation (a)   -    -    (6.0)   (4.9)   (6.0)   (4.9)
Pension actuarial loss        -         -           
Operating income  $19.2   $21.1   $29.8   $28.9    49.0    50.0 
Interest expense, net                       (11.6)   (14.2)
Other expense                       -    (0.1)
Provision for income taxes                       (4.5)   (5.5)
Equity in loss of joint ventures (b)                       (0.2)   (0.4)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                       0.6    2.4 
Noncontrolling interest, net of tax                       (0.6)   (1.3)
Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.                      $32.7   $31.0 

 

 

(a)Represents the compensation expense related to stock options, restricted stock units, one-time CEO compensation awards, and certain compensation programs intended to benefit our long-term success and growth. The compensation charges are incurred during the applicable vesting periods of each program.
(b)Represents the loss attributable to our Ningbo joint venture, which we do not consolidate in our financial statements given the non-controlling nature of our interest in this entity.

 

The following table presents revenues (a GAAP measure) and Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in millions), as well as an explanation of variances:

 

   International   Americas   Consolidated 
   Revenues   Adjusted
EBITDA(c)
   Revenues   Adjusted
EBITDA(c)
   Revenues   Adjusted
EBITDA(c)
 
Six months Ended June 30, 2015 results  $376.8   $30.5   $610.1   $70.8   $986.9   $101.3 
Six months Ended June 30, 2014 results   449.6    37.1    618.2    69.7    1,067.8    106.8 
Variance  $(72.8)  $(6.6)  $(8.1)  $1.1   $(80.9)  $(5.5)
Variance attributable to:                              
Volume and mix  $14.8   $5.6   $6.2   $(4.0)  $21.0   $1.6 
Foreign exchange   (78.6)   (7.9)   (17.7)   (0.2)   (96.3)   (8.1)
Pricing and economics   (9.0)   (7.3)   3.4    (5.2)   (5.6)   (12.5)
Efficiencies   -    7.4    -    11.9    -    19.3 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses and other items (d)   -    (4.4)   -    (1.4)   -    (5.8)
Total  $(72.8)  $(6.6)  $(8.1)  $1.1   $(80.9)  $(5.5)

 

(c)We have presented a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc. above.
(d)When we refer to “selling, general, and administrative expenses and other items”, the “other items” refer to (i) savings which we generate after implementing restructuring actions, (ii) the costs associated with launching new products, and (iii) one-time items which may include reimbursement of costs.

 

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Adjusted EBITDA

When we analyze Adjusted EBITDA, we separately categorize external factors—volume, product mix, and foreign exchange—and all other factors which impact Adjusted EBITDA, which we refer to as “other factors.”

 

Consolidated Company: Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $5.5 million, or 5%, from the six months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting primarily unfavorable foreign exchange ($8.1 million) and unfavorable mix ($1 million), offset partially by higher volume ($2.6 million). All other factors were net favorable ($1 million). Favorable efficiencies ($19.3 million) were partially offset by unfavorable pricing and economics ($12.5 million) and unfavorable SG&A expenses and other items ($5.8 million).

 

International Segment: In our International segment, Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $6.6 million, or 19%, from the six months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting primarily unfavorable foreign exchange ($7.9 million), offset partially by higher volume ($4.7 million) and favorable mix ($0.9 million). All other factors were net unfavorable ($4.3 million). Unfavorable pricing and economics ($7.3 million), principally product pricing and labor costs, and unfavorable SG&A expenses and other items ($4.4 million) were offset partially by favorable efficiencies ($7.4 million).

 

Americas Segment: In our Americas segment, Adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.1 million, or 2%, from the six months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting lower volume ($2.1 million), unfavorable mix ($1.9 million), and unfavorable foreign exchange ($0.2 million). All other factors were net favorable ($5.4 million). Favorable efficiencies ($11.9 million) were partially offset by unfavorable pricing and economics ($5.2 million) and unfavorable SG&A expenses and other items ($1.3 million).

 

Restructuring

 

The following table sets forth our net restructuring and asset impairment charges by type for the periods presented (in millions):

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Employee termination costs  $0.3   $0.5   $0.5   $0.9 
Other exit costs   5.2    4.2    6.0    5.2 
Asset impairment   -    -    -    - 
Total restructuring expense  $5.5   $4.7   $6.5   $6.1 

 

We restructure our global operations in an effort to align our capacity with demand and to reduce our costs. Restructuring costs include employee termination benefits and other incremental costs resulting from restructuring activities. These incremental costs principally include costs associated with previously closed facilities and equipment and personnel relocation costs. Restructuring costs are recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with FASB ASC No. 420, Exit or Disposal Obligations, and are presented in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as restructuring and asset impairment charges, net. We believe the restructuring actions discussed below will help our efficiency and results of operations on a going forward basis.

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the charges incurred in the Americas segment related to a liability established to reflect a change in estimated future rents on a previously closed facility, ongoing maintenance expense of facilities closed as a result of prior actions and severance charges to reduce fixed costs. The charges incurred in the International segment related to severance charges to reduce fixed costs and a revision of a previous estimate.

 

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During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the charges incurred in the Americas segment related to the buyout of a lease on a previously closed facility, ongoing maintenance expense of facilities closed as a result of prior actions, and severance charges to reduce fixed costs. The charges incurred in the International segment related to severance charges in Europe to reduce fixed costs.

 

We expect to continue to incur additional restructuring expense in 2015 related primarily to previously announced restructuring actions; however, we do not anticipate any additional expense that will be significant, with respect to previously announced actions. We may engage in new actions if business conditions warrant further actions.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

General

We generally expect to fund expenditures for operations, administrative expenses, capital expenditures, and debt service obligations with internally generated funds from operations and we generally expect to satisfy working capital needs from time-to-time with borrowings under our revolving credit facility or cash on hand. As of June 30, 2015, we had available liquidity of approximately $344.8 million, which we believe is adequate to fund our working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. We believe that we will be able to meet our debt service obligations and fund operating requirements for at least the next twelve months with cash flow from operations, cash on hand, and borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

 

Cash Flows and Working Capital

The following table shows the components of our cash flows from continuing operations for the periods presented (in millions):

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014 
Net cash provided by / (used in):          
Operating activities  $13.4   $19.3 
Investing activities   (29.4)   (29.0)
Financing activities   4.6    35.9 

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, we generated $13.4 million of cash flow from operations compared with $19.3 million of cash generated during the six months ended June 30, 2014. The primary reason for this decrease was from lower Adjusted EBITDA.

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $29.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to $29 million during the six months ended June 30, 2014.

 

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Net cash flow provided from financing activities was $4.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to cash generated of $35.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2014. The $31.3 million change was attributable primarily to higher borrowings on the Term Loan in the 2014 period, compared to the 2015 period. During the first quarter of 2015, we received $32.4 million of cash proceeds related to the termination of our cross currency swaps. Subsequently, we paid down $25 million of the Term Loan.

 

Working Capital

We manage our working capital by monitoring key metrics principally associated with inventory, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. Our quarterly average inventory days on hand remained constant at 16 days during the first and second quarter of 2015. Although our days on hand remained consistent, our inventory levels increased from $69.8 million at December 31, 2014 to $71.5 million at June 30, 2015.

 

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Our accounts receivable balance increased from $230.4 million as of December 31, 2014 to $274.5 million as of June 30, 2015. The increase reflects the timing of customer payments consistent with normal seasonality.

 

Our accounts payable balance increased from $257 million as of December 31, 2014 to $286.6 million as of June 30, 2015. The change reflects primarily the increase of trade accounts payable, reflecting primarily the matching of terms with our customers and vendors, and the increase of accounts payable related to customer funded tooling, which resulted from the timing of customer programs.

 

Our working capital usage is seasonal in nature. During the first half of the year, production and sales typically increase substantially, which causes our working capital to increase because our accounts receivable and inventory increase. In addition, we make our annual incentive bonus plan payments during the second quarter. In the second half of the year, production and sales typically decline as a result of scheduled customer shutdowns. The lower production and sales generally result in a reduction of accounts receivables and inventory, which decreases our working capital.

 

Our working capital is also affected by our net position in regard to customer funded tooling with our customers. Tooling costs represent costs incurred by us in the development of new tooling used in the manufacture of our products. Generally, when a customer awards a contract to us, the customer agrees to reimburse us for certain of our tooling costs. As the tooling is developed, we experience cash outflows because we bear the costs and we typically do not receive reimbursement from our customers until the manufacture of the particular program commences. This timing delay causes our working capital to fluctuate between periods due to the timing of the cash inflows and outflows.

 

On June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 we had working capital balances of $205.7 million and $177.3 million, respectively.

 

Sources and Uses of Liquidity

Our available liquidity at June 30, 2015 was approximately $344.8 million, which consisted of $118.4 million of cash on hand, which excludes $17.6 million of consolidated cash attributable to discontinued operations, and unutilized borrowing availability under our U.S. and foreign credit facilities of $190.2 million and $36.2 million, respectively. A portion of our cash balance is located at foreign subsidiaries and is presently being used to fund operations at and investment in those locations. As of December 31, 2014, we had available liquidity of approximately $364 million.

 

As of June 30, 2015, we had short-term debt of $35.4 million, of which $23.1 million related to receivables factoring in Europe, $6.7 million related to other indebtedness in Europe, $4.5 million related to current maturities of our Term Loan Credit Facility, and $1.1 million related to debt in Brazil. The receivables factoring in Europe consists of uncommitted demand facilities, which are subject to termination at the discretion of the banks, although we have not experienced any terminations by the banks. The other indebtedness in Europe relates primarily to a revolving credit facility. Historically, we have been successful in renewing this debt as it becomes due, but we cannot provide assurance that this debt will continue to be renewed or, if renewed, that this debt will continue to be renewed under the same terms. We believe that we will be able to continue to renew the debt in Europe and to continue the receivables factoring in Europe.

 

Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by continuing operating activities less cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant, and equipment. Adjusted free cash flow is defined as free cash flow excluding cash received or disbursed for customer tooling. We believe these metrics provide useful information to our investors because management regularly reviews these metrics as important indicators of how much cash is generated by our normal business operations, net of capital expenditures and cash provided or disbursed for customer-owned tooling, and makes decisions based upon them. Management also views these metrics as a measure of cash available to reduce debt and grow the business. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are calculated as follows (in millions):

 

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   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2015   2014 
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities  $13.4   $19.3 
Cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant, and equipment, net   (29.4)   (28.2)
Free cash flow   (16.0)   (8.9)
Less: Net cash disbursed for customer-owned tooling   (24.1)   (16.1)
Adjusted free cash flow  $8.1   $7.2 

 

Debt

As of June 30, 2015, we had outstanding indebtedness, excluding capital lease obligations, of approximately $452.2 million, which consisted of the following:

 

$418 million (net of a $1.4 million discount) indebtedness outstanding under our Term Loan Credit Facility
$44.4 million of foreign subsidiary indebtedness
$10.2 million of debt issue costs netted against our indebtedness

 

Term Loan Credit Facility

On April 23, 2013, we and our subsidiaries, Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(a) LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(b) LLC and the domestic subsidiary and domestic affiliate guarantors named therein, entered into a Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) whereby we obtained a term loan of $420 million. The maturity date for the initial term loan disbursed under the Term Loan Credit Agreement was April 23, 2020.

 

On July 29, 2013, we further amended the Term Loan and Credit Agreement, by entering into the First Refinancing Term Loan Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “First Term Loan Amendment”), by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, as borrower, us, Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(a), LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(b), LLC and the subsidiary guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, each of the financial institutions from time to time party thereto as lenders, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders.

 

The purpose of the First Term Loan Amendment was to re-price the Term Loan Credit Facility. The maturity date of the Term Loan Credit Facility remains April 23, 2020. The Term Loan Credit Facility bears interest at (i) the Alternate Base Rate (which is the highest of the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50% and the Adjusted LIBO Rate (as each such term is defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) for a one month interest period plus 1.00%) plus a margin of 2.75% or (ii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (calculated by multiplying the applicable LIBOR rate by a statutory reserve rate, with a floor of 1.00%) plus a margin of 3.75%.

 

On January 31, 2014, we amended the Term Loan Credit Agreement by entering into the Second Refinancing Term Loan Amendment and Additional Term Loan Amendment (the “Second Term Loan Amendment”), pursuant to which, among other things, the outstanding term loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement were refinanced in full, and additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $33 million (the “Additional Term Loans”) were disbursed. After giving effect to the disbursement of the Additional Term Loans, there were term loans (the “Term Loans”) in the aggregate principal amount of $450 million outstanding under the Term Loan Credit Agreement. The term loans bear interest at (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus a margin of 2.00% or (ii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (calculated by multiplying the applicable LIBOR rate by a statutory reserve rate, with a floor of 1.00%) plus a margin of 3.00%.

 

Our Term Loan Credit Facility contains customary covenants applicable to certain of our subsidiaries, including a financial covenant (the “Total Net Leverage Ratio”) based on the ratio of Total Net Debt to Consolidated EBITDA (each as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement). As of the last day of each fiscal quarter, we are required to maintain a Total Net Leverage Ratio of not more than 3.75 to 1.00 on a rolling four quarter basis. Our financial condition and liquidity would be adversely impacted by the violation of any of our covenants.

 

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As of June 30, 2015, we were in compliance with the financial covenants that govern our Term Loan Credit Agreement.

 

Amended Revolving Credit Facility

On September 17, 2014, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement (“Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement”) by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, us, Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(a), LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(b), LLC, the subsidiary guarantors named therein, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto as Lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Issuing Lender, as Swing Line Lender, and as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.

 

The Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement amended and restated, in its entirety, the Second Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2013, by and among the Borrower, its domestic affiliate and domestic subsidiary guarantors named therein, and the lenders party thereto, and the Agent. The Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement provides for a cash flow revolving credit facility (the “Amended Revolving Credit Facility”) in the aggregate amount of up to $200 million. Our Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement also provides for the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50 million, provided that the total amount of credit (inclusive of revolving loans and letters of credit) extended under our Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement is subject to an overall cap, on any date, of $200 million. We may request the issuance of Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars or Euros. As of June 30, 2015, we had no borrowings outstanding under our Amended Revolving Credit Facility and $9.8 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement. Thus, we could have borrowed an additional $190.2 million under the Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement as of June 30, 2015, calculated as follows (in millions):

 

Total Revolving Credit Commitment  $200.0 
Borrowings on Amended Revolving Credit Facility     
Letters of credit outstanding   9.8 
Availability on Third Amended Revolving Credit Facilty Agreement  $190.2 

 

Advances under our Amended Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a base rate plus a margin or at LIBOR plus a margin. The applicable margin is determined by our Total Net Leverage Ratio. The applicable margin for the base rate based borrowings as of June 30, 2015 was 1.25%. The applicable margin for the LIBOR based borrowings as of June 30, 2015 was 2.25%. Borrowings outstanding under our Amended Revolving Credit Facility may vary significantly from time to time, depending on our cash needs at any given time. Our Amended Revolving Credit Facility matures on September 17, 2019.

 

Our Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement contains customary covenants applicable to certain of our subsidiaries, including financial maintenance covenant ratios requiring the Borrower and the Guarantors to maintain a ratio, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, of (i) consolidated adjusted EBITDA to consolidated interest charges of not less than 2.75 to 1.00 on a rolling four quarter basis; and (ii) total net debt to consolidated adjusted EBITDA not to exceed 3.50 to 1.00 on a rolling four quarter basis.

 

As of June 30, 2015, we were in compliance with the financial covenants that govern our Amended Revolving Credit Agreement.

 

Foreign Subsidiary Indebtedness

Our foreign subsidiary indebtedness consists primarily of borrowings in Europe, receivables factoring in Europe, and borrowings in Brazil, which is described above.

 

Capital and Operating Leases

We maintain capital leases primarily for a manufacturing facility and certain manufacturing equipment. We have several operating leases, including leases for office and manufacturing facilities, as well as certain equipment, with lease terms expiring between the years 2015 and 2021. As of December 31, 2014, our total future operating lease payments amounted to $97.3 million and the present value of minimum lease payments under our capital leases amounted to $8.8 million. As of December 31, 2014, we were committed to making lease payments during 2015 of not less than $22.2 million on our operating leases and not less than $1.1 million on our capital leases.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Obligations

In addition to the operating leases described above, our off-balance sheet obligations consist of obligations under our Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2015, letters of credit outstanding were $9.8 million under the Third Amended Revolving Credit Facility.

 

Net Debt

Net debt is a non-GAAP measure that represents total debt less cash and cash equivalents. We regard net debt as a useful measure of our outstanding debt obligations. Our use of the term “net debt” should not be understood to mean that we will use any cash on hand to repay debt. Net debt is calculated as follows (in millions):

 

   June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Total debt,  including capital leases and net of debt issue costs  $459.8   $484.2 
Less: Cash and cash equivalents   136.0    148.6 
Add: Cash attributable to discontinued operations   17.6    16.0 
Net debt  $341.4   $351.6 

 

As of June 30, 2015, our net debt was $341.4 million, compared to $351.6 million as of December 31, 2014. The $10.2 million change reflects primarily the proceeds received from the termination of our cross currency swaps, offset partially by the unfavorable free cash flow during the first six months of 2015 and the repurchase of treasury shares in connection with the vesting of certain RSUs.

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements relating to trends in the operations, financial results, business and products of our Company, and anticipated production trends. The forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “project”, and other similar expressions and statements regarding our intent, belief, current plans, or expectations. Our forward looking statements also include, without limitation, statements regarding our anticipated future financial condition, operating results, free cash flows, adjusted free cash flows, net debt leverage, Adjusted EBITDA, and business and financing plans and models. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report and are based upon management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The following important factors, as well as those important factors described elsewhere in this report or in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, could cause our actual results to differ materially from estimates or expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements:

 

global automobile production volumes;

 

the financial condition of our customers and suppliers;

 

our ability to make scheduled payments of principal or interest on our indebtedness and comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in the instruments governing our indebtedness;

 

our ability to refinance our indebtedness;

 

risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including foreign exchange risks and economic uncertainty in some regions;

 

any increase in the expense and funding requirements of our pension and other postretirement benefits;

 

our customers’ ability to obtain equity and debt financing for their businesses;

 

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our dependence on our large customers;

 

pricing pressure from our customers;

 

our ability to work effectively with our joint venture partners;

 

our ability to integrate acquired businesses;

 

work stoppages or other labor issues at our facilities or at the facilities of our customers or suppliers;

 

risks associated with business divestitures; and

 

costs or liabilities related to environmental and safety regulations.

 

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

This report also contains estimates and other statistical data made by independent parties and by us relating to market size and growth and other data about our industry. This data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. We have not independently verified the statistical and other industry data generated by independent parties that are contained in this report and, accordingly, we cannot assure you of the accuracy or completeness of such data. In addition, projections, assumptions, and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the industries in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. We are exposed to market risk throughout the normal course of our business operations due to our purchases of steel, our sales of scrap steel, our ongoing investing and financing activities, and our exposure to foreign currency exchange rates. We have established policies and procedures to govern our management of market risks.

 

Commodity Pricing Risk

Steel is the primary raw material that we use. We purchase a portion of our steel from certain of our customers through various OEM resale programs. The purchases through customer resale programs have buffered the impact of price swings associated with the procurement of steel. The remainder of our steel purchasing requirements is met through contracts with steel mills. At times, we may be unable to either avoid increases in steel prices or pass through any price increases to our customers. We refer to the “net steel impact” as the combination of the change in steel prices that are reflected in the price of our products, the change in the cost to procure steel from the mill, and the change in our recovery of offal. Our strategy is to be economically neutral to steel pricing by having these factors offset each other. While we strive to achieve a neutral net steel impact, we are not always successful in achieving that goal, in large part due to timing differences. The timing of a change in the price of steel may occur in separate periods and if a change occurs, that change may have a disproportionate effect, within any fiscal period, on our product pricing. Depending upon when a steel price change or offal price change occurs, that change may have a disproportionate effect, within any particular fiscal period, on our product pricing, our steel costs and the results of our sales of offal. Net imbalances in any one particular fiscal period may be reversed in a subsequent fiscal period, although we cannot provide assurances that, or when, these reversals will occur. Over the past several years, we have not experienced a material net impact from these factors.

 

Interest Rate Risk

At June 30, 2015, we had total debt, excluding capital leases and debt issue costs, of $452.4 million (net of a $1.4 million discount), consisting of floating rate debt of $251.2 million (56%) and fixed rate debt of $201 million (44%), taking into account our $186.1 million variable rate to fixed rate swap. Assuming no changes in the monthly average variable rate debt levels of $254.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, we estimate that a hypothetical change of 100 basis points in the LIBOR and alternative base rate would not have a significant impact on interest expense due to the LIBOR floor in our Term Loan.

 

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On October 17, 2014, we entered into a $200 million variable rate to fixed rate interest swap for a portion of our Term Loan. The maturity date for this swap instrument is April 16, 2020. The interest rate is fixed at 3.403% per annum but the fair value of the swap will fluctuate with changes in interest rates.

 

Foreign Exchange Risk

A significant portion of our revenues is derived from manufacturing operations in Europe, China, and Brazil. The results of operations and financial condition of our non-United States businesses are principally measured in their respective local currency and translated into U.S. dollars. The effects of foreign currency fluctuations in Europe, China, and Brazil are mitigated by the fact that expenses are generally incurred in the same currency in which revenues are generated, since we strive to manufacture our products in close proximity to our customers. Nevertheless, the reported income of our foreign subsidiaries will be higher or lower depending on a weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the respective foreign currencies.

 

Assets located in our foreign facilities are translated into U.S. dollars at foreign currency exchange rates in effect as of the end of each reporting period. The effect of such translations is reflected as a separate component of consolidated stockholders’ equity. As a result, our consolidated stockholders’ equity will fluctuate, depending upon the weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the respective foreign currencies.

 

Our strategy for managing currency risk relies primarily upon conducting business in a foreign country in that country’s currency. We may, from time to time, also participate in hedging programs intended to reduce our exposure to currency fluctuations. We believe that the effect of a 100 basis point movement in foreign currency rates against the U.S. dollar would not have materially impacted the results of our operations, our cash flows, or our stockholders’ equity for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

On October 17, 2014, we entered into a €157.1 million cross currency swap to hedge our net investment in our European subsidiaries based on the U.S. dollar / Euro exchange spot rate of $1.2733 which was the prevailing rate at the time of the transaction. On January 23, 2015, we terminated this cross currency swap and then we entered into a new cross currency swap to hedge our net investment in our European subsidiaries based on the U.S. dollar / Euro exchange spot rate of $1.1265. The Euro notional amount was increased from €157.1 million to €178 million and the interest rate was lowered from 3.97% to 3.70%, per annum. On March 13, 2015, we terminated the cross currency swap entered into on January 23, 2015 and then we entered into a new cross currency swap to hedge our net investment in our European subsidiaries based on the U.S. dollar / Euro exchange spot rate of $1.0480. The Euro notional amount remained the same but the interest rate was lowered from 3.70% to 3.403% per annum. The U.S. dollar notional amount of $200 million was reduced to $186.1 million but the 5.09% interest rate per annum remained the same. The maturity date for this swap instrument is April 16, 2020.

 

Inflation

We have experienced a lowering in inflationary pressures impacting certain commodities, such as petroleum-based products, ferrous metals, base metals, and certain chemicals.  However, because we purchase various types of equipment, raw materials, and component parts from our suppliers, we may be adversely impacted by their inability to adequately mitigate the higher cost of their existing inventories which had been purchased and or produced prior to the recent reduction in commodity prices.  The overall condition of our supply base may possibly lead to delivery delays, production issues, or delivery of non-conforming products by our suppliers in the future and even the insolvency of some within the supply base.  As such, we continue to monitor our vendor base for the best sources of supply and we continue to work with those vendors and customers to mitigate the impact of these pressures.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2015. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of June 30, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. These disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

There have been no material changes in our risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Purchases of Equity Securities

On December 31, 2014, the restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted on December 20, 2011, vested.  These RSU were subsequently issued on January 2, 2015. On March 6, 2015, one-third of the stock options and RSUs granted on March 6, 2014, March 5, 2013, and March 6, 2012, respectively, vested. On May 11, 2015, one-third of the stock options and RSUs granted on May 11, 2012 and June 1, 2012, respectively, vested. We reduced the number of shares issuable upon vesting to cover the minimum statutory withholding taxes for certain of the vested participants. This information is reflected in the table below:

 

Period  Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased
   Weighted Average
Price Paid per Share
(or Unit)
   Total Number of Shares
(or Units) Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plan or
Program (1)
   Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
Plan or Program (1)
 
January 1 to January 31, 2015   211,668   $26.10         
February 1 to February 28, 2015   -    -           
March 1 to March 31, 2015   38,427    26.16           
April 1 to April 30, 2015   -    -           
May 1 to May 31, 2015   685    28.27           
June 1 to June 30, 2015   -    -           
Total   250,780   $26.12           

 

(1) We have not announced a general plan or program to purchase shares.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

 

31.1 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer
   
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
   
32.1 Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer *
   
32.2 Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer *

 

101.INS XBRL Instance Document
   
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Scheme Document
   
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
   
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
   
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
   
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

*Furnished, not filed

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  Tower International, Inc.
   
Date:  July 30, 2015 /s/ James C. Gouin
  James C. Gouin
  Chief Financial Officer

 

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